What to do in Mauritius | 3 Must-Do Water Activities

Discover the ultimate aquatic experiences Mauritius has to offer. From thrilling water sports to serene marine explorations, here are three must-try activities to make your Mauritius vacation unforgettable.

Surfing in Tamarin Bay

With its many beaches and pleasant climate all year round, Mauritius is an ideal destination for surfers. And yet, the spots on the island are not part of the famous WSL circuit (World Surf League). Why is that? Because, in Mauritius, the waves have to be earned! The waves are indeed dependent on the swell which first hits the island of Reunion, which makes the practice of surfing in Mauritius very inconsistent. But not impossible 🙂

Of all the spots on the island, the best known is undoubtedly Tamarin Bay. In 1974, the movie “The forgotten island of Santosha” evokes a mythical surf spot on a mysterious island in the Indian Ocean. It doesn’t take long for Tamarin Bay to be recognized and for surfers from all over the world to arrive in search of thrills.

Given the variable weather conditions, many of them are disappointed or so impatient to jump into the water that they rub shoulders with “white shorts” (local surfers) who are sometimes too protective of their spot. Tamarin Bay nevertheless remains a very popular spot, and rightly so.

On Tamarin Beach, the Rempart River, which flows into Tamarin Bay, creates currents that allow the youngest children to slide down on a bodyboard. Fun guaranteed!

➜ Whether you are a fan of surfing or not, Tamarin Beach is a very pleasant place, especially at sunset when surfers catch the last waves of the day.

Several surf shops are located along Tamarin Beach. They offer surf lessons for all levels as well as equipment rental.

➜ When you stay 5 minutes away from Tamarin Beach, surfing sessions quickly became daily … Given the equipment rental prices, we decided to purchase a board for the kids. An investment that has largely paid off 🙂

Spend a day on Ile des Deux Cocos

Located in the southeast of the island, near Blue Bay, Ile des Deux Cocos is one of the most beautiful islands in Mauritius. This private island nestled in the middle of the turquoise waters is a special place, where you can play Robinson Crusoe for a day …

The excursion begins near the public beach of Blue Bay. We embark on a glass-bottomed boat in the direction of the marine reserve of Blue Bay for a first snorkeling session.

After a short boat trip, the pontoon of Ile des Deux Cocos is in sight. The staff welcomes each visitor with a welcome cocktail and invites them to go around the island while waiting for the barbecue buffet to be ready.

We visit the Governor’s House, formerly called “the villa of follies”. The only residence on the island, this century-old villa was built by the eccentric British governor Sir Hesketh Bell, in a mixture of European and Moorish styles. With two bedrooms and a swimming pool, the villa can be privatized on request.

The barbecue buffet is served on the beach, with a large choice of salads, grilled meats, grilled fish, and desserts … At the end of the meal, an arranged rum tasting is offered. Delicious!

In the afternoon, several activities are offered: beach volleyball, frisbee, petanque, and snorkeling. You can also simply enjoy the view of the beach 🙂

Good to know

• The excursion to Ile des Deux Cocos lasts about 6 hours. The departure is planned, in the morning, from the pier of Blue Bay.
• Several companies offer day trips to Ile des Deux Cocos.
• The excursion costs €85 per adult and €45 per child. Transfers from the hotel are usually not included in the regular price but they can be discussed.

Admire the sunset on a catamaran

Several boat expeditions are available in Mauritius: dolphin watching, a day trip by catamaran to Ile aux Cerfs, an expedition to Gabriel Island, etc. After playing Robinson Crusoe on Ile des Deux Cocos, we chose a sunset cruise from Rivière Noire, on the west coast of the island.

The cruise begins at the La Balise marina where you embark on a small motor boat. Outside the channel, the catamaran waits at anchor. Two crew members are on board, ready to welcome us. Safety instructions before settling at the front of the boat. Let’s go for 2 hours of navigation along the coast to Tamarin Bay …

Good to know

• We organized the cruise with JPH Charters.
• The sunset cruise lasts 2.5 hours (from 4:30 pm to 7 pm).
• Cruise on a privatized catamaran with a Delight menu (peanuts, sausages, fish, and chicken skewers), and drinks served on board cost us €350 for 4 adults and 3 children.