Diving at Pointe au Sel: What Certification Do You Need to Explore the Grand Tombant?
The Grand Tombant at Pointe au Sel is a deep dive intended for divers with suitable qualifications. At Excelsus Plongée, we require a PE40 qualification or an appropriate deep-diving certification, such as a Deep Diver specialty, following a review of your diving background by our team.
Are you an Open Water, Advanced or French Level 1 diver interested in exploring this part of Saint-Leu? Other routes may be possible depending on your level and sea conditions, particularly at Bossy’s Canyon and the Tombant des Grottes.
Here is what you need to know before planning your dive at Pointe au Sel, Réunion Island.
Why dive at Pointe au Sel?
South of Saint-Leu, Pointe au Sel offers particularly impressive underwater formations. The Grand Tombant is renowned for its vertical wall, its views into the blue and the sense of space it creates.
Its appeal lies as much in the scenery as in the marine life. Your attention shifts from details along the wall to fish swimming in open water, before returning to the colours of the reef in shallower areas.
For divers accustomed to shallow reefs, this setting offers a different perspective on Réunion’s underwater world.
How deep is the dive?
Although the wall drops to more than 80 metres, our routes take us into the 30–40 metre depth range.
While divers holding French Level 3 or higher qualifications may be able to explore this site in the 60-metre depth range, we nevertheless encourage dives to 40 metres using Nitrox 32 for added safety.
Your dive profile is defined by the team according to your qualifications, experience and conditions.
Before entering the water, the briefing covers the route, maximum depth and instructions specific to the outing.
What qualifications do you need to dive the Grand Tombant at Pointe au Sel?
To join this deep exploration dive with Excelsus, you need qualifications appropriate to the planned depth.
Relevant qualifications to share with us include:
PE40: the French qualification for guided diving to 40 metres.
French Level 2 or higher: subject to a review of your diving privileges and recent experience.
Deep Diver or Deep Diving specialty: subject to a review of your certification and logbook.
This list provides initial guidance, but participation must still be approved by our team.
Your certification card is a starting point. Your comfort in the water, the date of your last dive and your experience of similar dives also matter.
In addition to reviewing your diving background, we may ask you to complete a check dive before joining a Grand Tombant outing. This allows the team to assess your comfort in the water and confirm that the dive is suitable for your current abilities, helping to minimise risk.
Is PADI Advanced Open Water enough?
PADI Advanced Open Water alone is not a qualification for diving to 40 metres. Its training depth limit for adults is 30 metres.
If you would like to join our deep dive at the Grand Tombant, please let us know whether you also hold a Deep Diver specialty or another suitable qualification.
Did you complete a deep dive during your Advanced course? That introductory training dive does not, on its own, constitute a complete deep-diving specialty.
Send us your certification cards before booking so we can confirm which outings are appropriate for your background.
What about SSI Advanced Adventurer?
The word “Advanced” can be misleading. Holding an SSI Advanced Adventurer certification does not automatically mean you have completed a full deep-diving specialty.
Tell us which specialties you hold, particularly whether you have an SSI Deep Diving certification, and provide details of your recent experience.
If your background is not suitable for the deep Grand Tombant dive, we can suggest another exploration dive or discuss appropriate training.
Can you explore Pointe au Sel without diving to 40 metres?
Yes. Exploring the Pointe au Sel area does not necessarily mean joining the deep Grand Tombant dive. Its northern and southern flanks offer other options for less experienced divers, with routes adapted to their qualifications and the conditions.
Bossy’s Canyon: the northern flank of Pointe au Sel
On the northern side, Bossy’s Canyon offers underwater scenery featuring walls and a reef plateau.
Depending on conditions and the participants’ experience, a route within the upper 30 metres may allow you to approach the beginning of the Grand Tombant without following the deep route.
This option must be confirmed with the team, as it depends on conditions that day, your certification level and the composition of the dive group.
The Tombant des Grottes: the southern flank of Pointe au Sel
On the southern flank, the Tombant des Grottes also offers a way to explore the Pointe au Sel area along a route suitable for less experienced divers.
It is another opportunity to enjoy the underwater scenery of this area without joining the deep Grand Tombant exploration. The team determines the route and depth according to the participants’ qualifications, experience and conditions that day.
Which outing should you choose?
The Grand Tombant is intended for divers with the qualifications and comfort in the water needed for deep exploration.
Bossy’s Canyon and the Tombant des Grottes allow you to explore the northern and southern flanks of Pointe au Sel respectively, with shallower route options.
When booking, tell us your certification level and what you would like to see so we can recommend the most suitable outing.
Explore these underwater landscapes on our page about Saint-Leu’s dive sites.
Can there be currents at Pointe au Sel?
Yes, the Grand Tombant can be exposed to currents. This is an important factor when deciding whether to go ahead with or adjust an outing.
A suitable depth qualification is therefore only one consideration when planning the dive. The team also assesses sea conditions and the participants’ experience.
If conditions are unsuitable, we may suggest another site. The aim is to choose a dive appropriate to the conditions on the day.
What can you see during the dive?
Depending on the encounters that day, the Grand Tombant may offer sightings of schooling fish, including trevallies, tuna and bannerfish.
However, no particular species can ever be guaranteed in a natural environment.
The underwater landscape itself is also worth appreciating: the changing perspectives along the wall, the light and the contrast between the reef and the blue are all part of the experience.
Take time to enjoy the whole setting rather than focusing your expectations on a single encounter.
Should you do a refresher dive before the Grand Tombant?
If you have not dived for some time, please mention this when enquiring.
An initial dive at a shallower site can help you regain your confidence and familiarise yourself with the equipment. It also allows the team to assess your comfort in the water before considering a deep dive.
We may require this preliminary dive even if you hold the necessary certification, depending on your background and recent experience.
To help us prepare for your visit, please provide:
Your certification level and specialties.
Your approximate number of logged dives.
The date and conditions of your last dive.
Your experience with deep diving and currents.
Your equipment requirements.
This information helps us recommend a suitable programme and confirm whether a check dive is needed.
Can you train in deep diving in Saint-Leu?
If you would like to develop your skills to explore deeper sites, we can explain the training options available at Excelsus.
Depending on your background and goals, a PE40 course or a deep-diving specialty may be appropriate.
The choice depends on your current certifications and plans, whether you want guided diving in Réunion, diving holidays abroad or further training.
Visit our diving courses in Saint-Leu page, then contact us to discuss the right course for you.
How do you book a dive at Pointe au Sel?
Before booking, send us your travel dates and qualifications. Please also specify whether you would like to explore the deep Grand Tombant or follow a shallower route at Bossy’s Canyon or the Tombant des Grottes.
If exploring this area is a priority during your holiday, keep several time slots available: access to the sites depends on sea conditions and the programme.
To check whether your certification is suitable for the planned outing, call us on +262 692 705 499 or email reservation@excelsus-plongee.com.
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