Dive Kapalai

Gurnard Point

Gurnard Point is another Kapalai dive site which is abundant in sea life. Having back-rolled off the boat, you can choose to explore either the lively reef wall or the sandy rubble bottom or ... both.

The sand is home to hundreds of mantis shrimps, watchful garden eels and pipefish and there are also plenty of opportunities to watch the symbiosis between partner shrimp and gobies. With such a plethora of activity going on you could easily spend a whole dive covering just a small patch of sand.

On the reef itself you'll find rare and colourful nudibranchs, and several of the resident fish that call Kapalai home. These can include several varieties of boxfish, moray eels and batfish to name but a few. There are also quite a few of the eponymous flying gurnards around. They seem to walk around on the sea floor sometimes spreading their 'wings', especially when approached.

Normally a dive here will take in both the reef and the sand where there is also a small wreck with a giant frog fish at home along with few moray eels. Next to it you might see some sting rays on the sandy plateau.

If you take your time and rest on the sandy floor here you can see the garden eels slowly edging higher and higher in the water, rise a little or approach them and they will start to retreat into their sandy burrows. This can be agony for a photographer but good entertainment for the fun diver, who will be more than happy with their experience at Kapalai's Gurnard Point.

Gurnard Point Reef Basics: Slope and sandy floor
Depth: 5 - 25m
Visibility: 10 - 15m
Currents: Gentle
Surface conditions: Calm
Water temperature: 26 - 30°C
Experience level: Beginner - intermediate
Number of dive sites: 1
Diving season: All year round
Distance: 1 km (3 minutes) from the Kapalai jetty or 5 km (10 minutes) from Mabul
Access: Kapalai and Mabul dive resorts

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