Kawan Plongee

Kawan Plongée is a long-standing dive centre situated in the heart of Sainte-Luce, Martinique. Positioned right on the seafront, the shop is just a minute's walk from the pontoon where the dive boat is moored.

Managed by Christophe and Natacha since 2022, the centre carries on a legacy of over twenty years of diving in the area. The location in the Sainte-Luce bay provides a sheltered environment, making it an ideal base for both beginners and experienced divers looking to explore the Caribbean reefs.

The centre is run by a dedicated family team that prioritises environmental preservation, using rainwater for rinsing equipment and reusable cups on board. They act as ambassadors for the Habitation Clément, connecting the local diving community with the wider culture of Martinique.

Instruction is provided by State-qualified instructors, and the centre is dual-affiliated with both French (FFESSM/ANMP) and international (SSI) standards. This allows you to choose the certification path that best suits your diving background.

For those diving with a guide, the centre maintains a ratio of one guide per diver. They also offer specialised programmes for children and specific training modules such as buoyancy control, underwater photography, and wreck diving.

You can complete a full range of training from introductory baptêmes to advanced professional levels. The centre provides French qualifications including Niveau 1, Niveau 2, and Niveau 3, as well as PE12, PA20, PE40, and PA40.

For those following the SSI pathway, courses include Open Water Diver, Advanced Open Water, Rescue, and Divemaster. Specific skill-based training is also available, covering orientation, buoyancy, deep diving, night diving, and drift diving.

The Volitans is an 11-metre wooden hull boat designed to accommodate up to 20 divers. It is powered by a 300hp Cummins inboard engine, ensuring reliable transit to the various dive sites around the bay.

On board, you will find a taud to provide shade from the sun, along with fresh fruit and non-alcoholic drinks. The boat is equipped with two parrot ladders to facilitate easy entries and exits.

The centre offers full kit hire using Scubapro equipment. For those who prefer to bring their own BCD and regulator, a discount is available on the dive price. If you require a dive computer, these are available for hire on a per-dive or weekly basis.

The shore facilities include a modular changing room that doubles as a classroom, along with showers and toilets. The centre uses a powerful compressor to ensure rapid cylinder fills for 6, 10, 12, and 15-litre cylinders.

The reefs are home to a variety of pelagics and reef fish, including southern stingrays, leopard eagle rays, and torpedo rays. You may also encounter great barracuda, moray eels, and various species of fish patrolling the coral structures.

Turtle watching is a highlight of the area, with green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles frequently seen. During the months from May to September, leatherback turtles may also be present.

For those interested in macro life, the seabed and corals host nudibranchs, seahorses, and various mollusks. You can also find crustaceans, sponges, and anemones amongst the reef architecture, alongside long-nosed seahorses and various sea urchins.

The Sainte-Luce bay is naturally sheltered from the alizés, which typically results in calm waters and relatively rare currents. This makes the local sites particularly suitable for those working on their buoyancy or completing initial certifications.

The water temperature remains stable throughout the year, generally between 26°C and 28°C.