11/1/2009 – The island of Atiu is surrounded by a “reef shelf” about 75 feet wide where big waves crash into and wash over it. In this reef shelf called the Coral Garden on the southern end of the island, there are sinkholes which offer snorkelers a view of the underwater world without being pounded too badly by the waves. I saw 5 large puffers in one area which was really cool and at one shelf I saw hundreds of baby Giant Clams. The song “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid kept playing in my head while I was snorkeling for some reason.