Bow of the Ann

After visiting the Yandina area, we weighed anchor for a cruise to the more remote areas of the Russell Islands. We travelled down the deep Sunlight Channel which separates the largest island Pavuvu from Mbanika Island.  Just offshore, near the small village of Linggatu, lies the former coastal trader Ann which sits upright at the edge of the channel.  The ship was deliberately sunk a few years ago making a superb dive site.

After locating the wreck by tying a safety sausage to the stern, we dived down to the bow and reached a depth of 28 metres.  There was a large hump headed wrasse just off the bow. We saw schools of pelagic fish near the wreck and huge schools of tropicals in the wreck. The superstructure and deck equipment at the stern provide the basis for a beautiful coral garden at about 12 metres.  There are several black lionfish and coral cod that live on the stern.  It is a beautiful dive, one not to be missed.