La Passe de l'Hermitage

A natural channel through the fringing reef on the calm west coast lagoon near Saint-Gilles, where tidal flow creates gentle drift conditions ideal for beginners. The sandy floor at 10 metres gives way to coral bommies carpeted in soft coral, with hawksbill and green sea turtles regularly resting between feeds. The protected lagoon means sea conditions here stay calm even when the open coast is rough.