la passe du puits - Flic en Flac & West Coast

Navigation Ninja is exactly what it sounds like. This isn't a drift dive where you just kick back and watch the show. We’d suggest you come here ready to work your brain. It’s set up as a real test for your navigation skills, with a series of waypoints, compass headings, and legs that take you across a whole mix of bottom types. You'll move from sandy patches, sometimes silty, to seagrass beds, then skirt along reef structures and coral bommies, all the way to moorings. The real challenge is staying focused on your compass and natural cues – the sun's angle, the subtle slope of the sand, how the current tugs at you. Visibility averages around 8 metres, which means you can’t just rely on seeing the next marker from a distance. You'll be too busy concentrating to properly gawk at the wrasse flitting past or the occasional Hawksbill turtle grazing, but knowing they're there adds a nice layer to the experience. We love it for brushing up on skills or just for a good mental workout. It’s definitely for divers who enjoy a purpose-driven dive and want to sharpen their underwater orienteering.

Location
Flic en Flac & West Coast, Mauritius, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-20.183400, 57.777700
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Poste Lafayette 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 passe du puits

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 passe du puits

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the typical depth range for diving at La Passe du Puits?
The typical depth range for diving at La Passe du Puits is between 3 and 18 meters. With a maximum depth of 18 meters, this site offers a good range for exploration. It's an exciting drift dive where you can experience the sensation of flying with the current.
What kind of marine life can divers expect to see at La Passe du Puits?
Divers at La Passe du Puits can anticipate a diverse array of marine life, particularly large pelagic species. You can expect to encounter trevally shiver black, big-eyed trevally, majestic eagle rays, and various reef sharks, alongside other fascinating predators. This site offers plenty of discoveries for wildlife enthusiasts.
How difficult is the dive at La Passe du Puits, and is it suitable for beginners?
The dive at La Passe du Puits is rated as intermediate difficulty. Given its classification as a first-class drift dive, it is generally not recommended for absolute beginners. Divers should have some experience managing currents to fully enjoy this exhilarating site.
What are the best months or seasons to dive La Passe du Puits for optimal conditions?
The provided data does not specify the best months or seasons for diving La Passe du Puits for optimal conditions. For general information on when to dive in the region, you might consult DivePlnr's When to Dive section.
What diving certifications are required or recommended to dive La Passe du Puits?
While specific certification requirements are not detailed, given that La Passe du Puits is an intermediate drift dive, an Advanced Open Water certification or equivalent experience in current diving is highly recommended. This ensures divers are comfortable and capable of handling the conditions of this exciting site.
What are the typical current conditions and visibility like at La Passe du Puits?
La Passe du Puits is renowned as a first-class drift dive, meaning divers can expect significant current conditions that carry them through the pass. The average visibility at this site is a very respectable 14 meters, offering clear views of the diverse marine life even while drifting.