Sports and leisure activities Tamarin

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..

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 !

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.

Open to all and not necessarily to specialists, spinning fishing is considered even more sporting and physical than big game fishing. It is not practiced offshore, but directly from a small boat anchored to the reef or even standing in the water, balancing on the reef. Wearing large boots, the participants (never more than two at a time) fish with a cast or a fly directly in the drop-off that follows the lagoon. The catches are obviously less imposing than in the open sea (we mainly target jacks weighing from 2 to 40 kg), but they must be mastered and reeled in directly, without any harnessing or assistance.. The fisherman has to fight against the currents, the force of the waves crashing on the coral reef, the weight of the beast fighting for its life... The sea spray slams into your face, the rocks give way under your steps, the sea wraps around your waders, and sometimes even a shark attacks the catch you are trying to hook. In short, it's great sport and certainly a true condensed sensation!

As far as logistics are concerned, Dominique provides a service tailored to the client's expectations and takes care of everything: choosing the site according to the day's tide, the moon, the swell, etc., picking up the fishermen directly from their hotel, providing equipment, accessories, boots, drinks and snacks... All you have to bring is sun cream, Polaroid lenses, a change of clothes and towels.

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.

This is a short but steep hike for good walkers only. Remember to take water! In places, ropes help you up and down. At the start, walk along the left-hand side of the reservoir for about 20 meters, past a low wall and then a wire fence. Once you've passed the fence, walk along it until you come to a sign indicating the "z path". Follow this path to the top, where the 360° panorama of the lagoon and mountains is well worth the effort! Return down the same path.

Created by Anne and Elodie, two adventurous and sporty friends, this local company with well thought-out services offers outings and experiences that are respectful of the environment and off the beaten path: Moris out of the Box. From yoga sessions on the beach or Pilates in the forest to trail immersions, through multi-activity days with the family or cultural discoveries, the offer is vast and adapted to all types of expectations, whether you are looking for an emotional thrill, a challenge or just a good time with friends in an atypical place.

On the program: moderate level canyoning, a superb guided hike to the 7 waterfalls, walks in the south, climbing of several "summits" (from the moderate Le Morne to the very technical Pieter Both with climbing on the last section), via Ferrata on the pan of Mamzelle Zabeth in the west, paddle boarding at sunset on the Tamarin River, dugout canoeing in the Mahébourg lagoon in the south-east, swimming with horses at La Preneuse, etc. In short, a lot of what the island has to offer in terms of relaxing and/or sporting activities

In the best of: kayak trips as early as 6am in the morning in the Tamarin lagoon to see the sun rise over the ocean and hope to meet the dolphins in a gentle way, far from the noisy ballet of boats of all kinds. A 2h30 trip with a walk on the Tamarin River and a Mauritian breakfast served directly in the kayak!