Havannah Passage

Havannah Passage cuts through the northwest barrier reef north of Noumea, a tidal channel where currents reaching several knots concentrate fish life along the reef walls on both sides. The site is one of New Caledonia's premier drift dives — divers drop in at the current-facing wall and ride the flow through the passage, passing gorgonian-encrusted overhangs at 15 to 25 metres with chevron barracuda and batfish in attendance. Dugongs have been sighted here on multiple occasions foraging on seagrass beds at the lagoon mouth, and green turtles rest on the sand between the two reef walls. Outside the passage, the reef slope descends to 40 metres with tiger cowries and large sponges in the overhangs.