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5 top spots for snorkelling in Mauritius

Other than the southern coast, Mauritius is almost entirely encircled by a coral reef, making it an excellent destination for snorkelling. We take a look at five of the top spots for snorkelling, don your mask and flap your fins.

1. Blue Bay Marine Park

angel fish

The obvious place to start is Blue Bay Marine Park, down off the island’s southeast corner. The visibility is excellent here, and as the depth is only between 5 and 6 metres it’s an ideal place for beginners as you can snorkel straight from the sand. Look out for angel fish, damselfish, parrotfish, wrasse, clownfish and other colourful creatures, plus various types of habitat such as mangroves, algae gardens, sea grasses and corals.

2. Pointe aux Piments

sea turtle

The long beach of Pointe aux Piments on the northwest coast has a just-offshore protected coral reef, making it a perfect destination for snorkellers. Though the beach itself is extremely narrow in places, it does have wider sections that are great for sunbathing and lazy picnics, meaning you can dip in and out of the water throughout the day. It’s also renowned as one of the best places in the area to spot sea turtles, so make sure you have an underwater camera to hand!

3. Trou aux Biches

trou aux biches

Trou aux Biches is considered one of the finest snorkelling spots in Mauritius. Especially good for families, this impossibly pretty beach is fringed by casuarina trees, with calm, shallow water and another reef that’s close to shore. Simply swim out to the reef through shallow water, and witness a huge variety of species. Just take care on your way back, as when the wind blows out from the shore it can make the return journey more challenging.

4. Flic en Flac

flic en flac beach

Flic en Flac beach is the island’s longest, covering a lengthy expanse of the western coast. The snorkelling is great – a safe, calm lagoon, gently shelving sands, and a host of colourful fish like the stripey moorish idol, blue-tarred parrotfish and strange looking whitespotted boxfish – though do take care of your feet as there’s an abundance of shells and sea urchins here, so best to invest in a pair of swimming shoes from a local supermarket.

5. Ile aux Cerfs

Blacktip groupers

Ile aux Cerfs is the stuff of desert island fantasies. The 100-hectare speck of land off the east coast is the archetypal picture-postcard paradise and a highly recommended location for snorkelling. Surrounded by idyllic white sand bars and an aquamarine lagoon, the rich underwater world here is rife with all kind of fish and corals. Look out for seabream, blacktip groupers, and blue stripe snappers hiding out in the sea-grass beds around the reef.

So, start your flight with Air Mauritius and book your next big adventure with us today.

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