The best snorkelling spots in Mauritius

Blue Bay: the most famous marine park

Declared a national park in October 1997 and a marine park in June 2000, Blue Bay covers 353 hectares between Pointe Corps de Garde and Pointe Vacoas in the south-east. Since 2008 it has been listed as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. The park is managed through zoning, permits and patrols.

You can swim from Blue Bay public beach, but the richest coral garden is reached by glass-bottom boat, with a stop to get in the water. Come early on a weekday: at weekends the beach is crowded. Pointe d'Esny, just north, shares the same lagoon.

Balaclava and the north-west coast from the shore

Balaclava Marine Park covers 485 hectares of reef, lagoon and shoreline, from Petite Pointe aux Piments to Batterie des Mortiers in the Pamplemousses district. At Pointe aux Piments, sea turtles come into the lagoon: bring fins, mask and snorkel early in the morning, when the sea is glassy.

A little further north, Trou aux Biches has a shallow lagoon ideal for beginners, Pointe aux Canonniers hides small coves, and at Pereybère the rocks on either side of the bay hold plenty of fish. Arrive before 10am for calm water and a parking space.

Northern and western islets by boat

Catamarans from Grand Baie sail past Coin de Mire and anchor between Flat Island and Gabriel Island, where the water is exceptionally clear. Plan a full day with lunch on board. On the west coast, boats from La Gaulette head to Ile aux Bénitiers with a snorkelling stop near Crystal Rock.

In the east, cruises to Ile aux Cerfs from Trou d'Eau Douce usually include a swim in the lagoon. The UK government advises checking that the operator holds a permit from the Ministry of Tourism and that there are enough life jackets on board.

Not a swimmer?

The undersea walk at Belle Mare, with an air-fed helmet, is open from age 7. The Blue Safari submarine in the north and the glass-bottom boats at Blue Bay let you see the coral without getting wet. To go further, dive centres at Trou aux Biches offer try dives and scuba trips, ideally in the morning.

Season, water temperature and visibility

Snorkelling works all year. According to our data, the sea is above 28 °C from January to April and drops to around 24 to 25 °C from August to October, when a thin wetsuit or rash vest makes long sessions more comfortable.

From June to September, the trade winds blow hard on the east coast, stirring up the lagoon at Belle Mare or Ile aux Cerfs; the north-west and west coasts stay more sheltered. All year round, mornings are calmest. After heavy rain, water often turns murky near river mouths.

The rules

In Mauritius, removing coral and seashells is prohibited under 2006 regulations, and marine protected areas have their own rules: in the marine parks many activities need a permit, issued for Blue Bay at the park centre.

In practice: never stand or walk on coral, do not touch or feed marine life, do not chase turtles and keep your distance. Choose a UV shirt over a thick layer of sunscreen, which ends up on the coral.

Safety: currents, reef passes and boats

Stay inside the lagoon. Reef passes, the gaps in the reef, channel strong currents out to sea, and where the reef breaks off, as at Gris Gris, swimming is dangerous. Snorkel in pairs with something visible, and keep clear of boat channels, which are busy at Blue Bay and Grand Baie.

Water shoes prevent cuts and sea urchin spines on rocky patches. Drink water and cover your neck: you do not feel the sun with your face in the water.