Pilena Reef

Best months: Jul–Oct

Protected Area

Kia

Why dive here

With 391+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blacktip reef sharks, grey reef sharks, humpback whales and orcas - Pilena Reef offers some of Iron Bottom Sound's richest reef diving. Water ranges 29-31°C, warmest January, April, December.

Best timeJul–Oct

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Blacktip Reef Sharks, Grey Reef Sharks, Humpback Whales and Orcas · 391+ species recorded

Water29-31°C · warmest January, April, December

CharacterReef dive

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Pilena Reef is a solid dive, about a fifteen-minute boat ride east of Papatura, and we’ve always found it a reliable spot. The reef starts shallow, around four metres, then drops to a maximum of 22 metres. It’s mostly a wall, covered in these big, golden coral structures that really pop. We’ve spotted plenty of nudibranchs along the wall, and there’s a good number of reef fish darting in and out of the corals, especially in the shallower sections. While it can get a bit lumpy if the wind picks up, the site itself usually feels pretty protected below the surface, and currents are generally light. Visibility averages around 15 metres, which is decent for a relaxed explore.