Banana Reef

Banana Reef is a classic banana-shaped coral thila featuring prolific, healthy coral growth, steep drop-offs, a large pinnacle, overhangs, small caves and sponge gardens that provide scenic variety. The site is a designated marine protected area and is prized for clear water and abundant marine life that includes schooling snappers and fusiliers, reef sharks, eagle rays, giant trevally, barracuda, Napoleon wrasse and commonly sighted green and hawksbill turtles, making it popular with underwater photographers and experienced divers. Dives are done by boat and are commonly drift dives along the roughly 300 m ridge, usually starting on the up-current side and following the reef. The reef top rises to around 5 m and slopes to about 30 m. Visibility is generally 15–30 m and water temperatures are about 27–30 °C year-round. Currents can be moderate to strong, particularly outside the calm season (December–April), so guided dives are recommended, reef hooks may be used under overhangs, and careful planning of the boat pickup is advised; fishing and anchoring are restricted and operators enforce low-impact guidelines.