Zong H.
Google
Detailed review from a snorkeling and tidal point of view.
This intertidal bay is geologically, an uplifted ancient coral bed. The coral heads have created a maze like system of connected pools, caves and channels, where one can swim or walk through during low tide (beware of tunnels and underwater currents).
The tidal pools are protected by an outer barrier wall of rock and can stop the surf from even triple red flag warnings. However, the tidal surge can still be found at certain opening, where the current can move at over 7 kpm, which is enough to suck a swimmer out, or pull a swimmer in.
During low tide the water visibility is pretty good, as long as you are not at a sandy area. (On a busy day, there may be too many people stirring up the sandy sentiment, ie kids running around).
During high tide, the protected zone is exposed to wave action and the barrier wall becomes too low. Wave action is then able to reach over and pound the beach head, making visibility very poor. (There is a middle time frame, as the tide rises and clean water flushes the murky water out.)
I have observed angefish, (snowflake, tire track, moray) eels, 3 species (huma) triggerfish, (6 species) butterflies (mellon, saddleback, etc), tangs (clown, 1m unicorn, naso, 60cm sailfin, convict, lavender). puffers (valentine, porcupine), trunkfish (aka yellow polkadot cubix) many species of damsels, chromis, moorish idol, multiple species of wrasses, parrot fish, blennies, gobies, candy cane Cardinal fish (3 species), trumpetfish, lion fish, boxer shrimp, brittle star, cucumber, which are desirable for home aquariums.
Observed schools of baitfish, tens of thousands strong, plus schools of other species (and their predators) as well, though in smaller numbers. There are multiple cleaner wrasse stations through out the outer reef.
There were over a dozen species of encrusting/boulder corals (favia, maze, porite). Soft corals (zoos, star polyps, toadstool, etc) within the intertidal zone.
Take a look in caves and over hangs, to find other shy species.
To sum up the experience, snorkeling here during low tide is like snorkeling within a massive, enclosed aquarium.
As the tide rises, there are 2 channels which leads out of the pools. The first is to the right most end, however due to the nature of the rock formation, there is too much surf to exit that way. The main route used by free divers, would be to the left. The left exit, is immediately adjacent to the highest rock in the area, on the left side of the rock. This opening has no agitation from surf and leads directly to the open water. The channel depth opens up to 2m deep, then outwards to 40m depth.
ENJOY! Corals out here, acropora, pocillipora, montipora digitata and capricornis, feather dusters, ricordia Yuma, etc. (Fields of acroporas are on the left bank, where the reef slopes up gently AND one beautiful giant clam (blue mantle and gold center), 60cm in size.
Finally, there are 2 distinct, sandy beaches here, separated by ancient coral rocks, but connected by a short trail. Once you find the first, main beach, continue along the path to reach the smaller adjacent one. The smaller beach provides easy access to the main tidal pool.
This site is also used for scuba, which have a dive flag set up to the far left, extending from the concrete breakwater. Divers access the site from the left most side (left of the tide pools) and walk in easily.
NOTE: there appears to be damage, likely to heat as reported throughout the world. I have observed die out, but there appears to be local restoration in progress. Coral frags and plugs appear to have been planted in the past, some of which have grown in and some died out.
Surface water is quite warm while I was here in June. The thermocline is approximately 3m deep, where the cooler upwelling water prevails. A 3mm suit would be suited below this depth.
Diversity here is better than the Caribbean, and far superior to the west coast US (La Hoya cove or Catalina Island). In comparison, the Mediterranean is a desert.
