© Underwater Centre 2019

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

32. CONCEPTION POINT

Conception Island off West Point, Mahe

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.

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.

37. SHARK BANK 

Off West Mahe

Availability:

When conditions allow: March/May Oct/Nov

Range:

Long range dive

Suitability:

Experienced divers 

Depths:

18 - 30 mtr.  

Bottom: 

Granite reef with hard coral formations 

Midway between Mahe and Silhouette Island, Shark Bank is the shallowest area for hundreds of kilometres and is a natural focus for marine life especially pelagic fish. Granite gullies and boulders protect a resident population of reef fish and invertebrates with schools of yellow Snapper and Big Eyes being a permanent feature. The site is open to current and attracts schooling Jack Fish, Barracuda, Stingrays and Reef sharks. It is also visited by Whale Sharks in season.

35. ILES VACHES 

Off West Mahe

Availability:

When conditions allow: March/May Oct/Nov

Range:

Long range dive

Suitability:

Experienced divers 

Depths:

> 20 mtr.  

Bottom: 

Granite reef with hard coral formations 

A small island just off the West Mahe coast, it is relatively protected but occasionally liable to current. Granite gullies and boulders provide shelter for a variety of reef fish and invertebrates and occasional schooling Pelagics, Stingrays, Hawksbill turtles and Reef sharks can be found

34. TROIS DAMES

Off West Mahe

Availability:

When conditions allow: March/May Oct/Nov

Range:

Long range dive

Suitability:

Experienced divers 

Depths:

> 22 mtr.  

Bottom: 

Granite reef with hard coral formations 

Situated between Therese Island and Mahe, this submerged granite reef of huge boulders provides protection to a variety of reef fish and invertebrates. Renown for it's 'creaking rock' which moves gently in the swell pattern, the site is affected by current and is often visited by Stingrays, Hawksbill turtles and Reef sharks.

 36. TROIS BANCS

Off West Mahe

Availability:

When conditions allow: March/May Oct/Nov

Range:

Long range dive

Suitability:

Experienced divers 

Depths:

> 25 mtr.  

Bottom: 

Granite reef with hard coral formations 

Several miles offshore, this is an area of three large submerged granite reefs made up of steeply walled massifs, deep gullies and large boulders which form a maze of swim-throughs and small caves. These in turn host an impressive number of large reef fish and resident schools of Black Snappers. The site suffers occasionally from current but attracts schooling Pelagics, Barracuda, Stingrays, Hawksbill turtles and Reef sharks. Whale Sharks are also present in the right season

38. BRISSARE ROCKS 

North East of Mahe 

Availability:

When conditions allow: March/May Oct/Nov

Range:

Long range dive

Suitability:

Experienced divers 

Depths:

>18mtr.  

Bottom: 

Granite reef with hard coral formations 

Situated midway between Mahe and Praslin, this remote rock has an enviable reputation for fish life; the granite massif and surrounding rocks create protected surroundings for schools of Yellow Snappers and a multitude of reef fish. This is also the home of some of the largest Brown Morays in the area as well as a host of invertebrates. The site occasionally has current and attracts schooling Pelagics, Stingrays, Hawksbill turtles and Reef sharks and Whale Sharks in season.

39. DRAGONS TEETH

North East of Mahe 

Availability:

When conditions allow: March/May Oct/Nov

Range:

Long range dive

Suitability:

Experienced divers 

Depths:

>18mtr.  

Bottom: 

Granite reef with hard coral formations 

Just adjacent to Brissare Rocks, this group of rocks just breaks the surface and are always seen as jagged teeth jutting out from the foaming waters, hence the name! The site has good reef fish and invertebrate life and is home to several white Tip Reef Sharks as well as large Brown Morays; Occasionally swept by current it also attracts schooling Bump Head Parrotfish, Jack Fish, Stingrays, and Whale Sharks in the right season.

40. ENNERDALE WRECK 

North East of Mahe 

Availability:

When conditions allow: March/May Oct/Nov

Range:

Long range dive

Suitability:

Experienced divers 

Depths:

18 - 30 mtr.    

Bottom: 

 Wreck

Situated midway between Mahe and Praslin, this is the wreck of a British Fleet Auxillary tanker which foundered in 1970 on an unmarked rock, Ennerdale Rocks. Having been blown up to make her safe for shipping, most dives are on the stern of the vessel. The confines protect a huge range of reef fish, schools of Yellow Snappers and a multitude of invertebrates. This is also the home of numerous Brown Morays and some large Scorpion Fish. The site occasionally has current and attracts schooling Pelagics, Eagle Rays, Stingrays, Reef sharks and Whale Sharks in season.

41. BOUNTY REEF

North East of Mahe 

Availability:

When conditions allow: March/May Oct/Nov

Range:

Long range dive

Suitability:

Experienced divers 

Depths:

18 - 18 mtr.    

Bottom: 

Granite reef with hard coral formations

Situated just off Mamelle Island, between Mahe and Praslin, this submerged granite reef supports a wide variety of reef fish and invertebrates as well as attracting schools of pelagic fish such as Jacks and Barracuda. The site occasionally has current and is known for sightings of Hawksbill turtles and Reef sharks as well as Whale Sharks in season.

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Long Range Dive Sites:

Long range sites are more than 5 km away from our base in Beau Vallon; they tend to be accessible only in good sea conditions and so are not available all year around. Because they are further away they are slightly more expensive to cover the increased fuel costs and time involved in getting to them, see the Rates and Packages page for details.

To look at the details for each site just click on the fish-symbol for the site on the map on the left to open a pop-up window with the description of the site and the months we can generally access it. Alternatively you can scroll through the list of all of the long range sites below.

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