Snorkeling in Mauritius: where to go, the best spots and prices

Mauritius is one of the most accessible places for bright sea activities. Thanks to the coral reefs surrounding the coast, calm lagoons with excellent visibility and rich marine life have formed here. Whether you are traveling for the first time or already have experience, Mauritius offers many places where you can safely and comfortably explore the underwater world with a mask and snorkel, directly from the shore or during organized excursions.

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Snorkeling in Mauritius - the best spots

In the south-east, not far from Mahebourg, there is Blue Bay Marine Park - one of the most famous and beautiful snorkeling spots in Mauritius. The water here is calm and clear, and the corals, of which there are more than 50 species, are diverse and bright. You can fully enjoy excellent visibility and many tropical fish, including angelfish, parrotfish, and clownfish. A visit to Blue Bay is often included in excursion tours around the south of the island. For those who want to see the beauty of the ocean without going into the water, a boat trip with a glass bottom is an excellent alternative to snorkeling. These boats depart daily from the public beach of Blue Bay.

Another interesting point in this area is Mahebourg Bay, with good visibility and a garden of sea anemones hidden at a shallow depth.

• On the north coast - Trou aux Biches. This beach with a safe bottom and shallow water is well suited for holidays with children. Here you can often meet sea turtles and many tropical fish. The best snorkeling begins 100-200 meters from the shore, where the reef is located, and sea turtles sometimes swim right up to tourists. In the north of the island there is also Pereybere Beach, where the corals are located close to the shore. It is recommended to come early in the morning, when the water is calmer and there are fewer tourists.
• On the west coast, Flic en Flac is a long beach with a turquoise lagoon and beautiful reefs that attracts both snorkelers and divers.
• In the north-west, it is worth highlighting Pointe aux Piments and Balaclava (Turtle Bay), known for calm bays with sea turtles and a variety of fish. These places are suitable for all levels, and some parts are accessible for snorkeling directly from the shore. Water shoes are recommended, as sea urchins may be found near the shore.
• On the east coast, Ile aux Cerfs and Trou d’Eau Douce are popular, with white sandy shores and soft lagoons. Snorkeling here is often organized as part of catamaran or boat excursions, which include several snorkeling spots with different reefs and fish.

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Snorkeling prices in Mauritius

Most snorkeling excursions start from the tourist centers of Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches, and Flic en Flac. The approximate price is from 25 € to 50 € per person for a half-day excursion, depending on the route and equipment. The price usually includes the services of a snorkeling guide, equipment rental, and a light snack.

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The best time for snorkeling in Mauritius

Snorkeling in Mauritius is possible all year round. However, the best conditions are created during the period from October to December, especially in the morning, when the water is calm, visibility is high, and the wind is weak. At the same time, warm water attracts fish in large numbers.

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Hotels for snorkeling in Mauritius

If snorkeling is one of the main goals of the trip, we recommend considering hotels near the main beaches. Here are a few good accommodation options as examples:

• Dodola lodge - a charming boutique hotel located across the road from Pereybere Beach. It offers cozy rooms with daily cleaning, private parking, a well-equipped shared kitchen, massage services, and airport transfer.
• Voile Bleue Boutique Hotel - a cozy boutique hotel in Pointe aux Piments, just a few minutes from beaches with excellent snorkeling, such as Trou aux Biches and Turtle Bay, where turtles can often be seen. Guests have modern studio rooms, a bar, a small pool, Wi-Fi, and private parking.
• Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa - an excellent choice for those planning snorkeling in Blue Bay Marine Park. The 4-star hotel is surrounded by three beach areas at once and also offers a wide selection of activities on water and on land. The complex has an exclusive Shandrani for 2 corner created only for adult guests.
• Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa - a 5-star beach resort surrounded by tropical gardens, offering 27 villas with two or three bedrooms, pool suites, 6 restaurants, a free kids club and teen club, 2 heated pools, a spa center, a diving center, a wide choice of free land and water sports, as well as privileged access to two golf courses.
• Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa Mauritius - a resort complex near Flic en Flac that accommodates guests in refined villas and invites them to enjoy a high-class holiday. Guests have 4 restaurants and a bar, a spa and fitness center, a kids club, 2 tennis courts, the Tamarina golf club located 5 minutes away by car, as well as daily sea trips and excursions.

Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa