Snake Reef - Flic en Flac & West Coast

Snake Reef, just off the west coast of Mauritius, is one of those sites we always try to hit when we're in Flic en Flac. It’s got a lovely gradient, sloping from about eight metres down to twenty, making it a comfortable intermediate dive without any gnarly currents to contend with. The name comes from the resident sea snakes, of course, and you’ll often spot a few banded kraits gracefully hunting along the reef structure. What we really love about Snake Reef, though, is how much there is to unpack in the details. Keep an eye out for those cleverly camouflaged Hairy Scorpionfish nestled among the corals – they're masters of disguise. We’ve also had some fantastic encounters with schools of Blue-lined Tang moving like shimmering curtains and Big long-nosed Butterflyfish pairs flitting about. It's a busy, healthy reef, with dusky farmerfish darting between the coral heads and the occasional Springer or even a Dorado cruising by in the blue if you're lucky. The light penetration is usually excellent, painting the corals in vibrant hues, especially in the shallower sections. It’s a site that rewards a slow pace, letting you really soak in the reef’s rhythm.

Location
Flic en Flac & West Coast, Mauritius, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates
-20.270000, 57.340000
Type
reef
Maximum Depth
8-20m
Difficulty
Intermediate

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 Snake Reef

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 Snake Reef

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