Diving in Mauritius | The Ultimate Guide

0

Where to Dive in Mauritius?

Are you planning to go diving in Mauritius?

Great idea!

Scuba diving is one of the must-do activities on the island, and there are many diving centers all along the coastline.

The island and its marine ecosystem, populated with rare and endemic species, promises an awe-inspiring experience!

Whether you’re an experienced diver or looking to do your first dive in Mauritius, you’ll be able to enjoy an ideal experience in warm and clear waters.

To help you choose the best spot to dive in Mauritius and organize your underwater exploration, I’ve prepared this complete article that will answer all your questions:

  • Which part of Mauritius is best for diving?
  • How much does it cost to dive in Mauritius?
  • What’s the best time to dive in Mauritius?
  • Which are the best diving clubs on the island?
  • What to see in Mauritius’ marine depths?
  • And many more!

And don’t miss the interactive map that allows you to visualize and locate at a glance all the diving centers in Mauritius.

So, are you ready to explore the Mauritian underwater world?

Let’s dive in!

Where to Dive in Mauritius?

No matter where you stay in Mauritius, you will surely find a place to dive nearby.

The island is surrounded by an ocean rich in fauna and flora, and the marine floors are truly gorgeous to explore.

Mauritius’ underwater landscapes are composed of caves, canyons, passes, fissures, and even shipwrecks.

The island’s marine territory is teeming with hundreds of different diving sites, along the coasts of the main island as well as near the small islets that surround it.

You’ll discover a wide variety of wildlife, corals, and aquatic plants that are still well-preserved.

Diving in Mauritius, you’ll also enjoy excellent water visibility, up to 20m and even 50m in some spots!

Truth be told, it’s quite difficult to enumerate all the diving sites in Mauritius, as they are plentiful. But below I give you a list of the most unmissable spots that you really should not miss if you plan to dive in Mauritius.

The Best Diving Sites in Mauritius

Wondering where to see fish in Mauritius and where to enjoy the best diving experience? Here are the diving sites I recommend:

Diving at Blue Bay (Southeast)

Blue Bay, in the southeast of Mauritius, is paradise for lovers of aquatic fauna.

The Blue Bay Marine Park is richly populated with corals, reefs teeming with life, and a variety of colorful fish await you there. It’s not even necessary to venture far from the coast to observe them.

The water at Blue Bay is crystal-clear and offers superb visibility.

This is truly one of the most preserved diving sites in the country, and I suggest you pick this spot for your first diving experience in Mauritius!

The Blue Bay Diving Center offers diving initiation sessions in the Blue Bay Marine Park for beginners. You can already book your spot by clicking the button below:

diving mauritius
diving mauritius

Diving in Grand Baie (North)

Among the best diving spots in Mauritius, Grand Baie is certainly not to be missed.

Located in the northern part of the country, this very touristy seaside resort is known for its shallow diving sites teeming with colorful fish.

And if you’re wondering where to swim with turtles in Mauritius, this is where you’ll have the best chances of seeing them.

Around Grand Baie, you’ll find gorgeous diving spots, both in the lagoon and further out in open sea. The area around Coin de Mire Island is particularly one of the most beautiful to explore.

From Grand Baie, you can also explore wrecks that have become artificial reefs, such as those of the Star Hope or Water Lily.

My Advice

For an unforgettable diving experience in Mauritius, I recommend Sunset Diving, voted the best diving center in Mauritius in 2022!

You’ll get to learn diving with a super friendly team, at stunning underwater sites and in perfect safety conditions.

Book your introductory dive in Grand Baie with Sunset Diving by clicking below:

 

And for the experienced divers looking to go deeper into the best diving sites in Northern Mauritius, Sunset Diving also offers diving sessions at over 30 different locations, starting at only 47€ per person!

To learn more and book, just click on this button:

Diving in Mauritius at Flic-en-Flac (West)

If you’re looking for an easily accessible diving spot in Mauritius, where you can encounter a wide variety of fish in optimal conditions, Flic-en-Flac is your go-to place!

Flic-en-Flac is the must-visit seaside resort on the West coast, which houses a large number of diving centers.

The underwater environment in this area is full of relief, with caverns, canyons, and arches rich in corals. Most dives take place beyond the coral barrier, about a 15-minute boat ride from the coast.

My Advice

The diving site called “the Aquarium” off the coast of Flic-en-Flac is one of the liveliest and most beautiful in the whole island! You can encounter groupers, butterflyfish, mullets, scorpionfish, stonefish and even moray eels!

Scorpionfish in Mauritius
The Rascasse, one of the fish that inhabit the waters of Mauritius

On the West coast, you can also choose to dive from Tamarin Bay, another site rich in corals, reef fish, rays and marine turtles. It’s common to even encounter dolphins, sperm whales, and whales!

I highly recommend the dive center Tamarin Oceanpro Diving, which offers introductory and exploration sessions at various spots between Flic-en-Flac and Benitiers Island:

Scuba Diving in Belle Mare (East Coast)

Another iconic diving site in Mauritius is the East Coast!

Here, you can discover the Belle Mare pass which includes 5 diving sites and is home to a rich underwater fauna.

On this side of the island, it’s also possible to visit underwater shipwrecks, which today have transformed into fascinating marine ecosystems.

If you want to try diving in Belle Mare, you should really have your first diving experience with Blue World Explorer Adventures.

Guided by an expert PADI instructor, you’ll be introduced to scuba diving at one of Mauritius’s most beautiful diving sites.

To learn more and book your initiation dive at Belle Mare, just click below:

Mauritius Fish
Mauritius Fish

Diving Centers in Mauritius

To help you find the ideal diving club based on your itinerary in Mauritius, you can use this fun map. It allows you to quickly visualize the location of the main diving centers on the island.

You can display the list of centers by clicking on the arrowed drawing at the top left:

Diving in Mauritius: Different Options

Having Your First Dive in Mauritius

If you’ve never dived before, your holiday in Mauritius is a fantastic opportunity to get started under optimal conditions.

What could be better than to enjoy the warm and crystal-clear waters of the Indian Ocean, filled with colorful fish, for your first diving experience?

You can have your first dive in Mauritius at various locations according to your itinerary and preferences: in Grand Bay in the North, Tamarin or Flic-en-Flac in the West, in Belle Mare in the East, or even in Blue Bay in the South.

Here are the links for each diving site below, you just have to click on them to get all the details and book your first underwater dive:

Mauritius Trumpetfish
Mauritius Trumpetfish

Exploratory Diving in Mauritius

Do you already have diving experience?

Then you can plan an exploratory dive during your stay in Mauritius.

Most diving centers in Mauritius are affiliated with PADI certification and offer sessions suited to various skill levels.

For example, if you have level 1 certification, you can dive in Mauritius up to 18m deep alongside an instructor.

The center will offer you a variety of sites to explore: reefs, canyons, wrecks or even a shark pit! (yes, really!).

If you haven’t dived for a while, most diving clubs in Mauritius offer a “refresher” session in a pool before heading out to sea.

Wreck Diving in Mauritius

Around Mauritius, there are several wrecks turned into artificial reefs that can be explored.

The Stella Maru wreck in the Northwest is one of the most famous. This former Japanese ship that sunk in 1987 is now a must-visit diving site in Mauritius.

It’s an easy dive, about 20m deep, offered by the diving centers in the North (Grand Bay, Trou aux Biches).

You can see a very rich and diverse marine life: butterflyfish, triggerfish, surgeons, scorpionfish, moray eels and many other wonders!

Other wrecks to visit while diving in Mauritius include the Silver Star (over 20-30m), the Djabeda (30m), the Tug II (20m) or even the Sirius (10-20m) sunk in 1810 in the Mahébourg Pass.

Wreck diving in Mauritius
Wreck diving in Mauritius

Shark Diving in Mauritius

If you love the thrill and are looking for an out-of-the-ordinary diving experience, you might dare to dive into the Shark Pit!

This exceptional diving site in Mauritius is located in the North, near the Coin de Mire islet.

It’s a real underwater pit where many reef sharks (locally known as ‘Mam’zelle’) are often found and can be observed up close.

Rest assured, these sharks are not fond of humans and accept the presence of divers without any issues (though there are certainly safety instructions to be followed, of course).

This dive, offering the opportunity to swim with sharks in Mauritius, is organized by the diving clubs in the North and West of the island.

My Advice

If you’re wondering which sharks can be found in Mauritius, it’s quite rare to encounter them and they generally stay far from the lagoon.

The main species that frequent the offshore areas around Mauritius are:

  • the blacktip reef shark
  • the whitetip reef shark
  • the grey reef shark
  • the hammerhead shark

Swimming with Dolphins in Mauritius

Dreaming of a swim with dolphins in Mauritius?

Well, you’re in for a treat because dolphins are very common along the West coast of Mauritius, especially between Tamarin Bay and Île aux Bénitiers, and it’s entirely possible to go and meet them.

Here, we’re not really talking about scuba diving but rather about snorkeling and swimming alongside wild dolphins during organized boat trips.

I highly recommend this speedboat outing to swim with dolphins from Rivière Noire, which offers an incredible experience, while placing utmost importance on respecting these marine mammals.

You should book as early as possible because it’s a very popular activity. It’s also GetYourGuide certified, meaning you get a satisfaction or money-back guarantee!

To book your spot right away, click the button below:

My Advice

I’ve prepared a complete article on swimming with dolphins in Mauritius, which you can read right here: Swimming with Dolphins in Mauritius – The Definitive Guide

Scuba Diving Courses in Mauritius

Scuba diving enthusiasts can also take advantage of their stay in Mauritius to improve their skills and advance their certification levels by joining a scuba diving course.

These courses generally span over several half-days. To participate, you must already have the PADI Open Water Diver certification.

For all the details and to book your PADI course in Mauritius, click below:

Snorkeling in Mauritius

Not too keen on diving into the depths? Still, do you wish to enjoy your stay in Mauritius to discover the underwater world?

Then, opt for snorkeling!

Snorkeling involves observing the seabed while staying on the surface, outfitted with a mask, a snorkel, and sometimes fins.

What’s great about Mauritius is that you can do snorkeling just about anywhere and close to the shore. There are fish very close to the coast, and the water is super clear!

If like me you’re not quite comfortable with scuba diving, it’s the perfect alternative.

Below, I’ve listed a few of my favorite snorkeling spots:

  • Blue Bay, where one can observe a rich and colorful fauna and unspoiled coral gardens just a few meters from the shore!
  • Pointe d’Esny Beach, offering several small reefs close to shore and incredibly clear waters
  • La Cuvette Beach, near Grand Baie: on the rocky side, there are plenty of wonders to observe!
  • Flic-en-Flac, on the north side where the beach is less crowded, and the lagoon is much more vibrant
  • Trou d’Eau Douce, on the way to Île aux Cerfs you will find a beautiful, shallow snorkeling spot.

If you feel like having a guide during your snorkeling session in Mauritius, you should opt for this half-day excursion in the Blue Bay Marine Park. You’ll sail over the lagoon in a glass-bottom boat and your guide will take you to the most beautiful spots to explore with a mask and snorkel.

As a bonus, you’ll get to recharge with a delicious Creole picnic on the neighboring small island called Île des Deux Cocos!

It’s a highly popular activity and spots fill up quickly, so remember to book in advance by clicking here.

My Advice

You can also book your cruise to Île aux Cerfs, which includes a snorkeling stop at the Trou d’Eau Douce reefs, by clicking the button below.

This catamaran cruise is a must-do activity in Mauritius and is very popular, so I advise you not to wait too long to book your tickets!

Feel free to share in the comments if you’ve found other interesting snorkeling spots during your stay!

snorkeling ile maurice
snorkeling in mauritius

Scuba Diving in Mauritius: Practical Information

When to Dive in Mauritius?

In Mauritius, it is possible to dive all year round as the conditions are quite stable from January to December.

The water remains at a very pleasant temperature throughout the year and is, of course, warmer during the austral summer, which extends from November to May.

Starting in May, the water becomes a little cooler and the winds pick up slightly, but the conditions are still very favorable for scuba diving and swimming in general.

If there’s a time to avoid, it would be between January and early March which corresponds to the hurricane season during which the sea is rougher.

In summary, the best time for diving in Mauritius is between the months of November and May. And if you want to go on a diving vacation to Mauritius, avoid the beginning of the year (January to March).

My Advice

As for the wetsuit for diving in Mauritius, I recommend a wet or semi-dry suit as the Mauritian waters are warm, as I mentioned earlier.

Depending on the depth of the dive site, a shorty wetsuit can be perfectly adequate. However, if the dive lasts over 45 minutes and you get cold easily, I still recommend a full-length wetsuit to avoid feeling chilly.

Diving in Mauritius: Prices

The rates for diving sessions in Mauritius vary depending on the dive centers and the duration of the sessions.

Generally, expect to pay around 70-90€ for an introductory dive, including the preparation phase in the pool and an approximately 1-hour sea dive.

For level 1 exploratory dives or higher, I can’t really give you a price range since rates really depend on the type of dive (simple exploration, wreck, shark pit, etc.) and the duration of the session.

What Marine Life Can You See While Diving in Mauritius?

Here’s a small (and by no means exhaustive) list of common fish and marine animals you can expect to encounter on your diving trips in Mauritius:

Let me know in the comments below the article what you’ve seen that’s not on this list!

Surgeonfish Mauritius
Surgeonfish, one of the fish to observe while diving in Mauritius

Is it Possible to Plan a Diving Vacation in Mauritius?

Since the island is very small, there is no organized dive-stay in Mauritius with expeditions over several days, as can be found in larger countries.

However, you can go on a full day’s boat trip and experience several consecutive diving sites.

For this, I recommend that you organize with the Mauritian dive center of your choice which will be able to offer you different packages.

Travel Insurance for Mauritius: My Advice

My Advice

In Mauritius, most dive centers include the price of a diving insurance in their rates, which covers you for several weeks and is mandatory to take part in the sessions.

However, if you want to be fully covered in case of health issues or accidents, it’s best to take out travel insurance before you depart.

Many travelers mistakenly think that healthcare in Mauritius is affordable and that they don’t need travel insurance. But in reality, the public healthcare system is fragile, and the slightest consultation in a private clinic is very expensive!

That’s why it is essential to take out travel insurance offering good medical coverage before you leave.

To leave safely, I recommend the following two insurance options (both include epidemic guarantee – like Covid-19, very important!):

To subscribe, it’s very easy, just click on the orange links below:

Book your trip and save!

You’re traveling to Mauritius? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Mauritius: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Mauritius are listed there.

The best itineraries for your trip

Places to Visit

Activities

Organize your stay

Are you using Pinterest? Here’s the image to pin!

dive in mauritius

Anonymous

I've been living in Mauritius for ten years now, and I'm passionate about this jewel of the Indian Ocean. As I love exploring and writing, I have created this blog to give you all my best tips to organize your trip to Mauritius!

Leave A Reply