Travellers who like to categorise themselves as ‘explorers’ have a natural inclination towards visiting lesser-known destinations in far-off lands. This is marvellous, we believe! That’s why we have shortlisted a…
Nov 052015
Mauritius, often called a tropical paradise, plays host to millions of tourists every year. The destination is known for its pristine white beaches, picturesque landscapes, and many world-class diving sites that draw diving enthusiasts from all over the world. Diverse coral reef ecosystems, crystal clear waters, and an exotic array of marine life here promise you an unforgettable underwater experience. Check out some of the country’s renowned diving sites.
Rempart Serpent
This long, rocky pocket is situated along the west coast of Mauritius, and when seen from above, resembles a snake moving on the ocean floor. Diving here is suitable for all levels, and offers an opportunity to spot a huge number of brightly coloured tropical fish, scorpion fish, lion fish, Moray Eels and more. The surrounding area boasts many stunning beaches; take some time off to explore a few of them.
Stella Maru
This place is named after a Japanese trawler that was sunk here in 1987. Teeming with incredible marine life, it is a renowned diving site, and offers a unique wreck diving experience. Crystal clear waters promise excellent opportunities for underwater photography and video shoots. Rare and exotic marine life that you can spot here includes a variety of corals, schools of tropical fishes, and huge moray eels. Situated in the country’s northwest coast, Stella Maru is best explored between the months of October and December.
The Cathedral
A huge underwater cave, the Cathedral is considered one of Mauritius’ most exciting diving sites. However, it’s worth noticing that the place is only for pros, as divers go to depths of 20 to 30 metres. The cave receives lights from the cracks in its ceiling, and looks nothing less than surreal. Divers can see a variety of marine life gliding about in the cavern and hiding in the cracks and crevasses. Commonly sighted denizens of the sea include giant moray eels, crayfish and shrimp. Diving excursions to the Cathedral are arranged by most of the hotels in Rivière Noire.
The Tube
Beginners should not miss out on a visit to this captivating diving site located just outside the barrier reef at Trou aux Biches. Diving begins at a depth of just 5 metres, and there is huge variety of colourful corals, fish life and other aqua creatures to spot here. Lucky divers can also spot Manta rays here.
