reef

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Mandarin Point

Mandarin Point, a short hop from Naya Gawana, is precisely what it says on the tin. We’re here for the mandarinfish, and honestly, they rarely disappoint. The reef itself is a pretty standard shallow hard coral patch, lots of staghorn, and we’ve seen a few yellowstripe monocle bream scooting about during the day. But come dusk, that’s when the magic happens. We always time our dive just as the sun dips below the horizon, right when the light turns that soft, bruised purple. Descend into the gloom and keep your eyes peeled for those tiny flashes of electric orange, blue, and green peeking from the coral rubble. The visibility here isn’t always stellar, often around 7 meters, so you need to get close, hover patiently, and be prepared for a bit of a chilly wait as the light fades. We’ve spotted crabs and the occasional scorpionfish tucked into crevices while waiting. It's an intimate dive, best for photographers or anyone who appreciates the subtle dance of nature's showstoppers. Forget the big pelagics here; this is all about the delicate details.