Parc - Flic en Flac & West Coast

The Santai Divers House Reef in Flores is our pick for a relaxed, productive dive. We love that you can just walk in from the beach, straight into the water, and often have the entire place to yourself. Forget crowded boats; this is pure, unadulterated exploration. Descend through the shallows, past the sandy patch, and head towards those two big coral heads. Even at a modest 17 meters max, these formations are absolutely buzzing. Keep an eye out for the yellow snapper school that often congregates around them, a swirling cloud of gold. We've seen some impressive frogfish here, chunky and well-camouflaged, so move slowly and let your eyes adjust. Pipefish are a common sight, too, slender and delicate, hiding amongst the coral branches. The true magic happens on the small wall, though. It runs from 5 to 15 meters, an ideal depth for long bottom times and really focusing on the details. This is where we consistently find a fantastic array of nudibranchs, often tiny and vibrant against the rock. Look for the little blennies darting in and out of crevices and the dotted wrasse picking its way along the reef. The visibility averages around 13 meters, which is perfectly adequate for this kind of macro-focused diving. It’s an ideal site for anyone wanting to practice their photography skills or just enjoy a peaceful dive without the rush.

Location
Flic en Flac & West Coast, Mauritius, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-20.266500, 57.366000
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 Parc

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 Parc

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 are the typical depths for diving at Parc National de Port-Cros dive sites?
The dive site Parc, located off Flic en Flac on the west coast of Mauritius, is considered one of our deep dive sites. Divers can expect a maximum depth of 39m at this reef. This makes it suitable for divers with appropriate deep diving experience.
What kind of marine life and underwater landscapes can I expect to see when diving in Parc National de Port-Cros?
At Parc in Mauritius, you will explore a relatively small reef environment. This vibrant reef is home to all kinds of reef fish, offering a diverse display of marine life. Additionally, Parc is situated next to the KeiSei shipwreck, allowing for potential combined dives and varied underwater landscapes.
How challenging are the dive sites at Parc National de Port-Cros for different skill levels, especially for beginners?
The dive site Parc in Mauritius is rated with an intermediate difficulty. With a maximum depth of 39m, it is considered one of our deeper sites, making it less suitable for absolute beginners. Divers should have appropriate experience and certifications for deep diving.
What is the best time of year to go diving at Parc National de Port-Cros for optimal conditions and marine life encounters?
Information regarding the best time of year for optimal conditions and marine life encounters at Parc in Mauritius is not available in our current data. However, divers can generally expect an average visibility of 30m at this site. For general guidance on diving seasons, please refer to our When to Dive section.
What certifications or special permissions are required for individual divers to explore the dive sites within Parc National de Port-Cros?
Specific certification or special permission requirements for diving at Parc in Mauritius are not detailed in the provided context. However, given its intermediate difficulty and maximum depth of 39m, divers should possess advanced open water certification and ideally deep diver specialty certification to safely explore this site.
Are there strong currents or specific water conditions that divers should be aware of when planning a dive at Parc National de Port-Cros?
Our current data for Parc in Mauritius does not specify information regarding strong currents or other particular water conditions. What we do know is that the site offers an excellent average visibility of 30m, which typically makes for clear diving experiences.