Diving in Réunion

Saint-Gilles & West Coast

Saint-Gilles and Réunion's west coast give us plenty to talk about. We love the variety here, from the sheltered lagoon dives perfect for shaking off rust, to the exhilarating outer wall drifts. Our favourite sites often involve a gentle push along a reef peppered with yellow scroll coral and large star corals, where you'll spot Blackburn's butterflyfish flitting past. It’s not uncommon to see humphead wrasse cruising by, their sheer size always a pleasure. This area truly shines when you hit the outer walls. The reef drops away, revealing healthy hard corals and stony corals, often with schools of threadfin and fusiliers thick enough to dim the light for a moment. Keep an eye out for the Rufous lanternfish in deeper sections, a real treat to encounter. Visibility usually holds up well, but we'd suggest hitting the deeper wall dives in the morning before any afternoon thermoclines kick in. If you're lucky enough to be here between October and December, whale sharks are a genuine possibility, though never a guarantee. The wreck dives are a fun alternative, attracting blackbar filefish and hooded oysters clinging to the metal. It’s a great mix of accessible and adventurous.