No trip to the island of Mauritius – synonymous with powdery white sand that gives way to the azure blue waters of the Indian Ocean – would be complete without time spent at the beach. But if you’re looking for something more, Mauritius offers a range of activities that are sure to keep you happy, whether you’re on a romantic getaway, on vacation with the family or on an adventure trip for one. Here’s our list of five things to do on the island.
1. Explore the seabed in a submarine
If you’re keen to explore the sea but don’t want to get into a diving suit or breathe through apparatus, enjoy the underwater wonders on a Blue Safari Submarine instead. An easy yet exciting way to see the Indian Ocean seabed, this submarine is air-conditioned and seats nine people and the captain. It’s also pressurised so you don’t feel uncomfortable as you slowly descend to a depth of 35 metres. On the way down, you’ll see schools of colourful fish, eels and even some turtles – so don’t forget your camera. The guided tour visits a shipwreck, explores the coral reefs and makes a pit stop at the anchor of a 17th-century galleon. The entire trip takes two hours, of which you spend 45 minutes underwater. You can also book a submarine for a romantic underwater lunch for two.
Blue Safari Submarine, Coastal Road, Trou aux Biches, Mauritius
blue-safari.com | bluesaf@intnet.mu
2. Interact with the big cats
Don’t miss out on an opportunity to get up close and personal with the big cats at Casela World of Adventures. During this one-of-a-kind activity, you’re allowed to get near enough to touch and take pictures with majestic big cats including lions, tigers, caracals and cheetah. Once you’re done with the safety briefing, the handlers accompany you into the enclosure where you interact with your choice of cat. None of the animals are forced to interact with visitors, and in the extremely rare case that the cats don’t like you, you’re asked to leave. The more adventurous can also choose to walk with the younger lions and enjoy their playful nature as they climb trees and roll about on the ground.
If you’re travelling with kids who don’t meet the height or age requirement for this activity, you can still enjoy watching the cats as you drive through their 12-acre habitat or while seated atop the viewing platform. These are popular activities, so it’s best to book in advance.
Casela World of Adventures, Henrietta, Vacoas-Phoenix, Mauritius
caselapark.com | booking.casela@caselapark.com
3. Ride a Seakart
No visit to Mauritius would be complete without sampling this adrenaline-packed activity. The Seakart will have you bouncing off the waves, wind in your hair, while you enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the natural lagoons along the southwest coast of the island. A cross between a jet ski and a speedboat, the Seakart is spacious, incredibly stable and easy to drive, eliminating the various safety issues associated with this kind of sea vehicle. It seats two adults and one child, so you can enjoy a day out at sea with your with friends or family.
Fun Adventure Mauritius, Grande Riviere Noire, Mauritius.
fun-adventure.mu | contact@fun-adventure.mu
Read the full article with even more fun things to do in Mauritius in our August/September issue!
