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| 2. GROUPER
POINT |
East tip of Bay Ternay Marine
Park, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
6 - 30 mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Granite reef with coral |
| This dive may have currents
dependant on seasonal influences. Large dramatic granite boulders and massifs with hard
coral formations dropping to sand at 28 - 30 metres; many reef fish, especially medium
sized groupers, occasional Moray Eels and Hawksbill turtles. Reef sharks are sometimes
seen at this site as are schooling pelagics such as Jack Fish; Whale Sharks are seen off
the point during the Whale Shark season. |
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| 3. BAY TERNAY MARINE
PARK |
East end of N.W. Bay,
Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
6 - 23 mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Coral reef |
| An easy dive with probably
the best hard coral formations around Mahe; many reef fish, Moray Eels, good invertebrates
and anemones; Hawksbill turtles are commonly seen at this site and schools of pelagics
such as Jacks and Gill Raker Mackerel can be found. Marine Park Regulations apply. |
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| 4. RAY'S POINT |
West point of Bay
Ternay,
N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
6 - 18 mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Granite reef with hard coral
formations |
| An easy dive with large
granite boulders descending from a rugged shoreline to the sea bed; many reef fish, Moray
Eels, occasional Hawksbill turtles and ribbon tailed sting-rays can be found. |
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| 5.
WILLY'S ROCKS / WILLY'S BAY |
Western end of N.W.
Bay, Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
>12mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Granite reef with hard coral
formations |
| A shallow dive with a
protected coral reef within the bay and a huge granite massif descending to the sandy sea
bed; Willy's Rocks lie a hundred metres off the massif. Common reef fish, Moray Eels and
occasional Hawksbill turtles are found in the bay and there are plentiful invertebrates on
the outlying rocks. The bay is named 'Bay au Chagrin' which is Creol for Bay of Whale
Sharks which are often found congregating here during the Whale Shark Season. |
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| 6.
WHALE ROCK |
Western end of Beau
Vallon, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
>12mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Granite reef with hard coral
formations |
| An easy dive onto a reef of
large granite boulders stacked together to form areas of archways, swim-throughs and
corridors. There are many reef fish, Moray Eels, occasional Hawksbill turtles and ribbon
tailed sting-rays can be found while garden eels can be seen in the sand on the offshore
side of the second massif, Castle Rock. This site is one of those used for night dives
when the coral studded rocks are a blaze of colour. |
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| 7.
HORSESHOE ROCK |
Western end of Beau
Vallon, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
>12mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Granite reef with hard coral
formations |
| A large granite massif
several hundred meters off the coast with spur and groove formations on the off-shore
side; this site occasionally picks up a long-shore current. This is a good site for reef
fish, Moray Eels and invertebrates. Hawksbill turtles and ribbon tailed sting-rays can be
found and octopus dens are often found at the base of the granite walls. |
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| 8.
DANZILLE ROCK |
Western end of Beau
Vallon, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
>12mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Granite reef with hard coral
formations |
| An easy dive onto a
promontory of large granite boulders; there are several archways and swim-throughs with
many reef fish and a variety of Moray Eels. Hawksbill turtles feed on sponges on the
fringing coral reef which is a good area for invertebrates and nudibranchs. This site is
one of those used for night dives when the vertical rocks are a vivid wall of orange
colour from encrusting cup corals with the reef providing the chance of finding many
different crustacea including sponge crabs. |
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| 9. DANZILLE
REEF |
Eastern end of
Beau Vallon, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
8 - 14
mtrs |
| Bottom: |
Coral
reef |
| A shallow coral reef
of a patchwork formation; this is a good area for reef fish, Moray Eels, and
invertebrates. Hawksbill turtles are often seen at this site which is also used for night
dives. |
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| 10.
AUBERGE REEF |
Western end of Beau
Vallon, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
6 - 15
mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Coral
reef |
| The western end of
the Corsair fringing reef system; this gently shelving reef has abundant reef fish and is
a favourite feeding ground for Hawksbill turtles. The deeper end of the reef is visited by
ribbon-tailed rays and has produced several rareties such as Flying Gunard and Slipper
Lobster. |
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| 11.
DREDGER WRECK |
Western end of Beau
Vallon, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
Experienced
divers |
| Depths: |
27
mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Wreck |
|
This wreck was
purposely sunk by the local divers Association, APDS, and has become a haven for marine
life including a wealth of invertebrates. It is often visited by pelagic fish and is
occasionally the temporary home of large Black Groupers and juvenile Red Snappers. Larger
pelagics such as Marlin and Wahoo have also been seen above the wreck. |
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| 12.
SCALA REEF |
Western end of
Beau Vallon, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
6 - 15
mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Coral reef |
|
Towards the western
end of the Corsair fringing reef system; this shelving reef has good reef fish and is a
frequently visited by Hawksbill turtles. The deeper side of the reef is occasionally
visited by roaming pelagic fish schools. |
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| 13.
CORSAIR REEF |
Western side of Beau Vallon, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
6 - 15
mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Coral reef |
|
The largest fringing
reef in the N.W. of Mahe; this shelving reef has a shallow reef top at 6 - 10 mtrs with
abundant reef fish and is a regular feeding ground for Hawksbill turtles. The reef slope
is characterised by several large coral bommies which provide shelter for Sweet Lips and
Coral Cod as well as the odd Lobster. |
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| 14.
TWIN BARGES WRECK |
Western end
of Beau Vallon, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
Qualified divers |
| Depths: |
14 - 25 mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Wreck |
| These two wrecks were
purposely sunk at the foot of the Corsair Reef in 1989 by the local divers Association,
APDS, and have become heavily encrusted with hard corals, fan corals and sponges. They are
the residence of a flotilla of some 12 Lion Fish as well as shelter for a wealth of marine
life and invertebrates. Although a slightly deeper dive, it is a favourite night dive
site. |
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| 15.
FISHERMAN'S COVE REEF |
Western end of Beau
Vallon Bay, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
6 - 12mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Coral
reef |
|
An easy dive and
favourite site for novices, this patchwork reef is one of the closest to the Underwater
Centre, Coral Strand Hotel. This gently shelving reef has abundant hard coral formations
set between sand patches making it an ideal site for beginners and also
macro-photographers. Occasional visits from feeding Hawksbill turtles are also a welcome
feature. |
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| 16.
BEAU VALLON REEF |
Central Beau Vallon
Bay, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
12 - 20 mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Coral reef |
|
This is a large
patchwork reef in the middle of Beau Vallon Bay which shelves 12 - 20 mtrs; an area of
hard coral with abundant reef fish, it is also visited by deeper water species and
Hawksbill turtles. This site has some good invertebrate life with numerous anemones and
occasional Mantis Shrimp. |
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| 17.
THE AQUARIUM |
Central Beau Vallon
Bay, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
5 - 12 mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Coral reef |
|
The 'House reef' of
the Coral Strand Centre which is comprised of two huge coral bommies flanked on either
side by large low-lying patchwork reefs. This is a favourite novice diver site and as the
name implies is home to an abundance of reef fish; a large carpet anemone at the top of
one of the bommies is the home of two large three banded Seychelles Clown Fish. |
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| 18. VACOA REEF |
Central
Beau Vallon
Bay, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
12 - 20 mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Coral
reef |
|
This is a large
patchwork reef in Beau Vallon Bay which runs from a depth of 10 mtrs. on the inshore side
to 16 mtrs. on the offshore side. It is characterised by large fragile table corals and
plentiful reef fish and is visited by deeper water species and Hawksbill turtles. |
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| 19.
CORAL GARDENS |
Weastern Beau Vallon
Bay, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
9 - 15 mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Coral
reef |
|
This is a large area
of patchwork reefs on a gently shelving sand bottom. Numerous Porites heads provide
shelter for a large variety of reef fish and the site is visited by 0ccasional Sting Rays
and Hawksbill turtles. |
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| 20.
SUNSET ROCK |
Western shore
of Beau Vallon, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
>12mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Granite reef with hard coral
formations |
|
An easy dive onto a
promontory of granite which just break the surface; there is a wide central channel
leading towards shore which is home to a variety of reef fish. The surrounding coral and
granite reef shelters a number of Moray Eels and is a favourite feeding site for Bump Head
Parrot Fish. |
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| 21.
VISTA ROCKS |
Western shore
of Beau Vallon, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
>14mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Granite reef with hard coral
formations |
|
Towards the North
Western end of Beau Vallon Bay, these rocks comprise of a single vertical sided granite
massif and two adjoining granite and coral reefs. Occasionally swept by current, the
vertical sides are covered in soft corals and fan corals and are home to an impressive
array of invertebrate life. The adjoining reefs are home to a number of Moray Eels and
Lobsters. |
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| 22.
CHUCKLES |
Western shore
of Beau Vallon, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
8 - 15mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Granite reef with hard coral
formations |
|
Almost at the North
Western end of Beau Vallon Bay, this reef is a single granite massif which is deeply
incised with gullies with an adjoining granite boulder field. Subject to regular current
streams, the rocks are heavily encrusted with soft corals and fan corals. The steep sided
gullies shelter a wealth of reef fish and invertebrate life. This site is used for night
dives in good conditions. |
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| 23.
L'ILOT |
Eastern tip of Beau Vallon, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
Qualified
divers |
| Depths: |
>16mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Granite reef with hard coral
formations |
| At the North Eastern
tip of Beau Vallon Bay, this picturesque tiny granite island supports two coconut palms
and some super marine life. The steep sides are grooved by gullies and surrounded by large
granite boulders giving an array of archways and swim-throughs. The island is in a regular
current stream and is heavily encrusted with soft corals. The landward side of the island
has a prolific fish and invertebrate life with schools of Big Eyes and is visited by
Turtles, Sharks and Whale Sharks. This site is used for night dives in good conditions. |
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| 24.
CAP TERNAY |
Weastern tip of Beau Vallon, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
All divers |
| Depths: |
>
20mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Granite reef with hard coral
formations |
| On the Western tip of
the North West Bay, this site is at the base of the sheer granite of Cap Ternay on the
side of a deep water channel running up the West Coast of Mahe. The sheer sides drop
steeply to a sand and boulder field at 20 mtrs. There is a regular current flow which
encourages visits by Turtles, Sharks, schools of Pelagics and Whale Sharks in season. |
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| 31.
CONCEPTION ARENA |
Off West Mahe |
| Availability: |
When conditions
allow: March/May Oct/Nov |
| Range: |
Long range dive |
| Suitability: |
Experienced
divers |
| Depths: |
15 - 30 mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Granite reef with hard coral
formations |
| West of Conception
Island, this submerged granite reef forms a natural arena with huge boulders and deeply
incised gullies forming swim-throughs. As an offshore area and with a shelving sandy
bottom dropping away from 30 metres, the site is liable to current and attracts larger
fish species. Visits by schooling Pelagics are common as are sightings of Stingrays,
Hawksbill turtles and Reef sharks; Whale Sharks are found in season. |
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| 32.
CONCEPTION POINT |
|
| Availability: |
When conditions
allow: March/May Oct/Nov |
| Range: |
Long Range |
| Suitability: |
Experienced divers |
| Depths: |
> 18
mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Granite reef with hard coral
formations |
| The southern point
Conception Island provides an area of steep walls, gullies and boulders which are home to
an impressive number of larger reef fish and invertebrates. The site is open to current
and attracts schooling Pelagics, Stingrays, Hawksbill turtles and Reef sharks. |
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| 33.
THERESE ISLAND |
Off West Mahe |
| Availability: |
When conditions
allow: March/May Oct/Nov |
| Range: |
Long Range |
| Suitability: |
Experienced divers |
| Depths: |
> 20 mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Granite reef with hard coral
formations |
| Off the Northern
point of Therese Island, this site is a little more protected than the
neighbouring sites
and shelters a variety of larger reef fish and invertebrates. The site occasionally picks
up current and with it schooling Pelagics, Stingrays and Reef sharks. |
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| 34.
ALDABAREN WRECK |
Western end of Beau
Vallon, N.W. Mahe |
| Availability: |
February to November |
| Range: |
Short |
| Suitability: |
Experienced
divers |
| Depths: |
36-40
mtr. |
| Bottom: |
Wreck |
| Purposely sunk in 2008 as a
diving site, the Aldabaren was a long-line fishing vessel which was
impounded by the Seychelles Government. Although it is a new wreck it is
already being colonised by a host of fish including moray eels, lion fish
and bat fish. This is a deep site which we offer as a Nitrox dive to
maximise bottom time. |
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