You can explore all directions in nature and still won’t be able to exhaust its mysteries. The Underwater Waterfall in Mauritius is a major one among them. As the name states, it appears literally as an underwater waterfall located on the tropical island of Mauritius, happening in the Indian Ocean. The Underwater Waterfall is a must-see attraction on anyone’s Mauritius trip and draws a large number of tourists from far and wide.
What is so unique about it?
Firstly, the sight of the waterfall is unlike anything else you will ever experience. Tourists generally take helicopter rides over the ocean to get a perfect view of the site. Secondly, it is even cooler when you find that Underwater Waterfalls are actually an illusion and not what it seems. Thanks to the crystal clear waters, the illusion can be seen through when viewed up close from the top.
It isn’t the water that is falling into the unknown that is producing the effect, but it’s the sand and silt sediments that are in continuous movement. The underwater currents pull sand from the higher coastal shelf all the way to the deeper levels of water. As the sand and silt deposits flow through the area, the color of the water fluctuates, thus making it appear like a waterfall or as if the area is being sucked into a drain. Very interestingly, the place is visible year-round and is totally safe to swim or even surf on!
Special tours are booked to properly explore the site. Customized tour itineraries are available from the various points on the island. And once you look at it, it will be an unforgettable moment on your trip.
How this unique illusion came to exist?
The unique illusion has a lot to do with the unique formation of the legions of islands in this location. Specifically, the East African country of Mauritius sits atop a submarine plateau called the Mascarene Plateau.
The unique landscape of the region is because of the extreme and uneven lay of the land as a result of the volcanic activity, which gave rise to Mauritius 8 million years ago. The volcanic hotspot saw enormous underwater eruptions that spewed magma through the continental crust of Mauritius, which later developed into this unique attraction.
Clearly, there is no continuous flow of water, and nothing mysterious is happening besides the erosion going on here. It’s just a very particularly directional erosion, along with sand falling into a crevasse, that gives this phenomenon its one-of-a-kind appearance!
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Moreover, Mauritius being a relatively young island, it sits on an ocean shelf raised above the seabed level. There are various shades of blue visible due to the movement of sand and silt deposited on the slopes.
Are there any other such unique attractions on Earth?
It is beyond doubt that nature is an enormous trove of mysteries. Though this Underwater waterfall is one of a kind, there are many such naturally occurring optical illusions that captivate spectators all over the world. For instance, a deep well called Jacob’s Well in Austin, Texas is another famous optical illusion that appears thousands of feet deep. Another similar magnificent illusion is called Big Pagoda, which is an underwater volcano 6,500 feet under the Pacific Ocean. The giant structure seems to be an upside-down volcano – a kind of entry into a different world. There are many such unique spots all around the world.
The below list suggests the best things to do in and around Underwater Waterfalls, Mauritius:
Being a famous tourist spot in Mauritius, the place has a wide range of activities that you can engage in at the site. Some of them are listed below.
1. Witness the Underwater Waterfall with an exclusive Helicopter Sightseeing Tour:
As stated above, this has to be the most preferred thing to do when visiting this place, which will give you an aerial view of the attraction, along with views of the magnificent Indian Ocean with coral reefs, sandy beaches and so much more.
2. Swim with Dolphins:
The snorkeling experience in this region will be unlike any other, particularly so if you get up close with some beautiful marine animals like dolphins and swim by their side. Many nature and adventure enthusiasts particularly visit this place for an amazing underwater marine experience.
3. Kitesurfing:
Opting for a kitesurfing (also called kiteboarding) experience at this location will be a breathtaking experience. Kitesurfing at full throttle with a bit spooky but uniquely amazing sight below your feet in the waters shall be an experience of a lifetime.
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4. Go Whale Watching:
Board a speed boat to go far into the sea to witness the gigantic whales in their natural surroundings and hear their enormous humpback sounds. If you are interested in this, you need to know that humpback whales can be observed between June and November whereas Sperm whales can be seen throughout the year.
5. Experience Catamaran Cruise Mauritius:
One of the preferred things to do on your trip will be to try something different, i.e., sail across the northern shore of the majestic Indian Ocean on board a catamaran. On your route, you can visit popular tourist sites such as Gunners Coin, Ilot Gabriel, Coin de Mire, etc.
Thus, the sight of Underwater Waterfalls shall be a magnificent experience for anyone who would take it in with their own eyes. Besides this unique attraction, there are endless amazing tourist attractions in Mauritius. Some of the top ones are Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao), Le Morne Brabant, Ile Aux Aigrettes, Bois Cheri Tea Factory, Port Louis & Market, and others. For more details on the same or to book the best travel packages at amazing prices, do reach out to Indian Holiday.
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