As an island destination, Mauritius certainly does not lack water-oriented or water-based activities. From a submarine safari to a catamaran cruise and from beach to a bay, the tropical paradise has it all.

Irrespective of the number of movies that you may have seen or books you have read or heard stories recounted by experienced sailors, nothing can prepare you for how compact, or even constricted, a submarine really is.

This was the first observation that your correspondent made as she descended down a narrow hatch into a submarine, for the first time ever. Barely 10 m long and 2.8 m wide, it had space just for 10 seats, arranged in two rows like aboard an aircraft with an aisle that was barely broad enough for even one person. The sole crew member, the captain, sat at the controls, situated in the bow or right at the front of the submarine.

The submarine is operated by Blue Safari, said to be one of only 12 operators of leisure submarines in the world.

Our adventure for the submarine journey began at Trou aux Biches in northern Mauritius where we received a comprehensive briefing about what to expect on the journey. Next, we board a speedboat to reach the submarine base, “Le Betty des Mascareignes”, situated about 15 minutes away in the open sea.

Here, we step on the submarine and follow the captain through the hatch into the belly of the submarine, after another security briefing, where he explained to us what needed to be done in case of emergency.

The dive, which takes the submarine 35 m below the surface, lasts barely half-an-hour. We first head to a shipwreck, Star Hope, that was especially planted here. Over the decades, the wreck has become the home of many kinds of marine life and is located in an area with vibrant, natural corals that abound in a variety of species of colourful fish.

Though we were 35 m below the surface, the crystal-clear waters meant that the visibility was very high, allowing us to take in the marine ecosystem in its entirety. After the dive, we retraced our path, after some refreshments and collection of our certificates in the reservation.

Odysseo Oceanarium

 

While it was a unique activity in itself, the Blue Safari submarine was not the only experience where we came face to face with the marine life in Mauritius.

Sprawling over an area exceeding 1.5 hectares, the Odysseo Oceanarium in Mauritius, said to be the largest in this part of the world, is home to over 3,500 specimens of over 200 marine species, housed in 45 distinct aquariums of different shapes and sizes and containing over 2 million litres of water.

The entrance to Odysseo itself is rather innovative, representing the open jaws of a shark, outlined by its sharp teeth. Inside, too, it is tastefully designed and one of the biggest attractions of the oceanarium is a small glass tunnel that actually transports you in the middle of the marine life as all around you, various animals including turtles and a variety of fish, ranging from stingrays to sharks, move about.

One of the most memorable sights at the Odysseo was of course the close up of the sharks as they moved above our heads and besides us, it presented an ideal opportunity to study them upclose. Baring their powerful jaws that can chew through almost every living being and their gleaming skin or sharp fins, the sharks definitely were a sight to behold.

I was also particularly impressed by the numerous jelly fish in the oceanarium, with most of them brightly coloured, looking more like children’s toys than actual living beings. Watching them through the glass, I could also see the numerous suction cups on their tentacles, which made me thankful that there was a glass wall between them and me, protecting me from their powerful stings.

Ile aux Cerfs

Being an island, Mauritius is also replete with options offering different experiences for discovering the country and its surroundings from the surface of water, aboard a boat, or even besides the water, as it is blessed with numerous beaches, each better than the rest, as well as hip hangout spots.

One of the best places for such a discovery is the Ile aux Cerfs, a private leisure island, located off the eastern coast of the country. Spread over 87 hectares of untouched land, covered with luxuriant vegetation, the island is as popular a destination for tourists as it is for the residents of Mauritius, who come here often on weekends for picnics.

A short hop of under 15 minutes by boat from Trou D’Eau Douce, Ile aux Cerfs offers a wide range of water sports and activities, such as snorkelling and boat cruises, including day-long cruise. A popular activity here, besides simply lazing around on the white, sandy beaches all around the island, is taking a short cruise on a glass-bottomed boat, which is what we tried. As the boat glided over clear waters that surround the island, it offered amazing views of the corals and various kinds of fish and other marine animals, clearly visible through the glass-bottom.

Sunset Catamaran Cruise

Another memorable experience to be had over the water in Mauritius is a sunset cruise, aboard a catamaran. The cruise offers opportunities for people to have an evening with the family, a leisurely cruise with friends, or a romantic outing with the soul mate, the catamaran cruise fits the bill perfectly.

It is said that the sunsets on the north-western coast of Mauritius are nothing short of legendary and the best way, if not the only way, to truly enjoy these golden moments, is when one is out in the open ocean aboard a cruise, notably on the catamaran.

The catamarans leave from various points on the island and a cruise normally lasts an hour or two, and which is extremely fulfilling not just for the eyes as one can also have light snacks, drinks and specially-curated cocktails.

One of the most popular spots for enjoying a sunset cruise is the Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis, capital of Mauritius. Le Caudan, as it is known locally, is a favourite shopping location as well as one of the most vibrant spots for ‘hanging out’ in Mauritius, with live music performances as well as several restaurants and eateries that offer open air dining just by the bay. For those who like to try their luck, Le Caudan also has a casino.

Whether you win or lose in the casino, every visitor to Mauritius is already a winner, having bagged innumerable memories of the paradise island and the numerous facets of water here.