SOFT ADVENTURE
Soft adventure ADVENTURE’S SOFT SIDE
Although celebrated for its beaches, Mauritius is far from being a ‘fl y and fl op’ destination, with plenty to do on both land and sea.
IT’S A mecca for watersports enthusiasts, with non-motorised watersports such as snorkelling equipment, kayaking, windsurfi ng and pedaloes, complimentary at most hotels. Increasingly, waterskiing and glass-bottom boat trips on the coral reef are also thrown in for free. Trou Aux Biches, Pereybere and
Sporting season
Diving is best November-April; kitesurfing May-October; big game fishing October-April; and surfing at Tamarin from June-August. Outdoor adventures are best in the cooler, drier months of June to September, when there are few mosquitoes and the best holiday bargains.
Top Ten Soft Adventures: • Quad-biking in Frederica Nature Reserve
• Scuba diving islandwide • Ziplining at Le Chazal • Kite-surfing at La Morne • Mountain-biking with Yemaya Adventures
• Swimming with dolphins in Tamarin • Canyoning or climbing with Otélair Ltée • Catamaran cruises to offshore islands • Lion encounter at Casela Nature & Leisure Park
• Underwater walk in Grand Baie
Grand Baie and Ile aux Cerfs offer great snorkelling although the best underwater scenery is found at National Marine Parks, Turtle Bay and Blue Bay. With some of the Indian Ocean’s best dive sites, PADI dive centres are found at most leading resorts – including at the new Trou aux Biches and Long Beach – with sites for beginners to advanced divers. Le Morne is the world’s third leading spot for kite surfi ng, with a sheltered lagoon – and schools such as Club Mistral – catering for beginners and ‘One Eye’, which hosts the annual World Cup Kite Surfi ng competition. There’s also big-game fi shing. Grand Baie is the island’s
epicentre for water-based activities, offering everything from parasailing to submarine cruises past ancient shipwrecks. Non- divers can try Captain Nemo’s
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“Mauritius offers plenty for those with a sense of adventure. The day-long trip to Ile Aux Cerfs by catamaran is a must, Casela Nature & Leisure Park offers the chance to walk with lions and scuba diving courses for beginners are available.”
Deborah Wadhams, Product Executive – Indian Ocean, Gold Medal
Solar Walk along the ocean fl oor or hop on a unique semi-submersible scooter with an oxygenated helmet, to glide past curious tropical fi sh. Catamaran trips to offshore islands are a romantic favourite for couples. The most popular, after Ile aux Cerfs, is dolphin- watching in Tamarin bay. Tamarin also has a surf school for beginners as well as board hire for more seasoned surfers. Hotels and resorts
continue to add new and exciting excursions. The latest include an exclusive daily swimming with wild dolphins excursion for guests at Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa and ‘Create Your Own (CYO) Domaine de Bel Ombre Discovery’ inspired by the
www.tourism-mauritius.mu
elements at Heritage Resorts in Bel Ombre. ‘Air’ options include kite- surfi ng, parasailing or paragliding from the C Beach Club. ‘Water’ options include a paddle boat trip on the Citronnier River. Land sports at hotels and resorts include everything from world- class golf to tennis – often complimentary – with academies on site. Le Touessrok offers Matt Roberts Personal Trainers and Maritim has its own equestrian centre. Guests at
Beachcomber’s eight hotels can go mountain biking,
kayaking and abseiling in its Sport & Nature Programme.
Mauritius offers a host of activities above and below the Indian Ocean’s warm blue waters
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