The Aquarium – Flying Fish Cove & Surrounds

Site Overview

The Aquarium is a calm shallow bay located just east of Flying Fish Cove that lives up to its name with dense schools of colourful reef fish creating a mesmerising underwater spectacle. At depths ranging from just three to fifteen metres, the site features a gently sloping sandy bottom interspersed with coral patches that attract enormous aggregations of fusiliers, angelfish, butterflyfish, and sweetlips. The protected position of the bay ensures consistently calm conditions with excellent visibility often exceeding thirty metres, making it one of the best sites on Christmas Island for beginners and underwater photographers. The coral formations support a remarkable diversity of reef fish species that swirl in coordinated schools creating the aquarium-like effect that gives the site its name. Photographers will find endless subjects from the tiny cleaner shrimp on coral heads to the large schools of butterflyfish that patrol the reef edge. The shallow depth and extended bottom times possible at this site make it ideal for practising photography techniques, completing training dives, or simply enjoying the relaxing experience of drifting through a cloud of tropical fish. Morning light filtering through the clear water creates beautiful natural lighting conditions for wide-angle and macro photography alike. The gentle slope and minimal current make The Aquarium one of the most relaxing dive sites on Christmas Island where divers can hover weightlessly among the swirling fish schools. Regular visits from green turtles and occasional reef sharks add excitement to the otherwise peaceful reef environment creating memorable encounters for divers of all experience levels throughout the year.