Mauritius, one of the most beautiful lagoons in the Indian Ocean
Mauritius has many good snorkeling spots where you can explore beautiful reefs, encounter colorful tropical fish and other marine species such as sea turtles, rays and dolphins. To ensure the best possible conditions for your underwater adventures, discover the best time to visit Mauritius for clear waters and calm seas. Most of the snorkeling spots in Mauritius are located in the calm lagoons surrounding the island, but there are also great snorkeling spots in parts of the outer reef and the smaller islands there.
However, the coral reefs in Mauritius are in a state of flux; in some places there is healthy coral, in others there is a severely damaged seabed covered in debris. Here we share the best snorkeling spots in Mauritius by region so you can start planning your underwater adventures!
Best Snorkeling Spots in Mauritius
Snorkeling in Grand Baie and the Northwest Coast of Mauritius
The best inshore snorkeling in Mauritius is in the Grand Baie area. This region of the island has a wealth of snorkelling spots to choose from, all of which offer a variety of tropical fish.
Just 3 kilometres north of Grand Baie Harbour is Pereybere Beach, a soft sandy beach in a small bay. The atoll here offers a wide variety of reef fish, including Mauritian reef fish, trumpet fish and moray eels. A little further north are Bain Boeuf Beach and Cap Malheureux, two other places where you can enjoy decent snorkeling.
The stretch of coast west of Grand Baie, between Mont Choisy and Balaclava, offers a number of snorkelling spots. The beaches are surrounded by a shallow lagoon, making for great underwater adventures.
From north to south, the most recommended places are Mont Choisy, Trou Aux Biches, Pointe aux Piments and Balaclava. Trou aux Biches is perhaps the best of them, as in addition to healthy branching corals and reef fish, lucky snorkelers can also encounter sea turtles.
Snorkeling in the northern islands of Mauritius
At the northern tip of Mauritius are six uninhabited islands, most of which are surrounded by coral reefs. They are relatively untouched and boast some of the healthiest seabeds in Mauritius.
The most visited are Flat Island and Gabriel Island, where you can dive in the shallow channel separating the two islands. Here you can observe rays, angelfish, butterflyfish, moray eels, parrotfish and surgeonfish. The northernmost islands of the archipelago, Round Island and Serpent Island, are rarely visited by tourists due to the lack of coral reefs around them and also because landings are not allowed to protect the seabirds that nest on the islands.
Snorkeling off the east coast of Mauritius, Blue Bay and Mahebourg
On the southeast coast of the island, Blue Bay Marine Park is the best snorkeling spot in Mauritius. This marine park is very popular due to its clear, protected waters and abundance of marine life.
The lagoon is home to vibrant coral gardens, including branching corals, table corals and giant brain corals, which attract hundreds of species of reef fish. Some parts of the marine park can be dived from the shore, but the most beautiful sites can only be reached by boat.
North of Blue Bay is Mahebourg, an important coastal village on the east coast of Mauritius. It borders a large emerald lagoon, which is a great, if not overly visited, snorkelling spot. The Anemone Garden in particular is worth a visit as it is probably the best place to see Mauritian clownfish.
Other popular snorkelling spots in the Mahebourg lagoon are Trou Moutou and Courant Zaigrettes. These spots can only be used for snorkelling if you are taken on a short boat trip by a local operator.
There are several smaller dive sites along the north-east coast of Mauritius, bordered by a shallow lagoon. The most recommended, from north to south, are the eastern tip of the Roches Noires lagoon, Poste Lafayette Beach, Belle Mare Beach and Palmar Beach.
Snorkelling at Le Morne and the west coast of Mauritius
The south and south-west coasts of the island offer the best snorkelling spots in Mauritius, especially the UNESCO-listed Le Morne area surrounded by the Brabant Lagoon.
Ile aux Benitiers, a large island in the Le Morne lagoon, is a popular day trip destination. Many boats bring guests here to enjoy the beautiful corals, reef fish and to snorkel with dolphins in the turquoise waters.
If you prefer shore snorkeling, La Praire Beach and Le Morne Beach (exclusively in front of LUX Le Morne) are the best choices.
On the southwest coast, just off the Riviere Noire, Flic en Flac Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Mauritius. While you are here, you also have a good chance of encountering eagle rays.
What will I see when I snorkel in Mauritius?
The Mauritian Reef they offer a wide variety of marine life, including hard and soft corals, sponges, sea anemones and invertebrates. More than 700 species of fish can be found in the Mauritian reefs, including the moonlight emperor fish, the palette surgeonfish, the saddleback clownfish and the blue-spotted picasso fish.
Mauritius has a few places where you can often see sea turtles (both green and hawksbill turtles). Trou Aux Biches has a tourism industry for swimming with sea turtles, but Pereybere and Blue Bay are also said to have good chances of seeing turtles. As you swim through the flat sandbars, keep an eye out for the flatfish and eagle rays, which are also common in the shallows.
