Sardine Reef

Sardine Reef is an offshore oval coral pinnacle roughly 200 meters long that rises to a shallow summit around 5 meters and slopes to about 25–30 meters. The pinnacle is densely covered in hard and soft corals, including large gorgonian sea fans, black coral bushes and bommies, and is renowned for massive schools of reef fish; tens of thousands of fish often pack the current-swept top while trevallies, jacks, barracudas, Spanish mackerel and reef sharks regularly hunt around the reef. Pygmy seahorses are frequently found on the gorgonians. The site is best dived as a drift dive with guide assistance because currents often converge and can be strong and tidally driven, especially near full and new moons. Visibility is generally very good, often around 30 meters or more, and water temperature is warm year-round at about 29°C. The dive is boat access only, with no overhead or penetration areas; strong currents are the main hazard and the site is recommended for experienced (advanced) open-water divers.