Diving in Mauritania
Including Banc d'Arguin National Park and Nouadhibou Bay Wrecks. On the map.
The vibe
Recreational scuba diving is not part of the travel landscape along this rugged coastline. The combination of intense currents, poor visibility, and a total lack of dive infrastructure means travelers do not come here for underwater excursions. Anyone carrying gear will find themselves entirely on their own with no local shops or boats to launch from.
None available locally
Banc d'Arguin National Park
Mauritania
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
While primarily a protected wetland, limited scuba diving expeditions are occasionally organized by specialized scientific and adventure operators exploring the shallow coastal shelves and shipwrecks along the Mauritanian coast. Divers visit to observe the unique biodiversity of the Atlantic transition zone where the Sahara meets the ocean.
Access. Access is highly restricted and requires coordination with specialized expedition operators based in Nouadhibou or Nouakchott; there are no commercial recreational dive shops.
Notes. Remote location, requires permits, extreme tidal currents, and limited infrastructure.
Nouadhibou Bay Wrecks
Mauritania
Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Nouadhibou is famous for its 'ship graveyard,' where dozens of abandoned vessels create an eerie, shallow-water wreck diving environment. Experienced divers visit to explore the massive, rusting hulls that have become artificial reefs in the sheltered bay.
Access. Access is facilitated through private arrangements with local maritime contacts or specialized adventure travel agencies; no standard PADI-style dive centers operate here.
Notes. Visibility can be low due to silt; requires advanced wreck diving experience and self-sufficiency.