Dive Passion Mauritius

Dive Passion Mauritius is situated on the beautiful East Coast, nestled within the grounds of The Residence Mauritius and just a short walk from the Belle Mare public beach. This location offers a seamless transition from the shore to the water, with the turquoise lagoon of Belle Mare serving as the immediate gateway to the reef.

The centre is built on a foundation of deep local knowledge. Its director, Ben Cadet, has been a key figure in Mauritian diving for four decades, having played a vital role in mapping many of the area's most iconic dive sites in the early 1990s.

As a PADI 5 Star dive centre, the team prioritises a personalised approach to diving. You will dive in small groups, with a maximum of four to five divers per guide, ensuring that instruction and safety remain the primary focus throughout the day.

The team is experienced in catering to a variety of needs, grouping divers by experience level so that everyone can progress at their own pace. The centre is multilingual, with staff able to communicate in English, French, and Italian.

The training programme covers the full spectrum of PADI certifications. Beginners can start with the Open Water Diver course, while more experienced divers can progress through Advanced Open Water Diver, Rescue Diver, and Divemaster levels.

The centre also offers the Instructor Development Course (IDC) and various specialised training, including Nitrox, Scuba Tune-up, and Digital Underwater Photographer. For those interested in the technical side of the sport, dive theory courses are also available.

The centre operates the TM 300 Pro Diver, a specialist vessel designed by naval architect François Lucas to meet ISO and European maritime standards. This monohull is powered by twin 150HP Suzuki outboards, providing stable and efficient transit to the offshore sites.

Designed specifically for divers, the boat has a capacity for 16 people and features a dedicated rear dive platform to make entering and exiting the water straightforward. The layout is optimised for easy movement on board, ensuring a comfortable experience even when moving between sites.

The centre provides a full range of Scubapro equipment for hire, maintained to high standards. For those preferring to use their own kit, there is secure on-site storage available.

Cylinder options are varied to suit different profiles, including standard 12L steel cylinders, as well as 10L, 15L, and 8L cylinders for younger divers. Nitrox is available for those looking to extend their bottom times.

The reefs around Belle Mare are vibrant and teeming with life. You will regularly encounter a wide array of tropical reef fish, including sergeant majors, butterflyfish (Chaetodon), and various species of surgeonfish (Acanthuridae). The coral gardens are often home to colourful parrotfish (Calotomus) and triggerfish (Balistidae).

For those interested in larger animals, the area is known for its predators. You can spot reef sharks (Carcharhinus), large trevally, and dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor) patrolling the edges of the reef. Eagle rays (Aetobatus) and various species of stingrays are also common visitors to the sandy patches.

Macro life and crustaceans add significant interest to the dives. Keep an eye out for lobsters (Homaridae), nudibranch (Chromodoris willani), and various species of wrasse (Labridae). The complex structures of the coral walls and canyons also provide excellent hunting grounds for moray eels (Muraenidae) and groupers (Epinephelus).

The diving in this area is characterised by the currents found within the Belle Mare Pass, which allow for engaging drift dives. These currents are moderate and are a key feature of the local topography.

The proximity of the sites to the shore means that many of the lagoon dives are easily accessible, with the most significant reef structures located just a five-minute boat ride from the centre.