Passe de l'Ermitage, Saint-Leu: Reunion's Tunneled Passage

Dropping into Passe de l'Ermitage, the underwater topography immediately reveals a complex world of natural formations. You'll navigate through a series of tunnels and open into surprising grottos, with canyons carving deeper pathways into the reef. This intricate structure ensures that no two dives feel quite the same, constantly redirecting your gaze and offering new perspectives on the reef's hidden corners.

The dive begins to reveal its true character as you explore the upper sections of the pass, often greeted by the graceful presence of eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari). These magnificent cartilaginous fish are frequently encountered here, gliding effortlessly over the reef, adding a sense of wild elegance to the start of your dive. Their presence in the shallower parts of the pass makes for an exciting initial encounter before you delve deeper into the site's labyrinthine features.

As you descend further into the pass, between 6 and 25 metres, the structured environment offers sanctuary and hunting grounds for a diverse array of reef inhabitants. Large schools of flute fish (Fistularia commersonii), their elongated bodies shimmering, move in unison through the water. You will also encounter robust batfish (Platax orbicularis) and various species of groupers (Serranidae), often tucked into crevices or hovering near the coral heads.

One of the standout features of Passe de l'Ermitage is a dedicated cleaning station, a hub of activity for green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas). Here, they patiently queue for smaller fish to remove parasites and debris from their shells and skin. Observing these interactions provides an intimate glimpse into the marine ecosystem, a reliable highlight that divers regularly report from this particular site.

The diverse relief of the pass, with its blend of open areas and confined passages, creates a varied habitat that supports a rich tapestry of marine life. While the tunnels and grottos provide shelter and exploration opportunities, the more exposed sections are where you're likely to see larger pelagic fish passing through. This constant shift in environment ensures that each dive offers new discoveries and different interactions with the local inhabitants.