FAQ

Ecco alcune delle domande pił frequenti (Frequently Asked Questions):

Q: When is the best time of the year to dive?
A: October, November, December, January, February, March and April. These months make up the peak summer season and the reefs thrive with life. Before going on holiday, make sure to check the weather for the region as this is the time when tropical storms are the most active here.

Q: Where are the best dive spots?
A: Tricky question as it depends on what you want to see ! Here is a list of the most common spots with Mauritian divers. The south-east at Le Morne (loads of fish and coral), and along the west coast such as Flic-En-Flac and Albion (mostly cliff faces and caverns). Towards the north, you have Pereybere, Trou-aux-Biches and Grand-Baie (artificial reefs, coral, and some excellent fauna). The islands found off the north shore have some wonderful sites. On the eastern side you have Belle-Mare, Vieux Grand Port and Blue-Bay (coral and the famous wreck of "The Sirius"). The islands found off the east coast also have some wonderful sites. It is wise to seek advice before diving the east coast as the currents here can be quite strong. In general, if you want good visibility and a nice quiet dive, head for the west coast. The east coast is slightly more adventurous and has shorter visibility underwater !

Q: Does it compare to The Maldives or the Red Sea?
A: From what I hear, diving here can be almost just as fun provided you come during the summer months i.e. October till April the following year. The geographical location greatly influences the type of diving done, with the west coast having numerous cliffs, and the north, south and east having an abundance of coral reefs. If you have little experience in diving Mauritian waters, it is wise to ask what you can expect to see in different regions.

Q: What can I expect to see down there?
A: Sharks, barracuda, rays, eels, bass, dolphins, turtles, over a hundred species of coral, octopus, crabs, squid, lobsters, gorgonias, lionfish, angelfish, parrotfish, grouper, seargent-major fish, ancient ship wrecks, cliff faces, caverns, coral reefs and loads more.

Q: Which airlines serve Mauritius?
A: Air Mauritius, Air France, South African Airways and British Airways are the most popular ones. As far as I know, there are no charter flights.

Q: Do the sharks bite?
A: Sharks in these waters are relatively small and well fed due to the plentiful fish stocks. They have never been known to attack divers. Here's a bit on the side: the worlds largest Mako shark was caught in Mauritian waters and weighed in at 1500 pounds (600 kg). Luckily sharks of this size are a very rare occasion !! .

Q: Are there poisonous fish in Mauritian waters?
A: Yes, Lionfish and stonefish. You could also get stung by a ray if you accidentally step on one.

Q: What do I need to bring?
A: Most hotels have their own equipment, but I recommend you bring your own wetsuit, buoyancy control device, regulator, fins and mask. Since the water is warm, a 3mm wetsuit should do the trick.

Q: Is there a re-compression chamber in Mauritius?
A: Yes, full hyperbaric facilities and medical care are available on the island. However, getting to them is a slight problem as there is no helicopter service. Divers with bends are driven to these centres. This can take from 30 minutes up to an hour. As a precaution many divers perform a 2 minute deco stop at 6 metres even if the dive did not require any deco. In many cases this can easily be achieved by grabbing hold of the diving boats anchor line !!

Q: Are mixed gases available?
A: No

Q: How much does it cost to dive?
A: Another tricky question! On average, fees per dive are around 600 rupees which equals 15 Pounds Sterling or 25 USD.

Q: Are there any dive clubs?
A: Yes! Just click on the "Dive Clubs" link in the main index.

Q: Are there any dive operators?
A: Yes! Just click on the "Dive Operators" link in the main index.

Q: Are there any shipwrecks and how many are there?
A: Yes, there are over a hundred wrecks littering the coast dating from the late 1700's till nowadays. The most famous wreck is that of "The Sirius" a 19th century British frigate which sank during a naval battle with the French navy. She lies at a depth of 28 metres. Nearest launch site is off Vieux-Grand-Port.

Q: Do I need a car?
A: Yes, especially if you are diving with a club, as dives are usually conducted all over the island. Dive operators and hotels usually dive close to their bases and in these cases, transportation is not that critical.