TRAVELLER - Rodrigues Island

The Traveller isn't about deep diving; it’s about history and how a reef reclaims what man leaves behind. This sailing vessel, sunk in 1897, sits right on the surface, its hull a dark, barnacle-encrusted shadow just a metre or two below the water. We love grabbing a mask and snorkel for this one, especially on a calm morning when the light hits it just right. What you see here isn't a pristine ship, but a skeletal outline that feels incredibly ancient. The wood has long since given way, leaving ribs and frames that are now solid with coral and anemones. Tiny damselfish dart in and out of every nook, and we’ve often spotted juvenile sweetlips hiding in the shadowed sections of the hull. It’s a fascinating place to free dive, tracing the outline of the deck, imagining the last moments of the ship. We'd suggest aiming for high tide to get the best view without scraping a knee on the coral heads that have grown up around it. It’s an easy, rewarding experience, perfect for a relaxed afternoon exploring a piece of Rodrigues’ past.

Location: Rodrigues Island, Mauritius, Indian Ocean & East Africa
Coordinates: -19.750000, 63.333332
Type: wreck
Maximum Depth: 0m

Marine Protected Area: Ile Aux Cocos

Best Time to Dive in Rodrigues Island

The warmest water temperatures in Rodrigues Island occur in January, averaging 28.6°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 28.6°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

January: 28.6°C (air: 25.4°C)
February: 28.6°C (air: 25.4°C)
March: 28.6°C (air: 25.4°C)
April: 28.6°C (air: 24.9°C)
May: 28.6°C (air: 23.7°C)
June: 28.6°C (air: 22.1°C)
July: 28.6°C (air: 21.2°C)
August: 28.6°C (air: 20.7°C)
September: 28.6°C (air: 21.0°C)
October: 28.6°C (air: 22.0°C)
November: 28.6°C (air: 23.2°C)
December: 28.6°C (air: 24.3°C)

Nearby Dive Sites in Rodrigues Island

Nearest Dive Centres to TRAVELLER

Marine Life in Rodrigues Island

Home to 259 recorded species including 200 reef fish, 46 hard corals, 4 sharks & rays, 4 sea snails & nudibranchs, 2 clams & mussels, 1 whales & dolphins.

Notable Species

Silvertip shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus) - Sharks & Rays
Blackspot Surgeonfish (Acanthurus nigrofuscus) - Reef Fish
Honeycomb Grouper (Epinephelus merra) - Reef Fish
Coral Blenny (Istiblennius edentulus) - Reef Fish
Red-streaked Blenny (Cirripectes stigmaticus) - Reef Fish
Blackspotted Rockskipper (Entomacrodus striatus) - Reef Fish
Undulated moray (Gymnothorax undulatus) - Reef Fish
Epaulette Soldierfish (Myripristis kuntee) - Reef Fish
Red Squirrelfish (Sargocentron diadema) - Reef Fish
Longtail Silverbiddy (Gerres longirostris) - Reef Fish
Gorgeous Gussy (Chaetodon guttatissimus) - Reef Fish
Bluestripe Pipefish (Doryrhamphus excisus) - Reef Fish
Blue-dashed Rockskipper (Blenniella periophthalmus) - Reef Fish
Dusky Wrasse (Halichoeres marginatus) - Reef Fish
Floral wrasse (Cheilinus chlorourus) - Reef Fish
Two-tone wrasse (Thalassoma amblycephalum) - Reef Fish
Silver-streaked rainbowfish (Stethojulis strigiventer) - Reef Fish
Lineated Butterflyfish (Chaetodon trifasciatus) - Reef Fish
Common Lyre-tail Cod (Variola louti) - Reef Fish
Humphead Unicornfish (Naso unicornis) - Reef Fish

Recommended Packing List for TRAVELLER

Based on average water temperature of 28.6°C.

Shorty or Rashguard - warm 29°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