Aqua BASE - Flic en Flac & West Coast

Aqua BASE in Flic en Flac has always been a solid pick for us, especially when the south-easterlies kick up a chop elsewhere. It’s not about dramatic drop-offs here; it’s more about the sheer density of everyday reef life, a proper fish soup. We’ve had dives where the schools of Pacific Gregory were so thick, they almost created a shimmering wall, making you feel like you were swimming through glitter. Keep an eye out for the Lineated Butterflyfish weaving through the coral heads and the occasional Strawberry Grouper lurking under ledges – they’re often surprisingly bold. We love how reliably you’ll spot things here. The Big-eye Trevally often patrol in small, curious packs, and if you’re patient, you might find a Dwarf Moray peeking out from its crevice. It’s a site that rewards slow exploration, peering into every nook. For divers who appreciate abundant reef fish and a relaxed pace, it’s a cracker. It’s a friendly site, good for shaking off the rust or just enjoying a calm, easy dive.

Location: Flic en Flac & West Coast, Mauritius, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates: -19.993093, 57.592415

Marine Protected Area: Coin de Mire (Gunner's Quoin)

Best Time to Dive in Flic en Flac & West Coast

The warmest water temperatures in Flic en Flac & West Coast occur in January, averaging 28.0°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.0°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 28.0°C (air: 27.0°C)
February: 28.0°C (air: 27.2°C)
March: 28.0°C (air: 27.0°C)
April: 28.0°C (air: 26.3°C)
May: 28.0°C (air: 25.0°C)
June: 28.0°C (air: 23.2°C)
July: 28.0°C (air: 22.5°C)
August: 28.0°C (air: 22.5°C)
September: 28.0°C (air: 23.2°C)
October: 28.0°C (air: 24.3°C)
November: 28.0°C (air: 25.4°C)
December: 28.0°C (air: 26.7°C)

Nearest Dive Centres to Aqua BASE

Bigorno Diving Centre LTD - PADI, SSI
Blues Diving Centre - ["PADI"]
Blue World Explorer Adventures - ["PADI"]
Crystal Divers Mauritius - ["PADI"]
Crystal Diving - ["PADI"]
Dive Drem Divers Mauritius

Marine Life in Flic en Flac & West Coast

Home to 453 recorded species including 314 reef fish, 71 hard corals, 14 sea snails & nudibranchs, 12 sharks & rays, 11 seagrass & algae, 8 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Tuna (Thunnus alalunga) - Reef Fish
Coral Blenny (Istiblennius edentulus) - Reef Fish
Blackspotted Rockskipper (Entomacrodus striatus) - Reef Fish
loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta)
Staghorn coral (Acropora austera) - Hard Corals
Manini (Acanthurus triostegus) - Reef Fish
Humpbacked conch (Gibberulus gibberulus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish
Small-eyed Squirrelfish (Myripristis murdjan) - Reef Fish
Humphead Unicornfish (Naso unicornis) - Reef Fish
Staghorn coral (Acropora lutkeni) - Hard Corals
Honeycomb Grouper (Epinephelus merra) - Reef Fish
Adorned wrasse (Halichoeres cosmetus) - Reef Fish
Species code: Si (Syringodium isoetifolium) - Seagrass & Algae
Wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) - Reef Fish
Peppered Squirrelfish (Sargocentron punctatissimum) - Reef Fish
Maldive Cone (Conus maldivus) - Sea Snails & Nudibranchs
Bluestripe Pipefish (Doryrhamphus excisus) - Reef Fish
Humphead wrasse (Coris aygula) - Reef Fish
Sperm Whale (Physeter macrocephalus) - Whales & Dolphins

Recommended Packing List for Aqua BASE

Based on average water temperature of 28.0°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
Mask - essential for every dive
Fins
BCD - buoyancy compensator
Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories