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Located on the rocky coast of southern Réunion Island, Manapany does not offer a sandy beach, but it has a seawater pool. The pool communicates with the open sea between the rocks, which allows many fish species to find shelter there. Although the seabed is quite poor and mainly rocky, snorkelers can often see in the pool small moray eels, Moorish Idols, and surgeonfish.

Manapany rocky pool, Reunion Island
Manapany’s rock pool.

How to go snorkeling at Manapany rocky pool

The rocky pool is located in Manapany-les-Bains, just before arriving in Saint-Joseph. The direction is well signposted from the main road. A parking lot has been set up on the right, near the beach, but it fills up very quickly on weekends. Once parked, walk down to the basin.

Manapany snorkeling map, Reunion Island

Water entrance for snorkeling Manapany pool

Stone stairs make it easy to get in the water. Be careful not to slip on the last steps. Do not get in the water if there are waves in the pool.

Manapany pool snorkeling exploration tips

The Manapany rocky pool is quite small. It measures approximately 75m long by 50m wide. The maximum depth in the pool is 8ft/2.50m.

Geometric moray in Manapany
Small moray eels (like this geometric moray) are pretty common in the pool.

You can snorkel throughout the pool, in which the underwater landscape is rocky, interspersed here and there with rare small coral. It is especially around the rocks bordering the pool that the underwater life is concentrated.

You are likely to spot schools of barred flagtail, many ebony gregory, blennies and dusky wrasse in these areas. Almost everywhere in the basin, snorkelers may also encounter surgeonfish and Moorish Idols, sometimes small trevally or cornetfish. By looking in the rocks, you may also spot a small moray eel or a pipefish.

Pipefish in Manapany
Pipefish are frequently seen on the rocks bordering the pool.

Near the rocks where the waves break, visibility is poorer. If you visit Réunion’s south coast and hesitate between snorkeling in Manapany or Grande Anse, we would recommend Grande Anse, where the basin is richer in coral and fish.

Restaurants and accommodation nearby

Chez Jo restaurant overlooks the Manapany pool and beach.

 

  • Level required Beginner
  • Maximum depth8ft/2.5m
  • Water entranceFrom rocky steps
  • LifeguardNo
  • Visitor numbersMedium to high
  • Access costsFree
  • Restaurants nearbyYes
  • Public toilets & showersYes

MAP Spot

These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life.

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.