Margaret Knoll – South Coast

20m Max

10-30m Vis

shore

Site Overview

Margaret Knoll is a shore-accessible rocky slope on the South Coast of Christmas Island that offers excellent macro diving and outstanding night diving opportunities in a convenient and accessible location. The rocky slope descends from three to twenty metres with diverse habitats including coral patches, rocky crevices, and sandy areas that each support different marine communities. Seahorses are regularly encountered clinging to the coral branches and sea fans while frogfish perch motionless on the rocky substrate waiting to ambush unsuspecting prey. Small reef sharks patrol the slope in the shallower sections while moray eels occupy the numerous crevices and overhangs throughout the rocky formation. The site is particularly renowned for its night diving where the rocky slope transforms after dark with hunting octopus emerging from their daytime hiding spots, lobsters actively feeding on the reef surface, and bioluminescent plankton illuminating the water with their ethereal glow. The shore accessibility makes Margaret Knoll one of the most convenient dive sites on Christmas Island allowing divers to plan spontaneous dives and night diving sessions without the logistics and costs associated with boat operations. The diverse micro-habitats across the rocky slope support a remarkable range of species from tiny macro subjects to larger reef predators creating a rewarding diving experience for naturalists and photographers alike.

Dive Briefing

"Enter the water from the shore entry point over the rocky platform and descend to the slope at approximately five to eight metres depth. Swim along the rocky formation following the contour of the slope while carefully examining the coral patches and crevices for seahorses, frogfish, and other macro subjects. The rocky substrate supports diverse encrusting organisms including sponges, soft corals, and bryozoans that provide habitat for numerous small invertebrate species. Moray eels are abundant in the crevices throughout the slope and are particularly active during the twilight hours around dawn and dusk. Small reef sharks patrol the shallower sections of the slope and are commonly encountered at depths of five to ten metres. For night dives, the slope comes alive with hunting octopus, feeding lobsters, and various nocturnal fish species that emerge after dark. Bioluminescent plankton can be observed by waving your hand through the water in dark areas away from your torch beam. After exploring the main slope, ascend to the shallower sections where juvenile fish and colourful invertebrates provide interesting observation subjects for the safety stop and final moments of your dive."