Sombrero Island

Named for its Mexican-hat silhouette, Sombrero Island is ringed by a sloping reef wall that undulates through valleys and coral pillars down to about 30 m. Large gorgonians, black coral and dense soft-coral growth cover the flanks, with anthias and snapper schooling above. Green and hawksbill turtles are near-resident, eagle rays cruise the blue, and sharp-eyed guides turn up blue-ringed octopus in the rubble. The reef is exposed: currents can run hard — at their worst around the full moon — which feeds the site but pushes it beyond relaxed-beginner territory on spring tides.