New Caledonia · France · Lagoon · Reef
Îlot Maître
Sand and coral heads at 3–6 m, sheltered from the trade winds
Area photo: Jean Rerêve · CC BY-SA 4.0
A shallow sandy bottom with coral heads on the edge of Îlot Maître, the lagoon islet off Nouméa, sheltered from the prevailing winds. The dived section is between 3 m and 6 m and it is used for exercises: this is a skills and check-dive site rather than a reason to travel.
Where it is and how deep
22.3326° S, 166.4078° EPublished position for this site.
The dive
The dive works a sandy bottom scattered with coral heads between 3 m and 6 m, on the sheltered side of Îlot Maître. At that depth nothing about the profile is demanding — the value of the site is the flat sand between the coral heads, which is why the listing calls it perfect for exercises at exactly that depth rather than a site you would travel for.
Being sheltered from the prevailing winds is what makes it dependable: it stays workable on days when the wind is keeping boats off the barrier. Work from one coral head to the next across the sand, keep well off the bottom so the sand stays where it is, and use the shallow depth for what it is good for — a long dive, unhurried buoyancy practice, or the first dive back after a break.
Marine life and season
The sources we used don't single out particular species here.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fair | Fair | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Good | Prime | Prime | Prime | Good |
Season follows New Caledonia: Sep–Dec is warmest and clearest before the wet season; Jan–Mar is cyclone season, and winter water drops to about 21°C.
Sources
- Îlot Maître — SSI/Scubago
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