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In Mauritius, an Indian Ocean Island nation, Mahebourg Bay is located in the south eastern part of the island. The bay hosts a tiny patch reef, which is located less than a mile from the seafront and accessible only by boat. In the heart of the bay is an anemone garden that hosts large communities of Mauritian clownfish. This reef is definitely one of Mauritius’s best-kept secret spot for snorkeling.

A snorkeler at Mahebourg's anemone garden
A snorkeler at Mahebourg’s anemone garden.

How to go snorkeling at the Anemone Garden

The Anemone Garden is located less than a mile off Mahebourg seafront. The easiest way to snorkel this location is to book a tour from Mahebourg. It will cost you around euro 30 ($30 USD) per person for a 2 to 3 hour tour. Most tours include 3 locations: the Anemone Garden, Trou Moutou and Courant Zaigrettes.

You can book it from local operators in Mahebourg or ask fishermen on the waterfront. Make sure that you only go with a tour  boat that has a commercial permit to do the trip (those having the prefix PC, not PPC, on their boat).

The Anemone Garden snorkeling map, Mahebourg

Water entrance for snorkeling the Anemone Garden

You will enter the water directly from the boat.

The Anemone Garden snorkeling exploration tips

The garden is located in a patch reef that lies in the lagoon, in an area that is sheltered from the waves and currents. The water depth ranges from 12-20 ft in the anemone garden itself, but is surrounded by shallower reef areas.

Mauritian anemonefish
Mauritian anemonefish are the main attraction of the location.

In the center of the garden, a coral outcrop has numerous sea anemones fixed on it. Most of them host communities of Mauritian clownfish, endemic to the Mauritius and Réunion Island. This location is, without a doubt, is the best around the island to observe this iconic species.

School of scissortail sergeants
Scissortail sergeants abound in the shallower parts of the reef.

On the reef, you will observe a wide variety of fish including needlefish, schools of juvenile barracudas, damselfish, sergeant majors, and dozens of other species. The reef features table coral, as well as small patches of branching and fire coral. You may spot a sea star or a group of urchins in the sand of the reef.

Brown mesh sea star
A brown mesh sea star noted in a sandy area.

Accommodation and catering near Mahebourg Bay

Ask for details about what is included in your tour when booking. As this spot is relatively close to the shore, tour duration generally does not exceed 2 to 3 hours (half-day).

 

  • Level required Intermediate
  • Maximum depth25ft/8m
  • Water entranceEasy, from a boat
  • Potential DangersFire coral
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersLow
  • Access costsSnorkeling tour price (from €30pp.)

MAP Spot

These spots are accessible to anyone with basic snorkeling skills, and feeling comfortable in the water and with his snorkeling gear. You will enter the water from the shore (beach, pontoon, ladder, rocks) or from a boat. The water height in the sea entrance area is reasonable, but you will not necessarily be within your depth. Moderate currents can occur in the area, even when the sea conditions are good. The distance to swim to reach the most interesting snorkeling areas of the spot does not exceed 200 meters.

This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.