Orote North – Orote Peninsula & North of Apra

25m Max

20-40m Vis

boat

Site Overview

Orote North is a gently sloping reef on the northern side of the Orote Peninsula that offers excellent coral diving with large gorgonian fans, resident groupers, and frequent sea turtle encounters. The reef descends from approximately 8 to 25 metres over a limestone substrate covered in dense coral growth, with particularly impressive gorgonian sea fans on the current-facing surfaces. Large groupers are resident throughout the reef, often approaching divers with curiosity and providing excellent photographic subjects. Green sea turtles are regularly encountered grazing on the reef or resting on ledges, making this one of the most reliable turtle encounter sites on Guam. The coral coverage is exceptional, with a mix of hard and soft corals creating a colourful and biodiverse reef environment. The gentle slope and generally mild current make this site suitable for divers of various experience levels, while the depth profile allows for rewarding multi-level diving. The offshore location ensures good water clarity with visibility typically ranging from 20 to 40 metres. The site is accessed by boat and is often combined with nearby Orote Point Wall or Blue Hole dives for a productive day of diving. The reef slope supports several resident green sea turtles that have been individually identified by local marine biologists through their unique shell markings. These turtles demonstrate remarkable site fidelity, returning to the same feeding areas on the reef day after day, which makes encounters virtually guaranteed for divers visiting this productive site.

Dive Briefing

"Descend from the dive boat onto the shallow reef at approximately 8 to 12 metres. The reef slopes gently downward, covered in dense coral growth with large gorgonian fans on the exposed surfaces. Work your way down the slope, noting the resident groupers that are often encountered at 12 to 18 metres. Green sea turtles are regularly seen throughout the dive, grazing on the reef or resting on coral-covered ledges. Moray eels inhabit the crevices and overhangs throughout the reef structure. The current-facing side of the reef features the largest gorgonians and the densest soft coral coverage. Maintain good buoyancy to protect the coral formations and avoid fire coral contact. Ascend gradually along the reef slope, spending time at each depth level. Complete a safety stop on the shallow reef top at 5 metres. The dive typically lasts 45 to 55 minutes at these comfortable depths. The gorgonian fans on the current-facing reef surface are among the largest specimens recorded on Guam, with some individuals spanning over one metre in diameter and estimated to be several decades old based on their growth patterns."