This spot has been added by

stef le prof
stef le prof

2 spots added - 10 photos shared

Other contributors You can help us keep this page up-to-date by uploading your pictures to the photo gallery, or by sending us your comments via the contact form

Last updated on

Flic en Flac boasts one of the largest and most enjoyable public beaches in Mauritius. Its white sand is bordered by a beautiful lagoon, making it an inviting place for swimmers and snorkelers alike. Coral health is variable, but a large variety of fish live in the lagoon, and snorkelers can swim along butterflyfish, moray eels, filefish and even small groupers.

Vagabond butterflyfish
The vagabond butterflyfish is one of the most common butterflyfish species in the lagoon.

How to get to Flic en Flac snorkeling spot?

Flic en Flac is a small village located on Mauritius island’s West coast, about 20km South of Port-Louis and 30km North of Le Morne. Cars (including chauffeur-driven cars) can easily be rent on the island. Buses also stop at Flic en Flac, but travel times can be long. Once in Flic en Flac, walk to the north side of the public beach.

Flic en Flac snorkeling map

Entering the water at Flic en Flac

We advise to enter the water from the beach, more or less in front of Ocean Restaurant (see on Google Maps here).

Flic en Flac snorkeling tips

Flic en Flac lagoon is about 300 meters wide, but it is not necessary to get too far from the beach to start spotting interesting things. Only a few dozen meters from the shore, numerous coral clumps can be seen on sandy areas, attracting whitetail dascyllus, Moorish idols and butterflyfish (mostly racoon butterflyfish, vagabond butterflyfish and threadfin butterflyfish).

Hundreds of green chromis can also be observed at some places, especially around branching corals.

Chromis and moorish idol at Flic en Flac
A small group of green chromis (Chromis viridis) and a Moorish idol (Zanclus cornutus) swimming around a damaged massive coral at Flic en Flac

As one swims away from the beach, coral gets increasingly dense. Note that corals are quite deteriorated on this spot, just like it is on most Mauritian inner reefs. Their quality is better about 200m from the beach, where fine Acropora remain.

If you are a fit swimmer and if you have fins, one of the best options to enjoy this spot is to enter the water in front of the parking lot before swimming to the barrier reef and following it northwards.

Snowflake moray eel in Mauritius
Snowflake moray eels are sometimes noted outside their hiding place.

As you get close to the barrier, water depth decreases: do not venture in the shallowest areas, as you could get hurt as well as broke corals. Wrasse, schools of goatfish, small honeycomb groupers and rabbitfish are commonplace inside the lagoon. Watchful eyes can even spot small moray eels or lionfish hidden amongst corals.

School of goatfish at Flic en Flac
In some areas, the coral is still OK, and you can spot many fish around (here, a shoal of yellowfin goatfish, Mulloidichthys vanicolensis)

Mind the burrowing sea urchins covering some areas, sometimes close to the shoreline. Since the lagoon is frequented by boats, we advise taking a small diving flag along with you if you want to swim outside the swimming areas.

Accommodation and catering around Flic en Flac

There are many restaurants in Flic en Flac. The numerous food trucks set on the beach’s parking lot are an excellent, cheap option for those not willing to spend too much. Many accommodation options, fitting all budgets, are also available nearby.

 

  • Level required Intermediate
  • Maximum depth6ft/2m
  • Water entranceFrom a sandy beach
  • Potential DangersBoats - Divers-down buoy recommended outside the designated swimming areas
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersMedium
  • Access costsFree
  • Restaurants nearbyYes

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.