Blue Water Diving Center

Blue Water Diving Center is a long-standing fixture on the north-west coast of Mauritius, situated between the villages of Trou aux Biches and Mon Choisy. Since its founding in 1987 by Hugues Vitry, the centre has operated with a focus on responsible diving and ocean exploration.

The location offers some of the most reliable maritime conditions on the island, providing access to a vast array of underwater environments. Whether you are looking for shallow reef flats or deep-water walls, the proximity to diverse sites makes it a central hub for local diving.

The centre is led by Hugues Vitry, a CMAS 3* instructor with a significant international reputation for his commitment to ocean conservation. The team is composed of three experienced instructors capable of guiding divers through various levels of certification and exploration.

Training is conducted under PADI, SSI, CMAS, and FFESSM affiliations, ensuring a wide range of recognised qualifications. The staff is proficient in both English and French, making communication straightforward for international divers.

Environmental stewardship is a core part of the centre's identity. As a partner and sponsor of the NGO MMCO, the team actively supports the conservation of cetaceans, sharks, and sea turtles, even choosing to suspend certain observation trips to ensure respectful interactions with marine life.

A comprehensive range of training is available through PADI and CMAS affiliations. Beginners can start with introductory dives or work towards their PADI Open Water Scuba Diver certification.

For those looking to advance, the centre offers PADI Divemaster, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, and various CMAS levels from 1 Star to 3 Star. Specialized training is also provided, including Nitrox, EFR, and underwater photography and video courses.

The centre operates two dedicated vessels for dive operations. One is an open dive boat with a capacity for 16 passengers, while the second can accommodate up to 20 passengers. Both boats are powered by twin 140 HP Suzuki outboards, ensuring reliable transit to the dive sites.

The BWD 3 is equipped with a sun deck, relaxation areas, storage, and onboard toilets to ensure comfort during your trips. The boats are used for a variety of operations, including morning and afternoon dives, night dives, and full-day excursions.

On-shore facilities include air compressors from BAUER (models KAP-14 and LW 450 ES Silent) to manage your cylinder needs. Nitrox is available for divers looking to extend their bottom time.

The centre features air-conditioned classrooms for theory work, a well-stocked shop, and changing rooms with showers and toilets. For those staying longer, there is also on-site accommodation and a restaurant located upstairs.

The reefs are teeming with colourful fish, including various species of angelfish (Pomacanthidae), butterflyfish (Chaetodon), surgeonfish (Acanthuridae), and triggerfish (Balistidae). You will frequently see schools of fusilier (Caesio), snapper (Lutjanus), and various types of jacks (Carangidae) patrolling the walls and reefs.

For those interested in larger pelagics, the area hosts great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), eagle rays (Aetobatus), and dogtooth tuna (Gymnosarda unicolor). During the summer months from November to May, shark safaris can be organised to observe sharks in the area.

Mosaic life is abundant, with many divers seeking out nudibranchs (Chromodoris willani), octopuses (Octopus vulgaris), and various species of scorpionfish (Scorpaenidae). You can also find stonefish (Synanceia), lionfish (Pterois volitans), and several types of moray eels (Muraenidae), including the giant moray eel.

Fixed life provides a stunning backdrop, with extensive colonies of sea anemones (Actiniaria), gorgonians, and various soft and hard corals. The presence of large green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) and hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a regular highlight of the local marine ecosystem.

Most dives in the north-west region are drift dives, where currents are influenced by both tides and distant winds. These currents can affect visibility and the nature of the dive experience.

While the north-west coast offers good conditions year-round, the northern islands are best visited between October and April. Divers should generally avoid the period from May to October due to the south-east monsoon winds affecting the northern sites.