Discover Scuba Diving in the North of Mauritius

Northern Mauritius gives first-time scuba participants a gentle way into the sea. At Mont Choisy, Dreamchasers Diving starts with simple instruction and shallow-water practice before taking you to a reef site with tropical fish. The change from pool to open water is the main event, but the careful build-up matters just as much.

I like two things here. First, Gael and the other instructors take time with nervous beginners, rather than rushing you into the sea. Second, small groups can make a real difference: with only two participants, the instructor can focus closely on each person. The main consideration is that this is not a quick swim with a mask. You need to be comfortable learning equipment, breathing through a regulator, and spending time underwater.

Key points to know before booking

• Start at Mont Choisy Public Beach: Meet at the last parking area beneath the large trees, then walk a short distance to the dive center.
• Pool practice comes first: You’ll learn breathing, mask clearing, equipment use, and hand signals in controlled shallow water.
• The sea session lasts about 30 minutes: The exact site is in northern Mauritius, with coral reefs and tropical fish.
• Gael has a calm approach: One nervous participant was supported when panic made it impossible to continue.
• Small and private groups are available: This gives you more personal attention than a large beginner class.
• GoPro photos and videos cost extra: Bring your own memories, or arrange the optional underwater package.

Starting at Mont Choisy Public Beach

Your meeting point is the last parking area at Mont Choisy Public Beach when you drive north along the coastal road. It sits just before the road curves toward Pointe aux Canonniers. Look for the shaded parking beneath the large trees.

This is useful to know because Mont Choisy is a broad public beach, and simply being told to meet at the beach could leave you wandering. The last parking area is the practical landmark. From there, you walk a short distance to the dive center.

The full session takes about three hours, including the briefing, shallow-water training, boat transfer, sea time, and wrap-up. Starting times vary, so check availability when you book. Private and small-group arrangements are available, which is especially helpful if you are traveling with a partner who has the same level of confidence, or if you prefer not to learn in a crowded class.

The activity is priced at $122 per person. That is not the cheapest way to spend a morning in Mauritius, but the fee includes the full scuba kit, professional guidance, and the underwater session. For a first attempt, you are paying for instruction and supervision as much as for time in the sea. GoPro photos and videos are extra.

Learning the equipment before entering the sea

The first stage is a friendly introduction to scuba. A certified divemaster or instructor explains how the equipment works, how to breathe through it, and which hand signals you’ll use underwater. This is the right level of detail for a first session: enough to make you safe and comfortable, without turning the morning into a classroom exam.

The instructor will also explain basic safety rules. Pay attention here, even if you have snorkeled before. Scuba asks your body to work differently, and the regulator, mask, and buoyancy equipment all take a little getting used to.

Instruction is available in English and French. The activity is described as wheelchair accessible, though you should confirm the exact support you need before booking, since the session includes a walk to the center, equipment handling, shallow-water practice, and access to a boat.

Pool practice makes the sea easier

Before heading into open water, you practice in a shallow, controlled setting. This is where you get used to breathing underwater and handling the basic problems that can unsettle a beginner.

The skills include clearing your mask, using the equipment properly, and communicating with hand signals. You do not need prior scuba training. The point of the pool stage is to let you find your rhythm before the setting becomes larger and less familiar.

This part also gives you a chance to decide if you feel ready. The instructors do not simply hand you a tank and send you out. One participant, Lurkin, became panicked once on the sea floor and could not complete the session. Gael remained reassuring and attentive, which is exactly what you want when the first attempt becomes too much.

That detail is worth taking seriously. A first scuba session should feel exciting, but you do not need to force yourself through fear. Tell the instructor how you feel. The pool work is there to build confidence, and the final decision to continue should be based on your comfort.

The boat ride to northern Mauritius

Once you and the instructor decide you are ready, you head toward the boat and the open sea. The sea portion includes about 30 minutes underwater, although the overall activity lasts three hours because of the briefing, equipment setup, pool practice, transfers, and debrief.

The change from pool to boat is a natural high point. In the pool, you are learning individual skills. On the sea session, you begin using those skills while looking at coral and fish in their own environment.

Allow some patience during the transition. There can be waiting between the pool session and departure for the sea. Lurkin identified this as the only practical point that could be improved. It is not a problem if you expect a three-hour activity rather than a nonstop underwater program, but it can feel slow if you have imagined moving straight from practice into the boat.

The boat ride also gives a nervous beginner a little time to reset. You can ask final questions, check your gear, and take in the setting before entering the water.

Coral, tropical fish, and the first sea session

The underwater portion takes place at a northern Mauritius site with coral reefs and tropical fish. The attraction is not a long technical route or an advanced training program. It is the chance to experience the calm, unusual sensation of breathing underwater while an instructor guides you through the reef area.

The session is suitable for beginners, so the focus is on getting comfortable and observing marine life. You may see turtles. Elisabeth saw three during her session, which gives you an idea of the wildlife that may appear, though no sighting is guaranteed.

You might also see marine life from the boat. Lurkin saw dolphins while waiting on board after choosing not to continue underwater. That is a useful reminder that the morning can still offer memorable sights even if you decide the sea session is not for you.

The rules are simple and important: do not touch marine life or plants. Reefs are delicate, and animals need space. You should also avoid alcohol and drugs before the activity.

Why the instructor matters so much

For a beginner, the instructor can make or break the day. You are not just learning where to put your hands. You are learning to trust the equipment, manage your breathing, and stay calm when the water feels unfamiliar.

Gael is specifically named as an instructor, and the strongest feedback about the activity centers on his patience, preparation, and calm support. Elisabeth felt well prepared after the pool session and comfortable during the sea portion. Lurkin, who did not complete the session, still found Gael reassuring and attentive.

The session can also be given by another certified divemaster or instructor, so Gael is not guaranteed for every booking. Still, the format is built around direct supervision rather than a guide watching a large group from a distance.

If you are booking as a pair, ask about a private or small-group option. A small class allows the instructor to notice your breathing, answer questions, and adapt the pace. A larger group may still be safe, but it usually means less individual attention.

What the $122 price really covers

At $122 per person, the value depends on what you want from your first scuba session. You receive the equipment, professional instruction, shallow-water training, transport by boat to the sea site, and a guided underwater outing. You are not paying only for 30 minutes of sea time.

The three-hour format matters. A rushed introduction would leave little room for questions or nerves. Here, the price includes the time needed to learn the basics and practice them before the main session.

The optional GoPro package is separate. If you want photos or video of your first time underwater, ask about the cost before you agree to it. If you are watching your budget, skip it and focus on the experience itself. The activity does not include a camera package by default.

The reserve-now, pay-later option can help if your Mauritius plans are still shifting. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund. Those terms are useful when weather, flights, or other island plans are not yet fixed.

Who should book this beginner session

This activity suits adults and children aged 10 or older who want a first taste of scuba without committing to a full certification course. It is also a good choice if you are curious about scuba but unsure if you will enjoy the sensation of breathing underwater.

You should be open to instruction and willing to take the pool stage seriously. This is not ideal for someone who wants to step straight from the beach into a carefree swim. The equipment is substantial, and the underwater setting can cause panic for some people.

The activity is not suitable for pregnant women or people with heart problems. It is also listed as unsuitable for people with hearing impairments. If any medical or communication issue applies to you, ask the provider for clarification before booking.

Do not schedule it close to your flight home. You should allow at least 24 hours between the scuba session and flying, because your body needs time to release extra nitrogen absorbed underwater. This is one of the most important planning details in the entire booking.

What to bring to Mont Choisy

Keep your packing simple. Bring:

• Swimwear
• A towel
• Sunscreen
• Water
• A hat

You will receive the scuba equipment, so you do not need to bring your own kit. Sunscreen is sensible for the beach and boat, but apply it carefully and follow the instructor’s advice around marine life.

Arrive ready for a wet activity and allow enough time to find the last parking area. The meeting point is easy once you know the landmark, but Mont Choisy Public Beach is large enough that vague directions could cost you time.

Should you book this first scuba session?

I would book it if you want a carefully paced introduction to scuba in northern Mauritius, especially if you value patient instruction and a small group. The pool training, direct supervision, and chance to see reef life give the $122 price a fair value.

I would hesitate only if you are uncomfortable with open water, have a medical concern, or have a tight schedule before flying. The sea portion may be thrilling, but it is not something to force. Book with enough time before your flight, ask about group size, and tell the instructor honestly how confident you feel.

For a first attempt, Dreamchasers Diving offers a sensible progression: learn the basics, practice in shallow water, then decide if you are ready for the sea. That gradual approach is the best reason to choose this activity.

FAQ

Where does the scuba activity begin?

Meet at the last parking area of Mont Choisy Public Beach, heading north along the coastal road. It is beneath large trees, just before the beach curves toward Pointe aux Canonniers.

How long does the activity last?

The full activity lasts about three hours, including the introduction, shallow-water practice, boat transfer, sea session, and debrief.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No. The experience is designed for beginners with no previous scuba training.

What languages do the instructors speak?

Instruction is available in English and French.

What is included in the price?

The price includes full scuba equipment, professional divemaster guidance, and a guided underwater adventure.

Are photos and videos included?

No. GoPro photos and videos are optional extras and cost more.

How old must participants be?

Children under 10 are not suitable for this activity.

How long should I wait before flying?

Schedule the activity at least 24 hours before your flight. Flying too soon after scuba can be dangerous because of extra nitrogen in your body.

Can I cancel the booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. A reserve-now, pay-later option is also available.