Cathedral - Flic en Flac & West Coast

Cathedral is one of those sites we always make time for when we're in Mauritius. Dropping down to 28 meters, it’s certainly an advanced dive, but the reward is substantial. You’re not here for vast coral gardens; this spot is all about the structure, a dramatic volcanic rock cavern. When the conditions are right, usually around mid-morning, the light shafts punching through the roof are incredible, almost tangible in the water. It's a genuinely atmospheric dive, the kind that makes you feel tiny and utterly immersed. Inside, we often find ourselves drifting slowly, letting our eyes adjust to the dim light. Look for the quieter residents like the Longnose Hawkfish perched on sea fans, or the shy Mimic Blennies tucked into crevices. Out in the open, schools of Glasseye Snappers often hover, their eyes like marbles catching the diffused light. We've even been lucky enough to spot a Blue Marlin on the outer reef wall a couple of times, a real heart-stopper. It’s not a drift dive, so you can really take your time exploring the nooks and crannies. This dive is perfect for photographers chasing those iconic light beam shots or anyone who appreciates dramatic underwater topography.

Location: Flic en Flac & West Coast, Mauritius, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates: -20.290000, 57.350000
Type: cave
Maximum Depth: 18-28m
Difficulty: Advanced

Marine Protected Area: Black River Fishing Reserve

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)

Nearby Dive Sites in Flic en Flac & West Coast

Nearest Dive Centres to Cathedral

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 Cathedral

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