Susan's Reef

Submerged ridge between two larger reefs, capped at 5 m and dropping past a 35 m ledge into the deep. The signature feature is a saddle at 15 to 22 m densely packed with red whip gorgonians (Ellisella sp.) and elephant ear sponges, draped in crinoids of every color. The east side falls away as a sheer wall; the west slopes through staghorn gardens and anemonefish patches. Long nose hawkfish hold in the deeper fans, and pygmy seahorses cling to the gorgonians. Often called the most photographed reef in Papua New Guinea.