Diving in Saint-Gilles & West Coast

Explore 47 dive sites in Saint-Gilles & West Coast, Réunion. Ocean conditions, marine species, and dive centres.

Best Time to Dive in Saint-Gilles & West Coast

The warmest water temperatures in Saint-Gilles & West Coast occur in January, averaging 27.9°C. The coolest conditions are in December at 27.9°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 27.9°C (air: 26.6°C)
  • February: 27.9°C (air: 26.6°C)
  • March: 27.9°C (air: 26.4°C)
  • April: 27.9°C (air: 25.6°C)
  • May: 27.9°C (air: 23.8°C)
  • June: 27.9°C (air: 22.0°C)
  • July: 27.9°C (air: 21.1°C)
  • August: 27.9°C (air: 21.2°C)
  • September: 27.9°C (air: 21.6°C)
  • October: 27.9°C (air: 23.0°C)
  • November: 27.9°C (air: 24.0°C)
  • December: 27.9°C (air: 25.4°C)

Marine Life in Saint-Gilles & West Coast

Home to 524 recorded species including 348 reef fish, 99 hard corals, 30 sharks & rays, 15 whales & dolphins, 9 sea cucumbers, 9 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Dive Site Difficulty in Saint-Gilles & West Coast

Saint-Gilles & West Coast has 19 beginner, 15 intermediate, 1 advanced, 4 expert dive sites - suitable for divers of all levels.

Recommended Packing List for Saint-Gilles & West Coast

Based on average water temperature of 27.9°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

Marine Protected Areas in Saint-Gilles & West Coast

  • Grande Anse - Land acquired by Conservatoire du Littoral (national seaside and lakeside conservancy) (IUCN Category IV)
  • La Pointe Au Sel - Land acquired by Conservatoire du Littoral (national seaside and lakeside conservancy) (IUCN Category IV)
  • Ile De Petite-Ile - Biotope Protection Order (IUCN Category IV)
  • Terre Rouge - Land acquired by Conservatoire du Littoral (national seaside and lakeside conservancy) (IUCN Category IV)
  • Marine De La Réunion - National Nature Reserve (IUCN Category IV)
  • Rochers Des Colimacons - Land acquired by Conservatoire du Littoral (national seaside and lakeside conservancy) (IUCN Category IV)
  • Grande Ravine - Land acquired by Conservatoire du Littoral (national seaside and lakeside conservancy) (IUCN Category IV)
  • Rocher De Petite Ile - Land acquired by Conservatoire du Littoral (national seaside and lakeside conservancy) (IUCN Category IV)
  • Marine De Vincendo - Land acquired by Conservatoire du Littoral (national seaside and lakeside conservancy) (IUCN Category IV)
  • Ravine Du Portail Aux Avirons - Land acquired by Conservatoire du Littoral (national seaside and lakeside conservancy) (IUCN Category IV)

Getting to Saint-Gilles & West Coast - Nearest Airports

  • Saint-Pierre Pierrefonds Airport (ZSE), Saint-Pierre - 28 km away, approx 46 min travel time
  • Roland Garros Airport (RUN), Sainte-Marie - 35 km away, approx 53 min travel time
  • Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU), Plaine Magnien - 262 km away, approx 300 min travel time

Dive Sites

Dive Centres