Mauritius is a world-class scuba diving destination — one of the top five dive destinations in the Indian Ocean, with exceptional biodiversity, warm clear water, and dive sites suitable for complete beginners and experienced wreck divers alike.

The water temperature ranges from 24°C in winter (June–August) to 28°C in summer (December–March), making a 3mm wetsuit comfortable year-round. Visibility averages 20–30 metres, with the best conditions from October to March when the sea is calm and the water at its clearest.

The north-west coast around Trou aux Biches and Balaclava has the most developed dive infrastructure — multiple PADI-certified dive centres, good shallow training reefs for beginners, and easy access to the island's most famous dive sites. The Stella Maru and Kei Sei 113 wrecks off Trou aux Biches are among the most impressive wreck dives in the Indian Ocean, teeming with moray eels, grouper, and lionfish.

The west coast around Flic en Flac is considered the best diving in Mauritius by many local divers — the Rempart Serpent and Cathedral dive sites on the reef are spectacular, with swim-throughs, overhangs, and dense marine life. The south-east around Blue Bay and Mahébourg has excellent coral reef diving in the marine park.

PADI Open Water certification courses take 3–4 days and are offered at all major dive centres. Discovery scuba dives for complete beginners are available as a single session. Most dive centres offer free equipment with all guided dives. Book dive courses at least 2 days in advance; morning diving is best for visibility.