The idyllic, azure waters off Mauritius are known to offer some Africa's finest diving, with pristine reefs (there is over 200 types of coral!) where a menageries of underwater life resides. On any given day (or night), you could see anything from lion fish to octopi and sea turtles. Venturing into its plunging crevices may reward you with moray eel sightings and, for more experienced divers, the deeper water is home to dolphins, humpbacks (between June and October) and sharks - the most daring can discover the 'Shark Pit'. With up to 50 metres of visibility, the south coast is perfect for beginners, as is the shallower lagoons off nearby islands. The west coast is famous for its epic drift dives and the northeastern coast is where you'll find amazing shipwrecks to explore. With warm, temperate waters and fantastic visibility, diving conditions are fantastic all year round (except for the hurricane seasons between January and February), but the best visibility is between March and April.