Manuelita Garden, Cocos Island - One of the World Best Night Dives

Manuelita Garden is often touted by dive aficionados as the world's best night dive. Throughout the year, hundreds of white tip reef sharks can be seen accumulating at the site each night to hunt the abundant fish life. Divers' torch lights dramatise the scene as the frenzied predators chase huge black jacks in and out of the reef and in between columns of light. What makes the scene even more dramatic is the way that the sharks flick in and out of site beneath divers torch lights.

Tiger sharks are sometimes seen on this night dive, attracted not so much by the fish but to predate on the larger prey which the white tip sharks represent. Lobsters are a more likely night time sight, along with large numbers of spiny sea urchins.

If you have a keen interest in underwater photography you have the chance to capture some unique frames.  The sharks are seemingly uncaring about their human audience might even bump into you, their focus on the chase uninhibited.

It is not unusual to have the opportunity to repeat this dive 3 - 4 times on a Cocos Dive Liveaboard trip. There is little need to descend beyond 15 metres which is ideal for your last dive of the day. Dive times are usually limited to about 35 minutes for a conservative safety margin.

Manuelita Garden is also a good daytime dive. The only difference is that fish have less to worry about.

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