Coral Reef passes are lined with a vibrant assembly of living corals, crinoids, sponges, and other creatures feeding on the continual flow of plankton laden sea water served up by tidal currents. There are also lots of fish, turtles and sharks in these passes. Ilot Mato is part of the Great Southern Lagoon World Heritage Site. The lagoon island itself in inhabited by a wealth of sea birds and from time to time (especially on weekends and holidays) the coral-protected island lagoon is inhabited with pleasure yachts from Noumea and distant countries.