Underwater Waterfall Mauritius

Visit Spectacular Underwater Waterfall Mauritius

 

If you fly over the gorgeous turquoise waters off the southwest coast of our island, you will notice what appears to be an underwater waterfall in Mauritius. It may seem dramatic, but you can swim and surf over the ‘waterfall’ below. Here’s what you should know…

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Is there an underwater waterfall in Mauritius?

You may have seen your fair share of waterfalls around the world. You may even have seen some of the waterfalls plunging down the lushly forested slopes of our own tropical island. But chances are you haven’t seen an underwater waterfall.

 

How does the underwater waterfall work?

Mauritius and its neighboring islands, notably La Reunion and Rodrigues, were produced by volcanic activity beneath the sea. This occurred around 8 million years ago (Earth is approximately 4.6 billion years old), making Mauritius a relatively young island.

The Mascarene Islands (or Îles Mascareignes) are located on a submarine plateau, commonly referred to as an ocean shelf. The shelf is no deeper than 150 metres below sea level, but the drop-off extends to depths of almost 4000 metres. So it’s not water pouring over the drop-off and plummeting to a depth of 4000 metres; its sand and silt deposits near the end of the marine shelf are pushed off the edge by ocean currents. Instead of an underwater waterfall, it’s more like an underwater sand fall.

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Where is the undersea waterfall?

This natural wonder is located southwest of Mauritius, offshore from the Le Morne Peninsula, 150 metres below sea level. Another of the island’s greatest attractions is the majestic Le Morne Brabant Mountain, which stands over 500 metres tall and is a Unesco World Heritage Site.

There is even more fascinating natural activity here thanks to two highly rarely seen plant species: the mandrinette (Hibiscus fragilis) and the national flower, Boucle d’Oreille (Trochetia boutoniana).

How can I see the underwater waterfall?

You can get a very rough idea of the waterfall by hiking up Le Morne Brabant. From the summit of the 500-meter peak, you’ll have amazing views of the island and the reef that surrounds it.

However, only flying over the underwater waterfall allows you to observe its exact formation. Helicopter sightseeing tours can take you high above this natural phenomena, giving you a bird’s-eye perspective of the Le Morne Peninsula and the dazzling lagoon, as well as the opportunity to try to understand nature’s immense strength. You can even charter a private seaplane and have a thrilling water take-off.

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FAQ: Is the underwater waterfall real or fake?

This stunning underwater waterfall located on the shores of Le Morne Brabant, on the southwest coast of Mauritius, is an optical illusion and not a real underwater waterfall like the Denmark Strait.

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