Mauritius lies in the Indian Ocean just north of the Tropic Of Capricorn and about 500 miles (800 kms) to the east of Madagascar. Volcanic in origin, its landscape is both awesome and beautiful at the same time. The surrounding waters are also awe-inspiring and contain a wealth of different species of coral, which makes diving in Mauritius a memorable underwater experience. Mauritius is dominated by three peaks, of which the tallest, Piton de la Riviere Noire reaches over 828 metres.
Ownership of Mauritius has changed hands over the centuries. It was first discovered by the Portuguese at the beginning of the 16th century, and was then handed over to the Dutch who in turn handed it to the French for the following three hundred years. It passed into British hands in 1810, and finally gained independence in 1910.
The climate of Mauritius is predominantly sub-tropical, but temperatures vary throughout the year. Temperatures range from 77 to 86 degrees F throughout the year, so it is possible to visit Mauritius all year round, however, the rainy season runs from January to March and cyclones are possible from November to February. The central plateau on Mauritius tends to experience higher average temperatures than the coastal areas and can experience as much as double the amount of annual rainfall.
The prevailing trade winds tend to keep the east side of the island cooler, a fact that was noted by the local islanders who predominantly settled on the west coast of the island. The water temperature can range from 28 degrees centigrade in the summer down to 21 degrees in the colder months.
It is estimated that approximately 430 difference species of fish inhabite the waters surrounding Mauritius, which are coupled with approximately 200 different species of coral, making Mauritius a haven for divers looking for a wide range of coral and marine life. Diving in Mauritius tends to be concentrated along the warmer west coast, particularly at the northern and southern tips of the island.
The East coast of Mauritius is exposed to the battering of the trade winds. Strong currents exist on this side of the island, and while there is still some good diving to be had here, it would be advisable to seek advice on the individual dive sites from local diving centres. At the north of the island, the current tends to deliver some of the more interesting pelagics to Mauritius, and sightings of Tuna, Wahoo and Marlin are not uncommon. However, more often spotted species include eagle rays and the multitude of turtles that inhabit the waters surrounding Mauritius.
For those who love to go wreck diving, there are an estimated 220 wrecks in the waters surrounding Mauritius, ensuring that even the most experienced divers will find plenty to occupy their time while in Mauritius. As is the way with the most islands with a more developed tourist industry, the majority of dive operators here are very professional, allowing people with all levels of experience to enjoy scuba diving in Mauritius.
Frances wrote this article for Dive Time Diving in Mauritius "Divetime.com is the premier Scuba diving destination on the internet, with a unique offering of Scuba related information and services to divers everywhere"
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