How clear is Passe en S #7B?

Dry-season visibility is often excellent and can exceed 30m. On a good day the channel reads cleanly, which is part of the site's appeal.

How do I plan a day trip to Passe en S #7B?

Treat it as a guided boat dive from Mamoudzou or Petite-Terre and let the operator choose the tide window. On this site, timing matters as much as the route.

Is Passe en S #7B good for beginner scuba?

Only with the right guide and tide window. The site can start shallow, but it is fundamentally a current-sensitive pass dive rather than a casual reef.

Is Passe en S #7B suitable for freediving or snorkeling?

Not as a primary choice. The pass is best experienced as a guided scuba drift, with snorkel use limited to very calm, shallow conditions.

What current should I expect at Passe en S #7B?

Current is tide-driven. Incoming windows can be manageable, while outgoing flow can become very strong and push divers toward deeper water.

What marine life can I expect at Passe en S #7B?

Look for turtles, reef sharks, manta and eagle rays, barracudas, jacks, tunas, and dense reef fish concentrated by the channel.

What terrain does Passe en S #7B have?

Expect an S-shaped channel with a shallow entry, white sand across the pass, and deeper walls beyond the main line of travel.

When is Passe en S #7B easiest to dive?

The dry season from May to November is the safest planning baseline, and the best individual dives are usually the ones timed to the right tide.

Dive Spot Guide•

Passe en S #7B

Passe en S #7B is a tide-sensitive pass dive in Mayotte.

Scuba Diving Freediving BoatAdvanced

Reef

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Local operator required

This is normally run as a guided drift dive with a local Mayotte dive center.

Boat access from Mamoudzou or Petite-Terre, a shallow S-shaped channel, and strong-tide planning make #7B a classic Mayotte drift.

About Passe en S #7B

Passe en S #7B is the north-side buoy in Mayotte's S-shaped pass, where a shallow entry drops into a channel framed by white sand and deeper walls. It is a tide-aware drift dive with a real current window, so the best runs are slow guided circuits that use the pass shape, the reef edge, and the right tide rather than depth alone. The site is iconic because the channel concentrates clear water and big fish life.

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Research Estimate At Passe en S #7B

Conservative baseline from public research. No community dives logged yet.

Visibility30m

AccessSimple entry

CoralHealthy coral

Aquatic LifeExceptional variety

FacilitiesGood facilities

Crowd / PopularityQuite busy

CurrentStrong current

SurgeFlat calm

Where Is Passe en S #7B?

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Community sourced coordinates.

Passe en S #7B Planning Details

Depth range, seasonality, and planning context.

Reported Depth

4m - 65m

Depth Note

Buoy 7B starts at 4m and drops to about 65m, with a white-sand crossing that spans the channel toward buoy 8.

Best Season

May to November

Safety & Access At Passe en S #7B

Site conditions, restrictions, and access requirements.

Site Conditions

Strong current

Safety Notes

Time the tide carefully, keep a tight line through the channel, and do not treat the outgoing window as a beginner drift.

Access Restrictions

Reserve rules apply and fishing is prohibited; timing the tide is essential because outgoing flow can be very strong.

Legal Notes

Passe en S is protected as a marine reserve and is treated as a flagship dive area for Mayotte.

Local Intel For Passe en S #7B

Community notes to help plan your visit.

Scuba Diving

Best as a guided drift dive for certified divers who can handle current and keep a tight line through the channel.

Freediving

Not a primary freedive site. The current, depth, and boat planning make scuba the right tool unless you have a highly experienced team and very calm conditions.

Snorkeling

Snorkeling is limited to very calm and shallow sections; the signature experience is the underwater drift through the pass.