Europa & Bassa da India
Out of the 5 Eparses Islands, Europa and Bassa da India seem to be the most interesting to dive. We chose them based on numerous scientific reports, videos and exceptional reports produced over the last 10 years. Our itinerary has been studied and validated by the French authorities. We therefore have to respect it, as well as the very strict environmental rules imposed. An official of the French authorities will join us during our expedition.
Europa is the greenest of the Eparses Islands with an enclosed large lagoon, a tidal lake, sandy dunes and tropical vegetation teeming with euphorbia and mangroves. Turtles come periodically to hatch on these beaches. They are part of this varied and wild ecosystem, superbly embellished by colonies of migrant birds and wild goats.
Bassa Da India is a vast atoll forming a nearly perfect circle and almost entirely submerged on high tide. On low tide a large quantity of pelagics are trapped in the shallow lagoon, thereby creating a natural aquarium. This allows us to observe the local biodiversity. Due to the reef being covered at high tide several historic and modern wrecks may be dived.
A naturalist
will lead our expeditions aboard the M/V Indian Ocean Explorer II. His presence aboard will permit us to better understand the underwater life observed during our dives.
Please remember that this voyage will take us to places only ever visited by scientists. Different information we have gathered permits us to imagine some magnificent dives with numerous wrecks, large oceanic fauna and several species of sharks in abundance. However, the ocean is temperamental even in areas free of human pollution. We can therefore not fully guaranty the quality of the onsite diving.
