Underwater Mauritius: A Beginner Guide to Scuba Diving

From coral gardens to shipwrecks, Mauritius offers world-class diving for beginners and experienced divers alike. Here is everything you need to know.

The waters surrounding Mauritius are home to over 1,500 species of marine life, making it a premier diving destination in the Indian Ocean.

Best dive sites for beginners: Cathedral (Flic en Flac) features a stunning underwater cave with light beams filtering through. Trou aux Biches reef offers easy, shallow dives with abundant marine life.

Advanced dive sites: The Stella Maru shipwreck near Trou aux Biches sits at 25 meters and is covered in coral. The Waterlily wreck near Grand Baie is another popular deep dive.

Marine life highlights: Expect to see moray eels, lionfish, octopus, sea turtles, eagle rays, and occasionally reef sharks. Whale sharks are rare but possible between December and March.

PADI certification courses are available at most dive centers. A Discover Scuba Diving experience takes just half a day and requires no prior experience.

Water temperature ranges from 22°C in winter to 28°C in summer. A 3mm wetsuit is recommended year-round.

Best diving months: October to March offers the warmest water and best visibility, reaching up to 30 meters on good days.

Budget tip: Many dive centers offer package deals for multiple dives. Booking 5 or 10 dives in advance can save you up to 30 percent.