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Location North
Operating Days Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Duration 2 hrs
Activity Time 07:30 - 16:30
Transportation Offered as Supplement
Comment This activity is weather dependent.
Location
North
Operating Days
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday
Duration
2 hrs
Activity Time
07:30 - 16:30
Transportation
Offered as Supplement
Comment
This activity is weather dependent.

from 84€

Contact Us

+230 269 1000 Send Message
Overview & Highlights
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Swim with Turtles at Balaclava Marine Park - Overview

Mauritius Attractions offers you the opportunity to swim and snorkel in one of the sites famous for the sighting of turtles! This activity is ideal for animal and sea lovers who would love to go on an epic adventure at sea. Dive into a world of marine wonder and get the chance to witness life at the reefs and spot turtles!

Balaclava is renowned for its exceptionally remarkable underwater ecosystem. Grab this opportunity and enjoy an exciting boat ride in the north of Mauritius, swim in the reefs and be mesmerised by the surreal world unfolding before your eyes. The area you will be taken to is densely populated with different types of turtles such as the Hawksbill turtles or the Green Sea turtles.

Even though this sea trip is mostly about swimming with turtles you will have the chance to watch other creatures in the colourful underwater world the site has to offer.

Highlights of this activity:

  • Get the opportunity to swim in one of the most coveted Marine parks at Balaclava, North of Mauritius
  • Enjoy a boat ride in the north, taking in the beautiful scenery until you reach the snorkelling site
  • Live an extraordinary experience swimming with turtles
  • Be mesmerised by the surreal colourful and underwater flora and fauna
  • Get the chance to spot unique marine animals only known to exist in that region

What's Included
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Swim with Turtles at Balaclava Marine Park - Inclusions

  • Swimming with turtles
  • Boat ride to swimming/snorkelling site
  • Snorkelling equipment
  • Safety equipment included
  • Professional guide to accompany you at all times

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Transportation & Driver Details
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Transport is available for an additional supplement and will include pick up and drop off from any hotel / place of accommodation in Mauritius.

Car Capacities

You can choose from a selection of vehicles types:

Family Car - Up to 4 passengers
6 Seater vehicle - Up to 6 passengers
Minivan - Up to 10 passengers
About the Drivers

All drivers speak fluent English and French (Upon special request we can organize drivers who speak additional languages). The drivers, citizens of Mauritius, will be happy to provide you with information about Mauritius and each of its sights.

All drivers are very professional, time efficient and friendly. There is high emphasis on being always on time and providing reliable devoted service to customers.


Meeting Point & Times
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Meeting Point:

Pointe Aux Piments

Start & End times:
Operating Time:  07h30 - 16h30
Operating Days:  Monday to Saturday 
Duration: 2 hours

 


Full Description
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Swim with Turtles at Balaclava Marine Park

The Mauritian sea never fails to surprise! This package will allow you to discover the fascinating marine beauty the Mauritian waters can offer - you will be able to swim with turtles in the Marine Park of Balaclava and even enjoy a snorkelling break.

You will begin this adventure with a boat ride departing from Pointe Aux Piments towards the swimming/snorkelling site. As the engine roars and you start cutting through the surface of the water, you’ll feel an incredible rush, leaving behind the shore.

The waters in the north of Mauritius are warm all year round, making it the ideal place for turtles to find abode. People love snorkelling at this particular sight as the visibility underwater is fairly high. The seamounts give rise to an exceptional underwater spectacle with fishes and coral reefs adding colours to this deep blue part of the lagoon. The coral bed is magnificent and it is home to multi-coloured fish, eels and of course turtles!

The reef is home to a variety of fish species that include Damselfish, Surgeonfish, Butterfly fish, juvenile Sailfin tangs, as well as tiny Pipefish and large Trumpet fish. The reason you embarked on this adventure remains the turtles, which will not miss the opportunity to swim past you while going on their underwater daily errands!

However, as hard as it might be, you will have to resist the urge to touch them as they might be frightened. It would be best to admire them while keeping a safe distance.

About the Turtles in Mauritius

Green Sea Turtles

Green Sea Turtles are widely known because their smooth teardrop-shaped shells make them the largest shelled sea turtle in the world. These remarkable gentle giants can reach up to 1.2 metres in length and can weigh as much as 200 kg. Although large in size, Green Sea Turtles are generally quite shy herbivores. Surprisingly, green turtles got their name because of the green colour of their fat and cartilage – not the colour of their shells.

Hawksbill Turtles

The Hawksbill is identified by its curved beak and is slightly smaller than Green Sea Turtles. A Hawksbill shell is also known to change colour slightly depending on the temperature of the water. The hawksbill is one of the smallest species of marine turtles, with adults measuring about 75-90 cm in length and weighing around 70 kg. Indian Ocean turtles tend to be smaller than their Pacific and Atlantic counterparts.

Olive Ridley Turtles

The name for this sea turtle is tied to the colour of its shell—an olive-green hue. They are the smallest of the sea turtles, weighing up to 45 kg and reaching only about 0.6 metres in shell length. These turtles are solitary, preferring the open ocean. They migrate hundreds or even thousands of miles every year, and come together as a group only once a year.

About Balaclava Marine Park

Stretching over an area of 485 hectares, the Balaclava Marine Park, is one of the few protected marine parks in Mauritius - the first national marine park since 1997. These warm waters are home to about 430 different marine creatures and almost 200 types of coral - expect to come across numerous schools of fish, turtles, colourful coral reefs and other marine life.


Comments & Notes
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  • Participants must be physically fit with knowledge of swimming.
  • A waiver form must be signed before the activity.
  • Snorkelling equipment is provided and is cleaned & sanitised after each use.
  • This is a weather dependent activity.

Note: There is a high probability of seeing turtles. However, there will be no refund or rescheduling if they are not spotted


Prices
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Swim with Turtles at Balaclava Marine Park   
Price per Participant - Shared Basis  84 Euros / Pax
Up to 4 Participants - Private Basis  280 Euros

 


Booking Attributes

Booking Attributes

1Select Attributes

Total Price

2Choose Booking Option

When booking for a specific date, you will be asked to enter your preferred date for the activity, as part of the order process. This option will entitle you to reserve your place for this activity on a specific preferred time and date that best suits you, provided that you confirm the availability with one of Mauritius Attractions’ agents firsthand. Please note that in case you order any activity which takes more than 1 day, the preferred date represents the date on which you would like to start the activity.

OR

(Valid for 3 months)

By ordering an Open Voucher you will be able to choose your preferred date for this activity during a later stage (when you already have full knowledge of the schedule for your trip) and not during the order process. This way you benefit maximum flexibility regarding the date of the desired activity. The open voucher can be used to go on this specific activity during a period of 3 months from the date of its purchase. To learn more about the option of an open voucher, please read our Order & Payment Methods page.

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