Diving in Mauritius

Located in the Indian Ocean, around 500 miles to the east of Madagascar is the beautiful island of Mauritius. Formed by volcanic activity, the country is a beautiful spot that brings in thousands of visitors a year.

As well as a gorgeous landscape - including the 828 metre tall Piton de la Riviere, one of three peaks on the island - Mauritius offers crystal clear waters that contains a myriad of different fish and coral types which makes it one of the top diving locations in the world.

Those travelling to Mauritius for the diving aspect – it is estimated that the surrounding waters are home to around 430 different fish types and about 200 different species of coral – should note that the water temperature varies from 21 degrees Celsius in the cooler months to 28 degrees at the peak of summer. Because of the warmer temperature, most divers stick to the western side of the country, with the very northern and southern peaks being particularly popular.

Divers can expect to see an abundance of eagle rays and turtles, while sightings of tuna, Wahoo and marlin fish are not uncommon. For those who like investigating ship wrecks there are more than 200 wrecks that have been located near the island, which local diving companies are happy to take you to visit.

Mauritius' climate is mainly subtropical with temperatures ranging from 25 – 30 degrees Celsius throughout the year meaning it is open to visitors all year round. The cheapest flights to Mauritius are between November and February as this encompasses the country's rainy and stormy seasons. If you're visiting during this time it's good to know that the central area receives around twice as much rain as the coastal areas.

Although wetter, the central plateau also records the highest year round temperatures. For those looking for more comfortable heat the east coast is the cooler side because of trade winds. This was noticed by early settlers who preferred the warmer western side and it is there that much of the history of the island can be found.

Mauritius has been colonised several times since it was discovered by the Portuguese in the 16th century. First the Dutch took over, before the island became French and then, in 1810, it was under British control. One hundred years later Mauritius gained independence.

As Mauritius has developed into a thriving tourist attraction, its services – such as the diving schools – have improved their techniques, safety precautions and professionalism, meaning touring divers know they are in safe hands when they go into the sea.