Emperator Diving Center

Emperator Diving Mauritius has been a fixture of the local diving community since 1999. Located within the Lux* Grand Gaube, the centre serves as a professional hub for divers looking to explore the diverse marine landscapes of the northern part of the island.

The centre operates year-round, managing a variety of excursions that range from sheltered reef flats for beginners to deeper canyon and wreck dives for certified divers. Whether you are looking to start your training or seeking advanced drift dives, the operation is built around a structured schedule of half-day and full-day trips.

The team is led by experienced professionals, including Ludovic, a PADI MSDT, CMAS *1INST, and DAN & MSDA First Aider instructor who also serves as skipper. The instructional staff includes Judex, Patrizio, and David, providing a range of qualifications from PADI Open Water instructors to Divemasters.

Safety is a core component of their operation, with all guides equipped with DIVE ALERT and NAUTILUS Lifeline underwater GPS units. The presence of multiple skippers and first aid trained staff ensures a high level of supervision across all excursions, from training sessions to shark dives.

The centre offers a complete progression of PADI courses, beginning with Discover Scuba Dive and moving through PADI Scuba Diver, Open Water Diver, and Advanced Open Water Diver. For those looking to advance their professional career, they provide PADI Rescue Diver, Divemaster, and MSDT programmes.

In addition to recreational training, the centre provides CMAS *1INST and DAN/MSDA First Aider Instructor courses. They also facilitate EFR (Emergency First Response) training for all levels.

The centre operates a 10-metre dive boat, 4 metres wide, designed to accommodate up to 27 passengers. It is powered by twin Suzuki 200HP motors and is well-equipped for extended trips, featuring a shaded area, freshwater on board, and a sea-level platform for easy access.

Technical equipment on the vessel includes a Garmin Chartplotter, Garmin VHF DSC, and sonar to assist the skipper. For safety and comfort during longer excursions, the boat is fitted with navigation lights, a digital console, and carries a large oxygen cylinder capable of supporting two people.

The shore-based facilities are well-stocked with high-quality Scubapro kit, including 50 BCDs (T-One model) and 20 regulators. Divers can hire a full range of equipment, including wetsuits in various thicknesses (3mm shorty, 3mm long, and 5mm long) and fins ranging from size 25 to 47.

For cylinder requirements, the centre maintains 75 cylinders in various volumes, including 6L, 9L, 10L, 12L, 13L, and 15L steel options in both DIN and INT. Air is supplied by two Bauer Mariner compressors with a capacity of 500L/min.

The marine life around the northern reefs is diverse, with reef sharks (including grey, blacktip, and whitetip species), eagle rays, and tuna frequently encountered during shark diving excursions. You will also see turtles and various species of rays throughout the area.

On the reef tops and around the wrecks, look for moray eels, octopuses, and leaf fish. The shallower waters and reef flats are home to various macro life, including rhinopias and many species of octopus.

During the winter months, from July to October, Humpback whales can be observed in the region. For those visiting Flat Island, baby rays are often seen in the surrounding waters.

Diving is possible year-round with water temperatures typically ranging between 23°C and 29°C. The area is known for excellent visibility, which can reach 30 metres in certain locations like Coin de Mire.

Excursion types vary based on the target site; for example, the Coin de Mire trips are organised four times a week, while specialised shark diving and Flat Island trips follow a weekly schedule.