Snorkeling in Mauritius
Including Blue Bay Marine Park, Gunner's Quoin (Coin de Mire), and Roche Qui Pleure (Souillac). On the map.
The vibe
Stepping off the shallows places you directly into a bustling underwater highway of damselfish and striped corals, though heavier boat traffic near the main lagoons means you have to swim past the immediate wake for the clearest visibility. The shoulder seasons between monsoons offer the calmest surface conditions and the warmest water for extended floats above the reef. It feels very much like an accessible resort pastime, with plenty of operators running short boat hops out to the most reliable coral heads.
Blue Bay Marine Park
Mauritius
otterboris / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Located on the southeast coast of Mauritius, Blue Bay Marine Park features crystal-clear, protected lagoon waters and one of the island's most vibrant coral gardens. Snorkelers can easily spot dense branching corals, brain corals, and a high diversity of colorful reef fish in shallow depths.
Access. Glass-bottom boats and dedicated snorkel excursions depart regularly from the Blue Bay public beach, or visitors can wade in from designated shore entry points near the marine park office.
Notes. Marine park regulations prohibit standing on corals or feeding the fish to preserve the fragile ecosystem.
Gunner's Quoin (Coin de Mire)
Rivière du Rempart District
gailhampshire from Cradley, Malvern, U.K / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0)
Coin de Mire, located off the northern coast of Mauritius, features dramatic underwater rock walls and clear oceanic waters surrounding the island. Snorkelers exploring the shallow shelf near the cliffs encounter schools of pelagic fish and vibrant reef life.
Access. Visited via catamaran or speedboat day charters departing from Grand Baie.
Notes. Sea conditions can be choppy depending on wind direction; trips depend on favorable weather.
Roche Qui Pleure (Souillac)
Savanne
Lukas von Daeniken from Schweiz / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Located on the rugged south coast, the rock pools near Souillac offer a unique, sheltered snorkeling environment. These natural basins are filled with clear water and small marine life, protected from the crashing waves of the open ocean.
Access. Shore access via the coastal paths. Best visited during low tide when the pools are calm and accessible.
Notes. Only snorkel during low tide; the south coast waves are extremely powerful and dangerous at high tide.
Tamarind Bay
Black River
Sualkdd / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Tamarind Bay on the west coast of Mauritius is renowned for its calm sheltered waters and frequent visits by spinner and bottlenose dolphins. Snorkelers can join guided boat excursions into the bay to observe these marine mammals in their natural open-ocean habitat.
Access. Boat tours depart daily from the nearby village of Tamarin or Black River, offering guided excursions focused on marine wildlife encounters.
Notes. Approach guidelines apply to protect the dolphins; swimmers must follow operator instructions and maintain a respectful distance.
Île aux Cerfs Lagoon
Flacq
otterboris / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 3.0)
Situated off the east coast of Mauritius, the shallow lagoon surrounding Île aux Cerfs boasts remarkably calm, turquoise waters. It is an ideal spot for casual snorkelers looking to drift over sandy patches and scattered coral heads teeming with small tropical fish.
Access. Accessible via catamaran cruises, speedboats, or the public ferry from Trou d'Eau Douce, with snorkeling stops included in most day-trip itineraries.
Notes. Can get crowded with day-trippers during peak hours; early morning boat trips offer the best visibility and tranquility.