Gadji and the Northern Reefs form the boat-access diving zone on the northern side of Île des Pins in New Caledonia's lagoon. All eight sites are reached exclusively by boat, and the range runs from a six-metre beginner reef at Daa Djare to a wall and drift site at Le Banc de Sable that descends to fifty metres. The area is particularly noted for its cave diving: Grottes de Gadji features cave openings at around twenty to twenty-three metres requiring solid buoyancy control, while an underwater corridor grants access to a separate cave system in the area. Species recorded include bumphead parrotfish, nurse sharks, whitetip reef sharks, Napoleon wrasse, garden eels, sea kraits, and a variety of nudibranchs. Two operators are based nearby.
Monthly water temperature across Gadji & Northern Reefs's sites, from satellite sea-surface data corrected for depth. The band shows the site-to-site spread.
Water temperatures follow a clear seasonal pattern, peaking in the austral summer and dropping to their coolest from July to October. The variety of depths and site types means something is accessible year-round, though the deeper wall and drift dives are best reserved for conditions when visibility stretches toward its upper range.
2 operators
We, New Caledonia
New Caledonia
Water temperature around Gadji & Northern Reefs ranges from about 23°C in July to 27°C in February, based on satellite sea-temperature data for its dive sites.
In the warm season (about 27°C) a rash guard or 3mm shorty is comfortable in Gadji & Northern Reefs; in the coldest months (about 23°C) step up to a 3mm full suit.
Fin maps 8 sites in Gadji & Northern Reefs (8 scuba diving sites and 1 snorkelling spots, with some suited to both).
3 more sites to explore
