Réunion is an island located in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar, about 200 km (130 miles) south west of Mauritius, the nearest island.  Here's the map.

Administratively, Réunion is one of the overseas départements of France and an integral part of the Republic with the same status as those situated on the European mainland.

The best time to go to Réunion is between May and November, when the trade winds keep the island temperatures moderate. Rainfall can be heavy between December and April.

There’s a variety of dive sites around the island, but only certain sections are divable. The coral forms a discontinuous reef of about 15km to the west and south of the island.

• July to October for whale sharks and whales