Water sports in Mauritius: where to find them and what hotels offer

For many people, Mauritius is first of all a place for lazy beach holidays under palm trees, but you only need to step a few metres into the azure water for the island to reveal a completely different side. Thanks to the unique structure of the coral reef that surrounds almost the entire coastline, there are conditions here both for beginners and for experienced riders. Inside the lagoons there is pleasant calm water for those who are standing on a SUP board or putting on a mask for the first time, while just a couple of hundred metres away, beyond the reef, powerful ocean waves break and attract professionals from all over the world.

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Snorkelling and house reefs

Getting to know the water usually begins with snorkelling, which in Mauritius is accessible to almost everyone. On the west and north coasts, coral gardens often begin close to the shore, allowing you to watch schools of surgeonfish and parrotfish without even leaving your hotel grounds.

Many resorts, for example, Trou aux Biches Beachcomber or The Oberoi Beach Resort, provide masks and fins free of charge, and boat trips to the most scenic sections of the reef are sometimes included in the room rate.

Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa

Blue Bay Marine Park

An essential part of the programme for snorkelling in Mauritius remains Blue Bay Marine Park in the south-east of the island, where there are about 40 to 50 species of coral. If you stay at Constance Le Chaland Iko Mauritius, you get the fastest access to the marine reserve.

Prices: The most popular way to see corals and fish in Blue Bay is a glass-bottom boat trip. With local operators, such an excursion costs from 25 euros per person, but the final price depends on the duration and format of the trip. Hotel services sometimes include such outings in the room rate.

Constance Le Chaland Iko Mauritius

Diving and the best centres

Diving in Mauritius is somewhat different from the usual dives in the Red Sea or the Maldives. Here the focus is not only on the variety of fish and coral, but also on the volcanic relief.

There are about 50 diving centres on the coast of Mauritius. Some operate as independent schools, while others are part of the infrastructure of large resorts.

The Cathedral. The west coast in the Flic en Flac area is famous for its basalt caves and arches. One of the best dive sites of this kind is The Cathedral. The Sundivers dive centre operates at the hotels La Pirogue, Sugar Beach, Sands Suites and Hilton Mauritius, offering dives in these underwater grottoes where sunrays pass through the cracks and create a stained-glass effect.

Bigorno. In the north of the island, divers are attracted by both scenic coral reefs and wrecks, sunken vessels that have become home to huge rays and moray eels. The family-run Bigorno dive centre, located in the Trou aux Biches area, specialises in such expeditions and offers several dozen different dive sites that are 10 to 15 minutes away by boat.

Prices: The cost depends on the operator and the equipment included. As a guide, one dive for a certified diver costs about 50 to 70 euros, while a trial lesson for beginners costs 90 to 120 euros.

Sundivers Mauritius

Kitesurfing in Mauritius: where to find it

The most famous place for kitesurfing in Mauritius is the Le Morne peninsula on the south-west coast. The geography here is unique: the mountain creates a thermal effect that strengthens the wind, and the lagoon is divided into a safe shallow-water zone for beginners and world-class waves such as One Eye.

The hotels The St. Regis Le Morne Resort, LUX Le Morne and Dinarobin Hotel Golf & Spa are located literally a couple of steps from the spot. The main advantage of staying right at the spot is the chance to catch the wind at any moment without wasting time on the road, which is especially important in changeable island weather.

The ION Club and Le Morne Kite School operate here. Standard lessons are held in small groups of two people. This guarantees high-quality instruction for all students. Private lessons are also available.

Prices: A two-hour lesson in a mini-group costs about 85 euros per person, and a private lesson costs about 170 euros. The best time for kiting in Mauritius is considered to be from June to November.

In the village of La Gaulette near Le Morne, Mauritius Surf Holidays offers courses for beginners and advanced riders, accommodation and equipment hire, as well as special kite camps. Kitesurfing is also worth looking for in Belle Mare and Palmar on the east coast, in Bel Ombre in the south, and in Poste Lafayette, a little north of Belle Mare.

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Surfing in Mauritius

Thanks to the variety of waves, Mauritius can be considered a universal destination both for beginners and for professionals. The main surfing activity is concentrated around Tamarin Bay and the Le Morne peninsula.

For those who are just starting, Small Reef is a good choice: here the water is deep and the waves are calm, so it is comfortable for beginner surfers. Professionals choose the legendary One Eye, known for its fast and big waves over shallow water. In addition, the area includes other breaks, including Manawa, Shamo and Anker, which offer different levels of difficulty for surfers with different experience.

Prices: about 60 to 80 euros for a two-hour lesson. Board hire for the whole day starts from 25 euros.

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Mauritius hotels with free water activities

One of the nicest features of Mauritian resorts is the presence of Boat Houses, most of whose services are already included in the price of your stay. This is a hospitality standard that is rarely found elsewhere in the world on such a scale.

Depending on the hotel, at any moment or by prior booking you can take a kayak or SUP board for a ride along the shore, try windsurfing or go sailing on a small Hobie Cat. This allows you to try something new every day without thinking about extra expenses.

Here are a few hotels that offer the maximum number of complimentary privileges:

• Trou aux Biches Beachcomber. The all inclusive package includes water skiing, windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, catamaran sailing, snorkelling and a glass-bottom boat.
• The Oberoi Beach Resort. The resort's boathouse offers complimentary glass-bottom boat rides, Hobie Cat sailing and kayaking, water skiing, windsurfing, catamaran sailing and snorkelling in Turtle Bay Marine Park. The services include all necessary equipment and protective clothing.
• Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita. Included services include wakeboarding and windsurfing, kayaking and water skiing, Hobie Cat sailing and a free shuttle to Ile aux Cerfs.
• Sands Suites Resort & Spa. Here the programme of complimentary activities includes paddleboarding, kayaking, snorkelling, windsurfing, glass-bottom boat trips and water skiing.
• LUX Grand Gaube. The all inclusive package covers water skiing, a glass-bottom boat trip, snorkelling, windsurfing, kayaks, catamaran sailing and mini sailing boats. It is important to note that all free activities are available only according to the hotel's schedule.

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