Water sports and leisure activities South

Totof is a local figure and a pioneer of tourism in the bay. 20 years ago, he had the idea to build a glass-bottomed boat to discover the wonders of the most beautiful marine park in Mauritius. The boat is still there, with the addition of motorboats to discover Ile aux Cerfs and/or the islets of the South-East with Vanessa and Virginie, Totof's daughters who have taken over: picnics and BBQ, swimming, lazing around, snorkeling... all personalized to the maximum, far from mass tourism.

A special mention for this 36-seater catamaran, the only one in Mauritius to use renewable energy - solar panels to recharge the batteries and hydro-electric regeneration by the propellers. We appreciate the environmental awareness and the quality requirements of the teams during the daily cruises organized between Mahébourg and Ile aux Cerfs, via the estuary of Grande Rivière Sud Est. BBQ buffet lunch on board, snorkeling, time to relax and enjoy water sports at Ile aux Cerfs.

This is the best Mauritian school of wingfoil, the trendy board sport, a subtle combination of SUP and kite which is practiced with a small board equipped with a foil (to fly above the water) and a wing (or directional wing not connected to the board and which is held by a boom or handles). The learning process is relatively simple and fast, especially under the guidance of Jean de Falbaire (Mauritius champion, in contention for the 2024 Paris Olympics) and his instructors.

Less known than the Morne in the south-west or the lagoon of Anse la Raie in the north, much less frequented as well (it is one of its assets), the spot of the Pointe d'Esny-Mahébourg is nevertheless ideal for the practice of wingfoil and board sports in general. We are on the largest lagoon in Mauritius, a huge body of water blessed with regular winds and whose depth rarely exceeds two meters. The foilers love it and often meet in this shallow part called the pool which has hosted the Hydrofoil Pro Tour several times.

For beginners the conditions are ideal, but also to progress, or simply to have fun, especially during downwinds and foil expeditions of several hours proposed by the club which is pleased to be able to propose "a 30 kilometers board"!

Of course, you can rent equipment on site and take advantage of it to test the latest Duotone brand. If the wind sulks and/or the weather is gloomy, the center offers several alternative activities: SUP, wakeboarding, wakefoiling.

A child of Mahébourg, Jean Claude, with the help of his faithful second Robert, is the only boatman on the island to offer 100% sailing trips on a wooden pirogue specially designed for leisure sailing. Larger than average, stable and equipped with a colorful sail, the boat can accommodate up to 6 people for exclusive outings to be booked as a duo, with family or friends. People come from all over the island for this beautiful excursion and to share a typical moment with Jean Claude and Robert who are outstanding skippers who know how to combine the pleasure of sailing with a unique experience. We are in the heart of the largest lagoon of the island, under the care of Jean Claude who was a windsurfing and swimming champion and takes us diving with mask, in complete safety, on his own sites. Whether it's in the morning or in the late afternoon until sunset, the walk is always punctuated by a break for drinks and snacks - good wine and homemade snacks.

In the same spirit, Eric, Jean Claude's son, organizes private day trips by speedboat to Ile aux Cerfs via the islets of the South East. An accomplished fisherman and sailor, Eric, like his father, has a great knowledge of the sea that he shares with a small number of vacationers each day by mixing cultural discovery of the sites of the Southeast, snorkeling on spots, and lunch with his feet in the water on a "secret" beach.

It is the most spacious catamaran on the island, a mythical racing boat that has sailed the oceans under the leadership of great sailors such as Florence Arthaud. An exceptional boat, exclusive services for day cruises, much more upscale than the average: number of seats limited to 24 people for larger spaces, lounges, bean bags, bar, more varied choice of beverages and finer dishes, wider range of activities (including giant buoy and paddle). VIP service and staggered hours for less traffic. Great!

In Mauritius, everyone knows the dolphins of Tamarin, but few know that other groups frolic between Bel Ombre and Le Morne without the hindrance of incessant traffic like in the West. Namori organizes exclusive observation sessions on private boats (10 people max.) with snorkelling and a trip to Tamarin if the dolphins aren't in Le Morne. For day trips, the skipper pushes on to Roche Crystal and then to the islet of Bénitier for lunch. A leisurely return to the lagoon along this beautiful, unspoilt southern coastline.

This very good center is run by Mukesh Buldewa who manages several other clubs around the island. Open to PADI and CMAS divers, it offers serious training in these two schools, as well as explorations on all the surrounding sites. Children are welcome from 7 years old. For freediving enthusiasts, the club also offers snorkelling lessons. Another branch in the area, at the Peninsula Bay Resort in Blue Bay, under the name of Blue World Explorer Mauritius - www.blueworldexplorer.com

It's the only diving club in this part of Mauritius, open to all, including hotels in the area. Well-equipped, it offers all PADI, SSI and CMAS courses from age 7, as well as first dives, day and night dives and snorkeling courses. Instructors are highly qualified and well-informed. Other branches of the same group (same rates, same services) in the west at Flic en Flac at the Hotel Anelia and in the east at Solana Beach.

Here's a quality club located on an ideal spot for progress: vast lagoon, cross-shore wind, uncrowded area and offshore waves for experts. Lessons at all levels for everyone aged 7 and over, taught by experienced IKO or VDWS-certified instructors. Also kite equipment rental, windsurfing lessons, surfing lessons on nearby Sancho and Macondé islets - ideal spots for beginners.

The club also rents out paddles, offers wake sessions and exclusive private boat trips (fishing, sunset), including dolphin trips.

One Love's fuchsia pink speedboats cruise the turquoise lagoon of the south and offer the colours of a beautiful day of discovery of one of the most fabulous coastal areas of Mauritius. In the morning, snorkeling in the marine park of Blue Bay or Trou Moutou, then exploration of the islets of the South-East, navigation to the waterfall of Grand Rivière Sud-Est (with swimming on the site), lunch at Ile aux Cerfs, then relaxation and swimming near Ile aux Aigrettes on the way back. Privatization possible on request (full boat).