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Observation Point (Fergusson Island)
LocationThis particular dive is made in front of a small beach, north-west of Normanby island and opposite the island of Guletabutabu. At Observation Point there are three different types of habitat here : the sandy sea bed descending to 10 metres, a small meadow of seagrass, in front of the beach, and a forest of mangroves, visible to the left looking at the beach. |
DiveObservation Point is a well sheltered area, especially when the wind is blowing from the south-east. You can dive directly from the MTS Discoverer anchored in front of the beach and fixed to land with a cable. The water is never very clean but this location has so much to offer in shallow waters that one would never surface. You could even go down to 40 metres where large pink alcyonarians, a metre tall, provide a home to small gobies and shellfish; different types of feather worms pop up everywhere. |
The sea bed is mainly sandy and scattered with seagrass; this is where the most bizarre encounters may occur. Splendid crinoids live on the sandy bed, their feathery arms concealing harlequin ghost pipefish and unusual black and white clownfish hide in the tentacles of the anemones, disappearing as the diver approaches. Sole, dartfish and several types of scorpionfish are often seen here. |
In the seagrass you will frequently spot young fish, batfish and shrimpfish, usually living in groups that resemble clouds and move head downwards. Among the other species are Antennariidae, flying gurnard "Dactyloptena Orientalism" sea horses and a special type of trumpefish. Several types of fish, anemones and crabs live in the branches of the Mangroves. This is a good place to moor the ship and you can even spend the night here. |
A nocturnal dive is a must because at night you will see many other creatures besides those mentioned: shells that hide beneath the sand by day, sea urchins moving their prickles to cross the sea bed, nudibranchs, crabs and any many more. |
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