Kayaking in Mauritius
Including Blue Bay Marine Park, Tamarin Bay and Black River, and Île d'Ambre and Northern Islets. On the map.
The vibe
Paddling here involves threading through dense mangrove mazes and crossing turquoise lagoons where you can look straight down at rays gliding over the sand. Early mornings during the calmer shoulder months offer glass-flat water before the afternoon trade winds kick up across the channels. It feels like an easy, self-guided adventure that you can pick up straight from the beach with minimal fuss.
Blue Bay Marine Park
Mauritius
otterboris / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Explore the crystal-clear, protected waters of Blue Bay Marine Park on Mauritius's southeast coast. Kayakers can peer through transparent waters at vibrant coral gardens and rich marine life just offshore.
Access. Glass-bottom kayaks and standard sit-on-top rentals are readily available at Blue Bay public beach from local vendors.
Notes. Marine park rules apply; do not stand on coral or touch marine life. Ideal for beginner to intermediate paddlers.
Tamarin Bay and Black River
Black River
Walter Schärer / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Paddle the calm coastal waters of Tamarin Bay and up the meandering Tamarin River estuary. This west coast spot offers scenic mountain backdrops and frequent encounters with wild bottlenose and spinner dolphins in the bay.
Access. Kayak rentals and guided lagoon tours operate directly from Tamarin beach and Black River. Half-day excursions can be booked through local watersports operators.
Notes. Best paddled in the early morning before afternoon sea breezes pick up. Suitable for all skill levels in the estuary; open sea requires caution.
Île d'Ambre and Northern Islets
Rivière du Rempart District
gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Navigate the sheltered mangrove channels of Île d'Ambre or embark on more adventurous crossings to northern offshore islets like Coin de Mire and Île Plate. This area provides a mix of tranquil inland waterways and open-sea island touring.
Access. Guided sea-kayaking expeditions depart regularly from Grand Gaube and Cap Malheureux, providing all gear and safety equipment.
Notes. Open ocean crossings to outer islets require a guided tour and confident open-water paddling skills due to changing currents and swells.