reef

Log This Dive

Cowrie

Cowrie, tucked into the southern reefs of Aliwal Shoal, is one of our favourite Indian Ocean wall dives. Drop down, and you hit the reef at 20 metres, then it slopes away to 27, a lovely depth for a decent bottom time. We love the inside edge here; it’s a mosaic of coves and ledges, perfect for poking around with a torch. It’s a macro photographer’s dream, honestly. We’ve spent whole dives just hypnotised by the colours, watching Halfmoon triggerfish flit in and out of the crevices. Look closely and you’ll find Japanese Pinecone-fish tucked away, or a Goldbar wrasse weaving through corals. We’ve even spotted Flapnose Rays settling into the sand here. The current can pick up, so it’s best suited for divers comfortable with a drift, but the rewards are worth it – those bronze whalers cruise by sometimes, a real adrenaline shot. We’d suggest going early in the morning for the best light on the wall.