Log This Dive

Pungume Patches

Pungume Patches is one of those sites that just makes you grin underwater. We love it because it’s a masterclass in how a scattered collection of bommies can be so much more than the sum of their parts. You’re not getting one continuous reef here, but a series of coral heads erupting from a sandy bottom, each one a miniature ecosystem humming with activity. Drop in and let the gentle current carry you from patch to patch. The sand channels between them are often patrolled by huge trevally, and we’ve seen eagle rays glide by more than once. But it’s the patches themselves that really grab you. They’re absolutely coated in hard corals, and the sheer density of small reef fish is incredible. Think schools of fusiliers so thick they block the light, and curious batfish hovering close. We’ve even spotted the occasional seahorse tucked away in the seagrass near the shallower bommies. It’s a photographer’s dream, particularly with the sun dappling through the water, illuminating the vibrant corals. This place is perfect for divers who appreciate the intricate details, the little dramas playing out on each coral head, and who don’t mind a leisurely drift.