Gia Batta Patch

Meet the site

Gia Batta Patch is a small limestone reef in King George Sound that serves as a workhorse site for Albany's dive community. Marine Life Network describes it as a limestone reef in 10-12 m with sponge formations and small fish, suitable for divers of all levels and a good night dive.

The reef is low-relief, with ledges, holes and undercuts in the limestone that shelter a variety of invertebrates – sponges, ascidians, nudibranchs, feather stars, small crabs and shrimps – and small reef fish such as western blue devils, scalyfin, wrasse, bullseyes and cardinalfish. The surrounding sand and seagrass bring cuttlefish, squid, flathead and Port Jackson sharks, especially at night.

With a maximum depth of about 12 m and no swell exposure, it is a practical choice for training dives, check-outs and night dives when outer sites are unreachable. It will not compete with Breaksea Island or the HMAS Perth for scenery, but it is a reliable, easy dive and a good place to practise buoyancy and photography.

Little is published about the site beyond Marine Life Network's summary and the exact location is not given, so divers should arrange it through South Coast Diving Supplies. The name may also be spelled differently locally.

What you might see

Sponges, ascidians, nudibranchs, feather stars, western blue devil, scalyfin, wrasse, bullseyes, cuttlefish, squid, Port Jackson sharks

Location

Limestone patch reef in King George Sound in 10-12 m, with sponge formations and small fish, used for training and night dives.