Dive Mauritius

There are dive sites surrounding the island however the most diveable areas lie along the west coast due to consistently good sea and weather conditions. Diving off the south east corner is also possible although over winter (May to September) sea conditions may not allow divers to leave the shallow reefs for more exciting sites. Currently the only marine park is situated in Blue Bay in the south east.

With over 100 dive sites there is plenty of choice for beginner and advanced levels, ranging in depth from 7m to over 45m and covering reefs, walls and wrecks. Here is a small selection:

Blue Bay Marine Park (south east)

Although this is a protected marine park, small scale fishing is still done by locals around the fringes. However the designation has allowed this area to thrive with many varieties of corals, including huge Brain corals, Staghorn corals and Cabbage corals. There is also a wide range of fish species including Damselfish, Butterfly fish, Surgeonfish and juvenile Sailfin tangs. Large Trumpet fish are also found as well as tiny pipefish. This is a peaceful dive, more about relaxing rather than adventure.

Pass St. Jacques (south west)

Depth: 15 to 25 metres

A drift dive beginning at 15 metres and descending down a wall to 25 metres. The main attraction here is the chance of seeing pelagic game fish such as Kingfish or Tuna, Eagle rays and Black tip sharks.

Cathedral (west)

Depth: 22 to 27 metres

This dive takes place on the drop off, beginning at 18m at the top of a rock formation that drops steeply along two connecting cliffs to a depth of 27m. The bottom is sandy and barren however the walls of the chamber is teeming with life, inhabiting the many cracks and crevices in the rock face. The dive follows a chute into a higher chamber with large quantities of crayfish and shrimps, and culminates in a huge cave which is open at the rear. A huge Giant moray lives at the back of one of the overhangs. Due to the filtering light entering through a crack in the ceiling, it feels like you are in a high-vaulted cathedral. Generally the water in the cavern is calm although you may feel a sucking surge as you travel up the chute.

L'Eveille (west)

Depth: 27 to 30 metres

Descending over a wall, there are two distinguishing feature of this site: one is the stepped terraces making up the reef and the second is a concentration of anemones and Mauritian anemone fish. Shoals of Lunar and Blue and gold fusiliers decorate the site.

Rempart Serpent (west)

Depth: 25 metres

This site resembles a large snake moving across the sand, hence the name! It is home to a comprehensive range of tropical fish however it is the number and varieties of stonefish, scorpion fish, lionfish and moray eels that make it special. These include: Humpbacked or Devil scorpion fish, Bearded and Weedy scorpion fish, Decoy scorpion fish, Mauritius scorpion fish, Indian lionfish, Clearfin lionfish, Ocellated dwarf lionfish, Leaf fish, Indian waspish, Common stonefish, Yellow-mouth and Yellow-edged moray eels to name but a few.

Stella Maru (north west)

Depth: 26 metres

Many of the wrecks around Mauritius are deliberately sunk artificial reefs - but don't that put you off! Just because these vessels did not sink through more 'natural' causes does not negate their diving enjoyment. The Stella Maru was sunk in December 1987 and lies upright on a sand bottom, next to a rocky reef. There is remarkably little sea growth on the wreck apart from algae, small soft corals and other marine organisms such as anemones and sea urchins. The real attraction lies in the spectacular sight of the ship lying virtually intact on the ocean floor - few can deny the sense of drama felt when seeing a wreck looming ahead as you descend into the depths! Angler fish and large stonefish are relatively common on the wreck and a large green moray has made its home here.

Water Lily and Emily (north west)

Depth: 26 metres

Two barges, Water Lily and Emily, lie about 30 metres apart, both scuttled to make artificial reefs. A wide variety of fish life can be seen on both and a number of eels have made their homes in different corners of the wrecks, including a rather friendly Yellow-mouthed moray in the tyres lying in the sand nearby who likes to be stroked under the chin (please note that whilst touching marine life is not advisable, follow the lead from the dive guide: do not attempt to touch wildlife on your own!). One feature of this site is the number of Raggy and Tasselled scorpion fish present.

Lost Anchor  and Holt's Rock (north west)

Depth: 18 to 31 metres

These dive sites can be explored separately or (as we did them), starting at Lost Anchor and drifting over to the shallower Holt's Rock for some off-gassing. Lost Anchor comprises a small reef patch with a hole containing a 17th Century anchor, the origin of which remains a mystery. The dive site has many hard and soft corals, and gorgonians including picturesque sea fans. Holt's Rock (also known as Boulders) is made up of huge basalt rocks of volcanic origin. Between the rocks marine life thrives in the cracks, caves, tunnels and crevices. Crayfish are a common resident as well as a wide variety of Porcupine fish and Bigeye emperor fish. Giant moray eels are seen on most dives.

Sharks and other pelagics

Although Mauritius should be a prime destination for shark sightings being in the middle of the Indian Ocean and situated not far from the African mainland which is world-renowned for its shark encounters, unfortunately a combination of fishing and diving seems to have driven them away - dive sites where large numbers of sharks were consistently seen are sadly no more (although there are still sightings of small numbers and individual animals).

Mauritius is famous for its big game fishing and a few lucky divers have seen sights such as Marlin and Sailfish speeding by. There is a migratory Humpback whale route along the west coast and the season is April and May for sightings. The diving off Mauritius may not be world-class but it is enjoyable nonetheless, and certainly makes for a complete contrast to the big current diving off South Africa and Mozambique. It is especially suitable for mixed-abilities groups and beginners, divers travelling with non-divers, or if you simply want to chill out in beautiful surroundings and get a few dives in.

In 2007 the 11^th CMAS World Underwater Photography Competition was held in Mauritius, testament to the marine diversity and consistent conditions found here (featured in August 2007 Diver magazine).

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