France · Saint-Paul / Boucan Canot

Cap Lahoussaye

Also known as: Cap La Houssaye

Best time to dive

January to December; July to October

What you might see

  • Ghost pipefishLikely
  • Manta rayLikely
  • Moray eelLikely
  • Sea turtleReliably seen

Sightings are seasonal probabilities, not promises - even in peak season nature does its own thing.

Certification & difficulty

Open Water

Snorkelling

Snorkel-friendly - Viable near the shallow shore entry and cave/seagrass area given shore access and shallow depth, though currents and rocky terrain require care

Safety notes

Road crossing (RN1A) between parking and shoreline; turtle-disturbance rules strictly enforced (no touching/chasing/blocking turtles); site is within the Reserve Naturelle Marine; diving is exempt from the department-wide shark swim/surf ban but divers assume own risk

Permits & fees

No individual diver permit; site is within the Reserve Naturelle Marine de La Reunion (northern boundary, Cap Lahoussaye to L'Hermitage sector); reserve zoning and supervision rules apply; commercial operators work under reserve agreements

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Location

Nearest hub: Saint-Paul

This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand dive report. Coordinates are approximate.