Les Trois Arches

Best time to dive

Season varies - confirm locally

What you might see

• DolphinLikely
• Sea turtleLikely

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

Certification & difficulty

Advanced Open Water - advanced conditions (currents/depth); dive within your training.

Snorkelling

Not a snorkel site - Not viable - site is a deep (40-60m) offshore lava tunnel reached only by boat and technical/advanced diving

Safety notes

Strong currents; significant depth (40-60m) raises nitrogen narcosis risk; large overhead tunnel structure can be disorienting; boat-only access; outside the Reserve Naturelle Marine (south of Etang-Sale limit), so standard (non-reserve) open-water hazards and offshore currents apply; diving is exempt from the department shark swim/surf ban regardless

Permits & fees

No marine reserve permit required (Saint-Pierre is outside the Reserve Naturelle Marine de La Reunion); advanced certification proof required by operators due to depth

Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.

Location

Nearest hub: Saint-Pierre