Sports and leisure activities West Coast

THE hiking specialist in Mauritius, the one who has given the most impetus to this hobby from the outset, is Yan, a lovable Mauritian who is keen to help people get to know his island better through beautiful guided walks with commentary, at different levels. Respecting ecosystems, his team of professional guides offers a wide range of excursions throughout the island, including bird-watching treks for enthusiasts.

Yan also organizes tailor-made trail running sessions and offers kayak trips in Tamarin - river and/or sea to see dolphins.

At the back of Le Morne, in a wild and unhotelized section, a vast lawn extended by a shallow-water lagoon ends in the ocean - the place known as La Prairie. It's from this exclusive site, one of the most beautiful on Mauritius's southern coastline, that Lagoon Flight's pilots take off their small seaplane-ULMs. As well as climbing into this type of aircraft and taking off directly from the water, which is an experience in itself, you soon reach the most astonishing of Mauritius's "aquatic" sights: the famous underwater waterfall of Le Morne, an optical illusion that can be seen from the sky alone. The shortest flight, 15 minutes, offers a beautiful glimpse of this impressive natural illusion, and also of the mountain of Le Morne - a steep rocky mass hemmed in by a sublime lagoon. Longer (and therefore proportionately more expensive) flights of 25, 40 or 80 minutes can depart from La Prairie or, on request, directly from the lagoon in front of your hotel - classy! They allow you to take in a wider range of landscapes and sights: the South and East coasts, coastal villages, Blue Bay Marine Park, Souillac and Souffleur cliffs, etc. - A wonderful souvenir, in complete safety, thanks to the pilots' experience and the comfortable stability of the Sirius TL Ultralight.

For an additional €50, you can fly side-by-side (2 microlights). Flights are subject to the vagaries of the weather, so it's best to book in advance to benefit from a postponement in case of rain.

Created in 2008, this excellent center advocates flexibility and safety above all. Established in the immediate vicinity of a large variety of sites (caves, drop offs, wrecks...), it is managed by a team of experienced and passionate instructors, who provide PADI courses and training of all levels (from Bubblemaker and baptism to PADI Divemaster). Lessons are given in French, English and German and children are accepted from 10 years old. On the program: exploration dives to discover wrecks, underwater cavities, shark sites, etc., trips to iconic sites such as Cathedral (famous for its caves, its light shows, its high density of fish) or Silvana (for its sea turtles), night dives...

The club also offers a range of exclusive outings for a minimum of 4 people (family, friends): safaris combining 1 or 2 adventure dives and a barbecue on an islet; a discovery of the mythical Passe Saint Jacques and its stingrays; multi-activity packages for intense and varied fields days combining diving, surfing, kayaking with a lunch break at the Veranda hotel. A la carte rates on request.

More unusual: night snorkeling open to non-divers and preceded by a boat ride at sunset. Or the underwater wedding proposal at a "romantic" location chosen according to the diving level of both partners. Rates on request.

The JPH team members, who generally grew up in the area, have known dolphins since their childhood. They offer a privileged encounter with the cetaceans, both by boat and by swimming. The objective is to go to the bay early enough around 6 or 7 am (before the big catamarans arrive), and to observe the mammals underwater with a mask and a snorkel, and a red buoy for safety - we underline this because it is rarely the case. On board a small speed boat, we try to find a group of morning dolphins. We approach them with the boat and we slip into the water as gently as possible to follow the cetaceans. The latter, used to men, let themselves be approached with pleasure. If you keep a certain distance of a few meters, you can often accompany them for several minutes at a time to observe their behavior underwater. As soon as they accelerate, all the best crawlers in the world can do nothing: the space empties in a few seconds and you have to get back in the boat to find the group or to spot another one. You don't need to be a good swimmer: either the dolphins are calm and move at a slow pace and you can see them very well with the mask while staying on the surface; or they try to move away and disappear in a few seconds - a vision that is both fleeting and long-lasting, and that will be etched in your memory..

A Unesco World Heritage site, Morne Mountain is open to all, and has been designed for walking. The climb, which is quite steep at the end, offers the reward of a spectacular panorama from the near summit. From the parking lot, take an easy path for around 1h45, which narrows in its second section and finally becomes steep. At this point, you may have to climb, using the ropes provided. If you're prone to vertigo, the climb ends here! At the top, the 270-degree view is breathtaking. Allow 1h15 for the descent.

This 18-hole golf course bordered by several kilometres of beaches lies at the foot of the Morne mountain: a site! Designed to fit in perfectly with the 150-hectare private peninsula that houses the Paradis Beachcomber hotel estate, this magnificent course covers 5,924 metres and is a pleasant championship course with 5 water hazards and 9 holes lined up along the coast. On site: driving range, putting green, pitching green, club-house, bar, Golf Academy under the guidance of a pro - private lessons for golfers of all levels.

This highly professional club specializes in teaching kitesurfing to beginners, and is run by Jean-Charles and Keylendo, certified instructors (BPjeps & IKO). It organizes courses on the Le Morne spot and jet-boat lessons on the more exclusive site of La Prairie - that sublime shallow calm-water cove at the back of Le Morne, away from the other schools and the sometimes crowded One Eye spot. Once you've taken your first lessons and are ready to take to the water, you'll be assisted by an instructor on a turbine boat specially designed for teaching kitesurfing in the lagoon. 2 to 3 sessions are offered per day, with a maximum of 3 students per lesson. In order to learn and evolve in optimal conditions, it is also possible to privatize the boat. The school's objective is to enable trainees to become autonomous in complete safety. F-One and/or Mystic equipment is supplied, but you'll need sunglasses, sun cream and neoprene booties if necessary. The club also offers stand-up paddle lessons (always on the calm lagoon at the back of Le Morne) and can take care of the whole holiday - apartment rental, pick-up, kiteboarding course... Please refer to the Son of Beach agency and store on La Gaulette's main road.

Bonus: a permanent test center at the tip of Le Morne offers free trials of Ozone kites and Ozone, Redz and AlMerrick boards - a privilege reserved for experienced riders.

During the austral winter, you can surf one of the most beautiful lefts in the world. The rest of the time, the bay is ideal for learning or improving. Nothing could be easier under the guidance of Cyril Thevenau, a big name in Mauritian surfing, renowned for his technique and a French state diploma (he has trained several champions in Reunion Island). This is an opportunity to learn or improve in this sport which mixes the search for balance and sharing with the energy of the sea. Top address !

At the foot of the mountain, this superb stud features several stalls, a sand arena and a club house for a dozen horses and ponies. The manager and her team run the center with passion. The services are 5*, reserved for a maximum of 10 riders, always supervised by an instructor and a groom. Lessons are available, but the main attraction is a 30-minute to 2-hour horseback ride on the trails of Le Morne and, above all, on the pristine beach beside the hotels. Swimming in the lagoon with the horses is available on request.

It's the best spot on the island, and the only one with an international reputation in discerning circles. With a very good south-easterly wind that accelerates at the south-western tip, it is named One Eye in reference to a hole that pierces one of the flanks of Le Morne mountain (have it pointed out on site to see it) and also because its wave forms an eye as round as a spiral. Fast and powerful, it is reserved exclusively for experienced sportsmen or well-trained amateurs. At coral reef level, very large waves can form, up to 7 meters on the best days! At the same time, strong currents sweep the reef outwards. It's a wild ride, but also a dangerous one - some adventurers have lost their lives. To avoid accidents and optimize the operation of the site, its management has been entrusted to Club ION - formerly Club Mistral International, one of the main leaders in the gliding market. At the same time, a number of other clubs offer good courses to IKO standards, including for beginners, who can learn close to the coast in an area large enough for safe progress.

Tip: you can try out most of the year's models of kites, surfboards and boards free of charge at the spot and at the equipment truck set up during the day at the tip of Le Morne public beach - a welcome initiative from the Le Gall and Duotone stores.

This excellent independent club is run by a no less excellent professional of this sport: Christophe Pelicier, son of an underwater fauna specialist having identified several rare or endemic local specimens. You will dive here with great connoisseurs, in small groups, in a spirit of sharing and proximity. Quality services: day and night dives, first dives, dives for children or disabled divers, CMAS training. Two trips per day at 8am and 11:30am. Excellent teaching methods.

A special mention for this Scubapro center, a pioneer of its kind in Mauritius, created in 1977 by the great Pierre Szalay, a French 3-star CMAS instructor and founder and president for many years of the Mauritian Diving Federation (MSDA). Although Pascal Ava and his team have taken over, their professionalism and high standards continue to make the club one of the best on the island. On offer: a wide range of underwater explorations for beginners to advanced divers, CMAS training up to level 4, PADI up to Dive Master, Nitrox diving... Recommended!

Well-known in Mauritius, this excellent coarse fishing club founded by two enthusiasts is respected and admired by all coarse fishing enthusiasts for its high standards, the professionalism of its crews, and its exceptional fishing (jigging, trolling, casting) - all signs of a well-mastered technique and quality equipment.

The club also offers dolphin and whale-watching sessions, with a scientific approach and respect for mammals. Boat trips can also be customized on request.

A unique way to discover the mythical, Unesco-listed mountain of Le Morne is to climb it with Yan, THE trekking specialist in Mauritius, or with one of the guides in his team. For a long time, only Yanature, a pioneering company, had exclusive rights to the site. Sport and culture in equal measure, with explanations of the flora, fauna and the site itself - a steep, wild mountain with a special ecosystem and a breathtaking view of the lagoon and Mauritius's south and west coasts from the cross 500 metres up.

Ex-Club Mistral. The name has changed, but not the teams or the philosophy that make this brand a strong value in the world of snow sports. Starting with state-of-the-art equipment that's completely renewed every year. Super-professional instructors with international diplomas give surf, kitesurf, windsurf and wingfoil lessons at all levels, in several languages, in groups, semi-groups or individually on request. For windless days and/or non-sailing companions, the club offers stand-up paddle rentals and/or lessons.

On a former hunting ground of more than 200 hectares crossed by the Rampart river, it is a championship golf course between sea and mountains, designed by Rodney Wright. Magnificent ancestral trees, rocks, panoramas on the western relief and the ocean at your fingertips: a choice setting graces this 18-hole par 72 of 6,886 meters long, with 5 types of possible tee-offs. On site: driving range, putting green, golf academy with service of a PGA pro, clubhouse with pro shop, bar, locker rooms and a very pleasant restaurant, the Dix-Neuf.

Thanks to the quality of its services, this family-run company has become the leader in nautical activities on the west coast and part of the island. In addition to operating nautical bases, it offers a wide range of sports and leisure activities from its La Balise Marina pier.

Catamaran day cruises aboard the superb Madiana, boats for 15 to 30 people, which can also be privatized with skipper for 1 or more days. A 2-day/1-night package along the west coast aboard a Nautitech 475 with 4 double cabins and 4 bathrooms. Low-cost cabin departures available for 2 or 3 couples.

Privatespeedboat excursions by the hour or day to see Tamarin's dolphins, discover the west coast, snorkel spots or enjoy a BBQ break on an islet. You can also take a trip to the north to discover the islets of this region.

Luxury canoeing in a Bennington Poonton Boat for those who prefer comfort to speed, the quiet refinement of a platform boat like a floating lounge with deep armchairs. Space, elegant materials, smooth sailing... for a few hours of pure idleness on the lagoon.

Big-game fishing aboard the Moana under the guidance of highly skilled crews, as the club is reputed to be one of the best in Mauritius, originally founded by 2 eminent specialists in the discipline, and organizers of major competitions.

Forerunner of catamaran cruises on the island over 37 years ago, Océane is one of the leading historical companies for this activity. In the West, a typical cruise includes Tamarin Bay and its dolphins, the white seabed of Le Morne, Islet Bénitier, Roche Crystal and, of course, snorkeling and a delicious BBQ lunch. Océane also offers cruises, à la carte or in small groups, enriched with a range of experiences linked to well-being, culture and history, or moments of adventure and sport. One of a kind!

In Mauritius, and even beyond thanks to the impact of social networks, lovers of glamorous tropical underwater photos have been liking and commenting on Cédric's shots for years, and the privileged experience offered by Vitamin Sea: seeing dolphins, swimming alongside them and immortalizing the moment with professional photos taken from just a few meters away. And since Tamarin, the territory where the cetaceans roam, is stormed daily by dozens of boats, we head off to Le Morne, where other groups of dolphins frolic more peacefully. This is Vitamin Sea's DNA: exclusivity. No large groups, the fast, comfortable boat is privatized for a couple, a family or a group of friends, who can choose between several experiences: an early-morning swim with the dolphins followed by a snorkeling session on a spot (3h); a full day with picnic on Ile aux Bénitiers (7h); a sunset cruise; a catamaran cruise...

More unusual: private photo sessions on the white seabed of Le Morne. This exceptional environment is enhanced by Cédric's art of advising poses while embellishing the "décor" with delicate plant touches, like these fuchsia petals elegantly set against the turquoise of the water... Young girls and couples alike love it, especially as Cédric knows how to build confidence and make the moment charming - see Instagram, TripAdvisor, Facebook...

Adrien's Dream is one of the best operators on the West Coast. Given the amount of abuse that goes on when it comes to dolphin excursions, we recommend the excursions of this human-sized company, whose crews are concerned about the environment. Outings take place on comfortable motorboats (with toilet facilities on board) that can accommodate 6 to 13 passengers, and can be privatized on request. The most popular activities: swimming with dolphins in the early morning from 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. and a day meeting sperm whales with snorkelling and lunch.