As you will expect, Mauritius is a prime location for deep sea diving, much more so than La Reunion Island located very close by. The coral reef spans over and area of 150km in fragments and contains approximately 36 different types of coral, 600 species of fish including some very rare and endemic species. Most of these are found in the lagoon in shallow waters. Outside the lagoon, there are beautiful drops, caves and shipwrecks where large fish, lobsters, sharks, various types of rays and tortoises roam the waters... For confirmed divers, Mauritius is a great spot and for beginners it’s the ideal place to learn as there are many great locations rich in fish and in not too deep waters.

THE BEST DIVING SPOTS IN MAURITIUS

There are many which will satisfy both beginners and confirmed divers. Below is a list of the best dive sites in Mauritius partly formed by Jean Michel Langlois, instructor of ‘Blue Club diving centre’.

IN THE SOUTH WEST (From Black River through to the Morne)
 Castle : Night dive recommended. This site is known for its interesting marine life (including Spanish dancers and tortoises). Beautiful coral.
 The Pass: Average depth of 12 metres. The coral is ordinary but a fabulous variety of fish.
 Needle Hole : Average depth of 12 metres. A large presence of sergeant majors and other exotic fish . A great spot for under water photography.

IN THE WEST (from Black River to Flic en Flac)
 Cathedral : An average depth of 25metres. This dive takes place in-between and along two cliffs (you’ll see many fissures and crevasses sheltering interesting fauna) at the end is a large, open cave where you’ll have the feeling of being in a dark and imposing cathedral. Many interesting fish can be seen here.
 Couline Bamboo : An average depth of 25m where you’ll see varying landsapes – fissures and rock bridges. Coral sharks, reef sharks, grey sharks, tunas and black spotted rays are quite common.
 Rempart l’Herbe or Shark Place: An average depth of 45m, this site is frequented by many predators such as tunas, barracudas and grey sharks.
 Rempart Serpent : An average depth of 25m and suitable only for experienced divers. This site is characterised by a snake like rock quite a few metres long where a number of tropical fish shelter such as stone fish, coral fish, scorpion fish and eels. This is a highly recommended dive and has an excellent reputation.
 Tug: An interesting dive around a wreck at 19metres and therefore accessible to level 1’s. You may see the rare and beautiful Scorpion fish of Mauritius.

THE NORTH WEST (From Pointe aux Piments to Pointe aux Cannoniers)
 Stella Maru: An average depth of 23 metres. The Stella Maru is a Japanese trawler that was sunk in 1987 by the Mauritius Conservation society to create an artificial reef. Around and inside the boat interesting sea fauna can be seen including eels, stone fish, scorpion fish etc.
 Stenopus Reef: An average depth of 29 metres. Lots of interesting coral, fish and tropical fish can be seen.
 Peter Holt’s Rock or The Boulders : Average depth of 18metres. The site is known for its huge volcanic rocks. Here there are plenty of fissures, caves and crevasse’s teaming with sea life.

THE NORTH (Pointe aux Piments to Grand Gaube)
 Aquarium: Average depth of 10 metres, you will find a festival of colour with all the different fish in this area. Many small reefs attract a multitude of species of sea life including some rare ones like the scorpion fish (Brachypterus biocellata) and the eel (Epinephelus longispinis).
 Tortoise : An average depth of 13 metres. Here again a wide variety of tropical fish can be seen – a treat for the eyes!
 Pointe Vacoas : Average depth of 22 metres. Here an abundance of coral attracts a variety of fauna including giant star fish and large fire fish. Between August and December dolphins can be seen.
 Whale rock : An average depth of 25 metres, a large plateau of black rock, grottos, canyons, a wonderful variety of coral. Hammer head sharks are sometimes spotted here.
 Coin de Mire : An average depth of 22 metres. To the East of the island some rock formations rising up to sea level with reef fauna and large parrot fish are seen each time. Sometimes large predators pass through the area. Diving can be difficult here due to the strong current. The dive finishes at Confettis bay where there are large colourful corals and clown fish.
 Bain Boeuf : An average of 20 metres. A good place for viewing corals and groupers which often pass through the site.
 The silver star : Depth of 22 metres to 42 metres. This boat was sunk in 1992 in order to create an artificial reef. Incredibly, the boat sank standing making this a fascinating dive site.

THE EAST (Poste de Flacq to Grande Riviere Sud est)
 The Pass : Average depth of 22 metres near Trou d’Eau Douce. You dive adrift where you have the possibility of seeing a number of varieties of fish including groupers and red mullets.
 The Belle Mare Pass or Pass du Puis : Depth of between 3 and 18 metres and probably the most popular dive site on the East coast. At low tide you can let yourself be taken with the current over the reef where kingfishers, rays, reef sharks and other sea predators swim. Not only is what you see a pleasure but the sensation of letting yourself be taken by the current is a wonderful experience. First class!
 Foret des Gorgones: Depth of 22 to 33 metres this is for experienced divers. Here you are welcomed by green parrot fish playing hide and seek in among the thick trunked coral where groupers and other fish swim. At the summit bands of pseudo-anthias can be seen. The area is teaming with colour and life providing a wonderful dive in great visibility.
 Japanese Garden: Average depth of 19 – 24 metres, this site is extremely rich in coral – ‘grondins Volant’, nudibranches, groupers, angel fish, and butterfly fish, among others. This dive is a real treasure hunt loved by avid photographers.

THE SOUTH EAST (Vieux grand Port – the Souffleur)
 Blue Bay: Average depth of 7 metres, this dive site has an impressive variety of coral. This is a quiet spot where you can also snorkel. (5 star site).
 Le Sirius: Average depth of 18 metres. This is an English battle ship that sank during the battle of Grand Port on the 25th August 1810. There are three distinct areas to explore with different flora and fauna in each. Sometimes there is bad visibility because of the river mouth not far away.
 Le Colorado: Average depth of 33metres. As the name suggests this is a 400m long canyon with high cliffs: lots of tunnels with crayfish, chimneys and amphitheatre...
 Roches Zozo: Average depth of 33 metres as before an interesting site not rich in fauna - rocky peaks, tunnels and canyons.

OUR PARTNERS

SEA FAN DIVING CENTRE These are two very well run and professional centres run in partnership between Ben Cadet and Jean Marc Cangy, both professionals in the discipline since 25 years. In both cases the team consists of a padi CMAS/MSDA instructor, two dive masters and a rescue diver Padi assuring your security while in a very warm and friendly atmosphere. Boats are fast ensuring that you reach the site as quickly as possible. You can train to a good level, children as from 10 years can do a junior diploma.

BLUES DIVING CENTRE A special mention for this excellent club with brand new equipment often renovated. The centre is run by Jean Michel Langlois, a passionate of undersea life, and certainly the only professional who paints underwater! You won’t be taken under water with paints and canvasses but Jean Michel will explain how he masters this particular form of art...The objective is to recreate the universe under the sea in situ while literally being transcended into the undersea atmosphere! Fabulous paintings in under an hour (the time to empty an oxygen bottle) and a rest while you dry off! For the actual diving, Jean Michel is a passionate and very professional. A variety of dives are offered: Beginners, explorations on ship wrecks, night dives, exclusive dives around the island, padi exams (including children as from 8 years old).

BLUE WATER DIVING CENTRE Hughes Vitry and his instructors dive with all levels and train to level 4. He is affiliated with the French federation of diving (FFESSM) and has CMAS 3star. He will accept Padi and Naui after an evaluation. The club has four boats and takes divers to the coral reef in front but also to more challenging sites close to the Northern islands where there are some wonderful sites for seeing sharks known to Hughes alone (minimum level 2). In the region are also 5 beautiful ship wrecks. He is also an avid underwater photographer and will do tailor made dives for those who wish. Don’t miss out if you’re in the area as Hughes is a mine of information when it comes to life under the sea. Children between 8 and 12 are also welcome and can take part in exams.