Reefwander
Dark volcanic sea stack rising from turquoise water off Hienghène

Poindimié & Hienghène · France · Pinnacle · Cave & cavern · Channel & pass

Just for Nous

A cave at 25 m with a resident moray on a pass pinnacle

Area photo: Unknown author · Public domain

A pinnacle hidden in the middle of the Ant Pass off Poindimié, with a cave at 25 m reached by a slalom between the gorgonians and guarded by a resident moray eel. Gorgonians on the pinnacle hold schools of anthias, and moray eels, kingfish, jacks and barracuda work the pass around it. The entry can be rough when the current is running.

Where it is and how deep

Depth profile of Just for Nous: typical dive to 25 m (to 82 ft) 18 m · Open Water30 m · Advanced40 m · Recreational limit25 mtypical dive
Depths on a shared scale to 40 m (130 ft); dashed lines mark common certification limits.

20.8886° S, 165.4789° EPublished position for this site.

The dive

The pinnacle stands in the middle of the pass, so the dive starts with a prompt entry when the water is moving; the operator's own warning is that launching can be rock and roll depending on the current. Once down on the pinnacle the rock gives shelter from the pass, and the route leads down to a cave at 25 m. Getting to it means slaloming between the gorgonians, in the operator's words, to be able to pass.

The cave is the point of the dive. A moray eel lives at its mouth, the guardian of this temple in the operator's words, and the visit is a hello to madame moray before the dive works back up the pinnacle through the gorgonians. Schools of anthias hang in the fans there, and photographers need enough light to pick them out against the sea fans. Moray eels, kingfish, jacks and barracuda pass in the open water of the pass around the pinnacle.

Marine life and season

  • Barracuda
  • Trevally & jacks
  • Reef fish swarms
Month-by-month season rating for Just for Nous
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FairFairFairFairGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodGoodFair

Season follows Poindimié & Hienghène: Diveable year-round, weather permitting. Dec–Apr is cyclone season and Jan–Mar the wettest months; mid-Sep to mid-Nov is driest but the trades blow hardest then. Winter water can fall to 20°C.

Know before you go

  • Entry in current: the boat drop can be rough when the pass is running, so gear up before arrival and descend promptly on the operator's signal.

Questions divers ask

How deep is Just for Nous?+

The cave sits at 25 m, which is the deepest figure the operator publishes for the site. The rest of the dive works back up the pinnacle through the gorgonians.

What will I see at Just for Nous?+

A resident moray eel at the cave mouth, other morays, kingfish, jacks and barracuda in the pass, and schools of anthias in the gorgonians on the pinnacle.

Sources

  1. Just for Nous — Scubago dive site — Scubago (SSI)

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