We dove just outside the bay of Port Resolution on the west side. The bottom composition at this dive site
consisted of mostly black sand and volcanic rock. Algal turf covered most of the volcanic rock. There was less than 5% hard coral cover. These corals were in the Leptastria and Goniopora genera and were mostly small colonies.
One big lionfish, a school of barracuda, fusiliers, snappers, butterflyfish, goatfish, angelfish, and other reef fish were found in the area, but overall the fish abundance was low. We noticed four different types of nudibranchs and numerous types of crinoids on the dive.
We dove just outside the bay on the east side. The area is covered in volcanic rock.
Sargassum seaweed covered many areas. The total hard coral
coverage was about 30% and the the soft coral coverage was about 7%. Most of the hard corals were foliaceous. We noticed that there were hardly any branching corals. The dominant coral genera were
Turbinaria, Pachyseris, Montipora, Lepteria, Platygyra, Goniastria, Montastria and Favia. There were many butterflyfish,
angelfish, and damselfish in the region also some groupers.
Just a short boat ride out of Port Vila, the
capital of Vanuatu, we found
a gorgeous reef surrounding Hideaway Island, also known as Mele. This
particular reef has been designated a marine reserve. On the reef we
were greeted with an abundance of fish, which included Mackerels,
Trevallies, Fusiliers, Sweetlips, schools of Black Snapper, Groupers,
Triggerfish, Lionfish, Scorpionfish, Damsels, and Angelfish. In
addition, we saw many Lobsters, Sea Cucumbers, and large Anemones with
ten to twenty Anemone fish. The corals in the area looked quite healthy.
There was about 60% live coral cover and about 10% dead coral cover. A
few corals appeared bleached. The common coral genera included
Acropora, Galaxea, Favites, Diploastrea, Lobophelia, Pavona, Pocillopora,
Pectinia, Porites, Pachyseris, Montipora, Mycedium, Plerogyra, Leptoseris,
and Leptastrea. Some of the large branching Acropora
corals showed some signs of disease, possibly whiteband or white blotch
disease. We failed to spot the infamous underwater postbox, however we
thoroughly enjoyed the dives at this marine reserve.
A little further from Hideaway Island is Devil’s
Point. Generally, the seas are rough in this area, but we were fortunate
enough to dive the point with glassy warm water, no swell, and lots of
sun, which allowed for amazing visibility. The bottom composition
consisted mostly of coral covered mounds with some sandy bottom and lots
of canyons to explore. Immediately after descending to the reef, we saw
a Sea Snake, which we followed for some time. Other unique creatures
that we saw included Giant Moray Eels, Lobsters and Turtles. The fish
life on the reef was full of Angelfish, Butterflyfish, Groupers,
Damsels, Fusiliers, a diverse assembly of Wrasses, Triggerfish,
Parrotfish, and Batfish. There was a high diversity of corals, which
covered about 45% of the bottom, and there were no signs of bleaching.
Hiding under the ledges of the canyons were large Sea Fans. It was
surprising to see such a pristine environment so close to the city.
.JPG)
We dove just outside the bay of Port Resolution on the west side. The bottom composition at this dive site
consisted of mostly black sand and volcanic rock. Algal turf covered most of the volcanic rock. There was less than 5% hard coral cover. These corals were in the Leptastria and Goniopora genera and were mostly small colonies.
One big lionfish, a school of barracuda, fusiliers, snappers, butterflyfish, goatfish, angelfish, and other reef fish were found in the area, but overall the fish abundance was low. We noticed four different types of nudibranchs and numerous types of crinoids on the dive..JPG)
We dove just outside the bay on the east side. The area is covered in volcanic rock.
Sargassum seaweed covered many areas. The total hard coral
coverage was about 30% and the the soft coral coverage was about 7%. Most of the hard corals were foliaceous. We noticed that there were hardly any branching corals. The dominant coral genera were
Turbinaria, Pachyseris, Montipora, Lepteria, Platygyra, Goniastria, Montastria and Favia. There were many butterflyfish,
angelfish, and damselfish in the region also some groupers.
Just a short boat ride out of Port Vila, the
capital of Vanuatu, we found
a gorgeous reef surrounding Hideaway Island, also known as Mele. This
particular reef has been designated a marine reserve. On the reef we
were greeted with an abundance of fish, which included Mackerels,
Trevallies, Fusiliers, Sweetlips, schools of Black Snapper, Groupers,
Triggerfish, Lionfish, Scorpionfish, Damsels, and Angelfish. In
addition, we saw many Lobsters, Sea Cucumbers, and large Anemones with
ten to twenty Anemone fish. The corals in the area looked quite healthy.
There was about 60% live coral cover and about 10% dead coral cover. A
few corals appeared bleached. The common coral genera included
Acropora, Galaxea, Favites, Diploastrea, Lobophelia, Pavona, Pocillopora,
Pectinia, Porites, Pachyseris, Montipora, Mycedium, Plerogyra, Leptoseris,
and Leptastrea. Some of the large branching Acropora
corals showed some signs of disease, possibly whiteband or white blotch
disease. We failed to spot the infamous underwater postbox, however we
thoroughly enjoyed the dives at this marine reserve. .JPG)
A little further from Hideaway Island is Devil’s
Point. Generally, the seas are rough in this area, but we were fortunate
enough to dive the point with glassy warm water, no swell, and lots of
sun, which allowed for amazing visibility. The bottom composition
consisted mostly of coral covered mounds with some sandy bottom and lots
of canyons to explore. Immediately after descending to the reef, we saw
a Sea Snake, which we followed for some time. Other unique creatures
that we saw included Giant Moray Eels, Lobsters and Turtles. The fish
life on the reef was full of Angelfish, Butterflyfish, Groupers,
Damsels, Fusiliers, a diverse assembly of Wrasses, Triggerfish,
Parrotfish, and Batfish. There was a high diversity of corals, which
covered about 45% of the bottom, and there were no signs of bleaching.
Hiding under the ledges of the canyons were large Sea Fans. It was
surprising to see such a pristine environment so close to the city.