Cats Meow – Bligh Water and Vatu-i-Ra Passage

Site Overview

Cats Meow is a distinctive pinnacle dive in Bligh Water characterised by large gorgonian sea fans, whip corals, and a fascinating collection of macro life including frogfish and the spectacular mandarinfish that emerges at dusk. The pinnacle rises from the sandy floor to within 3 metres of the surface, its flanks covered in a forest of gorgonian sea fans and whip corals that extend into the current like delicate underwater trees. The gorgonian fans are among the largest in Bligh Water, some exceeding one metre in diameter, their intricate lattice patterns creating dramatic silhouettes against the blue water. Frogfish of various species perch motionless on the gorgonian branches and rocky surfaces, their remarkable camouflage making them nearly invisible until a trained eye spots their distinctive shape. The headline attraction at Cats Meow is the mandarinfish, one of the most colourful fish in the ocean, which emerges from its coral hiding places at dusk to perform its elaborate mating dance in the shallower sections of the pinnacle. The psychedelic swirls of blue, orange, and green on the mandarinfish body create one of the most photographed subjects in underwater photography. Nudibranchs are found throughout the site on sponge and hydroid growth, adding to the macro photography menu. Whip corals create vertical lines that add visual interest to wide-angle compositions, their coiled tips swaying gently with the current. The mild current around the pinnacle allows comfortable exploration and extended bottom times for photography. Cats Meow provides a relaxing complement to the more adrenaline-charged dives at Vatu-I-Ra Reef and Black Magic Mountain.