Introductory dive, to get started!

Your first underwater journey can be remarkably calm. In the bay of St Leu, Réunion, you spend up to 20 minutes below the surface at a maximum depth of 6 meters, guided closely by an instructor and surrounded by Indian Ocean fish, coral, colors, and possibly marine mammals. The full visit takes about 3.5 hours, with morning and afternoon departures.

I like the strong focus on safety and patient teaching, especially for anyone who has never used scuba equipment. I also like that the price includes your instructor and the full set of diving gear, so you do not need to arrange specialist equipment before arriving. The main consideration is that 20 minutes underwater may feel short for the $120 price, though the time spent preparing, learning, boating, and talking through the experience adds real value.

This is a gentle introduction rather than a long underwater excursion. You move at your own pace, ask questions freely, and have an instructor beside you in the water. That makes it a sensible first step, but people with respiratory problems, epilepsy, a cold, recent surgery, or pregnancy should not book it.

Key points to know before booking

• Only 20 minutes underwater: The supervised session reaches a maximum depth of 6 meters, making it suitable for a first attempt rather than an advanced underwater outing.
• Two daily start times: Choose 8 a.m. or 1 p.m., with the complete experience lasting about 3.5 hours.
• Instruction and equipment included: Your instructor teaches you what to do, and the necessary diving equipment is provided.
• A calm setting in St Leu bay: The protected bay offers a peaceful place to get used to breathing and moving underwater.
• Three languages available: Instruction is offered in English, French, and Spanish.
• A first step toward certification: The session gives you a chance to begin your first level of certification, though the information does not promise that certification is completed that day.

What the $120 price really covers

At $120 per person, this is not simply a 20-minute swim. You are paying for a guided introduction, equipment, preparation, a boat trip, an underwater session, and time to review what happened afterward.

That matters for a beginner. You are not expected to own a mask, tank, or other specialist gear. The center supplies the equipment and helps you put it on, which removes one of the biggest hurdles for a first attempt.

The instructor’s presence is also part of the value. You are not sent into the water after a quick explanation. The staff gives a briefing on the boat, explains what you may see, and stays attentive while you get comfortable. For someone who feels nervous about breathing underwater, that close support can be worth more than extra minutes below the surface.

Still, you should set your expectations correctly. The actual underwater portion lasts up to 20 minutes, not several hours. Much of the day is spent getting ready, traveling by boat, entering the water, returning, and washing the equipment. If you already have underwater experience, the price may feel high for such a short session. If this is your first time, the instruction and reassurance make the cost easier to justify.

Starting at 8 a.m. or 1 p.m.

You can choose between an 8 a.m. and a 1 p.m. start. Both options include the full 3.5-hour experience, so the choice is mostly about how you want to arrange your day.

The morning start gives you the rest of the day afterward. That may suit you if you want to plan another activity later, or if you prefer to get your main water experience finished before the afternoon heat. The 1 p.m. option may work better if you want a slower morning or are arranging this around another part of your Réunion visit.

The schedule is clear, but you should allow the entire 3.5 hours rather than treating this as a quick appointment. Administrative formalities come first. Then comes equipment preparation, instruction, the boat trip, the underwater session, the return, and the equipment rinse.

I would avoid booking another time-sensitive activity immediately afterward. The final conversation over tea, coffee, or cold water is part of the experience, and rushing away would cut short one of the nicest parts of the day.

Getting ready with the instructor

The experience begins with basic administration, followed by help with your equipment. This is where the session becomes less intimidating for a first-timer.

You learn how the gear works and prepare under supervision. The supplied information does not list each item separately, so you should not assume that personal items such as a towel or beachwear are included. Bring both. A towel is especially useful after leaving the water, and beachwear is the practical clothing choice for the day.

The teaching focus is one of the strongest features here. You have time to ask questions before entering the water, rather than trying to solve every concern while floating offshore. That is important because small worries can feel much larger when you are wearing unfamiliar equipment.

I appreciate that the tone is built around your pace. The goal is not to rush you down to the maximum depth. The maximum of 6 meters is a limit, not a requirement. You can take time to feel comfortable as the instructor helps you adjust to the new surroundings.

The boat briefing before entering St Leu bay

Once you are on the boat, the instructor explains what will happen underwater and what you may see. This briefing gives the session a useful structure: you learn the plan before you have to follow it.

You can ask questions at this stage. For a beginner, that opportunity matters. It lets you clarify how the experience unfolds and gives the instructor a chance to address concerns before you enter the water.

The setting is St Leu bay, with luminous water and a coral reef environment. The available information does not promise a particular animal sighting, so you should not book this expecting one specific fish or marine mammal. Instead, think of the wildlife as part of the possibility of the visit. You might see a variety of Indian Ocean fish, reef colors, and marine life, with marine mammals also present in the wider underwater setting.

The boat ride is not just transport. It is the transition between ordinary sightseeing and the quiet underwater world. You have already been taught the basics, and the briefing helps you know what to expect when the water closes over you.

Twenty minutes below the surface

The underwater portion lasts up to 20 minutes and reaches no more than 6 meters. Those limits make the activity approachable for a first session.

You move at your own pace, with the instructor beside you and paying attention to how comfortable you are. That direct supervision is reassuring, particularly if you have never breathed through diving equipment before. You can focus on getting used to the sensation rather than trying to keep up with a group.

The experience is presented as calm and peaceful. You may see fish, reef colors, and other Indian Ocean life as you move through the water. You may also encounter marine mammals, but sightings cannot be guaranteed from the details provided.

The short underwater period has both an advantage and a drawback. On the positive side, it gives your first session a clear limit. You are not committing to a long period underwater before knowing how you will feel. On the other hand, you may find that 20 minutes passes quickly once you become comfortable.

The best way to judge the session is as an introduction, not a full underwater expedition. You are learning the basic feeling of the activity and discovering whether you want to continue. If the experience goes well, the opportunity to work toward a first level of certification gives you a reason to view this as the start of something rather than a one-off photo stop.

Returning to shore and talking it through

After leaving the water, you can cool off or have a hot cup of tea. That small detail gives the session a relaxed finish, especially after concentrating on new skills.

You then return gradually to the center, rinse the equipment together, and discuss what you saw and felt. I like this part because it turns the experience into a learning session rather than a simple ride out and back. You can think about what felt easy, what felt strange, and what you might want to improve next time.

The chance to share the experience over coffee, tea, or cold water also suits people who enjoy a social finish. It is not an elaborate meal or a long shore program, but it gives you room to settle down before heading off to your next activity.

The equipment rinse is practical too. You are involved in the end of the process rather than simply walking away from the gear. That helps you understand the routine and gives the day a tidy conclusion.

Who will enjoy this most

I would recommend this experience most strongly to adults and children aged 8 or older who are curious about underwater activity but have no previous experience. The shallow maximum depth, close instruction, and flexible pace make it a natural starting point.

It can also suit someone who is unsure about committing to a longer course. You receive an introduction before deciding if you want to continue toward a first level of certification.

This is less suitable if you already have substantial experience and want a long session, greater depth, or a specialist marine-life trip. The 20-minute underwater period and beginner-level instruction are designed for learning, not advanced exploration.

You should also be honest about your health before booking. The activity is not suitable for children under 8, pregnant women, people with respiratory issues, people with epilepsy, anyone with a cold, or anyone recovering from recent surgery. These are not minor technicalities. Underwater equipment and breathing require you to be in suitable health.

Practical planning for a smoother visit

Bring a towel and beachwear. Those are the only items specifically requested, so keep your packing simple and avoid assuming that personal clothing or accessories will be supplied.

Instruction is available in English, French, and Spanish. That gives you useful flexibility, particularly if your travel group has different language needs.

You can reserve now and pay later, which helps if you are organizing a Réunion itinerary that may change. Cancellation is allowed up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, so you have some protection if your plans shift.

The session is offered by SUB EXCELSUS. I would allow the full 3.5 hours in your schedule and arrive ready to listen, ask questions, and move slowly. The best outcome is not reaching the maximum depth. It is leaving the water feeling comfortable enough to want to learn more.

Should you book this St Leu experience?

Book it if you want a carefully supervised first underwater experience in Réunion and value instruction, supplied equipment, and a calm pace. The $120 price is reasonable for a complete beginner session that includes preparation, an instructor, a boat outing, and post-activity discussion, though the underwater time itself is limited to 20 minutes.

Skip it if you want a long underwater excursion or already know the basics. Also skip it if any of the listed health restrictions apply. For everyone else, this is a sensible way to test the water, quite literally, while keeping the commitment short and the support close.

FAQ

How long does the full experience last?

The total duration is about 3.5 hours.

How long will I be underwater?

You will spend up to 20 minutes underwater.

How deep will the session go?

The maximum depth is 6 meters.

Where does the experience take place?

The underwater session takes place in the bay of St Leu, Réunion.

Is diving equipment provided?

Yes. The price includes the loan of diving equipment and instruction from an instructor.

What should I bring?

Bring a towel and beachwear.

What languages are available?

Instruction is available in English, French, and Spanish.

Who cannot take part?

The experience is not suitable for children under 8, pregnant women, people with respiratory issues, people with epilepsy, people with a cold, or people with recent surgeries.