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One and Only Le Saint...
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One and Only Le Saint Geran is located on the east coast of Mauritius Island, a tropical...
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Mauritius: Search Dive Areas
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Belle Mare, East Mauritius
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"You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius", Mark Twain noted in “Following the Equator”.
One of Mauritius’ main attractions in the east of the island is idyllic Ile aux Cerfs. A small island, 10 minutes by boat from the small fishing village of Trou d'eau Douce. It is the perfect place to play, relax and enjoy the very best Mauritian hospitality. Dazzling white sandy beaches, backed by waving casuarinas, restaurants for snacks or fine 'à la carte' dining, a host of water sports and warm turquoise waters make this the perfect playground, where people can do what everyone does there all year round: enjoy the sun. Together with Réunion and Rodrigues, Mauritius is part of the Mascarene Islands. This archipelago was formed in a series of undersea volcanic eruptions, as the African plate drifted over the Réunion hotspot. Mauritius and Rodrigues were formed 8-10 million years ago. They are no longer volcanically active, and the hotspot now rests under Réunion. The island of Mauritius itself is formed around a central plateau, with its highest peak in the southwest, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire at 828 m (2,717 ft). Around the plateau, the original crater can still be distinguished from several mountains.
Nearly all of Mauritius Island is surrounded by a coral reef and the lagoons make the Indian Ocean a natural pond with a steady water temperature between 23-27°C. Most of the dive spots are located within the reef ring, taking you to encounters with the Mauritius emperor fish or the Mauritius anemone fish which are endemic to this region. The east coast is the recommended spot for divers, though not highly recommended during wet season from November – February.
40 spots will allow you to discover the Mauritian seas, whether you are a beginner or a fully-confirmed diver. All dives take place beyond the reef. Among the sites in the Belle Mare region that should not be missed you will find the Lobster Canyon and Le Passe de Belle Mare. If you decide to dive
Lobster Canyon, the dive proceeds along a gully through a short cave full of crayfish, then along a wall and into a canyon. White-tip sharks, blue line snappers and both giant and blue fin kingfish are as frequent to this site as are the eagle rays.
Le Passe de Belle Mare offers a selection of dive sites that can be incorporated in a single dive, and can be very exciting and are highly recommended.
A notable feature of the area is the variety of marine activity that takes place, and the interplay between major actors in the daily drama of underwater life. The sites of La Passe De Belle Mare include: Shark Point, Sea Fan Valley, Japanese Garden, Castle and Aquarium. These dive sites can be dived individually or as part of an integrated package. The site comprises an area that is approximately 2km long and 1.5km wide, and is located on the seaward side of the pass through the barrier reef. Castle is often used for night-diving because of the good conditions and the interesting nocturnal marine life, including Hawksbill and Green turtles which are seen from time to time. As a night dive it is highly recommended, as pretty Spanish dancers come out of their holes and flap their bright red skirts to the rhythm of the sea; polyps open and the corals take on a magnificent hue. As a day dive, however, it is only worth doing if you are on the spot. The dive site Aquarium has its name for the wide variety of fish life that can be found here such as wrasses, butterfly fish, angelfish, different kinds of surgeonfish, Moorish idols, soldier fish, sweet lips and anemone fish. Also ideal for night diving, be sure to bring a torchlight so that you don’t miss the beauty of this spot.
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