A direct flight from Central Europe takes approximately 11 hours.

European citizens require to have a pass with max. 6 months validity from arrival date along with a return flight ticket. The visa (free of charge) is being issued upon arrival with a validity of 3 months.

There are no required vaccinations for Cape Verde, but Tetanus, Polio, Diptheria and Hepatitis A and B are generally recommended. We recommend you contact a doctor or medical professional before you travel.

Medical supplies on the island are good, however, not always fully available in the countryside.
A medical insurance is useful; the treatment, however, should be paid on site first.
There are state-run hospitals as well as private clinics in Mauritius.

We strongly recommend that you obtain diving insurance e.g. DAN or similar.

The official currency is Mauritius Rupee (MUR), 1 Euro = approx. 40 MUR). You can exchange money in banks, exchange offices, in Hotels and at the airport. It is not possible to pay cash in USD or EUR. May restaurants, hotels and shops accept common credit cards. Also traveller cheques in EUR or USD are usually accepted.
You will find ATMs in almost each town, however, the daily allowance is limited to 10,000 MUR.

At the dive center we accept Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, as well as traveller cheques in USD and EUR. You can also pay cash in EUR, USD and MUR.

The local climate is tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; there is a warm, dry winter from May to November and a hot, wet, and humid summer from November to May. Anti-cyclones affect the country during May to September. Cyclones affect the country during November-April. These last usually for a few days and are normally not as severe as typhoons or hurricanes.

The climate allows diving all year round. Water temperatures are around 28°C in summer and 22°C in winter. Generally it's less windy in winter compared to the summertime.

In summertime you can dive with a Long John, a 3mm tropical suit or a shorty.
During the winter months we recommend a min 5mm or 7 mm wet or half-dry suit, eventually with a cap.

The official language is English. The high- and middle class speak French. Creole (a mix between French, Hindi and African components) is the common speech.
Additionally Chinese and Indian languages such as Hindi and Tamil are found.
You can easily communicate in English throughout the country.

Following electrical sockets are found in Mauritius:

European CEE 7/16 Europlug
European CEE 7/7 Schuko
British BS-1363

A small tip (approx. 10%) is usually expected. Of course only if the service was satisfactory.

Regularly shops are open Monday - Friday from 9 am to 5 pm, on Saturdays from 9 am to 1 pm.
Big super markets are open Monday - Saturdays from 9 am to 8:30 pm, on Sundays from 9 am to 1:30 pm.
Banks: Monday - Friday from 9 am to 4 pm
Post office: Monday - Friday from 9 am to 4 pm

Some shops are open on Sundays with no regular opening hours.

For a complete list of foreign embassies in Mauritius, please click here.