A Photographer's Heaven
A seamount rising sheer-sided
from 3,000ft right in the center of the narrowest part of
Bligh Water, where it intercepts the flow of nutrients funneled
between the two large islands of Viti Levu and Vanua Levu.
Extraordinary diving! Pelagics are normally found on the two
sides of the pinnacle flushed by currents, while delicate
soft corals and fans decorate the protected lee side where
NAI'A moors.
The Cathedral is a large swim-though lined in gorgonia fans and soft coral, with soft-coral trees growing up from the floor. A narrow opening above allows sun rays to penetrate to the floor of the Cathedral, illuminating the bright fans and soft coral like so many panes of stained glass, giving it the feel of its namesake. The floor is home to several different colors of poison-bristle nudibranch, while adjoining small caves shelter many large lobster. It is not unusual on night dives to encounter 20 big lobster out patrolling their territory.
Other
highlights of night dives at E-6 are giant cuttlefish, arrowhead
crabs, tiny soft coral cowries, colonial anemones on the gorgonia
fans, and so many flashlight fish that you can navigate by
their bright green light. Day dives at E-6 feature schooling
barracuda, trevally, and surgeonfish, occasional hammerhead
sharks and eagle rays, and a plethora of reef fish including
anthias, fusiliers, and leaf scorpionfish. I discovered both
E-6 and Mount Mutiny from the air, having chartered a private
plane to scout potentially good dive areas in waters not normally
frequented.
