Challenger Bay
Depth is the range from the top of the site to its usual maximum; "recommended cert" is the mainstream-agency level operators usually ask for, not a legal rule. Currents and visibility change daily — treat everything here as planning ranges.
Challenger Bay is the ribbons' favorite night anchorage, and the after-dark dive is the point. Giant trevally have learned to hunt in torch beams, rocketing past shoulders to smash baitfish pinned in the light; it is startling the first time and addictive after that. By day the bay is a gentle garden dive, garden eels wavering over the sand flats, anemone clusters at the bommie bases, and turtles working the coral edges, which makes it the itinerary's reset button between deeper pinnacles and pass dives.
The moment you come for: Trevally hunting in torch beams at night, garden eel flats, relaxed sheltered profile
Topography: Sheltered sand bay ringed by coral gardens near Ribbon Reef No. 10
Know before you splash
Hazards: Night-dive buddy separation in the excitement; keep the torch discipline the crew briefs.
Who you'll meet
Clownfish & Anemonefish
Garden Eel
Giant Trevally
Whitetip Reef Shark
For photographers
Wide angle: ★★★★☆ · Macro: ★★★☆☆ — editors' 1–5 rating of what this site gives each style of shooting