This dive site, known as Heart Pontoon at Hardy Reef, offers divers pristine reef walls that, in general, drop down to 30 meters. However, the specific dive area around the pontoon is shallower, with a maximum depth of 9 meters and an average of 4 meters, making it very accessible. It's renowned as a great drift dive location, allowing divers to effortlessly observe the vibrant underwater scenery. There is no specific historical information or unique navigation details beyond following the reef wall during a drift.
The site is teeming with colourful marine life, including delightful butterflyfish, clown triggerfish, and angelfish. Larger species such as mackerel, trevally, and reef sharks can be spotted along the reef wall. The corals are a major highlight, with spectacular soft and hard corals, including small coral bommies featuring staghorn and plate corals that provide homes for various anemones.
Being part of the Great Barrier Reef, the best time to visit Heart Pontoon is generally during the dry season (May to October) when conditions are typically calmer and visibility is excellent. The shallow depths make it ideal for both scuba divers of all levels, especially beginners, and freedivers or snorkelers looking to explore the vibrant reef systems and diverse marine life. Remember to be mindful of currents during drift dives.
