The passes, places of life and effervescence
At depths of 60 to 80 meters, the passes are gateways to the lagoon that punctuate the coral reef. Created by ancient rivers, they allow powerful currents to pass through during periods of high tide, attracting wildlife and making them ideal diving spots. Snorkeling trips generally start in the pass and end on the outer slope of the reef, where marine life is ever more active. In addition to the small fauna of fish and coral, larger fish can be found here: barracudas, leopard rays, loaches, sharks, dolphins and turtles. The "S" or Longogori pass is the best known, but also the busiest, and the closest to the city and therefore to the diving centers. It forms an S-shaped valley several kilometers long on the drop-off and is world-famous. To the south, there are the Bandrélé and Sazilé passes and their islets, and to the north, the M'tsamboro pass; the two islets to the north on the eastern side are linked by a fabulous sandbar, with a veritable coral field and a wide variety of small, multicolored fish. Discover it with fins, mask and snorkel. Passe Bateau is also a reference site in the south-western part of the lagoon, renowned for its 2-level drop-off at depths of up to 80 meters. Rich in pelagic species, it is home to rays and often hammerhead sharks.
Spots very popular with pelagic fish
Mayotte's diving spots are numerous - there are almost 100 of them - but above all they are varied. Each diving club has its own favorites, so it's up to you to make up your own mind. Note that if you choose a diving club in the east, it's unlikely to take you to a site in the west, and vice versa. The same applies to the north and south. So it's best to choose the spot that best suits your needs. For the best chance of encountering sharks and rays, head west to Ty-Louny. Clear, deep water up to 70 m. Beautiful coral and, above all, a renowned passage for manta rays and large pelagics. Slightly further north but still on the same coastline, the Boa Bank near the Choizil islets is a shallow spot (up to 30 m) but popular with stingrays. Beautiful corals and drop-offs. To the north, the Surprise shoal guarantees great discoveries at a depth of 60 m. Finally, to the south, the "barracuda pass" at Bouéni is a landmark for rays of all kinds. To see beautiful corals, head for the "coral fields" site on the barrier reef to the west, near the Choizil islets, or on the drop-off on the eastern side of the islet closest to the coast. There's no need to go very deep, as the first few meters are the most beautiful. However, beware of the current on these two spots.
Natural curiosities and human traces
If you want to see some natural sights, you can observe the faults at a place called Les Failles (no surprise there!) opposite Trévani beach, to the north. Watch out for the sharks that sometimes hide there to take a nap. Apart from the surprise effect, they are fortunately not aggressive. On the northern edge of the Bandrélé pass, the Arche site is another curiosity. Finally, the eastern tip of the southern reef and the Bandrélé reef towards the Bambo reef are home to vertical chimneys. Of course, this list is by no means exhaustive: there are many other spots, such as the passe Saziley (south-east), the passe nord, the Cocaïne spot (white sand dune) to the west and the tombant des aviateurs on Petite-Terre. Several sites bear witness to the presence of man: the three submerged cannons on the islet of Handrema (north), three anchors lying on the ground in the Bandrélé pass (west) and, finally, near the Petite-Terre airstrip, one (not three!) barge wreck.
Sites accessible according to level
Several sites are suitable for beginners, due to their shallow depths or weak currents. However, this depends on the day's weather. La Prévoyante (north) is an easy site, also accessible with PMT (fins, mask and snorkel), as is Le Pietro, a lively site with a drop-off of just 20 meters. The "passe bateau" offer three sites with drop-offs up to 90 m, ideal for divers of different levels. The Chira Rani reef (south) is easily accessible, with beautiful coral down to 25 m. Turtles can be seen here. Turtles can be seen here. Finally, in the Sada pass, you can observe numerous fish and gorgonians at a depth of 45 m. More experienced divers can head for the S-shaped pass. Rich in flora and fauna, the passe en S is divided into thirteen spots indicated by buoys. Each offers a different adventure, depending on the currents, the time of year and what you wish to observe. This area has been protected since 1990, and fishing is forbidden, as is the collection of any shellfish or fish.
Some safety instructions
Like all sports, diving is governed by a set of rules that must be followed to guarantee safety and make the most of your time underwater. The first rule is to respect a time limit of 12 hours before or after the plane for a no-decompression dive, and 24 hours for a decompression stop dive. Once you've completed your dive, you'll still have residual nitrogen in your system for several hours. In an airliner, despite pressurization, the pressure inside the cabin will not be the same as at sea level. This drop in pressure can give rise to symptoms of decompression sickness, either during the flight or shortly afterwards. You should also avoid apnea after a dive. After a dive, your blood is saturated with gas. Subjecting yourself to new pressure, or holding your breath during apnea, can lead to decompression sickness. After a dive, rest! Finally, avoid taking any anti-seasickness medication. These drugs all cause drowsiness. Finally, protect yourself from the sun and drink plenty of water. Let's go, now enjoy!
