A Diver’s Paradise

Sam, Director of Sales UK & Ireland for Beachcomber Hotels, describes Mauritius as a diver’s paradise, noting its clear waters, vibrant coral reefs, and abundant marine life, and recently completed the Speciality Deep Diver qualification exploring northern dive sites.

A scuba diver exploring vibrant coral reefs in clear blue waters off the coast of Mauritius

By Sam Ford

Mauritius Diving – North Coast Adventures

In May, I spent a week in Northern Mauritius, using it as a base to explore multiple dive sites. This region is famous for its diverse coral reefs, tropical fish, and accessible PADI dive centres. My goal was to complete the Speciality Deep Diver certification, expanding the range of wrecks and reef areas I could explore safely.

My first dive was at Whale Rock, a vibrant site teeming with marine life. We saw tuna, juvenile barracuda, clownfish, sea fans, and feathered starfish. The dive lasted 35 minutes and focused on observing how colours fade with increasing depth, a fascinating natural effect of light absorption underwater.

Multi-Level Deep Dive – Nitrogen Narcosis Experience

The second dive was a multi-level dive reaching 40 meters. As part of the course, I performed calculations both at the surface and at depth to demonstrate the cognitive effects of nitrogen narcosis. I won’t lie my brain slowed significantly at 40 meters, proving just how important training is for deep dives!

Emily & Water Lily Wrecks – Artificial Reefs and Marine Life

The final qualifying dive was at the Emily & Water Lily Wrecks, two purposely sunk barges that now form thriving reef habitats. Here, I saw clownfish, crabs, lionfish, boxfish, moray eels, yellow sturgeon, tuna, hermit crabs, and angelfish.

A key part of the qualification required switching air sources at six meters, simulating emergency procedures for deep diving. It’s a skill that every certified diver should master.

Diving World Mauritius & PADI Courses

Diving with Christelle Besson, one of the Directors of Diving World Mauritius, was an educational and inspiring experience. After this trip, I purchased an underwater camera housing and plan to take the digital underwater photography course, expanding my skills even further.

The PADI centres at four Beachcomber Hotels make it easy for visitors to enjoy Mauritius’ diving, whether for leisure or professional certification. For anyone inspired by this experience, the Mauritius diving guide provides detailed information on dive sites, marine species, and courses.

Mauritius offers incredible value for divers, combining stunning natural reefs with expertly managed dive sites. Whether you want to earn a Speciality Deep Diver certification, explore artificial wreck reefs, or try underwater photography, Mauritius is a world-class destination for every diving enthusiast.

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