Diving in Mauritius: everything you need to know

Mauritius - one of the most attractive islands of the Indian Ocean, not only for beach holidays, but also for lovers of the underwater world. Here are ideal conditions for diving: warm water, coral reefs, caves, the remains of sunken ships and rich marine fauna. The water around the island provides excellent visibility of 15-25 meters almost all year round, allowing you to explore the underwater reliefs with comfort.

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Geographical features of Mauritius

• East Coast It is characterized by stronger surf traffic and more murky water. Suitable for divers with experience with wave and currents.
• North - a popular tourist region with a large number of hotels and restaurants. There may be more vegetation on the seabed and more crowded on the beaches.
• West It is known for calm waters and old coral formations, which makes it convenient for beginners and divers of medium level training.
• south Offers a deeper entrance to the water, coral debris and traces of ancient lava - an interesting destination for experienced divers.

It is important to take into account that the depth of the coast rarely exceeds 1.5 meters, so sometimes for a full dive you need to move a few hundred meters from the coast.

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Underwater landscape and coral reefs

The coral reef of Mauritius is among the three largest in the world. The underwater landscape combines white sandy bottom, coral reefs, basalt rocks, caves and “walls”. In fact, the coral shoals around the island form a shingle structure of more than 240 kilometers, home to about 110 species of coral and more than 130 species of fish.

Particular attention should be paid to the northern islands:

• Gunner's Quoin (Coin de Mire) - a rich underwater world, the sunken ship Djabeda, completely covered with stunning pink soft corals.
• Ile Ronde A place of whale and dolphin sighting.
• Ile aux Serpents Small islands with intense underwater life.

Reefs like Stenopus Reef. Black Forest.. Jardin de Roses and Hidden Reef (Whale Rock), AmphitheatreThey provide impressive visual effects thanks to an abundance of fan, soft and glass corals.

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What to see off the coast of Mauritius

• endemic and common reef fish;
• moray eels, stingrays, various tropical fish;
• large inhabitants - sharks, stingrays, tunas;
• large coral gorgonaries, soft and hard corals;
• The sunken ships became artificial reefs with their own ecosystem.

The diversity of the underwater world becomes even more noticeable when you consider the depth of the dive.

• 0-25 meters: ideal conditions for beginners. At this depth, coral gardens and several dozen species of fish are available.
• 25-40 meters: Average depth for experienced divers. Here, tuna, sharks, eagles, barracudas are more common and sunken ships, for example, Djabeda, lie. and Silver Star.
• 40-60 meters: Deep dives for professionals, usually north of Mauritius, where underwater canyons, walls and exotic fish species open.

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Shark safaris and whale watching

The best places for Shark Safari are the northern islands of Flat Island, Round Island and Gunner’s Quoin. It is there that natural conditions create a favorable environment for the accumulation of reef sharks and other large predators.

The season of calmer seas and better visibility is usually from November to May. During this period, the conditions for safari are more stable, the waves are lower, and the probability of close encounters is higher. It is winter in the Southern Hemisphere from late May to late October, and Mauritius is under a strong southeastern monsoon, making it difficult to navigate and access these diving sites.

It is better to book such tours in advance, especially in peak season. It is also necessary to clarify the experience requirements from the operator. Many shark encounter operators require a minimum of 30 registered dives. This is often due to the fact that such dives take place under current conditions and suggest a confident, calm behavior under water.

Rules of conduct:

• keep calm and even breathing;
• Do not make sudden movements and do not provoke animals;
• Do not swim up to sharks, do not try to feed them, keep distance;
• Listen and follow the instructions of the guides.

Also in Mauritius, day trips are available for whale and sperm whale watching. Humpback whale sightings are most reliable between April and October, with peaks in August and September. At this time, active manifestations are often recorded, such as the birth of cubs, indicative bursts. Sperm whales are more common and can be seen in deeper waters year-round.

The Ministry of Tourism of Mauritius has taken strict measures to sanction all operators offering tourist water activities such as swimming or diving with humpback whales. and sperm whales, except for scientific research and permits. Therefore, when planning a tour to observe such marine life, you should make sure that the operator has the necessary permits and strictly follow the rules of observation recommended by him and the permissible distance.

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Season for diving in Mauritius

Diving in Mauritius is available all year round, except for seasons when storms and cyclones are possible. Usually it is January-February and July-August. The rest of the time, the water remains transparent - up to 15-20 meters of visibility, which makes it possible to consider large marine life that swims to the shore. In summer, the average water temperature reaches +28 °C, in winter it is kept within +23-25 °C.

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Diving centers in Mauritius

There are about 50 diving centers on the coast of Mauritius. Some operate as independent schools, others are integrated into the infrastructure of large resorts.

All official centres are certified by MSDA, the National Diving Federation of Mauritius. It is better to refuse the services of organizations without such a license: this is a matter of elementary security.

Diving routes are often updated: instructors select places depending on currents, winds and, of course, the interests of guests. So almost every dive is a new story, a new reef, a new encounter with underwater life.

Some centers offer fixed diving programs, but many operate flexibly: make routes for individual requests and take into account the level of training of each diver. Groups that go to the ocean are small, usually up to 15 people. Support is provided by 3-5 instructors, who usually speak English and French.

In the high season (November to February), it is better to make reservations in advance. So you will get the desired date, time and format of the dive.

All necessary equipment for diving without problems can be rented directly in the dive center. There are also shops on the island where you will find all the necessary diving equipment, underwater photo and video equipment for sale and rent.

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Documents, health and insurance

Island dive centers offer individual and group dives, PADI, CMAS and NAUI courses. Training includes theory, swimming pool and the open sea. Bubble Maker and Junior Open Water Diver programs are available for children with a minimum age of 8, and in some dive centers 10 or 12 years.

Experienced divers must present CMAS, PADI, NAUI or ISO certificates. As for the medical certificate, it is not necessary if you are healthy. You will be asked to complete a medical questionnaire describing your medical history. Depending on your answers, a medical certificate may be required. The fact that you require a medical certificate is not an obstacle to diving in general. This simply means that your current health condition must be approved by your doctor.

A valid conclusion from a specialist about the current state of health may be needed for people experiencing problems with the cardiovascular system, with asthma or suffering from otolaryngological diseases (especially those related to the ears), as well as pregnant women. But for diving training courses and young divers, the availability of a medical certificate is mandatory.

It is also important for safe diving in Mauritius to have an insurance policy covering injuries, rescue operations and equipment.

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Basic rules for diving

• Don't dive alone.
• Do not engage in diving in a state of alcoholic or drug intoxication.
• Comply with depth limits according to qualification.
• Check the equipment before diving.
• Do not touch underwater objects and living organisms.
• Observe the interval between immersion and flight on the plane (24 hours or more).

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Cost of dives in Mauritius

Prices for services can vary depending on the operator, so we give an example of approximate prices:

• single immersion - about 50 euros;
• Discover Scuba Diving (includes a full instruction package and 2 dives in the pool) - about 120 euros;
• CMAS MSDA FFESSM training (includes theory, swimming pool and open water diving, equipment and certification) - from 490 euros;
• PADI training (including equipment and certification) - from 390 euros.

Mauritius offers excellent diving opportunities where everyone will find an underwater route according to their level of training and interests.

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