When you hear the name Mauritius, you immediately think of coconut palms towering over unspoilt, white sandy beaches where honeymooners cavort. Windsurfers immediately think of the famous One Eye wave, a reef break for experts only, which adorns the covers of countless surf magazines worldwide. But Mauritius is much more than just waves and honeymoons. The coral reefs transform the ocean swell into some of the best waves in the world while creating idyllic, shallow lagoons with crystal-clear water, a freeride paradise for every pleasure surfer and the whole family.
The diversity of the country is reflected in a wide range of impressions, textures and flavours and offers a true outdoor paradise that can be explored both on and off the water. From swimming with dolphins, refreshing under waterfalls to getting to know thousands of endemic species of hibiscus, orchids and colourful birds. Mauritius is an outdoor paradise that will leave you tanned, smiling and recharged from everyday grey life.
We have explored these 7 spots for you:
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All topics in the Spot Guide Mauritius:
The history of the island
The island nation of Mauritius lies in the centre of the Indian Ocean and borders the French island of La Réunion to the east of Madagascar. It was discovered as a favourable stopover on the trade routes from Europe to Asia - a location that has left behind a painful past on the one hand, but is also reflected in cultural diversity today. First discovered by Arab seafarers and later by Portuguese traders, the island was first colonised by the Dutch, who also gave the island its name. After the Dutch, the French developed the island, now known as Ilede-France, into a strategically important harbour for maritime trade. It became an important port for the slave trade, as slaves were first imported from Africa and later cheap labour from India. This labour force populated the island - at times 80 percent of the island's inhabitants were slaves or their descendants. The island eventually became the property of the British, who restored the original name of Mauritius. Over time, slavery was abolished and Mauritius proclaimed its independence in 1968.
The peninsula on the south-western tip of the island with the imposing Le Morne Brabant mountain, which today forms the unmistakable backdrop to our water sports paradise, is also a symbol of resistance against slavery. Its geography served as a refuge for people escaping slavery. On the day slavery was abolished, armed officers climbed the mountain to announce their freedom to the escaped slaves. But in a dramatic misunderstanding, the former slaves threw themselves to their deaths from the steep cliffs of Le Morne to evade capture - a tragic end to a dark moment in the country's history.
With its storied past and cultural influences from so many parts of the world, Mauritius today is a juxtaposition of colours and flavours coexisting in one of the most peaceful countries in the world, offering visitors from all over the world a true taste of the exotic.
The discovery of waves
Surfing arrived on the shores of Mauritius in 1962 - thanks to Joel Rosnay, a Mauritian who discovered surfing in France. The first surfboards arrived from South Africa and Australia, and the locals joined in to ride the waves of Tamarin. In 1974, the famous surf film "The Forgotten Island of Santosha" was filmed here - and when it turned out that Santosha was in fact the island of Mauritius, the surfing world gathered at the perfect reef breaks surrounding the island. We were told that this inundation of surf tourism led to a radicalisation of the locals. The infamous White Shorts are an aggressive gang of surfers - with people from all over the world settling in Mauritius and protecting their local breaks.
Windsurfing also quickly gained a foothold on the idyllic coast of Mauritius. In 1994, the young local Bonoit Bouchet entered the history books of windsurfing with the famous crossing from Le Morne to the island of La Réunion - 170 kilometres on the open sea with his Fanatic Mega Cat. After seven and a half hours, he arrived on the shores of the neighbouring island. Fortunately, windsurfing in Mauritius today takes place in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Mauritius - a freeride paradise
Today, surfing and windsurfing are the main attractions at various locations on the island, which is not hard to believe given Mauritius' crystal clear waters, tropical temperatures and postcard-perfect beaches - the perfect setting for any kind of water sport. While Mauritius is best known for its world-class wave spots, the shallow lagoons are often forgotten. The same coral reefs that turn the ocean swell into a wave surfer's dream also protect the lagoon from the ocean's energy, creating a shallow, paradisiacal playground for any regular windsurfer who enjoys gliding through the crystal clear, turquoise waters. The extensive shallow water lagoons are swept by the same south-easterly trade winds as the waves, making them a dream for freeride lovers and freestylers. When the wind picks up in the late morning, the coast transforms into a windsurfing paradise where you fly over the clearest water you've ever seen, with colourful coral heads passing under your feet at an incredible pace. As you plunge your hand into the water to feel the speed between your fingers. The majestic coastline with its lush vegetation and imposing mountains is mesmerising - and the warm air invites you to glide over these natural pools for hours.
Every single moment in Mauritius, I knew I was experiencing one of the best journeys of my life. Every second in the water I felt happy and blessed to be there. After a month surrounded by the most breathtaking landscapes, gliding over turquoise waters, riding the waves of my life and watching the reef pass under my feet. Feeling the sun on my skin and the fresh air on my face, tasting all the exotic and tropical flavours - and going to bed every night with a big smile and completely destroyed from windsurfing, I knew that this was only the first of my trips to this amazing island. There is still so much I want to do in Mauritius.
The best windsurfing spots in Mauritius
1st Le Morne
The main windsurfing scene is in Le Morne on the south-western tip of the island, in the shadow of the majestic Le Morne Brabant mountain. If you're looking for a relaxed family windsurfing holiday, this is the perfect place to set up home base and possibly take some trips to other parts of the island. Here, the south-easterly trade winds that blow sideshore over the sheltered lagoons accelerate, while wave surfers set off from the same beach for the famous waves of Manawa and One-Eye. The spot offers everything from your first steps on a windsurfing board to freeride sessions across the lagoon, a few jumps or first wave rides at Little Reef and the perfect waves of Manawa that you will remember for a lifetime.
In Le Morne, the lush vegetation accentuated by the steep mountain ridges, together with the palm-fringed, white sandy beaches, provide a breathtaking backdrop as you jet through the sheltered waters of the lagoon. Shades of green and turquoise mingle beneath your board as you surf over the famous underwater waterfall. There's a reason this area is the centre of windsurfing in Mauritius, and it's simply because of its natural beauty and the consistency and variety of conditions it offers.
There are a number of hire centres with rigged equipment here, as well as surprisingly affordable luxury hotels right on site. Luckily for windsurfers, the windy season is also the low season for tourism, so there are some great package deals for the windsurfing trip of a lifetime. If you want to take lessons, the Ion Club offers a wide range of windsurfing, kitesurfing and wing-foil equipment and excellent instructors. The wind picks up slightly during the morning, making it a paradise for beginners in a light breeze. Here you can take a boat to the outer reefs to start SUPing or surfing early in the morning.
For flatwater freeriding, both the kite lagoon on the windward side of the peninsula and the main lagoon from the public car park in front of the RIU hotel leading to One-Eye offer great flatwater jumps with an easy launch from a sandy beach with no shorebreak.
If you want to try your hand at wave surfing, you can gain your first experience at Little Reef within the lagoon before venturing out to Manawa to ride the wave of your life. On smaller days, Manawa is the perfect beginner wave, but you'll have to share it with dozens of other windsurfers, kiters and wingfoilers. Manawa is a fun, relatively forgiving wave when it's smaller - with a nice big channel to get out safely after the ride. But as soon as the swell picks up, it's a completely different story. More than 1.5 kilometres off the coast, the spot turns into a mountainous water park for experts. The strong current that sweeps out through the channel as the water from the breaking swell flows back into the open sea can be life-threatening. Very experienced windsurfers can also head slightly downwind to the infamous OneEye, a fast, flat wave that leaves no room for error and runs onto an extremely shallow, sometimes dry, coral reef. This wave is best left to the experts, but you can watch it safely from the sheltered waters inside the lagoon.
Whether you're staying at one of the local hotels in Le Morne or travelling by car from La Gaulette, you'll find a grassy spot to rig up for an easy start - and a nice place to spend the day on the beach where the wind isn't blowing so hard. There are often food trucks nearby offering delicious lunches at very reasonable prices, and the beach itself has a great atmosphere.
2nd Pointe d'Esny
Pointe D'Esny is located in the south-east of the island, close to the airport, and works in any wind direction from south-east to north-east. The lagoon, or The Pool as the locals call it, is wide and unspoilt - the perfect spot for freestyle, slalom, speed, but also for learning. At high tide, it is always better to ride over flatter areas of the lagoon. There is also a specialised kiteboarding school here that offers all kinds of foiling courses. Pointe d'Esny is also the starting point for a fantastic 25 kilometre downwinder trip to Ile aux Cerfs, a truly magnificent experience. There is a beautiful hotel directly on site: the Preskil Island Resort.
3rd Ile aux Bénitiers
We had the opportunity to windsurf a few times in the beautiful lagoons behind the Ile aux Bénitiers, in front of the village of La Gaulette. Visiting the famous Crystal Rock is a must for many tourists in Mauritius, and there is no better way than windsurfing to get close to the rock. The lagoon here is deeper than most other spots in the area, so you don't have to worry about touching the bottom with your fin - and it's even deep enough to foil. It works in different wind directions, even if the wind is too southerly for Le Morne or too northerly on a slightly blustery day. The lagoon offers beautiful colours even on cloudy days, and it's a welcome change to surf in deep water without the crowds. Plus, there's just something very special about jibing around the picturesque Crystal Rock.
4th Anse la Raie
Anse La Raie on the northern tip of the island is a good alternative to the many hotels in the north of the island. There is an outer reef 2.5 kilometres away, which forms a large, sheltered and not too shallow lagoon where you can let off steam 300 days a year with constant sideshore winds. It is a very safe spot that even has some small waves on the outer reef for advanced windsurfers. There's an Ion Club right on site, which has only recently reopened after the pandemic, but you'll only find kitesurfing and SUP equipment here. In Anse La Raie you will have a slightly different experience than in the south, because in the north of the island the nightlife in the nearby tourist stronghold of Grand-Baie is raging - if you want it to.
5th Belle Mare
Belle Mare, south of Poste Lafayette, also has a huge lagoon with unspoilt water - perfect for slalom, freestyle and freeriding. Here, too, it is best to surf only at high tide to avoid the risk of ploughing up the bottom.
6th Poste Lafayette
The coastal village of Poste Lafayette on the north-east coast of Mauritius offers excellent conditions for freeriding at high tide. The spot is usually not crowded and you have the lagoon to yourself - definitely a change from the lively scene around Le Morne.
7th Bel Ombre
On the south coast of the island, just a few minutes east of Le Morne, the expansive lagoon is another freeride paradise with waves further out on the reef. Here, too, there are good yet affordable hotels right on site. In Bel Ombre, you should plan your sessions during high tide, as the lagoon gets pretty shallow for the longer fins.
Legend for the spot ratings
Area information Mauritius
Airlines
From Europe, there are direct flights with Condor, Air Belgium, Austrian Airlines and Evelop - as well as connecting flights with Turkish Airlines, Emirates and Saudi Arabian Airlines. Find out more before booking at Airline Baggage Fees about the fees for windsurfing luggage. Airport transfer: Your hotel or landlord can organise the airport transfer. Or you can contact Sion Tour Ltd.if you are flying with windsurfing equipment.
Car hire
There are the usual car hire companies, but many flat landlords can also offer a car hire package ( Sion Tour Ltd.). This is often much cheaper than car hire. If you bring your own equipment, you will either need a pick-up truck or ask for a roof rack. Mauritius is a safe country, but it is recommended that you unpack your equipment from the car overnight or park it in a guarded driveway.
Windsurfing season
The south-east trade winds are at their best in the winter of the southern hemisphere (April to October). This direction comes into Le Morne, the island's favourite windsurfing spot, sideshore from the left and usually blows at 15-25 knots during the windy season. The local effect of Le Morne Brabant mountain tends to speed these winds up a little, so any forecast from this direction, even if it only shows 10-12 knots on Windguru, is likely to be enough to get you out on the water. The shallow inland lagoons are perfect for freeriding, which means you can stand up in most areas of the lagoon - but also that you need to be careful in lower tides. As some coral heads in the lagoon get quite shallow at low tide, it's best to schedule your sessions between low and high tide to have a larger sailing area. Without having to worry about touching the fin.
Own material or rental material
A number of airlines flying to Mauritius allow you to bring your windsurfing equipment at favourable prices, but check the current windsurfing fees before you fly. There is no place to store your equipment on the beach. So if you bring your own equipment, you will have to transport it in a hire car.
For larger freeride equipment, it's usually easiest to hire it from a windsurfing club on the beach - such as the Ion Club, where a whole range of sail sizes are rigged and ready to go, and the hire service includes a rescue boat in case anything goes wrong. Sion Tour Ltd. also offers the hire of special high-end wave sailing equipment, but you will have to transport it to or from the beach yourself.
Security
If you are surfing on the reefs of Manawa and One-Eye, remember that the lifeboat service ends at 5pm. Even if you're surfing inside the lagoons, it's a good habit to leave the water when the rescue service ends. This is because the wind can drop abruptly in the evening and the current can pull you out through the channels into the open sea. The safety service is included for ION Club customers.
Windsurf/surf shops
If you need spare parts or accessories, you'll find everything you need in the Tou Korek Surf Shop in La Gaulette.
Neoprene
From November to April, the Mauritian summer months, you don't need a wetsuit as the water heats up considerably. A lycra is useful as sun protection. From April to November, you should take a shorty or at least a neoprene top with you, as it can get a little chilly in the evening.
Boards
Waveboards 70 to 110 L, Freeride 95 to 140 L
Sail
Wave 4.0 to 5.3 m2, Freeride 5.5 to 8.0 m²
Centres/Schools
Le Morne Ion Club , Ion Club St. Regis , Sion Tour Ltd,Pointe d'Esny Specialised Kiteboarding (kitesurfing only), Ion Club Anse La Raie (kiting only)
Other activities
For the windless days, there are a variety of activities on the island that the whole family can enjoy.
Boat trips and whale watching
Explore the land from the water on a boat tour for snorkelling in the clear waters around Crystal Rock. SUP with dolphins near Tamarin Bay or go on a whale watching tour. Bart, a local kitesurfer and wing-foiler who you often meet at One-Eye ( Mauritius with Bart ), is a great guide for all these activities.
Hikes and waterfalls
The Black River Gorges National Park is a magnificent landscape with many scenic hikes where you can see waterfalls and endemic plants, rare orchids and beautiful tropical birds. Hike to the seven waterfalls or visit the Tamarind Falls or the Seven Coloured Earths in Chamarel - a truly unique experience. If you're a windsurfer, you should definitely climb the 556 metre high Le Morne Brabant, from where you have a breathtaking view of the turquoise lagoons and the perfectly breaking waves on the outer reefs of Manawa and One-Eye. I would recommend being accompanied by a guide - @vixvipservices will be happy to help you organise this adventure.
Port Louis
Founded in 1735 by the French colonists, the city today has a rich, multicultural element with strong Indian, Japanese, African and European influences. Particularly attractive are the central market and the Port Louis bazaar, where you can lose yourself among tropical fruits and spices. If you are in the capital, you should definitely visit China Town to sample the excellent food. Or visit the curious pharmacies, which also sell traditional Chinese herbs and medicines.
Sightseeing by seaplane
You start just a few kilometres from Le Morne and enjoy a spectacular view over Manawa and One-Eye. This is the only way to see the famous underwater waterfall, as the currents around Le Morne swirl the sand into a unique spectacle that can only be observed from the sky.
Temples, markets and villages
The Hindu temple Triolet Shivala and the Market Flacq, a beautiful and colourful open-air market, are a must for every visitor to Mauritius. The Dutch Ruins, one of the first Dutch fortifications in Vieux Grand Port, is one of the oldest settlements on the island. In Pointe d'Esny, you should also visit the wonderful market at Grand Port Bay in Mahebourg, where you can get a real feel for the real Mauritius with less outside influence.
Barbecues on the beach
As the weekend approaches, the beaches and parks along the coast fill up with music and good humour as locals head out to laugh, eat and spread good cheer all weekend long. Hindus, Muslims, Creoles and tourists come together to enjoy the treasures of the beach and the beautiful sunsets that Mauritius has to offer.
Accommodation
If you want to stay in the Le Morne area, you have the choice between an all-inclusive hotel directly on site - or hotels, villas or rental houses in Le Morne and La Gaulette, the nearest village.
La Gaulette is only a few minutes by car from the windsurfing spot and offers everything you need: supermarket, restaurants, surf shop, sail repair, etc. If you would like to rent a flat or a house, you will find all the information you need on Sportihome Rentals by local windsurfers who are happy to give tips and advice and may even accompany you to a session on the water. There are also many flats on Airbnb. Tom and Verena from Sion Tour Ltd. offer numerous services for windsurfing holidays in Mauritius, including accommodation, car hire and equipment hire.
If you prefer to stay directly on site in Le Morne, you're in luck, because the main windsurfing season is also the low season for tourism in Mauritius, so there are many offers for package holidays to hotels directly on site in Le Morne. The RIU hotel is located right on the spot, where you can rig up in the grassy garden - even the ION Club is located on the grounds of the hotel.
Of course, the major surf tour operators such as ION Club , Sun and Fun sports holidays and Surf & Action Company Complete offers for Mauritius.
Culinary delights
Mauritius offers great culinary diversity with a unique blend of fresh fish and tropical fruits influenced by its multicultural past. I would recommend going on a journey of discovery and exploring both the street food and the restaurants. There are food trucks on the beach that offer excellent fish dishes and fruit juices at very reasonable prices, so you can eat well in between. If you want to cook for yourself, the supermarkets are very well stocked and offer many exotic ingredients. Some windsurfers have also opened restaurants in the area that serve local fish and seafood, such as the delicious options at Wapalapam and Enso, as well as the offerings at Ocean Vagabond. And of course, you must try the local Phoenix beer and the famous vanilla-scented Chamarel rum.
Do not forget
The most important things include socks, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, a short wetsuit, lycra and an electrical plug converter. But don't worry if you've forgotten something, everything is available in the supermarkets and relatively cheap.
Local currency
1 € = 48.5 rupees MUR. Exchange at the airport or at an ATM.
Phone calls
You can buy a local prepaid SIM card in the supermarket at a very favourable price. Expect to pay around ten euros for 150 GB for 30 days. Make sure you bring your passport with you, you can only pay in cash. Providers include My.T and Emtel.
