The “Islands” dive site is actually made up two huge coral formations which only break the surface at extremely low tides, there is also a 3rd smaller ‘island’ further out which we sometimes explore with those divers who are good on air

To enter the site you have to cross the reef shelf via the “sacrificial walkway” *

You descend into a series of life-filled lagoons surrounded by reef. A coral labyrinth then leads to the back of the Islands and wonderful coral gardens beyond. This area is often home to a large school of barracuda which often swirl around the divers.

The coral formations here are massive and have a cathedral-like quality. Notice some shattered corals, for once not caused by man but the result of an earthquake some years ago. These broken corals are now covered with new coral growth which resemble a planted garden.

Passing back into the first lagoon we often exit via a shallow swim-through which pops out on the reef shelf thus avoiding having to climb out over the coral wall. At low tide we will also often use this passage way to enter the dive site.

A “sacrificial walkway” is an area designated for entry and exit over the reef shelf. The idea is to contain reef damage to one specific or “sacrificed” area for the good of the reef as a whole.