Purple Haze: Mantis Shrimp
& Curious Octopuses Await

Purple Haze keeps you guessing, and that is half the fun of diving this colorful little reef. Named for the purple soft corals that fringe its circular structure, this compact site sits just 1km north of Havelock Island. That makes it the closest recreational dive site, with barely any boat travel.

Red gorgonians and purple soft corals frame a reef where shoals of fusiliers pour down on you like rain. Here you can play hide-and-seek with curious octopuses or lose yourself in the eyes of a peacock mantis shrimp.

Every dive at Purple Haze is different. That’s part of its charm. The compact circular reef means you can swim around the entire site in a single dive, but somehow there is always something new.

As you descend past 4 meters, the first flash of purple catches your eye. Soft corals sway gently in the current. Red gorgonians form a natural forest of landmarks. The reef is small enough to navigate easily but dense enough to reward close observation.

Then come the residents. A curious octopus might emerge from its crevice, color-shifting as it inspects you. Your guide points to a sandy patch—there, the iridescent green eyes of a peacock mantis shrimp peer out from its burrow. These small creatures are the real stars here.

Overhead, schools of fusiliers stream past like silver rain. The shallow depth and calm conditions give you extended bottom time—45-60 minutes to really explore, photograph, and appreciate the macro world.