By Abigail Cattell
When it comes to watery fun, Mauritius
is one of the world's best destinations. Diving, snorkelling, windsurfing and
more - whatever you fancy you'll find it here!
Best for… Underwater Adventures
The beautiful tropical island of Mauritius is surrounded by a swathe of pristine coral teeming with colourful fish and floaty sea anemones. Have a James Bond moment as you and your partner don your breathing gear and jump aboard an underwater 2-man scooter to explore the breathtaking beauty of the seas. And for those who don't want to get wet, you can enjoy your deep sea adventure in a miniature submarine instead!
Best for… Finding Nemo
To really get up close and personal with the shiny tropical fish that dart in and out of Mauritius' beautiful coral fronds, why not try out a state-of-the-art helmet diving trip? These incredible helmets allow you to stroll around underwater in a clear, safe bubble of air without the need for cumbersome oxygen tanks. So even if you don't fancy diving, or don't have a PADI scuba diving qualification you can enjoy a similar experience without all that studying! Experienced divers are on-hand to ensure that your ocean walk goes smoothly. They'll even entice over shoals of multi-coloured fish with a few slices of bread - that gives a whole new dimension to 'feeding the ducks'…!
Best for… Dolphin lovers
Discover pods of these intelligent mammals as you take to the seas on a full-day catamaran cruise in the aqua-coloured waters. There will be plenty of opportunities for swimming and snorkelling in choice locations known for their beautiful coral and wealth of natural sea life. The crew know all the best dolphin hang outs and will also explain more about the behaviours and habits of dolphins in the wild. There are almost 40 varieties of this cute cetacean, although in Mauritius you are most likely to see pods of bottlenose and spinner dolphin.
Best for… Unchartered waters
Explore crystal clear waters and hidden sugar-white beaches on a two-day sailing trip aboard a luxurious catamaran. Sail to the spectacular, uninhabited northern islands: Gunners' Coin, Flat Island, Gabriel Island, Serpent Island and Round Island where you'll get to live out idyllic Robinson Crusoe fantasies - exploring secluded beaches, and swimming or snorkelling in the pristine lagoon. In the evening, the crew prepares a magical barbeque under the stars. Next day the sleek catamaran sets sail for the lively Grand Baie where, after lunch on board, you can explore the resort's boutiques.
Best for… Sporty sorts
Stay at the luxurious Le
Telfair on Mauritius' south coast, or exclusive Le
Touessrok Hotel on the east coast to take advantage of the area's off-shore
breezes with a range of wind related water sports. Both hotels provide free
equipment for windsurfing and sailing, as well as many other activities including
pedal boats, kayaking and water skiing. As an extra bonus - at Le Touessrok
you get to enjoy a 10-minute speed boat ride out to its water sports centre,
which is situated on nearby Ile aux Cerfs!
Fancy a Mauritius holiday? Check out our Mauritius
holiday offers now
Abigail Cattell is a freelance travel journalist who has written for Wanderlust,
The Guardian, ASOS Magazine and TTG Luxury