Activities

Mauritius is a place where you'd be as much as home doing nothing or alternatively busy all through engaging in activities.  Being an Island water sports is a natural choice. Most hotels provide some sort of water sports complimentary (Typically Banana boat ride, snorkeling, Glass Bottom). This is to warm you into other paid activities such as Under Sea Walk, Paragliding. All beaches have some activities company linked to a hotel travel desk that conducts these activities. However they can do it independently as well and not via the hotel travel desk, however there was no difference in the tariff and so one can do either ways.

Mauritius Undersea Walk

15 minutes peek into the world of zebra fish

Quality of sea water is clean and pure and therefore Glass Bottom and Snorkeling is really good fun. Zebra Fish was the most found around Grand Bay area. However Ile Aux Cerf (East) and Le Morne Peninsula (South West) are known to have a larger and more spectacular variety of marine life on display. Under Sea walk is another activity that is seen to be believed. Without wetting my hair, I could go 10 feet below water and literally feel the hundreds of fish around me. Quite an amazing experience (No Swimming required). Snorkeling requires an ability to adjust with the mask and breathe. Once you get accustomed to that then the amazing under sea marine world awaits you. 

Glass Bottom as seen from the Boat

Glass Bottom View

The East, The South West and The South have the best waters for underwater sports. However for first timers or those who are there for fun, Grand Bay and Flic-en-Flac and other areas are good as well.

As for Scuba Diving, there are companies that handle Scuba diving which is done all over at Mauritius. Scuba Diving is more specialised and serious activity. Its difficult to say if which one of the Lakshadweep, Andamans, Phuket, Maldives, Seychelles and Mauritius offer better experience. However as an experienced Scuba diver would agree, they all have their own charm. 

Paragliding involves lifting you above the sea on a moving speed boat. Idea is to give you a aerial view of the area. It requires good equipments to handle this safely and smoothly. All over Mauritius, the equipments used were sparkling new (Like the cars) and automated and seemed to meet with safety guidelines.

A submarine ride is also something guests love. Blue Sub-marine is now a very popular service and runs small submarines that take you to the bottom of the sea, up close with the rich underwater marine life.

Windsurfing is popular in Grand Bay Area. One can also charter a boat having a few cabins for a cruise ex-Mauritius. Deep Sea Fishing is another sport popular with Europeans that is conducted in the South of Mauritius. 

Paragliding

Windsurfing

Banana Boat Ride

The Black River Gorges National Park has a lot of treks around it which can be undertaken. A Typical one is a half day 4-hour one for the beginners. An another one is for 6 hours and is for those who like to rough it out a little. There is another one around the Chamarel area that guests like. 

Gambling on Horse racing is a popular pastime for the locals. However those who wish to ride horses themselves then around the Black River Gorge in the South West, Le Ranch  conducts Trail Riding, Show Jumping, Horse-ball, Dressage etc. Casela Bird Park has some interesting activities such as ATV rides and a programme called "Walk with the Lions" where you actually have one and a half hour walk with a tamed lion !

Black River Gorge Waterfalls - a popular trek route

Chamarel - Seven Coloured earth - a popular trek route