reef

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Reef Patches

Reef Patches, off Christmas Island, is a site we keep coming back to. It’s not about dramatic drop-offs or big pelagics here, though you might spot a blacktip cruising the shallows. This is a place for slowing down, for getting low and finding the details. We love the way the sunlight shafts through the shallow water, illuminating the intricate patterns of the staghorn corals, home to shy Lamarck's Porcelain Crabs and an almost overwhelming number of cowries. Keep your eyes peeled for the distinctive Snakehead Cowrie; they’re surprisingly well camouflaged against the coral. What makes it special for us is the sheer density of reef fish – parrotfish grazing loudly, clouds of archer and decorated butterflyfish, and those electric pinktail triggerfish flitting between the coral heads. It’s an easy, relaxed dive, perfect for photographers or anyone who just wants to soak in the vibrant reef ecosystem without battling a current. Head out on a clear morning when the sun is high for the best light penetration; it truly makes the colours pop.