Pilot Reef – Havelock Island Dive Site

22m Max

15-35m Vis

boat

Site Overview

Pilot Reef is Havelock Island premier macro and critter diving destination featuring a coral-encrusted reef slope that descends from 6 to 22 meters in the clear Andaman Sea waters supporting extraordinary invertebrate biodiversity and reliable encounters with charismatic reef species. The reef slope is covered with massive hard coral formations, gorgonian sea fans, and soft coral gardens that create complex three-dimensional habitats for thousands of marine species ranging from tiny pygmy seahorses to impressive humphead parrotfish. Giant moray eels are encountered on virtually every dive occupying overhangs and ledges along the reef slope with their heads extended into the current hunting for passing prey. Lionfish hover motionless among the coral branches displaying their spectacular venomous fin spines while banded sea kraits swim gracefully through the water column hunting for small fish among the reef formations. The site is renowned among macro photographers for its harlequin shrimp population that inhabits specific bommies along the slope feeding on starfish and providing extraordinary photographic subjects in the well-lit shallow sections. The moderate currents bring nutrients that sustain the rich coral communities and attract diverse reef fish creating an endlessly fascinating underwater landscape that rewards patient exploration and careful observation of the reef micro-habitats.

Dive Briefing

"A typical dive at Pilot Reef begins with entry from the dive boat at the shallowest point of the reef slope at approximately 6 meters allowing divers to orient themselves and equalize before beginning the descent along the coral-encrusted slope. Once established on the reef divers should swim slowly along the slope exploring the diverse bommies, overhangs, and swim-throughs while maintaining excellent buoyancy control to avoid contacting the fragile coral formations and disturbing the resident marine life. The most productive depth zone is between 10 and 18 meters where moray eels, lionfish, and the richest macro life are concentrated among the coral bommies and overhangs. Navigate along the slope watching for giant moray eels extending from every available crevice, lionfish hovering among the coral branches, and banded sea kraits swimming through the water column above the reef. Check the overhangs and ledges carefully for harlequin shrimp, pygmy seahorses, and other rare macro subjects that require patient searching and careful observation. The current typically flows along the slope creating gentle drift diving conditions that bring nutrients and allow effortless exploration of multiple reef sections during a single dive. Conclude the dive in the shallower sections of the slope enjoying the abundant coral gardens and macro life before completing a safety stop at 5 meters deploying your DSMB before surfacing near the dive boat."