Watamu reefs......
TURTLE
REEF
An Inner Reef site with a maximum depth of 10 metres. As this site consists
of a large sand patch surrounded by coral heads and Turtle Grass - all manner
of Marine Creatures can be found here:. From Turtles, Giant Guitarfish, Giant
Reef Rays to Ghost Pipe Fish, Sea Moths, Banded Snake Eels, Lobsters,
Cuttlefish, Frog Fish, Leaf fish and of course the Coral Reef regulars such as
Snappers, Gaterins, Groupers, Angel Fish etc.
MIDA WRECK
Situated at the mouth of Mida Creek, this 60 foot wreck of a Prawn Trawler
was sunk about 15 years ago and lies in the sand at the depth of 14 metres.
Over the years the wreck has become encrusted with an astonishing array of
Corals and sponges. It is also home to large schools of fish such as sweepers,
glass fish, juvenile barracuda and Bat Fish, not forgetting the large groupers
that hide inside!
MORAY REEF
Buoyed off at 10-13 metres on the top of the reef, with a swim of about 20
metres over soft and hard corals, home to a profusion of Marine creatures, to
the drop off. Here the wall drops off with a series of overhangs down to the
sand at a depth of 27-30 metres. Half way down the wall lives 'George' the
semi tame Giant Moray, and sometimes you may be lucky enough to see George's
grandfather who is at least twice as big! Large Pelagics can also be sighted
here.
NORTH MORAY REEF
Buoyed at a depth of 9-12 metres on the top of the reef, the nearby wall
and overhangs offer a home to a wide range of marine life: from schools of
colourful Fusiliers, Snappers, Lion fish, Leaf fish, Angel fish and Butterfly
fish to the stranger reef inhabitants such as stone fish, octopus and
crocodile fish. It is also possible to encounter Turtles, Rays and if you are
lucky maybe a roaming Whale Shark!
CRACAS REEF
Buoyed at a depth of 10-13 metres where it is not uncommon to encounter
several species of Moray Eel, including the beautiful Honeycomb Moray. The
wall and overhangs here are busy with a profusion of Blue-lined Snapper, Red
snapper, Surgeon Fish, Bigeyes and Goat fish. The sandy bottom at 26-28 metres
can offer sightings of the Leopard Shark, Dolphins and Giant Groupers.
PROBATION REEF
The buoy is situated on the edge of a large sand patch, where White-tip
Reef Shark have often been spotted. The reef that runs along the edge of the
sand is covered with some stunning soft and hard corals. The large Coral heads
that rear above the reef contour offer a shelter to large schools of glass
fish, and it is often possible to encounter large schools of Trevallies and
Bonito powering their way through searching for a 'feast' of glass fish!
DRUMMERS REEF
The buoy is situated alongside a sandy channel dotted with a series of
large coral heads. Swimming down the sand channel towards the drop-off it is
possible to encounter blue-spotted rays, Moses Sole, Morays and Devil Scorpion
Fish. Under a beautiful Spreading Star Coral on the edge of the drop off, live
two huge Morays, surrounded by Glassfish. The Drop-off here is also a good
place to see Turtles, Giant Napoleon Wrasse, and, when they are around, Mantas
and Dolphins.
SOUTH
DOLPHIN POINT
The buoy is situated between two sets of busy overhangs, where White Tip
Reef Shark, Giant Reef Rays and Giant Guitarfish have been seen. The top of
the Reef is covered in colourful soft corals, and it is often possible to see
Turtles here as well as many of the regular Indian Ocean Fish Species, from
Groupers to Nudibranchs and Shrimps.
DOLPHIN POINT
So named because when the site was first buoyed, the divers were surrounded
by a school of Dolphins! The buoy is near the edge of the drop off where there
is always an abundance of schooling fish, such as Bigeyes, Glass fish and
Gaterins. The overhangs shelter lots of Leaf Fish, Scorpion Fish and the
occasional Frog Fish. There have also been many sightings of White Tip Reef
Sharks, Manta Rays, Dolphins and Whale Sharks here.
SOUTH CANYON
Around the buoy line on this site, there are always huge schools of Surgeon
Fish, Rudder Fish and Fusiliers. The adjacent overhangs are abuzz with
Glassfish, Groupers, and often the visiting Blue Fin Trevally. The Reef is
also home to Blue-spotted Rays, Morays, Crocodile fish, Turtles, schools of
Cornet Fish and a profusion of colourful Indian Ocean Reef Fish.
CANYON
This site is buoyed on top of the reef at 10-12 metres on the edge of a
Reef 'Canyon', where the walls drop to a sandy bottom at a depth of depth of
22-24 metres. There is a constant parade of marine life up and across the
sandy channel - Fusiliers, Trevallies, Spade Fish, Napoleon Wrasse, and
sometimes, relaxing on the sandy bottom, are White-Tip Reef Shark and both
large and small species of Rays. Both sides of the reef are home to an
abundance of schooling Reef Fish.
NORTH CANYON
The overhangs that are adjacent to this buoy are covered in a profusion of
colourful purple and yellow soft corals, hovered over by vast schools of
blue-lined snappers and glass fish. There are also several resident large Lion
Fish and plenty of Scorpion Fish and Leaf Fish. Turtles are very often spotted
in the vicinity of the buoy, as are Barracuda, Kingfish, and, of course, the
usual myriads of reef fish. Many a Whale Shark has also been spotted in this
area!
ANTHIAS REEF
Close to this buoy line, at a depth of approximately 16 metres is a
stunning Coral ' garden', swarming with Anthias (Sea Goldies), Masked Morays,
the beautiful Coral Grouper, Red Tooth Trigger Fish, and Butterfly Fish. In
his area we have also spotted the beautiful Ribbon Eel, Stone Fish, Leaf Fish,
Giant Morays, Dolphins, Manta Rays, Turtles and Whale Sharks.
DEEP PLACE
Buoyed near the edge of the reef at a depth of 11-13 metres, the nearby
overhangs and drop-offs are covered in soft corals and are home to schools of
Glass fish, Red Mouth Groupers, Lion Fish and Morays. Many a White-tip Reef
Shark and even a Leopard Shark have been spotted on the sandy bottom at 25-28
metres. It is also possible to see the Giant napoleon Wrasse and huge Marbled
Groupers here.
BRAIN CORAL
So named for the immense 'Rose' Coral (!) adjacent to the buoy line at
15-18 metres, on the edge of a sandy Channel, where it is possible to see
large congregations of Sand Eels, as wel l as large Rays. The Reef here
contains many interesting coral 'caves' and overhangs, providing shelter for
such marine Life as Turtles, juvenile Reef Sharks, Stone Fish and Lion Fish.
The top of the reef is home to schools of blue-lined snapper, Glass fish,
Cornet fish and many more!
BLACK CORAL
A patch Reef buoyed at a depth of 28-30 metres, dropping off on the seaward
side to a depth of 33-35 metres. The top of the Reef is covered in huge barrel
sponges, often home to large Lion Fish or Soldier Fish. Here it is also
possible to see the unusual and stunningly coloured 'Royal' Purple and golden
sea cucumber, as well as Giant Morays, and large Rays in the sand around the
reef.
BARRACUDA REEF
A recently discovered, and undived patch reef at 30 metres where large
shoals of pelagic fish such as Barracuda are encountered. The area has both a
diverse and prolific number of fish, some of which are not encountered
on the shallower reefs, such as Emperor Snapper.
MIDA CREEK CAVES
A protected area at the mouth of Mida creek, these shallow caves at a depth
of 4-5 metres, are home to huge Grouper and Red Snapper.
VUMA CAVES
Part of our Kilifi excursion, this site is a must for the cave enthusiast.
Situated at the foot off a set of shoreline cliffs at a depth of 18-20 metres
with large blowholes that can be penetrated and exited through chimney systems
to the top of the reef at 7-10 metres. Large shoals of Snapper and Gaterins
are encountered in the caves, as well as large rock cod. Whilst Napoleon
Wrasse, Manta rays, Whale Sharks, and reef sharks are encountered outside.
TEWA REEF
This site is not buoyed, so is only dived by us, mainly as a drift dive. So
named for the large brown marbled grouper that hang out on the drop off, which
is alive with blue-lined snapper, goat fish and many a lobster! The beautiful
soft coral gardens on top of the reef here provide a colourful back drop for
all the usual Reef fish, inlcuding the rarely seen, beautiful Palette
Tang.