Water sports and leisure activities West Coast

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..

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 !

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!

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.

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.

This small multi-leisure centre allows you to make the most of the natural heritage of this part of Mauritius: by mountain bike for a free ride along the coast or to explore the National Park with a guide; by kayak or stand up paddle to go up the estuary of the Tamarin River (mangroves) or to approach the dolphins in the early morning; by motorboat at dawn to swim with the dolphins or by day to extend the outing by snorkeling on the reef and a BBQ lunch on the Ile aux Bénitiers. Also free kayak, paddle and mountain bike rental.

On superb recent or new Nautitech catamarans, this company offers cruises of several nights to the four corners of Mauritius with crew (skipper, and preferably also cook for a real vacation) and activities. In short, turnkey cruises, at a rate no higher than that of a stay in a hotel of good standing, with the added exclusivity of : a lagoon as far as the eye can see for oneself in the morning and at the end of the day when the other boats are at the quay; the possibility of seeing dolphins outside the hours when the other boats are chasing them; the possibility of discovering the numerous and famous islets surrounding Mauritius when they have been emptied of their vacationers; the happiness of being often alone to anchor in dreamy bays and coves etc.

In addition to the pleasure of sailing, each stay is based on scuba diving and/or shore excursions. The entire boat can be privatized or, to benefit from more advantageous rates, you can travel by cabin - with people you don't know at first but who share the same vacation philosophy. Several packages are offered on the website, such as the Discovery Cruise: a one-week tour of the island with 2 scuba dives per day supervised by an instructor + guided excursions to discover the main sights and beauties of the island.

Sea Spirit, and this is very rare, also offers expeditions in the wild and preserved archipelago of Saint-Brandon for an ultimate experience!

Specialized in the sale and management of boats, this highly qualified company organizes private cruises tailored to the 4 corners of the island: by the day, by the weekend, by the week, by sailboat or catamaran. Everything is possible: from single charter to a complete stay, meals included, with crew and activities à la carte.

Exclusive and high-end: superb half or full days for 2 to 10 people on a luxury yacht, a superb Gran Tursimo 40 to sail in style on the magnificent West lagoon or to the Northern islands.