Scuba diving in Réunion

Scuba diving in Réunion Island is concentrated mainly along the west coast, where coral reefs are protected by a lagoon and sea conditions are generally calmer. The island’s volcanic origin creates dramatic underwater landscapes, with lava flows, drop-offs, caves, and arches that make dives visually striking.

La Passe de l’Ermitage is one of the most popular sites for experienced divers. Located near the outer edge of the lagoon, this site features deeper sections, stronger currents, and encounters with larger marine life. The volcanic terrain attracts schools of fish, rays, and occasional pelagic species.

Le Tombant de Saint-Leu offers steep underwater walls and dramatic vertical drop-offs. This site is well suited for advanced divers who enjoy wall diving and navigating varying depths. Marine life here includes turtles, eagle rays, barracudas, and dense schools of reef fish.

Pointe au Sel is known for its rugged lava formations, swim-throughs, and deeper profiles. Conditions can be more challenging due to currents and surge, making it better suited for confident and experienced divers.

Lagoon sites near L’Ermitage-les-Bains are ideal for beginner divers. These shallow reefs offer calm water, excellent visibility, and gentle conditions. The protected lagoon environment makes this area popular for training dives and newly certified divers.

Saint-Leu Reef provides easy entry points and gradual depth changes, allowing beginners to explore coral patches and volcanic rock formations without challenging conditions. Reef fish, turtles, and rays are commonly seen.

Plage de la Saline is another beginner-friendly area with sheltered conditions and shallow reef structures. It is frequently used for introductory dives and certification courses, offering a relaxed environment to build confidence while enjoying diverse marine life.

The cost of scuba diving in Réunion Island reflects its well-developed dive infrastructure, French-standard services, and the logistical requirements of accessing certain dive sites. Overall, diving here is priced similarly to other European island destinations in the Indian Ocean.

A standard two-tank boat dive typically ranges from approximately $90 to $140 USD, depending on the dive operator, location, and inclusions. This price generally covers tanks, weights, a dive guide, and boat transportation. Some operators include basic equipment rental in the price, while others may charge extra for gear such as regulators, BCDs, and wetsuits.

Single tank shore dives or shore-based guided dives are often less expensive, ranging from about $60 to $90 USD, though prices vary by operator and season. Full equipment rental, when not included, may add an additional $30 to $50 per dive.

Certification courses are widely available and are typically taught following French or international standards. Open Water Diver courses usually range from around $400 to $550 USD and include instruction, confined water sessions, open water training dives, and certification processing. Advanced and specialty courses, such as Advanced Open Water or Nitrox, are priced separately and vary by dive center.

Many dive operators on Réunion Island offer discounted multi-dive packages or combination packages that include certification plus guided dives. These packages can provide better overall value for divers planning multiple days of diving.