In Réunion, every dive is an encounter. Beneath the surface of the west coast lies a remarkably rich marine life: from large turtles to tiny, colourful shrimps. Here are the residents you will meet most often on your dives with Bleu Marine.

A protected biodiversity

The dive sites of the west coast are protected by the Réunion National Marine Reserve, which preserves more than 80% of the island’s coral reefs. The result: dense and varied underwater life, just a few minutes from the port of Saint-Gilles.

Sea turtles

Emblems of Réunion’s seabed, green and hawksbill turtles can often be seen grazing or resting on the reef. Always a magical moment, to be enjoyed at a distance and without ever touching them.

Moray eels

Hidden in the crevices of the reef, moray eels poke their heads out as divers pass by. Impressive but shy, they open and close their mouths simply to breathe.

Octopuses, kings of camouflage

Masters of disguise, octopuses change colour and texture to blend into their surroundings. It takes a sharp eye to spot them, tucked into a crack in the rock: a great treasure hunt on every dive.

The lionfish

With its long fan-shaped fins, the lionfish is one of the most photogenic fish on the reef. Stunning, but to be admired without getting close: its spines are venomous.

The clown triggerfish

Impossible to mistake with its black coat dotted with big white spots and its yellow-rimmed mouth, the clown triggerfish is a true star of Réunion’s seabed.

Nudibranchs

These small, brightly coloured sea slugs are a delight for macro enthusiasts. Tiny and slow, they reveal incredible patterns to those who take the time to look for them.

The harlequin shrimp & hidden life

The west coast is full of small wonders for those who know how to look. The delicate harlequin shrimp, spotted with blue and pink, is the finest example. Diving in Réunion also means exploring this miniature world.

Lobsters

Tucked under overhangs during the day, antennae raised, lobsters often reveal themselves in the shade of the drop-offs. A classic of west-coast dives.

Schools of fish

Trevallies, fusiliers, sardines… The silvery schools swirling above the reef offer spectacular moments, especially when the light shines through them.

The porcupinefish

Round and curious, the porcupinefish wanders calmly near the bottom. When threatened, it can inflate itself with water to protect itself: one more reason never to disturb it.

Observe without disturbing

All this wildlife is there to be admired, not touched. At Bleu Marine, we dive with respect for the environment: we keep our distance, we take nothing, and we control our finning so as not to damage the coral. That is what keeps these encounters possible for a long time to come, in a well-preserved nature reserve.

Turtles, moray eels, octopuses, nudibranchs… Réunion’s marine life reveals itself dive after dive, all year round, departing from Saint-Gilles. Bleu Marine Réunion has been taking divers to meet it since 1995.

Want to see all this with your own eyes? Book your dive.

Photos taken during our trips. Bleu Marine Réunion.

It’s the question every traveller asks before planning a trip: when is the best time to dive in Réunion? Good news: here, we dive all year round, in water that is always warm. Each season has its own atmosphere. Here is how to choose the right moment for you.

Can you dive all year round in Réunion?

Yes, diving is possible twelve months a year. The water stays warm all year, between 23 and 29 °C depending on the season: no need for a thick wetsuit. Whatever the dates of your stay, you can explore the seabed of the west coast, protected by the Réunion National Marine Reserve, which preserves more than 80% of the island’s coral reefs.

Southern summer (November to April): warm water and tropical atmosphere

From November to April, it is the warm, bright season. The water reaches its best temperatures, around 27 to 29 °C, a real warm bath, often in a simple thin wetsuit. This is the most tropical time of the year, generous in colours and light. The season is also wetter: it’s just a matter of choosing the right slot, and we help you schedule your trip at the best moment.

Southern winter (May to October): calmer sea and whale season

From May to October, the weather is drier and the sea is often calm. The water is slightly cooler (24 to 25 °C) and calls for a comfortable wetsuit. This is the big underwater season: from June to October, humpback whales stop off along the west coast. Many divers consider this the most pleasant time of the year.

The wildlife calendar

In Réunion, marine life is present all year round. The main highlights:

• All year round: sea turtles, reef fish, moray eels, rays and schools of fish.
• Most of the year: spinner dolphins and bottlenose dolphins off the west coast.
• From June to October: humpback whales, the great show of the southern winter.

Which period to choose, depending on your profile?

• You are a beginner: introductory dives run all year round, just pick a day with a calm sea.
• You dream of whales: aim for June to October.
• You want the warmest water: the southern summer is for you.
• You want to explore as many sites as possible: the west coast can be dived in every season.

Our tips before booking

• Book in advance, especially in the high tourist season and during whale season.
• In summer, we choose the best slot together depending on the weather: a quick chat and it’s sorted.
• On the day, we always confirm the conditions: your safety and enjoyment come first.

There is no bad season for diving in Réunion, only the period that best suits what you are looking for. Bleu Marine Réunion will advise you on choosing the right time, departing from Saint-Gilles.

Ready to plan your diving holiday? Contact us and book your trip.

Photo credits: west coast of Réunion © Alexandre Péribé (CC BY-SA 4.0); fish at Saint-Gilles © Cynomana (CC BY-SA 4.0), via Wikimedia Commons.

What if the most beautiful dive of the day was also the last one? A sunset dive is a moment suspended in time: the light fades, the reef changes its face, and two worlds meet beneath the surface. A great classic departing from Saint-Gilles.

What is a sunset dive?

A sunset dive takes place at the end of the day, as the sun goes down. You enter the water while it is still daylight, then witness the shift to night from below the surface. It is not a night dive: it is the underwater twilight, that short moment when day gives way to darkness. The low light of the setting sun creates colours you won’t see at any other time.

A responsible alternative to night diving

In Réunion, the sunset dive makes perfect sense during the southern winter, from June to October. During whale season, it replaces the night dive: we avoid sailing at night near humpback whales, for their peace and for everyone’s safety. You get all the magic of twilight without disturbing the cetaceans.

A unique show: the switch from day to night

This is when the reef comes alive. At dusk, predators go hunting, reef life gets busy, daytime species look for shelter and nocturnal life awakens. Add to that a light found nowhere else: backlit silhouettes make the sunset dive a feast for the eyes, and for photographers.

The west-coast sites are protected by the Réunion National Marine Reserve, which preserves more than 80% of the island’s coral reefs.

How does a sunset trip with Bleu Marine go?

Departure at 3:30 pm from the port of Saint-Gilles. After the briefing, we head to the site and enter the water in the late afternoon. The goal: to surface at the exact moment of sunset, the highlight of the trip.

Once the dive is over, it’s time for a drink facing the sun sinking into the ocean. That is often what makes the trip memorable: the dive, the light, and sharing it with fellow enthusiasts.

Who is it for? Price and booking

• Required level: from Level 1 (or Open Water, its international equivalent).
• Price: €85 for the sunset trip.
• Schedule: departure 3:30 pm, out of the water at sunset, drinks afterwards.
• Booking recommended: places are limited.

The sunset dive brings together everything that makes diving in Réunion special: wonderful encounters, magical light and a moment of sharing. Bleu Marine has been guiding divers on the west coast since 1995, departing from Saint-Gilles.

Want to dive at sunset? Book your sunset trip.

Photo credits: sunset over the ocean © Benoit F (CC BY-SA 3.0); diver silhouette © TimSC (CC BY 4.0); port of Saint-Gilles © Cblm (CC BY-SA 3.0), via Wikimedia Commons.

Réunion is a land of cetaceans. Spinner dolphins and bottlenose dolphins frequent the west coast all year round, joined from June to October by humpback whales that come here to give birth. Getting in the water with cetaceans, observing them from the surface with fins on your feet and a mask on your face, is a rare experience, to be lived with the utmost respect for these wild animals, whose approach is strictly regulated in Réunion.

What does getting in the water with cetaceans mean?

It means observing cetaceans from the surface, with fins, mask and snorkel, accompanied by a guide. It is not diving: you don’t go down, you stay at the surface to watch the animals moving beneath you, at a respectful distance. It is a different approach from watching from the boat: for a few moments, you share their world.

At Bleu Marine Réunion, this activity always takes place under the supervision of a guide and in strict compliance with the regulations, to preserve the animals’ peace.

When to see cetaceans in Réunion?

Dolphins, all year round

Spinner dolphins and bottlenose dolphins are the stars of the west coast: you can meet them most of the year, often in groups of several dozen. Playful and curious, they offer unforgettable encounters, even outside whale season. That is what makes this activity possible almost all year round.

Humpback whales, from June to October

Every southern winter, humpback whales stop off in Réunion’s waters to give birth and raise their calves, with a peak in August and September. They can be seen along the west coast, off Saint-Gilles, Boucan Canot and Saint-Leu.

Strict regulations to protect cetaceans

In Réunion, approaching and entering the water near cetaceans is governed by a prefectoral order (order of 27 June 2025) and by the cetacean approach charter. These rules have one single aim: to protect the animals and preserve their peace, especially mothers and their young. The main provisions:

• In-water observation takes place in groups of 7 people maximum (guides included), for 30 minutes maximum.
• A maximum of three boats may approach the same group of cetaceans.
• Approach distances and conditions are imposed; the observation stops as soon as an animal shows signs of disturbance.
• You enter the water with a guide, calmly, without chasing or touching the animals.

Failure to comply with these rules is punishable. Choosing an operator that applies them means a respectful and sustainable experience.

How does a trip with Bleu Marine Réunion go?

Departure and briefing

Departure is from the port of Saint-Gilles. Before boarding, your guide explains how the trip works, the safety instructions and the rules of behaviour around cetaceans.

Search and responsible approach

Once a group has been spotted, the approach is gentle, respecting the regulatory distances. You only enter the water if the conditions and the animals’ behaviour allow it: these are free, wild animals, and sightings are never guaranteed.

A moment out of time

Fins, mask and snorkel at the surface, guided by your instructor, you observe the cetaceans in their element. A ballet of dolphins, the distant song of a whale: strong emotions, in calm and respect.

Our tips for your trip

• Be comfortable in the water and able to swim with mask and snorkel.
• Bring a swimsuit, a towel, a cap and a bottle of water.
• Use ocean-friendly sunscreen.
• Listen to your guide and stay calm: it’s the key to a great encounter.
• Be patient: nature cannot be commanded.

Prices and booking

• Cetacean trip: from €110 (off season), €135 during whale season.
• Trip duration: about 3.5 hours.
• Booking in advance is recommended, especially in peak season.

Observing a humpback whale or a group of dolphins in their natural environment is a privilege. Bleu Marine Réunion has been running these trips from Saint-Gilles since 1995, in compliance with the cetacean approach charter.

Want to experience whale season with us? Contact us for availability.

Scuba diving opens the door to a fascinating world, but like any activity at sea, it calls for precautions. At Bleu Marine Réunion, safety is at the heart of every trip.

Why safety is essential

Diving means moving through a magnificent but demanding natural environment, where a few simple rules guarantee everyone’s safety. Good preparation and professional supervision allow you to dive with peace of mind, whatever your level.

Our commitments to your safety

Qualified supervision

Our instructors are FFESSM-certified and experienced. They supervise beginners and experienced divers alike, and adapt each trip to the level of the group.

Well-maintained equipment

We use Aqua Lung equipment, checked and serviced regularly to guarantee reliable operation on every dive.

A briefing before every dive

Before each entry into the water, the instructor presents the site and the conditions, and goes over the safety instructions and underwater hand signals.

Suitable group sizes

Dive groups are sized to ensure proper supervision and attention to every diver.

Our tips for safe diving

• Respect your limits: dive in conditions suited to your level.
• Listen to your instructor and follow the briefing instructions.
• Check your equipment before entering the water.
• Monitor your air and signal your reserve to the instructor.
• Ascend slowly and respect your safety stops.

What’s special about Réunion

Conditions are generally ideal: clear water, abundant wildlife, pleasant temperatures. Some sites can have current: our instructors always assess the conditions before each trip and raise divers’ awareness of respecting the marine environment.

Diving in Réunion is an unforgettable experience, and it is even better when you feel confident. Beginner or seasoned diver, Bleu Marine Réunion has put safety first on every trip since 1995.

Ready to dive with peace of mind? Book your trip.

Want to discover the Indian Ocean and breathe underwater for the very first time? The introductory dive is the ideal way in. In Réunion, in warm, clear water, it is an adventure open to everyone, from the age of 8.

What is an introductory dive?

An introductory dive is a first immersion supervised by an instructor. No experience is needed: just the desire to discover. The instructor stays by your side from start to finish and guides you step by step, for a first dive in complete peace of mind.

Why do an introductory dive in Réunion?

Easy sites

The west coast offers perfect spots for beginners: shallow depths (around 6 to 12 metres) and calm water, above coral reefs full of life.

Tropical wildlife

Multicoloured fish, corals, and sometimes a passing turtle: every introductory dive is a real discovery of the Indian Ocean’s underwater life.

For everyone, from age 8

Introductory dives are open from the age of 8. It’s an ideal outing with family, as a couple or with friends.

How does an introductory dive with Bleu Marine go?

When you arrive, the instructor explains the basics: breathing underwater, using the equipment, communicating with hand signals. You are then fitted with comfortable, well-maintained Aqua Lung equipment. Entry into the water is gentle, always accompanied. For 20 to 30 minutes, you explore the seabed at your own pace, with the instructor by your side.

Our tips for a successful first dive

• Bring a swimsuit, a towel and a bottle of water.
• Use ocean-friendly sunscreen.
• Relax and let yourself be guided: the instructor takes care of everything.

Prices

• Adult introductory dive: from €85.
• Child introductory dive (under 12): from €75.

A first dive is a lasting memory. Bleu Marine Réunion has been running introductory dives in Réunion since 1995, departing from Saint-Gilles.

Ready to breathe underwater for the first time? Book your introductory dive.

Diving in Réunion means entering an underwater world apart: well-preserved coral reefs, rich wildlife and landscapes that change with every site. Beginner or experienced diver, the island has dives for every level, departing from the west coast.

Why dive in Réunion?

Nestled in the heart of the Indian Ocean, Réunion is fringed by coral reefs protected by the National Marine Reserve, which covers more than 80% of the island’s corals. Clear water, abundant wildlife, varied sites: all the conditions are there for great dives almost all year round.

Exceptional biodiversity

Réunion is home to a wide variety of marine species. Dive after dive, you come across turtles, multicoloured fish, rays, moray eels, and depending on the season, dolphins and humpback whales. Each reef has its own atmosphere.

Sites for every level

From the supervised introductory dive to the drop-offs reserved for experienced divers, the west coast offers sites suited to everyone: shallow reefs for beginners, walls and wrecks for the more experienced.

Warm water all year round

The water temperature ranges from 23 to 29 °C depending on the season. No need for a thick wetsuit: diving is comfortable at any time of year.

A few dive sites on the west coast

Passe de l’Hermitage

Perfect for beginners: shallow depth, calm water and colourful coral reefs where you can safely watch tropical fish.

Pointe au Sel

For experienced divers: impressive drop-offs and fine biodiversity, with the chance of meeting turtles and barracuda.

The « Hai Hsiang » wreck

A must for deep diving, at 54 metres. The wreck is home to snappers, lionfish, rays and pelagic fish.

Sankouba

Between 50 and 60 metres, reserved for Level 3 divers: reefs, faults and canyons where snappers, stingrays, turtles and clownfish live.

Diving with Bleu Marine Réunion

Since 1995, Bleu Marine Réunion has been guiding divers in discovering the island’s seabed, departing from Saint-Gilles. Introductory dives, exploration dives, FFESSM courses from PE12 (supervised diver to 12 m) to PA60 (autonomous diver to 60 m), turtle trips or cetacean watching in season: there is a dive for every wish. Equipment is supplied by Aqua Lung.

Ready to explore the depths of the Indian Ocean? Contact us and book your dive.