Adventure sports and water sports in Mauritius
A beautiful island full of serene and exotic beaches, the land of surf and sun: this is Mauritius. Welcome to this beach getaway destination that is also known for its wide variety of water sports and adventure sports. It is certainly a small island paradise, but it has a lot to offer to keen travelers.
In addition to its beautiful beaches, it offers a wide variety of adventure sports and water sports. If you are a lover of those adrenaline rushes, this article will give you all the details about adventure and water sports in Mauritius. Huge mountains, deep gorges and fabulous ravines offer many adventure sports in Mauritius including trekking, mountain biking, trekking and sea kayaking.
Hiking in Mauritius:
To explore the deep hidden beauty of this island, you must go hiking. It is sure to be a delight for every nature lover. The most famous place for hiking is the Black River Gorges National Park. It offers you one of the best trekking opportunities, spread over an area of more than 6,754 hectares. This is the most appropriate way to interbreed with various endemic birds such as the Roseate Pigeon and the Mauritius Parakeet.
The Macchabee-Black River track is another challenging track. Drive from Petrin, through the Macchabée forest and to the end of the riverside track at the kiosk below Plateau Remousse. Some other hikes include the Black River Peak trail, the Cascade Cinq Cents Pieds trail.
Mountain bike:
Another way to enjoy your stay in Mauritius is to go mountain biking in Mauritius. Some famous lush green rides include: Chamarel Ride, which is an easy 1 hour ride, around the Chamarel Seven Colored Earths area. It is surrounded by fields of sugar cane and pine trees. Other scenic routes include Chamarel Down Hill, a walk along the south coast. Here you will see big and strong waves that wash the beaches.
Dive:
This beautiful island is surrounded by exotic diving spots. There is a continuous stretch of coral reef around the island that makes diving a memorable experience. There are currently 23 dive centers in Mauritius, registered with the Mauritius Diving Association (MSDA). Mascareignes Plongées or Neptune Diving Center are the most advanced and easily accessible centers. The northern part of Mauritius has numerous short and long range dives. On your dives you learn a lot about marine fauna such as fish species, lobsters, turtles and crabs. Different shapes of corals such as large fan corals, flat corals, and soft corals add up to an exquisite experience. Popular dive sites include Blue Bay, The Sirius Wreck, Purple Cave, Colorado, and Roches Zozo.
Short Range Dives:
Some of the most famous and extremely beautiful short range dives include dives at Old Rocks (10-21m), Grand Baie and Pereybere Aquarium (8-14m), Merville Patches (12-15m), Coral Garden (17- 19 m), Black Forest (40 m), Whale Rock (30-40 m) and Anchor (12-20 m). You can find green coral bushes up to 1 meter high and rare black coral specimens. You can also go on night dives at many dive sites.
Windsurfing:
Windsurfing is very popular among adventure tourists. Mauritius offers almost perfect water conditions to get the adrenaline rush out of surfing. Tamarin Bay is the best spot in all of Mauritius, where the waves reach up to 6 feet. Other famous surf spots include Le Morne and One-Eye’s and Baie du Cap.
Navigation:
Water sports in Mauritius also include sailing. Conditions in Mauritius are suitable for sailing. Exploring the island on a sailing cruise has become famous throughout the world. Grand Bay is the main center for yachting. Several spas organize boat trips for tourists.
Parasailing:
You take off from a pontoon anchored in the middle of the sea and are then pulled by a motorboat until you have gained enough speed and altitude. This is the best way to enjoy your vacation. In this sport you can see your surroundings from a bird’s eye view.
Sea kayak:
It is another option in adventure sports to enjoy the beauty of this pearl of the Indian Ocean. The best way to practice this sport is to kayak from St Antoine to Ile d’Ambre, an islet off the northeast coast of Mauritius. On the west coast you can visit Tamarin, here you have the opportunity to see spinner dolphins. Warwick Bay is another destination for kayaking.