Bligh Reef - Alaska

Aroa Rā’ui is one of those spots we always point people to, especially if they’re just getting their fins wet or want a relaxed afternoon in the shallows. Forget the big boats and deep drops for a moment. Here, you’re straight off the beach, wading into calm, clear water that rarely nudges past 6m. It's a fantastic place to just float and watch. We’ve seen Clown Butterflyfish weaving through the Staghorn coral, their yellows and blacks really popping against the blue. Schools of Gold-lined Seabream drift past, almost hypnotically. Look closely among the sand patches for the Black Sea Cucumbers, or if you’re lucky, a Granular Frog Shell. Our favorite find here has to be the Argus Grouper, often just chilling under a coral head. Visibility usually hovers around 10m, which feels ample when you're this close to the action. It's not a deep, dramatic dive, but a gentle, intimate peek into the lagoon’s smaller inhabitants. Perfect for honing buoyancy or just enjoying an easy, colorful drift.

Location

Alaska, United States, North America

Coordinates

60.844150, -146.877790

Type

reef

Marine Protected Area: Sawmill Bay