10 Best Underwater Activities in Mauritius
Dive Into the Blue
Mauritius is known for turquoise lagoons, but the real magic begins the moment you look beneath the surface. Bright fish weaving through coral patches, rays gliding gracefully, sunlight shifting through shallow water - the island’s marine life feels calm, colourful and surprisingly easy to experience.
What makes underwater activities here so special is how accessible they are. Whether you’re a confident swimmer or someone who prefers to stay close to the surface, there’s always an option that fits your comfort level. Some experiences are relaxing and gentle, others more adventurous - but all of them reveal a different side of the island.
If you’d like a bigger overview of what’s possible, the Underwater Activities - Submarine, Sea Walk & Snorkelling category is a great starting point to understand the full range of experiences available.
So, ready to explore the lagoon from a new perspective? Let’s count down the 10 best underwater activities in Mauritius, from unique adventures to easy favourites.
10. Submarine Underwater Trip
There is a quiet magic to descending beneath the surface in a real submarine. You stay completely dry and comfortable as the blue deepens around you, and the world outside the windows begins to shift. On the Submarine Underwater Trip, the lagoon becomes a slow underwater movie - calm, colourful and strangely peaceful.
As you reach around 30 metres below, the light softens and the reef appears like an underwater landscape. Schools of fish drift past lazily, corals rise from the seabed in soft shapes, and if you're lucky, a turtle or ray moves across your field of view with that graceful, unhurried rhythm that exists only underwater. It’s a gentle experience, perfect for families, non-swimmers or anyone who wants to explore the deep without the gear.
If you are spending time in the north, the Grand Baie area is worth exploring too, as it’s home to many of Mauritius’ most popular water-based activities - but the submarine remains one of the most relaxing ways to see what lies beneath.
9. Underwater Photography
There is something special about taking photos underwater - the colours feel richer, the fish get surprisingly close, and every shot looks like a small glimpse into another world. Whether you're using a GoPro, a waterproof case or a professional camera, underwater photography in Mauritius turns simple moments into vivid, memorable captures.
One of the best ways to enjoy this experience is through the Mauritius West Coast Boat Cruise with Underwater Photography. Calm waters, great visibility and lively marine life make the west coast a dream setting for capturing underwater scenes. As you drift along the reef, you’ll spot schools of fish, coral structures glowing under the sunlight and those soft, shifting blues that make lagoon photography so rewarding.
The pace is relaxed, giving you plenty of time to adjust your frame, float gently and wait for that perfect moment when everything lines up - light, movement, colour.
8. Snorkelling
If you are looking for a calm, beautiful way to explore the lagoon, snorkelling is one of the easiest and most rewarding underwater activities in Mauritius. With just a mask and fins, the world beneath the surface opens up - bright fish weaving through the corals, shafts of light dancing across the seabed, and that peaceful feeling you get when you float slowly above it all.
Some of the island’s best snorkelling spots are on the north coast. The Coin de Mire Private Snorkelling Trip is a favourite for its crystal-clear water and colourful coral formations - an unforgettable moment for both beginners and experienced snorkelers.
For travellers who prefer to stay close to shore, our Beaches in Mauritius guide highlights some of the calmest, clearest lagoons that are perfect for simple, relaxed snorkelling sessions.
7. Discover Scuba Diving (Introductory Dive)
If you have always been curious about scuba diving but never tried it, a Discovery Scuba Diving session is the gentlest, most welcoming way to begin. It is calm, guided and designed for beginners - the kind of experience where you ease into the water, breathe slowly and realise how peaceful the underwater world can be.
Mauritius makes this first dive especially easy. The lagoons are warm and clear, and most intro sites start in shallow water where you can take your time. The Mauritius Diving category is a great place to explore the different beginner-friendly options available around the island.
If you want to understand the best regions and what you might see below the surface, the Diving in Mauritius guide gives a simple breakdown of the top spots and ideal conditions. And for travellers taking their very first steps underwater, a Try Dive for Beginners in Mauritius - West Coast is the perfect way to explore safely with an instructor right at your side.
6. Flat Island Diving & Snorkelling Day Trip
This full-day experience to Flat Island blends adventure with some of the most rewarding underwater landscapes in the north. After setting off from La Cuvette, the cruise gives you open views of the northern islets before reaching clear waters where snorkellers and divers can explore rich coral formations, dramatic edges and marine life that feels wilder than in lagoon areas.
Once back on land, the atmosphere shifts to something quiet and remote - soft white sand, turquoise shallows and a relaxed BBQ lunch served in true island style. During whale season (July to October), sightings sometimes happen on the return trip, making the experience feel even more special.
You can learn more through the Flat Island Diving & Snorkelling Excursion with Lunch.
5. Sleep With the Sharks - Odysseo Immersive Experience
If you’re looking for an underwater moment that feels truly different, Sleep With the Sharks at Odysseo is one of the island’s most surprising experiences. You spend the night inside the oceanarium, surrounded by soft blue light and sharks gliding quietly past the glass - peaceful, surreal and completely unforgettable.
After a guided evening tour, you settle into the underwater tunnel where the ocean’s calm rhythm becomes part of the atmosphere. It’s a rare way to see marine life after dark, all in a safe and comfortable setting right in the heart of the capital.
If you’d like to explore more of the city around the oceanarium, the Port Louis Discovery Tour pairs perfectly with this experience. But the Sleep With the Sharks adventure is the one that stays with you long after the night ends.
4. Seabob Adventure
If you’ve ever wanted to glide through the lagoon with ease, the Seabob Adventure is one of the most thrilling ways to do it. Fast, smooth and incredibly fun, it lets you cruise on the surface or dip just below to follow fish and feel that quick burst of underwater freedom.
It’s simple to control - hold the handlebars, lean gently, and let the seabob pull you effortlessly through clear, warm water. For travellers planning a full day of activities, the Mauritius Tours & Excursions page is a great place to pair this with other adventures. But if you just want pure fun, the Seabob Adventure delivers every time.
3. Underwater Sea Walk
The Underwater Sea Walk is one of the easiest ways to explore the lagoon without needing to swim or dive. With a helmet that lets you breathe normally, you walk on the sandy seabed as colourful fish swim right around you - calm, slow and surprisingly magical.
The experience is especially popular on the East Coast, where clear water and gentle currents make everything brighter and easier to enjoy. If you’re exploring that side of the island, our Belle Mare Beach page is a great reference point for the coastal area where many sea walks depart.
For anyone who wants to see marine life up close without learning to dive, the Underwater Sea Walks are one of the most accessible and memorable lagoon activities.
2. Semi-Submarine Trip (Nessee)
If you want to explore the lagoon without getting wet, the Semi-Submarine Trip (Nessee) is one of the easiest and most relaxing ways to do it. From your seat just below the surface, wide glass windows reveal colourful fish, soft coral gardens and the peaceful movement of the lagoon - almost like watching an underwater movie.
The boat moves gently, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the scenery. It’s calm, comfortable and ideal for families, non-swimmers or anyone who simply wants a clear view of marine life without diving in. If you’d like to pair this with more ocean-friendly experiences, our Sea & Water Activities Guide is a great place to explore what else the lagoon has to offer.
As a standalone activity, the Semi-Submarine Trip (Nessee) remains one of the most enjoyable and effortless ways to discover Mauritius’ underwater world.
1. Glass Bottom Boat - Blue Bay Marine Park
Blue Bay Marine Park is famous for a reason - clear turquoise water, bright coral formations and some of the most colourful marine life on the island. The Glass Bottom Boat Trip is the easiest and most family-friendly way to enjoy all of it. You sit comfortably as the reef appears right beneath your feet, turning the lagoon into a vibrant window of fish and coral.
The water here is incredibly clear, so you get beautiful views even without getting in. But most trips also give you the option to snorkel, letting you slide into the lagoon and see the park’s bright coral gardens up close. It’s relaxed, scenic and perfect for couples, families and first-time explorers.
If you’re spending time in the area, the Mahebourg page gives you more ideas around this charming coastal village. But if you’re looking for a calm, beautiful and iconic lagoon experience, the Glass Bottom Boat at Blue Bay is the one that deserves its place at the top of this list.
Chart Your Underwater Adventure
Mauritius offers underwater experiences for every kind of explorer - from calm glass-bottom moments to exciting night dives and unique encounters at Odysseo. Each activity shows a different side of the lagoon, and together they create a journey you’ll remember long after you return to shore.
If you’re ready to plan your own underwater adventure, our Mauritius Tour Planner makes it easy to combine activities and build a day that feels just right for you.


