How to try scuba diving in Mauritius

Mauritius is often described as a tropical paradise which offers one with a wealth of experience. One experience tourists and locals often relish are its ocean and the scuba-diving expeditions. When compared to the other regions of the Indian Ocean, this reef system may look a little barren. This is particularly due to the frequent cyclone activities and overfishing activities in the region. Having said that, the best bits of this reef system is definitely in the small stuff. There is often something quite remarkable waiting to be found in its coral overhangs and crevices.

About Mauritius

Mark Twain in 1896 stated that "Mauritius was made first and then heaven, and heaven was copied after Mauritius". This pretty much sums up what Mauritius is all about. It's located in the Indian Ocean, in quite a remote geographical location, surrounded by white pristine sand beaches, mountainous jungles, and crystal-clear turquoise waters. Underneath these waters, there is a wide collection of wonderful creatures that are waiting to be explored. And this is what makes Mauritius worthy of the title 'heaven on earth'. There is a diverse collection of endemic flora and fauna that makes this country an excellent place for hiking as well as diving. If you are looking for luxury hotels and resorts that offer excellent driving opportunities, you can check out brands like Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spa for a good experience.

Mauritius marine life

As stated above, the diversity of reefs here are simply tremendous. This is just like any other parts of the sublime Indian Ocean. You will be able to witness endemic butterflyfish, Angel face, parrotfish, peacock flounder, mantis shrimp, nudibranchs, striped eel catfish, turtles, stingrays, lionfish, marlin, trevally, moray species, octopus, and grey reef sharks. On top of that, one will also be able to see over 200 coral species in just one single dive. There are soft and hard corals shaped so uniquely and the colours are also so vibrant that you wouldn't be able to take your eyes away from it.

Diving conditions

One factor you must look into when diving in Mauritius will be its water temperatures. Between November and April, the water temperature is around 21°C. From March to October, one can expect water temperatures to be around 30°C. In general, you must adorn 3 mm wet suit which is the recommended one. For the colder months, one must try to go for a thicker suit of around 5 mm. The visibility is deemed to be excellent for in these tropical waters. The visibility is excellent even when exceeding 40 m. The depth range of the diving sites is often around 12 to 10 m.

Dive sites

There are a few dive sites you must be aware of and jot down the one that interests you. Go to the northern and eastern sides of this country as it is known to be the best for diving. Coin de Mire is said to be the best dive site in Mauritius. It offers excellent visibility with a wreck site and wall diving. You can also spot large pelagics around these waters. The highlight of this place will definitely be the wreck found around here and the excellent creatures roaming the waters. Grand-Baie and Trou-aux-Biches are said to the best dive site to start your diving expedition trip at whereas The Shark Pit is for more advanced divers who can handle rough seas and strong currents.