Over twenty or so diving spots spread over about 15km between the Pointe de Ravine and the islet of Petite-Ile. All the flora and fauna in Réunion Island reveal themselves to the divers within extraordinary underwater scenery.

Let the gossipers shut up! Yes, one can dive in Saint-Pierre. And what a joy to find oneself between two cliffs of basaltic rocks in the midst of a shoal of surgeon-fish! Whilst a tortoise is moving away, a moray eel mimics to show the way out and we come across a family of clown fish comfortably living in their anemone. Despite of the wind, diving along the south of the island is magic and offers numerous wonders.

The main characteristic of the sea beds along this Réunionese coast consists of two aspects. The first one is its topography. Once in water, the gully does not stop suddenly. It keeps on moving. On the right at the exit of the harbour of the south capital and just behind the coral barrier, a multitude of huge basaltic submarine walls forms corridors whereof the diver can leisurely wander.

At the side of Ravine Blanche, just opposite the parking of Jumbo Score, the cave at Barjo, hence, named after a submarine fisherman because he supposedly scared the fish, confirms that the volcano is nearby. The cave was certainly an ancient lava tunnel. At the mouth, a huge "tétredon" eye the least visitor. Once one comes out, one'll spot a ray along the small white sandy beach.

Huge table coral

Here is the second aspect of the sea beds' characteristics along the south coast of Réunion Island: one'll find all the fauna and flora in Réunion Island. A shoal of parrot fish, capuchins, lookdown or the "Ti Jaunes" (lutians) usually swim over the divers. The big game fishing lovers will be eager to find tunas and bonito. However, one should not forget to look at the prawns, the cowries, the giant clam and the bright colours of the nudibranche.

As for the flora, the shining coral delights the divers. Located near Grand Bois, the spots such as the PTTP (small submarine walls measuring 12 and 36m high and which abound in fish) or the Bénitier where the sparkling colours of the various table corals blend together and spread over. The most impressive spot is the Acropora: a huge table coral measuring over 2m in diameter spread in front the astonishing look of the divers.

Text and photos
Véronique Tournier
(A big thank you to Sylvain from the "Plongée Océan Indien" for the submarine snaps)