ADVENTURE
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THRILL
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The island’s diving opportunities include wrecks and canyons in the west and northern islands, and the chance to see sharks, turtles, eagle rays, and moray eels. Dive centres cater for all levels and often offer PADI courses. The clearest waters are found from November to April. The island’s best snorkelling spot is Blue Bay Marine Park. Non-divers can try aqua scooters and undersea walks. Deep-sea sport fishing is popular on the west coast, while windsurfing, glass-bottom boat trips, snorkelling, waterskiing and kayaking are complimentary at most hotels, and standup paddleboarding options are growing.
INSPIRE 24
ith its volcanic landscape, safe beaches and tropical climate Mauritius is a playground for visitors in search of thrills.
Popular island playground Ile Aux Cerfs offers watersports parasailing, water skiing, wakeboarding banana rides, ziplining and golf
NAUTICAL ADVENTURES
Take a ride on the wild south side with ElectroBike Discovery from Chamarel, Souillac or Le Morne Brabant, tasting local specialties on route
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An early-morning trip to swim with and watch wild dolphins play in Tamarin Bay is a must. Or take a spin along the scenic southwest coast on a sea kart (like a jet-ski but safer and more comfortable). Catamarans visit pristine islands while powerboats whisk guests to remote islets.
LAND LUBBERS
Scooter and bike hire is popular on the south and east coasts, with Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort the first to offer electric bikes. Guests
can ‘swim with horses’ at Maritim Resort & Spa in Turtle Bay, where archery is new this year. A new bike tour to Domaine de Wolmar from Maradiva Villas and Sands Suites takes in Java deer, monkeys and wild boar in the forest while Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Spa Resort has new jeep safaris in the Frederica Nature Reserve.
SMOOTH OPERATORS
There are DIY hiking trails in the Black River Gorges National Park and cycling or canyoning island-wide. Yanature (trekkingmauritius.com) offers The Slave Route (Le Morne Brabant), Into the Jungle (Tamarind Falls) and the Black River Gorge National Park. Vertical World (verticalworldltd.com) takes families to Discovery Canyon at Tamarin Falls and includes abseiling waterfalls, a riverwalk and a zipline. Yemaya Adventures (yemayaadventures. com) offers biking tours, while cultural cycling trips from My Moris (mymoris.mu/en) combine a former sugar estate with a gourmet lunch.
ECO-HIGHS
Eco-parks offer hikes, quad biking, horseriding and mountain biking, while Casela World of Adventures on the west coast features wildlife safaris, ziplining and canyon swinging. Domaine de L’Etoile in the southeast has buggy rides and, horse riding. Domaine de Chazal offers river trekking, canyon swims and the longest zip-line in the Indian Ocean.
7/25/17 04:50 PM