Abalone

Best months: Jun–Sep

Protected Area

Presqu’Ile De Boueni

Why dive here

With 401+ marine species recorded in the area - including barracuda, blue sharks, blue-spotted stingrays, dolphins and dugongs - Abalone offers some of Mayotte Lagoon's richest diving. Water ranges 27-31°C, warmest February, March, April.

Best timeJun–Sep

WetsuitA 3mm shorty or thin full wetsuit

Marine lifeBarracuda, Blue Sharks, Blue-Spotted Stingrays, Dolphins and Dugongs · 401+ species recorded

Water27-31°C · warmest February, March, April

StandoutExceptional marine biodiversity

Abalone in Mayotte Lagoon feels like dropping into an enormous, natural aquarium. We love this site for its sheer variety, but particularly for the table and staghorn corals that create these incredible, intricate structures. It’s not a deep dive, perfect for just floating along and really taking in the smaller stuff. The standout here is the sheer number of parrotfish – the Batavian and Eclipse are always around, chipping away at the coral. You’ll also spot the Flathead Sleeper, a surprisingly elegant fish, often perched on the sand. We usually find Dwarf Morays peeking out from crevices, and the Silver Moonies shimmer in the dappled light filtering through the lagoon. Keep an eye out for the Humpbacked conch moving slowly across the sandy patches. It’s a gentle current most days, which means you can really take your time observing the Sebae Anemonefish darting through their host anemones. This is a site we’d recommend for anyone who enjoys a relaxed dive with plenty to see, especially if you appreciate healthy coral gardens and a vibrant population of reef fish.