Here’s Everything You Need to Know
There are several impressive waterfalls around the world, but this one takes the cake.
The island of Mauritius is home to one of the world’s most intriguing natural phenomena known as the underwater waterfall—but this beautiful site holds some serious risks that is often overlooked by visitors.
Where is it?
This stunning underwater waterfall is located on the south west coast of the island of Mauritius, which is part of a chain of islands about 2,000 miles off the eastern coast of Africa.
What is Mauritius known for?
Aside from the underwater waterfall, the south coast of the island is known for being the most luxurious part of Mauritius because of its stunning white beaches, majestic mountain landscape, and world-class hotels.
How many people live on the island?
Mauritius is the largest of the chain of islands, and is home to over 1.2 million people.
It is also home to an enormous series of coral reefs, and a unique flora and fauna, as well as the beautiful natural phenomenon—the underwater waterfall.
Is the underwater waterfall real?
The underwater waterfall is definitely real—but it is an optical illusion.
The waterfall appearance deceives the eye into thinking the water is actually falling, but it’s actually something quite different.
Myroslava Bozhko, Shutterstock
How was it created?
The underwater waterfall is not a waterfall at all, it’s actually the sand shifting off the shelf of the ocean by the force of the current.
How is the illusion created?
The illusion is created from the variation of different colored sands and reflections of light—but what created this deep shelf?
Khoroshunova Olga, Shutterstock
How was the island created?
Most of the land masses on Earth are present in the well-known form of continents, but there are a few exceptions to that rule—including the island of Mauritius.
Volcanic Forces
Some land masses emerge by eruptive volcanic forces that compel upwards, creating oceanic islands, or chains of islands.
And beneath the ocean’s surface, something called a submarine plateau is formed.
Saïda, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
What is a submarine plateau?
A submarine plateau is an area of flat ocean floor that is raised above the level of surrounding seafloor, delimited by a steep slope.
The one we are referring to here is known as the Mascarene Plateau.
MauriceBer, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
How is this relevant?
A submarine plateau differs from a usual continent in the sense that, instead of going from dry land into shallow waters that slowly wade deeper, it suddenly drops down to a depth of thousands of meters.
Thus, creating the depth—and illusion—of the underwater waterfall.
Myroslava Bozhko, Shutterstock
The Mascarene Plateau
The Mascarene Plateau is one the newest major features on Earth, having only been created over the most recent few million years during the eruption of the Réunion hotspot—which created all of the Mascarene Islands in the geological blink-of-an-eye.
B.navez, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
How deep is the underwater waterfall?
At first glance, it doesn’t appear very deep at all. The shelf of the Indian Ocean is no deeper than 150 meters below sea level.
But there’s another section that does get deep.
Ihor Pokryshchenko, Shutterstock
The Drop-Off
The drop-off goes beyond the shelf’s edge and plunges to an incredible 4,000 meters into the Indian Ocean into an unknown abyss.
How can we see the drop-off?
The underwater waterfall-look is created by the sand that is moved back-and-forth over the shallow shelves by the ocean currents.
Sinking Sands
As the sand is pushed over the edge of the submarine plateau, it gives the illusion of the underwater waterfall. The sands sink through the deep water down to the bottom of the ocean.
Can you swim in the underwater waterfall?
Swimming is very popular at the underwater waterfall. The island boasts dazzling blue waters that are warm and inviting. And that’s not all you can do there.
Scuba Diving
The underwater waterfall is such an intriguing wonder that it attracts professional scuba divers from all over the globe. The island also offers diving tours.
...your local connection, Flickr
Surfing
Surfing is another popular activity that visitors enjoy doing over top of the underwater waterfall. Thought when it comes to safety, there is one small concern.
Svein-Magne Tunli, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Will the currents pull you down?
It is always suggested to exercise caution while swimming in the underwater waterfall, due to strong ocean currents.
What can happen?
On particularly wavey days, the currents can rapidly move a person away from the edge of the waterfall and down into the deep water—causing a risk of drowning.
Has anyone been hurt at the underwater waterfall?
Unfortunately, yes. In 2014, seventeen-year-old, Callum Howkins was snorkeling from a tourism boat over top of the underwater waterfall when the strong undercurrent took him away “in seconds.”
Sadly, he’s not the only person to lose his life.
Other Drownings
Apparently, Howkins was fourteenth person to have drowned that year in the same bay. Only two days earlier, a dolphin conservationist also drowned because of the strong undercurrents.
Popularity & Procedures
The family of Howkins said there was little to no procedures in place for when accidents like this occur.
In fact, there were so many boats and people around that apparently no one had even noticed when they were screaming for help—including the boat operator.
No Warning Signs
Apparently, Howkins’s family had said there were no warning signs about the undercurrent, and that the boat tours and activities did not prepare visitors for emergencies like this.
Perhaps we’ll stick to other ways of seeing this impressive phenomenon.
How else can you experience the underwater waterfall?
The only way to see this natural phenomenon in all of its glory is from above, by sea plane or helicopter. The nation’s airline, Air Mauritius offers year-round flight tours that offer the best view of the waterfall.
You can partially see it from a mountain top as well.
Myroslava Bozhko, Shutterstock
Can you see the waterfall from Le Morne Brabant Mountain?
Yes, you can see a glimpse of the shape of the island’s underwater waterfall by hiking up to the 500-meter peak of the island’s beautiful mount Le Morne Brabant.
When is the best time to see it?
The winter months, between November and December, offer the best visibility.
Wonderful Nature, Shutterstock
What are the seaplane tours like?
Seaplane tours can be organized through your hotel or with Air Mauritius. The tours last around 40 minutes, and you’re given a brief explanation of its history.
What are the helicopter tours like?
The helicopter tours last about an hour, and give you a picturesque panoramic view of the mountain, the Indian Ocean and the stunning underwater waterfall.
These helicopter tours can seat 4 people.
What are the beaches like?
The beaches on Mauritius are known as some of the best beaches in the world. The west coast offers calm, quiet and warm beaches that are safe and peaceful.
Where else can you snorkel?
If you’re not comfortable swimming over top of the underwater waterfall, there are several other areas around the island that are safe to do so—and these beautiful lagoons are swimming with some of the world’s most stunning marine life.
Marine Life
Mauritius is full of beautiful marine life, such as dolphins, clownfish, moray eels, sea turtles, and several spark species.
Final Thoughts
The beautiful island of Mauritius offers stunning views, from colorful fish and pristine beaches, to the natural phenomenon known as the underwater waterfall.
Although it is beautiful, it has a dangerous risk for drowning that is often overlooked by both visitors and tour operators.
If you plan to visit, take necessary precautions—and lots of photos!
