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Search our stories and get inspired by our passionate team of writers, dive travel specialists, local experts and ambassadors.
Mauritius, with its 330km of coastline, offers an exclusive diving experience on an island paradise. The island has a variety of diving experiences including stunning coral reefs, wrecks, caverns, and of course, amazing marine life. Diving is done all around the island and the waters around Mauritius are home to more than 430 different marine species and 200 types of coral species. There are also a number of wrecks scattered around the island from both the 18th and 19th century.
There are a few different types of whales that can be found in the waters surrounding Mauritius. Some whales, like the humpbacks, can be seen in the winter months when they pass through Mauritius while migrating to their breeding grounds while other whale species, such as sperm whales, are present all year round.
Different shark species can be found throughout Mauritian waters. One of the best places to see sharks is at the Rempart L’Herbe pinnacle. This is a deep dive and is suited to more experienced divers. At this site you may come across gray reef sharks and blacktip reef sharks. Rays, barracuda, wahoo, tuna and hammerheads are also common sites around the steep reef drop-offs that surround the island.
Mauritius has become a burial site for many wrecks from as early as the 17th century. These wrecks are covered in marvelous soft corals, which attract schooling fish, moray eels, stonefish, and colourful sea slugs. These wrecks will also be frequented by barracuda, sting rays and dolphins. Some of the best wreck dives include the Stella Maru Wreck and the Djabeda Wreck.
Common residents of Mauritian waters are a few different species of turtles. One of the best spots to find these incredible creatures is the long beach of Pointe aux Piments on the north-west coast which has a protected coral reef.
Along the west coast of Mauritius, all dives are performed outside the barrier reef and here divers will find incredible underwater landscapes that have been formed by the currents. Under the surface divers will find canyons, chimneys and an impressive array of caves. One of the more impressive caves you will find is the Cathedral. It is one of the best-known sites in Mauritius and is situated near the south of the island. It is a huge cave, and when the light from above shines through the water it has a cathedral type feel, hence the name. The caves are also full of marine life such as crayfish, kingfish, squirrelfish, and lionfish.
The northern region of the island offers some stunning dives from depths of just 13 metres. Here you can dive the colourful coral gardens that house an abundance of aquatic life. One of the most beautiful sites in this area is the Japanese Gardens. This coral garden has an amazing diversity of corals and fish life.
An experience not to be missed is diving with dolphins in Mauritius. Dolphins can usually always be seen in the early morning swimming casually from Tamarin on the west coast of Mauritius on their way to the deep sea off the coast of the Le Morne peninsula. The different dolphin species that frequent these waters are the bottlenose dolphin and the spinner dolphin. These friendly mammals are known to be quite inquisitive and will swim up to divers on their way to the deep sea for their daily fishing and dolphin diving excursions are available from most major hotels.
With so much to see in the incredible waters of Mauritius, it makes for a perfect dive holiday destination. Contact us for more information on luxury dive holidays in Mauritius!