v2.webp){kind=logo}
- Îlet Pigeon (Pigeon Island) and its dive/snorkel sites — the little islet is the reserve’s hub: shallow reefs skirt the shore, boats drop divers and snorkelers into clear water, and a short walk gives a bird’s-eye view of the coral garden below. It’s where most people see the reserve at its best.
- Coral gardens and gorgonian forests — wide swathes of hard and soft corals plus big sea fans create a cathedral-like underwater landscape. Great for photographers and anyone who likes slow, steady drifting through color and texture.
- Sea turtles and rays — green and hawksbill turtles are regulars, often grazing on seagrass or popping up for air. Stingrays and eagle rays sometimes glide past the reefs, which makes for low-effort wildlife encounters.
- Underwater pinnacles and drop-offs — for divers
- Îlet Pigeon (Pigeon Island) and its dive/snorkel sites — the little islet is the reserve’s hub: shallow reefs skirt the shore, boats drop divers and snorkelers into clear water, and a short walk gives a bird’s-eye view of the coral garden below. It’s where most people see the reserve at its best.
- Coral gardens and gorgonian forests — wide swathes of hard and soft corals plus big sea fans create a cathedral-like underwater landscape. Great for photographers and anyone who likes slow, steady drifting through color and texture.
- Sea turtles and rays — green and hawksbill turtles are regulars, often grazing on seagrass or popping up for air. Stingrays and eagle rays sometimes glide past the reefs, which makes for low-effort wildlife encounters.
- Underwater pinnacles and drop-offs — for divers there are dramatic vertical walls and isolated pinnacles that attract larger fish and give excellent visibility and light. It’s where reef scenery turns architectural.
- Tropical reef fish and macro life — parrotfish, angelfish, wrasses, cleaner stations and a surprising variety of nudibranchs and shrimps. If you slow down, the tiny stuff is as rewarding as the big stuff.
- Shore snorkeling at Malendure Beach — cheap and easy access to the reserve for budget travelers: snorkel straight from the sand, watch snorkel tours head out, and save money compared with boat-only sites. Good for families and quick dips.
- Mangroves and coastal nurseries — the nearby mangrove fringes are quietly important: they shelter juvenile fish and coastal birds, and give a sense of how the whole marine system ties together, not just the pretty reef bits.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.
Best Backpacking
.jpg)
Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.