Whitsunday Islands Dive Site Alcyonaria Point
Alcyonacea is another name for soft corals or corals that do not form calcium carbonate skeletons. Alcyonacea contain minute, spiny skeletal elements called sclerites. Scelerites useful in species identification and give these corals some degree of support. Their flesh has a spiky, grainy texture that deters predators. Acyonaria Point, being protected from the prevailing south easterly weather, abounds in soft corals that are not generally seen on the exposed outer reef.
Alcyonaria Point is located on the northern end of Hook Island very close to Hayman Island in the Whitsunday Islands.
Details of Alcyonaria Point
Northern end of Hook Island. Named after the soft corals found here.
Large
coral bommies with lots of territorial sea creatures make for an exciting scuba diving experience. Bommies
rise up from about 13 metres but the tops are well clear of
the surface making parts of the site unsuitable for snorkellers. Gullies
and ledges in deeper water. Soft corals abound in the shallower parts. Some plate coral. Trout country.
Another top dive and usually good unless in a northerly.
Closer
to shore the reef is quite shallow and very pretty. Snorkelling
is good from here towards the point.
Aerial View of Alcyonaria Point
Geographic Position of Alcyonaria Point
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