Blue Channel
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, so treat everything here as planning ranges.
Blue Channel is a shallow adventure playground: a crooked lane of sand walled by coral, ducking under arches and past little cavelets on its way out toward the reef edge. The enclosed feel concentrates life: squirrelfish and glassy sweepers pack the overhangs, a resident green moray works the crevices, and spotted drums flutter in the undercuts like dropped ribbons. Because it tops out near five meters, it doubles as a superb night dive and a long, unhurried second tank. Local divemasters treat it as the island's best odds for finding toadfish and octopus on one dive.
The moment you come for: Coral arches and cavelets, dense overhang life, first-rate night diving in easy depth.
Topography: A winding sand-floored channel cut through the shallow reef flat, roofed in places by coral arches.
Entry: Just off West End; also reachable as an ambitious shore dive from some beaches.
Know before you splash
Hazards: Mild surge through the arches on swell days.
Conservation: Marine-park waters; the swim-throughs are fragile: go single file and touch nothing.
Who you'll meet
Great Barracuda
Lionfish
Porcupinefish
Green Sea Turtle
Christmas Tree Worm
Southern Stingray
Nudibranchs
Nurse Shark
Also recorded nearby
"Charted here" species were listed by our editors from the sources on this page. Counts are GBIF occurrence records: observations logged within about 5 km of the charted position since 1990, matched only against the species in our catalogue. They show what has been seen there, not a promise of what you will see.
For photographers
Wide angle: ★★★☆☆ · Macro: ★★★★☆ (editors' 1–5 rating of what this site gives each style of shooting)