Fodor's Expert Review Great Astrolabe Reef

The world's fourth-largest barrier reef traces the northern tip of the island group. Many resorts dive the site frequented by manta rays with wingspans of up to 5 meters. Those resorts nearest the Great Astrolabe explore more of its intricate coral-ways, while other resorts have uncovered excellent sites on the island's fringing reefs. Sea life across the group includes pipefish, sea horses, triggerfish, a variety of eels and wrasse, barracuda, reef sharks, occasional hammerheads, grouper, stone fish, octopuses, turtles, and spinner dolphins among many other species, all set amid a vast network of soft and hard coral formations including swim-throughs and mazes to impress the most experienced divers.