Discover Scuba Diving in the North of Mauritius

Your first breath underwater changes everything. Dreamchasers Diving offers a gentle introduction to scuba at Mont Choisy, with equipment instruction, shallow-water practice, and a guided ocean outing among coral and tropical fish. You do not need prior experience, only a willingness to learn and stay calm.

I like the small-group approach, which can give your instructor more time to watch your breathing, answer questions, and help you settle in. I also like the patient teaching style reported by people who worked with Gael, especially the careful move from pool practice to open water. The main consideration is that the three-hour schedule may include waiting between practice and the boat departure, and not everyone feels comfortable once the seabed is below them.

For $122 per person, this is not a cheap swim with a mask. It is a supervised first scuba session with full equipment, professional guidance, and a proper introduction to underwater skills. That price makes sense if you want more than a quick snorkel, though you should compare it with your own interest level before committing.

What makes this first scuba experience worthwhile

• Start at Mont Choisy: Meet at the last parking area of Mont Choisy Public Beach, beneath the large trees near the road toward Pointe aux Canonniers.
• Learn before entering open water: You receive a safety briefing, equipment explanation, hand signals, and shallow-water practice before the sea portion.
• Work with a patient instructor: Gael is specifically praised for calm preparation, reassurance, and staying close during the underwater session.
• See northern Mauritius below the surface: The outing focuses on coral reefs, tropical fish, and the clear coastal waters around the north.
• Keep the group personal: Private and small-group arrangements are available, useful when you want more direct help.
• Add a visual souvenir: GoPro photographs and video are available for an extra fee, so ask about the cost before setting off.

Meeting at Mont Choisy under the trees

The meeting point is the last parking area at Mont Choisy Public Beach when you travel north along the coastal road. It sits before the road curves toward Pointe aux Canonniers, and the shaded parking beneath the large trees gives you a simple landmark.

From there, you walk a short distance to the dive center. This is useful to know because you should not expect to pull up directly beside the water with all the arrangements already waiting at the beach. Wear something easy to carry and arrive ready for a short walk.

The setting is a sensible starting point for a beginner session. Mont Choisy is familiar, easy to locate, and close to the northern coastal waters used for the outing. You return to the same general area after roughly three hours, so this activity fits neatly into a half-day plan.

Bring swimwear, a towel, sunscreen, drinking water, and a hat. You will spend time outside, and even a short boat and beach session can leave you feeling the sun. Alcohol and drugs are not permitted, and you must not touch fish, coral, or other sea life.

The first lesson: equipment, breathing, and hand signals

Your session begins with a friendly explanation of scuba equipment and the basic rules for staying safe underwater. A certified Divemaster or instructor explains how the gear works and teaches the hand signals you need when you cannot speak normally below the surface.

This first stage matters more than it may sound. New scuba users often focus on the exciting part, but the real skill is learning to breathe slowly, listen to instructions, and communicate without panic. You will also need to understand what to do if your mask becomes uncomfortable or if you need help.

The instruction is available in English or French. The provider also offers private and small-group formats, which can make a real difference for a first attempt. In a small group, the instructor has more time to notice hesitation and repeat a step instead of rushing everyone ahead.

The strongest impression from the session reports is the calm, supportive teaching. Joe described a two-person group where the guide could focus fully on both participants. Elisabeth singled out Gael for preparing her carefully and staying close throughout the underwater outing. That kind of attention is exactly what you want when you are learning a new way to breathe.

Shallow-water practice before the sea

Before heading into open water, you practice in a controlled shallow area. The provided experience describes this as shallow-water training, while participants specifically recall a pool session. Either way, this is where you get used to the mask, regulator, buoyancy, and breathing rhythm without the full pressure of the ocean around you.

You practice key skills such as breathing underwater, clearing your mask, and using the equipment correctly. The instructor checks that you are comfortable before moving on. You should be honest here. Saying you feel nervous is more useful than trying to look brave.

One important strength is the gradual pace. The session does not simply hand you equipment and send you toward a reef. You first learn the basics, then try the equipment, and only continue when you feel ready. The reported sequence is theory, pool or shallow-water practice, and then the boat and sea outing.

Still, this is not a guaranteed comfort zone for everyone. One participant became panicked once at depth and chose not to continue. That person was reassured by Gael and still had a positive impression of the staff, but the experience is a useful reminder: scuba is not just snorkeling with more gear. You need to be willing to stay calm while surrounded by water.

The guided open-water outing

Once you tell the instructor that you feel ready, the activity moves to the open sea. A boat takes you toward a northern Mauritius site where you can see coral, tropical fish, and other marine life. The underwater portion is described as lasting about 30 minutes by one participant, although the complete activity lasts three hours and includes teaching, preparation, transfers, and the return.

Your instructor remains with you throughout the underwater session. The point is not to cover a large area or race from one attraction to another. It is to help you experience the sensation of moving underwater while keeping the basics under control.

The marine life can be a real highlight. Elisabeth reported seeing three turtles, which gives you an idea of the kind of encounter that may make the session memorable. Another participant saw dolphins from the boat while waiting, though you should treat that as a lucky possibility rather than part of the promised program.

The coral setting and tropical fish provide the main attraction. Conditions in the sea can change, and no operator can guarantee a particular animal sighting. What you can count on is a guided underwater outing at a northern Mauritius site, with a professional watching your progress.

The boat portion also adds a little character to the activity. You are not simply standing at the edge of a pool. You move from instruction to practice, then to a real marine setting. That progression gives the session a stronger sense of achievement.

A patient approach matters more than bravado

For a first scuba experience, the instructor can make or break the day. Gael receives especially strong praise for patience, preparation, and reassurance. One participant who did not complete the underwater portion still felt listened to and supported, which is an important sign for nervous beginners.

You should expect the guide to explain each stage and remain close during the ocean outing. The exact group size depends on the arrangement you book, but private and small-group options are available. If you are anxious, have never used a regulator, or simply want more personal attention, paying for a smaller format may be worthwhile.

The main weakness is timing between stages. One participant noted a wait between the pool work and departure for the sea. A pause may be useful for scheduling and boat arrangements, but it can also make you wonder when the main event will begin. Bring water, stay patient, and do not plan another tightly timed activity immediately afterward.

What $122 includes, and what it does not

At $122 per person, the cost includes full scuba gear, professional Divemaster guidance, and the guided underwater experience. That is a fair value if you want a structured first session rather than trying to arrange equipment, instruction, and sea access separately.

You are also paying for the safety progression: briefing, equipment practice, shallow-water training, and close supervision in the ocean. For a beginner, those elements are more valuable than simply adding time in the water.

The GoPro package costs extra. If you want photographs or video, ask about the price before the session begins and decide if the souvenir matters to you. Underwater images can be a fun reminder of your first attempt, but they are not part of the $122 package.

The experience lasts three hours, though that does not mean three hours underwater. Expect the time to include arrival, instruction, preparation, practice, travel to the sea site, the guided session, and the return. That is the right way to judge the value.

Who should book this activity

This experience suits adults and children aged 10 or older who want a first taste of scuba without committing to a certification course. It is particularly useful if you are curious about scuba but do not know whether you will enjoy the feeling of breathing below the surface.

It also fits people who appreciate direct instruction. You will not be left to figure out the equipment alone, and the gradual format gives you time to build confidence. English and French support makes the practical lessons easier for many participants.

You should think twice if you dislike close-fitting equipment, feel uneasy in open water, or know you have trouble staying calm in unfamiliar physical situations. The staff can reassure you, but no instructor can remove every part of the challenge. The session also is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with heart problems, or people with hearing impairments.

The activity is listed as wheelchair accessible, but you should confirm the exact assistance you need when booking. The supplied information does not explain how boarding, the short walk, or boat access is handled.

Plan around your flight

The most important timing rule is to schedule the experience at least 24 hours before your flight. After scuba, your body retains extra nitrogen, and flying too soon can be dangerous.

This means you should not place the activity on the last morning of your holiday if you plan to fly later that day. Put it earlier in your Mauritius schedule, leaving the required gap before departure. That simple bit of planning protects you from turning a pleasant outing into a serious travel problem.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option keeps your plans flexible. Check the available start times when choosing a date, since the session runs for three hours and may include a wait before the boat leaves.

What the day feels like from start to finish

The overall rhythm is easy to understand. You meet at Mont Choisy, walk to the dive center, learn the basic rules, and get familiar with the equipment. Then you practice in shallow water until you feel ready.

Next comes the boat trip and the guided sea session. You stay with the instructor while looking at the reef and marine life, then return to shore for a debrief. At the end, you can ask questions and discuss the next steps toward scuba certification if the experience has hooked you.

The strongest part is the clear progression from nerves to control. You start by learning what to do, then try it in a calmer setting, and only then enter the sea. The main limitation is that the day may not feel like nonstop action. Waiting and preparation are part of learning safely.

Should you book Dreamchasers Diving?

Book this experience if you want a carefully supervised first scuba session in northern Mauritius, especially if you can arrange a private or small group and appreciate patient instruction. Gael’s calm approach, the pool or shallow-water preparation, and the chance to see turtles or reef fish give it genuine appeal.

Skip it if you want a fast, no-instruction water activity, if you have a very tight schedule, or if you are not comfortable with the possibility of stopping before the ocean portion. For most suitable beginners, $122 is reasonable for the equipment, teaching, boat outing, and close support. Just schedule it well before your flight, bring the basics, and give yourself time to settle in.

FAQ

Where does the experience begin?

You meet at the last parking area of Mont Choisy Public Beach, heading north along the coastal road. The meeting point is beneath large shaded trees before the road curves toward Pointe aux Canonniers.

How long does the experience last?

The complete activity lasts three hours, including instruction, shallow-water practice, the guided ocean outing, and the return to Mont Choisy.

Do I need previous scuba experience?

No. The session is designed for beginners and includes an introduction to scuba, equipment instruction, safety rules, hand signals, and shallow-water practice.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in English and French.

What equipment is included?

Full scuba gear is included, along with professional Divemaster guidance and a guided underwater experience.

Are photographs and videos included?

No. GoPro photographs and videos are optional extras and cost an additional fee.

How far in advance of a flight should I schedule the activity?

You should schedule the experience at least 24 hours before your flight because flying too soon after scuba can be dangerous.

Who cannot take part?

The activity is not suitable for children under 10, pregnant women, people with heart problems, or people with hearing impairments.