|
This site
takes its name from a long and very beautiful cavern
under the seabed which runs north to south from the
shallow reef just offshore to depths of about 50m on the
reef slope further out. Access to the site is through a
shallow (3m) lagoon lying just a few steps out from the
shore. There is a prominent tree trunk like pinnacle just
outside the lagoon entrance This makes a good reference
for locating the exit point.
The
entrance to the Canyon is marked by a large coral mound
lying some 10m out from the reef face and at a depth of
around 12m. A man-sized opening in the sea bed, just wide enough to
free-fall through, comfortably widens out into the first
chamber and a careful drop to 30m lands you on the bottom
of the cavern. Sunlight penetrates through various large
openings allowing excellent visibility throughout the
dive.
Exit the
cavern by ascending through the fissure which snakes its
way up from the depths, to emerge in a large coral dome
known as the Fish Bowl. This is a smaller cave at the
shallow end of the canyon and is filled with thousands of
shimmering glassfish. Continue through the fish bowl, exit
the cave at 12m, and swim back over the Canyon to catch
your bubbles forcing their way through the seabed in
straight columns reaching to the surface. The lagoon leads
out to beautiful coral gardens which can only be fully
explored after several visits.
The
canyon and fishbowl is an essential dive for all fanatics
of caves and cavern diving.
Caution
is required on this dive due to parts of the Canyon having
an overhead environment. But with the proper planning and
the use of an experienced dive guide, it is both a safe
and highly rewarding experience.
|
