Awarded as the “Best Indian Ocean Diving Destination” in 2015, Mauritius is the perfect place if you want to indulge in some diving. With over 330 km of pristine coastline, the island is home to some of the best beaches ideal for diving activities. Whether you are a professional diver or an amateur, looking for scuba diving or shark diving, Mauritius is where you can experience it all. What’s more, the best diving in Mauritius is found all around the island, which is surrounded by a network of coral reefs and azure lagoons. If you are planning a trip to dive in Mauritius, here’s our Mauritius scuba diving tips from an insider.
THE BEST DIVES SITES IN MAURITIUS
Mauritius is well known for its fantastic diving spot and has lots of diversity. Here are some of the best diving spots that you can explore while on the island based on your preferences:
For Underwater Architecture: The Cathedral
This diving site is located off the coast of Flic en Flac, a small seaside village on Mauritius west coast. It offers you a glimpse of the island’s spectacular marine life and underwater architecture. While diving here, you will find Gropers, Angelfish, Wrasse, Sweet lip, and Clownfish within the rocky chamber.
For Marine Life: Rempart Serpent
This diving site stretches over 100m across the seabed. It consists of a mesmerizing blanket of rock and seaweed that resembles a snake that is slowly sliding across the sand. The site features a large variety of tropical fish and other marine life such as lionfish, stonefish, scorpionfish, and Moray Eels.
For Underwater Photography: Rodrigues
If you are looking for a good diving site for taking pictures, the island of Rodrigues will offer you a more adventurous dive. Located over 600km on the northeast part of Mauritius mainland, it has a substantial coral formation and ideal for underwater topography. Just be sure to carry a camera that you can take underwater.
For Adrenaline Junkies: La Fosse Aux Requins
If you enjoy the feeling of an adrenaline rush, the island’s north coast diving sites will excite you. The Sharks’ Trench, which is the most iconic site here, features lively coral gardens and breath-taking coral walls. The latter feature makes it exciting to hang out here and watch the underwater world.
For Shark Diving: Shark Pit Site
If you want to get up close and personal with sharks, then you can’t miss checking out the Shark Pit diving site. Located on the Northern part of Mauritius, this dive site lives up to its name as it houses hundreds of sharks of different species. The site features a vast arena where you can observe several sharks swirling around to get the Oxygen that comes from the waves above the pit. If you want to feel more secure shark diving, you can opt for a cage diving experience. You will be lowered into the water inside a solid cage where you will watch the shakes from up close and safely.
For Night Diving: Belle Mare
Night diving is one of the most exciting adventures in Mauritius. Even a site that you are very familiar with will still look different at night. Belle Mare is one of the best night diving sites in Mauritius. Night diving here offers you spectacular views of exotic marine life. These include groupers, parrotfish, lionfish, wrasses, sergeant majors, clownfish, trumpets, and sea anemones. When on night dives, you should remember to never shine torches directly into the eyes of sleeping fish. The bright light will disturb and stress them. Also, don’t touch the turtles that are sleeping or resting.
BEST TIME TO DIVE IN MAURITIUS
Mauritius tends to be great for diving all year round, and anytime is a great time. The water stays comfortably warm throughout the year. However, there are slight changes in weather conditions that make certain months to be slightly more favorable. So if you want to get the best visibility, best water temperature, and overall diving experience, consider visiting Mauritius from October to December and March to April. There are also specific months that you can visit if you want to see individual animals.
Best time to see:
Turtles: November – March
Dolphins: June – October
Sharks: November – May
Humpback Whales: June – October
Sperm Whales: All year round
DIVING CONDITIONS IN MAURITIUS
Mauritius has a mild climate all year round that is warm enough for outdoor activities. The sea temperatures vary seasonally (from 22°C to 28°C) without dangerously high temperatures. Unless you often get affected by cold, a 3mm wetsuit is ideal for diving into the waters. The visibility varies greatly and can reach the highs of 40m when conditions are optimum.
OTHER PRACTICAL MAURITIUS DIVING TIPS
Know the necessary diving hand signals.
Only dive with a licensed dive instructor (PADI/ MSDA certified).
Please do not walk on or touch the corals since they are delicate.
Do not touch sea creatures as you may lose a finger.
Avoid flash photography as it alarms the fish.
When underwater, always be aware of the potential boats passing overhead.