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.

 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.

 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.

 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.

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.

1. BAY TERNAY BLUFF

East end of Bay Ternay Marine Park, N.W. Mahe

Availability:

February to November

Range:

Short

Suitability:

All divers 

Depths:

6 - 19m

Bottom: 

Granite and hard coral reef 

An easy dive with excellent hard coral formations; many reef fish and occasional Moray Eels. Hawksbill turtles are commonly seen at this site. Marine Park Regulations apply.

3. BAY TERNAY MARINE PARK

East end of N.W. Bay, Mahe 

Availability:

February to November

Range:

Short

Suitability:

All divers 

Depths:

6 - 23m 

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.

4. RAY'S POINT

West point of Bay Ternay, N.W. Mahe 

Availability:

February to November

Range:

Short

Suitability:

All divers

Depths:

6-18m

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.

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 Creole for Bay of Whale Sharks which are often found congregating here during the Whale Shark Season.

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.

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.

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.

 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.

 10. ALDABARAN WRECK

Western end of Beau Vallon, N.W. Mahe 

Availability:

February to November

Range:

Short

Suitability:

Experienced divers

Depths:

30 - 35 mtr. 

Bottom: 

Wreck

This wreck was purposely sunk by the local divers Association and has become a vibrant home for marine life in deeper water than most sites in this area. Originally a long-line fishing vessel, the wreck sits up-right on the sea-bed and has become a firm favourite with photogrpahers.

 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, Berjaya 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 occasional Sting Rays and Hawksbill turtles.

20. SUNSET ROCKS

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.

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.

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.

23. L'ILOT

Eastern tip of Beau Vallon, N.W. Mahe 

Availability:

February to November

Range:

Short

Suitability:

Qualified divers

Depths:

>16m

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.

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