The passes, places of life and effervescence
With a depth of 60 to 80 m, the passes are the gateways to the lagoon that punctuate the coral reef. Created by ancient rivers, they allow powerful currents to pass through during periods of high tides, which attract fauna, making them privileged places for diving. The dive trips usually start in the pass and end on the outer slope of the barrier where the marine life is always more active. In addition to the small fish and coral fauna, there are larger fish such as barracudas, leopard rays, loaches, sharks, dolphins and turtles. The "S" pass or Longogori pass is the best known, but also the most frequented 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. There are also, to the south, the passes of Bandrélé and Sazilé, as well as their islets, and to the north the pass of M'tsamboro; the two islets in the north on the eastern side are linked by a fabulous sandbank, with a real field of corals and a great variety of small multicoloured fish. To discover with fins, mask and snorkel. The Bateau Pass is also a reference site in the south-western part of the lagoon, renowned for its two-level drop offs up to 80 m deep. Rich in pelagic species, we find rays and often hammerhead sharks.
Spots very popular with pelagic fish
The diving spots in Mayotte are numerous, there are nearly 100 of them, but above all they are varied. Each diving club has its own favorites, so it is up to you to make your own opinion. Note that if you choose a diving club in the east, there is little chance that it will take you to a site in the west and vice versa. The same goes for the north and the south. So it is advisable to choose the spot that best suits your expectations. To have the best chance of meeting sharks or rays, go to Ty-Louny in the west. Clear and deep water up to 70 m. Beautiful corals and especially famous passage of manta rays and big pelagics. Slightly further north but still on the same coast, the Boa bank near the Choizil islets is a shallow spot (up to 30 m) but appreciated by the rays. Beautiful corals and drop offs. To the north this time, the Surprise bank guarantees beautiful 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. No need to go very deep, the first few meters are the most beautiful. However, beware of the current on these two spots.
Natural curiosities and human traces
To see natural curiosities, you will be able to observe faults at the place called Les Failles (no surprise!) in front of the beach of Trévani, in the north. Beware of the sharks that sometimes hide there to take a nap. Apart from the surprise effect, they are fortunately not aggressive. On the northern outside of the Bandrélé pass, the Arche site is also a curiosity. Finally, the eastern tip of the southern reef and the Bandrélé reef in the direction of the Bambo reef are home to vertical chimneys. This list is of course not exhaustive, there are many other spots such as the Saziley pass (south-east), the northern pass, the Cocaine spot (white sand dune) to the west or the "tombant des aviateurs" on Petite-Terre. Several sites attest to the presence of man: the three immersed cannons at the level of the islet of Handrema (north), three anchors which are placed on the ground at the level of the Bandrélé pass (west) and, finally, near the landing strip of Petite-Terre, one (not three!) wreck of a barge can be found.
Sites accessible according to level
Several sites are suitable for beginners, because of their shallow depth or weak current. To be evaluated according to the weather of the day. La Prévoyante (north) is an easy site, also accessible by snorkelers, as is Le Pietro, which is full of life and whose drop-off is only 20 metres. The "passe bateau" (boat pass) offers three sites with drop offs up to 90 meters, ideal for divers of different levels. The Chira Rani reef (south) is easily accessible with beautiful corals down to 25 meters. Turtles can be seen there. Finally, in the Sada pass, it is possible to observe many fish and gorgonians while staying at 45 m. The more experienced divers can head for the S-shaped pass. Rich in fauna and flora, the S pass is divided into thirteen spots indicated by buoys. Each one offers a different adventure and should be chosen according to the currents, the time of year and what you wish to observe. This area has been protected since 1990 and fishing is forbidden as well as the collection of any shellfish or fish.
Some safety instructions
Like any sport, diving is governed by rules that must be followed to ensure safety and to make the most of your time underwater. The first rule is to respect a delay of 12 hours before or after the plane for a no-decompression dive and 24 hours for a decompression stop dive. Once your dive is over, there is always residual nitrogen in your body for several hours. In an airliner, despite the pressurization, the pressure inside the cabin will not be the same as at sea level. This decrease in pressure can lead to symptoms of decompression sickness, either during the flight or shortly after. You should also not do apnea after a dive. After a dive, your blood is saturated with gas. Subjecting yourself to new pressure or holding your breath during a breath hold can lead to decompression sickness. After a dive, rest! Lastly, avoid treatments for seasickness. These medications all cause drowsiness. Finally, protect yourself from the sun and drink plenty of water. Here we go, now enjoy!
