Coral Slope

A gently inclined reef slope from 5 to 30 metres transitions from dense table coral gardens in the shallows to a rubble and sea-pen field in the deeper reaches, creating distinct depth zones each with their own suite of cryptic residents. Hairy frogfish and ghost pipefish conceal themselves among hydroids and feather stars while robust ghost pipefish mimic the crinoid arms they cling to in the current. The slope connects directly to the sandy plateau surrounding Kapalai's sandbar, where periodic forays reveal garden eels, dartfish and sleeping turtles.