Mauritius is surprisingly one of the best destinations for wreck diving in the Indian Ocean. It may not have the same abundance of marine life as other destinations but it certainly does have a diverse variety. Expect turtles, leaf fish, nudibranch and even rhinopias, as well as dolphins and sharks in the South.
There are wrecks for all levels of diver from beginner right through to the pros. Whether you’re looking for the thrill of diving inside a sunken ship or prefer to just glide over a flat barge, you’re going to love the wrecks in Mauritius.
Top 3 Wrecks | North Mauritius
KT Mawar
Max Depth: 23 metres / 75 feet
Type of Wreck: Boat
One of the best intact shipwrecks I’ve ever dived! Lying on its side on the ocean floor is the KT Mawar, an abandoned vessel purposely sunk with the help of some of my dive buddies in 2018, to create an artificial reef in Trou-aux-Biches.
There is so much to explore on this gigantic wreck that we had to go back several times.
The boat is covered in pink soft corals and whilst waiting for my buddy to take a shot I couldn’t believe my eyes… sat there swaying its claws right in front of me was a Candy Crab, which is very rare to see in Mauritius. This proves there is so much marine life to see if you know where to look.
Schools of blue stripe snapper occupy the swim-throughs and the gigantic propeller is not to be missed!
Be sure to take your time on this wreck and explore every inch, including the intact glass searchlight!
Emily & Waterlily
Max Depth: 25 metres / 82 feet
Type of wreck: 2 Barges
Emily & Waterlily offers the best wreck diving for beginners and it’s great if you’re just looking for a relaxed wreck dive. Resting on the sandy bottom are two old fishing barges sunk in the early 1980s. The two wrecks sit right next to each other, which means you get 2 for the price of 1 and can easily explore both in one dive.
Covered in soft corals and vivid anemones this wreck is bursting with marine life, making it a diver’s paradise, especially for underwater photographers.
You can expect to see stunning Moorish Idols, vibrant leaf fish and even delicate porcelain crabs. We were lucky enough to also spot the endemic Mauritian clownfish tending to a clutch of eggs. This dive site is not short of surprises!
You'll truly fall in love with this wreck and it’s the perfect place to practise your underwater photography skills.
Stella Maru
Max Depth: 26 metres / 85 feet Type of Wreck: Boat
As you descend through the crystal-clear water towards the Stella Maru you will see the Japanese trawler is still remarkably intact, sitting upright on the sandy bottom. For a great photo opportunity head towards the front of the boat to capture the sheer size of the wreck.
Sunk in 1987 to create one of the first artificial reefs in, this wreck is bursting to life with hundreds of different species of marine life. From a resident giant frogfish to whip coral gobies, Octopus and even a wide variety of nudibranch.
On the right-hand side of the wreck, you will find a small opening that you can swim through and explore the eerie darkness of the inside of the boat.
Want to know more about diving in Mauritius? Read my guide here
Where To Stay In Mauritius?
We’ve tried a couple of different luxury resorts in Mauritius from the LUX Le Morne in the South which has the incredible backdrop of the beautiful mountain and Victoria Beachcomber resort in the North, which has a fantastic luxury adult only section.
Read our review of the Beachcomber Resorts here.