South Reef Drop
Dive site
The southern tip of the Gambier barrier reef forms a pronounced promontory where two current systems meet, creating a corner rich in pelagic activity. The reef crest at 3 metres transitions abruptly to a wall that plunges past 70 metres, decorated with large sea fans, black coral trees, and encrusting sponges below 30 metres. Napoleon wrasse up to 1.8 metres are resident on the corner, and schools of dog-tooth tuna and wahoo chase bait fish past the reef edge. Hammerhead sharks have been sighted in the deep blue below 40 metres during the austral winter, though they are unpredictable here. The site is remote even by Gambier standards — it requires a 45-minute boat ride from Rikitea in open ocean conditions.
Conditions
Depth
3 to 70 m
Advanced depths
Current
Often strong
Can pick up on the edge
Visibility
35 to 50 m
Clearest in the calm season
Water
21 to 27°C
7mm full
Month by month
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water (°C) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 24 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 |
| Vis (m) | 25 | 25 | 25 | 28 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 35 | 32 | 30 | 28 | 25 |
| Current | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Moderate | Strong | Strong | Strong | Strong | Moderate | Moderate | Gentle | Moderate |
Field journal
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