The Gap – West Coast & Remote Sites

Site Overview

The Gap is a narrow channel between Christmas Island and a rocky islet on the West Coast that produces an exciting drift dive where oceanic currents are funneled through the constricted passage creating a high-speed underwater conveyor belt that attracts large pelagic predators. The channel geometry accelerates the current bringing nutrient-rich water that supports swirling schools of jacks, hunting dogtooth tuna, and patrolling barracuda that position themselves in the current to ambush prey swept through the gap. Grey reef sharks cruise the channel edges where the current weakens near the rocky walls while eagle rays are occasionally spotted gliding through the deeper sections during the dry season. The drift dive begins at the upstream entrance where divers are carried through the channel at moderate to strong speed while observing the pelagic action unfolding around them. The rocky walls of the channel support diverse encrusting organisms and small reef fish that thrive in the high-energy environment. The combination of speed, pelagic encounters, and the dramatic channel topography creates an adrenaline-pumping diving experience that ranks among the most exciting drift dives available on Christmas Island. Advanced divers with drift diving experience will appreciate the unique geological formation and the reliable pelagic action that the channel geometry produces. The dive typically concludes on the downstream side of the islet where the current dissipates and divers can explore the calmer reef environment before ascending for their safety stop.