Le Dodo Palmé

Located at the Port Ouest marina in Le Port, Le Dodo Palmée has been operating on Réunion Island since 2004. The centre is positioned for easy access, with free parking available near the basin where the dive boat is moored.

The centre holds the 'Qualité tourisme Île de La Réunion' label and is deeply integrated into the local marine environment. It maintains active links with conservation organisations such as Longitude 181 and Tendua, particularly during the seasonal whale watching periods.

The team consists of qualified instructors providing instruction for all levels, including dedicated programmes for children. They manage small groups to ensure a personalised experience for every diver.

Beyond recreational diving, the centre is an approved training centre for the École de Navigation Française (ENF). This allows them to offer boat handling licences, including both Coastal and Offshore permits, with a high success rate.

As an SSI affiliated centre, Le Dodo Palmée offers a comprehensive training catalogue. This ranges from initial certifications like Open Water Diver and Niveau 1 through to advanced levels such as Niveau 4.

For those looking to specialise, Nitrox and Nitrox Confirmé courses are available. The centre also provides technical training and specific FFESSM-related certifications, including PE12, PE40, and PA20. For boat enthusiasts, they offer both Coastal and Offshore boat permits.

The centre operates a single aluminium hull boat designed to carry a maximum of 7 people. This small capacity allows for an intimate atmosphere on board during trips to the various dive sites around the island.

During the dives, the crew provides punch and samoussas to guests. The boat is used for a variety of excursions, including reef exploration, wreck diving, and night dives.

Full kit hire is available on-site for those not travelling with their own equipment. This includes the essential components for a complete dive rig.

Nitrox is available for divers looking to extend their bottom time. The centre also provides all necessary equipment for their training courses, which are inclusive of the kit required for both theoretical and practical sessions.

The reefs around Réunion are home to a vast array of tropical fish, including butterflyfish, parrotfish, clownfish, surgeonfish, and triggerfish. You will also encounter larger species such as jacks, carangues, and various types of seabream.

For those interested in larger pelagics, look out for reef sharks, rays, and tuna. During the months of July to October, the area becomes a significant location for observing humpback whales.

Macro life and crustaceans are abundant among the rocks and corals. Divers can find octopuses, moray eels, stonefish, spiny lobsters, and porcelain crabs tucked into crevices.

In the more sheltered areas, you might spot a prickly seahorse amongst the seafloor vegetation.

Currents can be present at certain sites, such as La Cheminée, though they tend to be calmer during low tide. Many of the local sites are chosen for their ability to offer diving in low-current conditions.

Seasonal planning is important for those wishing to see cetaceans, with the best period for whale watching occurring between July and October.