reef

Log This Dive

Castaway Island

Forget the wrecks for a minute. Castaway Island’s house reef, just a two-minute boat ride from the shop, is where we head when we need a reset. It’s a gentle, sandy slope, peaking at 5m, scattered with small coral heads. If you slow down, properly slow down, this place comes alive. We’re talking pipefish: bluestripes, messmates, all tucked into the sand. You’ll spot flounder eyes peeking out, and we’ve found some truly tiny nudibranchs here, often less than a centimetre. It’s a macro heaven, perfect for photographers who like to get low and close. We’ve even seen banded sea kraits hunting through the coral, a sleek ribbon of black and white against the sandy bottom. Visibility averages 13m, which is plenty for this kind of close-up work. It’s our pick for a chill afternoon, a great way to ease back into diving, or just to spend an hour focusing on the small wonders.