Water Sports

Mauritius is a perfect destination for different water sport activities. In the following article I will give you an overview about different water sport possibilities:

SURFING

Surfing is possible in the sea on the west coast of Mauritius. The season for surfing is principal in the wintertime in the months from May to October. Still in the rest of the year you will get some good waves in Mauritius.
The surf, especially in Tamarin Bay, became famous in Mauritius in the late 60th when the Hippie-surfer mainly from Australia came to Mauritius. Tamarin Bay was a very good and unknown spot at that time. But still today there are some good surfing places on the west coast of Mauritius. These places are not that special anymore than they have received a regard as in the 60th and also the climate change brings out that the conditions for surfing decreases.

The best spot for surfing in Mauritius is still Tamarin bay where the Black River flows into the Indian Ocean. Tamarin Bay provides good conditions for beginners who can stay close to the mouth of the river where the water is shallow and the ground is sandy. Profs on the other hand can surf further outside on the riff on the left hand side of the river’s mouth. There you can found quite high clean left braking waves. If good conditions are given, you will see many surfers in the sea. It is also interesting for non surfers to come and watch them.If you don’t have your own equipment you can rent a board at the Tamarina Hotel for roundabout € 20 for four hours. The friendly water sport team of the hotel offers also lessons for beginners and if you want to get information about the wave conditions you can ask them every time.

In addition Le Morne, which is located south, about half an hour by car from Tamarin provides a good surfing spot called One Eye Wave. This spot though, is only surfable for Profs because of the highness of the waves, the strong current and the riff close under the wave. Furthermore the spot is located quite far away from the beach with the result that most of the surfers reach the spot One Eye by boot. Surf clubs don’t teach at this sport and even don’t allow surfing there with their rented equipment.
If you still want to surf in this spot I would recommend you to go only together with local surfers who know one’s way over there.

The third known surfing spot is located approximately 15 km south of Le Morne in the Riviere des Gallet in front of the small island Ilôt Sancho. This spot is also not suited for beginners because of the strong current and the shallow water over the riff.
On the Ilôt Sancho there is given local surf competition sponsored by Billabong and Quicksilver once a year in November or December where you can look at Mauritius best surfers.

Dangers
In Tamarin Bay are founded the so called „White shorts“which are active on worldwide known surfing spots. The “White Shorts” concerns about a group of surfers who surf quite unfair and also bully tourists. They can be very brutal in other countries but in Mauritius they are relatively harmless. Nothing really happened even to foreign surfers since they exist here. As long as you meet them with respect and share the waves fairly with them there is no need to worry. If you want to surf every wave yourself and don’t give other surfers the chance to catch them, than you could get in a difficulty which is a matter of course!

SNORKELING

Where to go snorkeling? After so many questions being asked I decided to find it out myself.
First I had to get used to the glasses, and the snorkel and so I found out that it is really as easy as it looks and everyone says. Probably really everyone who can swim is able to snorkel and should not miss the chance to see all that is hidden in the sea! Here you can find some hints and an overview over the spots that I have tested.

- The chance to get a sunburn under water is really extremely high. Even with waterproof sunlotion with the highest sun protection factor you should not stay too long in the water. The best idea probably is just to take on a T-Shirt. Please even then do not forget to put sunlotion danger to be heavily burnt quite high.

-It is obvious, but was not clear to me at first, that the most fish can be seen where the reefs, plants and stones are. The beach of our dreams does often not have easy accessible snorkling spots. Especially water sports like water skiing does not really help for a colorful underwater world. So it can be helpful to swim at the edges of the beaches and bays.

- If the corals are too far away you can try to dive. Just keep your breath and try to dive down. Please don’t forget to equalize the pressure by breathing slowly out and keeping your hand on your nose. Please do not try on your own and start slowly.

Pereybere

If you are already in Pereybere it is definately worth to go a little bit snorkling. Especially on the left side (when you look at the sea) there some nice fish can be seen. A little minus point is the streams which can annoy a bit. On the right side of the bay I could only find dead corals without any plants. In the whole there is some nice places to discover under water, but there is better places in the north like Trou aux Biches.

Mont Choisy

Mont Choisy is not really good to go snorkling. The visibility under water is average and hardly any fish or corals can be found. Especially the north of the beach is not interesting. In the southern section you might find some fish. After one hour of snorkling and a sunburn I could see a zebrafish and a sea cucumber. You just need a little patience. For snorkling Trou aux Biches is better and not too far.

Trou aux Biches

The public beach of Trou aux Biches is very good to go snorkling. The water is extremely clear and there is almost no drift. What makes Trou aux Biches become such a good snorkeling spot is, that the reef is close and the underwater world easy accessible. Just go in the water, swim some metres, take on the glasses and you can see beside colorful corals uncountably many fishes. The best snorkeling spot that I’ve tested so far!

Flic en Flac

The whole beach is good for snorkling. If you are a bit patient you will find wonderful colorful fishes. To get into the water it is better to wear shoes or flippers, as there are many shells. The water is quite clear and there are not many boats. Especially at the northern end of the beach, at the „Danger“-sign the underwater world is incredibly beautiful.

Le Morne

Another really good snorkeling spot is in Le Morne at the hotel Le Paradis. The beach is not easy to access (you need to go through the hotel), but it snorkling is the more beautiful. Just get into the water and from there you can see many beautiful fishes. The water is extremely clear but can be a bit wavy as there is a lot of wind. To enter Le Paradis a 500 Rs fee has to be paid. But those 500 Rs can be used inside the hotel to pay for food and drinks.

Blue Bay

Blue Bay is a well-known snorkeling spot. The water is most of the time clear and there are lots of fishes. The nice thing about blue bay is, that there are many boats who bring tourists inexpensive and easy to the best spots.

But there is no need to go snorkeling that far – also from the beach is quite good. Looking on the sea on the right hand side there is wonderful corals and plenty of fish in all the colors of the rainbow. The only reason which could get me out of the water was the fear of getting a sunburn!

MAP

On this card you can find the places that I have already tested. Just click on the places on the map and open the window and a window will open which contains some more information. If you zoom a bit closer you can als see places that I highlighted.

Snorkeling Mauritius auf einer größeren Karte anzeigen