La Cathédrale - Flic en Flac & West Coast

Mur Aux Lôches in Prony Bay is exactly what we look for in a New Caledonian drift dive. It’s a straight wall, dropping from about five metres down to 21, and it often has a ripping current. That’s why we love it. You just glide along, letting the water do the work, watching the show. On a good day, the visibility hits 20 metres easily, and the current brings in the big stuff. We've seen schools of grey reef sharks, easily 70 strong, patrolling the deeper water, a truly impressive sight. Napoleons drift past, eyeing you with a kind of ancient wisdom, and if you’re lucky, a manta might glide through the blue. It feels like a proper ocean encounter. We’d suggest going early in the morning; the light can be incredible, piercing through the water column and highlighting the coral. Keep an eye out for the smaller inhabitants too, like the bluestone kambingan or the slender sandgoby, hugging the reef out of the current. It’s a site for divers who appreciate a good current and the thrill of pelagic encounters, offering a different kind of dive than the more sheltered spots in the bay.

Location
Flic en Flac & West Coast, Mauritius, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-20.277900, 57.357800
Type
reef

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 La Cathédrale

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

Recommended Packing List for La Cathédrale

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