Diving in the Eparses Islands
At this destination we propose dives with air and/or
Sparse information, scientific reports and oceanographic mapping of Bassa da India and Europa are enough for divers to consider these 2 islands as mythic dive destinations.
The main goal of our expeditions is to verify the authenticity of these myths and to allow passionate divers to be part of the adventure while respecting scrupulously this fragile ecosystem.
The organization of this voyage and the rules required have been put in place so that our presence will not have more impact than a scientific expedition (restricted groups of very experienced divers, constant support of a naturalist/biologist and 3 professional instructors). We must respect to the letter, the detailed regulations imposed by the French government in relation to the environment (treatment of all waste, waste water, any physical contact with fauna), an ecological responsibility which has always been part of Team Abyss commitments. In opposition to a small number of illegal cruises organised without any control from Mozambique towards Bassa Da India, our expeditions are the only ones to operate in the Eparses Islands with an official authorisation and a required representative of the government on board.
Our trips will be regulated by the analysis of underwater topography, exploration dives, the census of the diving sites and the observation of fauna. MV Indian Ocean Explorer has all the measuring devices to scan seabeds.
In regards to the fauna, the naturalist will guide you through the observation and encountes of species. Europa and Bassas Da India are exposed to the offshore swell and the currents. The dives will therefore be quite sporty! An experience of 100 dives minimum is necessary for Level 2 or PADI Advanced Open divers who wish to be part of the adventure. For additional safety, each dive group will be equipped with a satellite beacon.
Some pristine diving spots
Stripped of any vegetation, Bassa da India is a 13 km wide madreporic atoll surrounded by a mainly sandy lagoon and including some sparse coral bommies. All around it there is a reef crown with a tiny caye (0.1 km2) immerged on high tide. The drop off of the exterior reef is 1800m deep. There is no pass in Bassa da India and the exchanges between lagoon and ocean occur via shallow and narrow plateaus.
Almost invisible on high tide, this atoll has been a trap for sailors for centuries. A lot of shipwrecks, ancient and more recent, lay on the reef and in the depth of Bassa da India. Apart from testimonies of a few divers and scientists, there is no specific data on the fauna living there. Unlike Europa, hard corals dominate in certain spots. Soft coral, sponges and anemones are also present.
The shark population seems to be quite high: tiger sharks frequent the lagoon on low tide. North of the reef strong currents offer beautiful drift dives in company of several shark species (silvertip, bull sharks, hammerheads and grey reef sharks) but also tunas, jack fishes and barracudas. In calmer waters some very curious and enormous groupers should hang around us during our exploration dives.
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Europa is an elevated atoll characterised by an important karstic structure. It seems underground networks feed the massive amount of mangrove on the island. Therefore the exterior reef looks quite structured and presents several interesting formations.
In regards to coral, the variety of "bio-constructor" species should not exceed 70. If hard coral did not seem so abundant, sponges seem to have colonised about 20 percent of the outside reef.
Some reports we have been studying show 163 established fish species but also an important mass of carnivore families (Carcharinidae, Serranidae, Lethrinidae, Lutjanidae, etc). The main reasons for that are isolation and protection of the site. The few people who had the chance of diving in the region have encountered several shark species: tiger, silvertip, bull, hammerheads and grey reef sharks. A large amount of green and hawksbill turtles have been observed and come regularly to hatch onto Europa's beaches, considered by scientists as a major hatching site of the Indian Ocean. Between 8 and 15 thousand green turtles have been counted there every year. The presence of the big lagoon and the mangrove could be an explanation to this phenomena.
There is not a lot of data concerning the marine mammals living in the region of Europa and Bassa da India but it is known that the Mozambique canal is a passage utilised by southern right whales, humpback whales, cachalots and dolphins.
Finally, while there are no reports mentioning their presence around Europa, a lot of whale sharks have been seen along the Mozambique coast line and the Comoros (Banc Vailheu) between October and November. Maybe we will be lucky enough to cross paths with them.
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Technical Information
| Minimum diving level required: | PADI Advanced, Level 2 or equivalent. A valid dive medical dated within the last 3 months is mandatory |
| Mininum number of logged dives required: | 100 dives minimum |
| Documents required: | Dive certification card, dive logbook. Cancellation and repatriation insurance is highly recommended (i.e. http://www.diversalertnetwork.com or similar). A valid dive medical dated within the last 3 months is mandatory. |
| Number of dives included: | Minimum 15 dives |
| Diving boat(s): | 3 semi inflatable 75HP dive tenders with depth sonder |
| Type of tanks: | 12 litre aluminium (and a few 15 litre steel) - single exit international and DIN style tank valves |
| Mandatory equipment : | Safety sausage, mirror, dive computer |
| Recommended diving equipment: | 7mm hooded wetsuit, torch |
| Nitrox diving: | Yes - Included, plus training and fills |
| Rebreather diving: | Yes |
| Closest recompression chamber : | South Africa / Reunion Island |
