Mauritius Sailing and Deep-Sea Fishing



	You are unlikely to suffer from ‘cabin fever’ on an island the size of Mauritius, but there is still nothing quite like getting away from the island and out into the open ocean for a while. A little like seeing the island from the air on the flight in, seeing it from out at sea helps put it all into perspective. Similarly the waters off Mauritius offer some of the finest big game fishing and attract enthusiasts from all over the world during the respective seasons.




	Day Sailing There are two options: 1. Joining a regular commercial excursion where you are likely to be sharing the boat with folk you don’t know. Not a bad thing if you want to be sociable and meet new people! The down side is that all the operators tend to weigh anchor in the same places. The result, particularly in high season, is dozens of boats and hordes of clients all competing for the same reef. In addition to this there is untold damage being done to the fragile coral ecologies. 2. The second and altogether more pleasant, albeit more expensive option is to charter a yacht for the day. Within limits, the experienced skipper and crew will take you wherever you would like to go. A full day charter (+/- 9 hours) costs Rs8000 to Rs12,000 and usually includes the boat, crew, lunch and drinks. Mauritius by Yacht! This involves hiring a yacht with a group of 4 to 6 friends depending on the size of the boat, and cruising around the coast of the island for a week to ten days. The advantages of this option are numerous: · You see a different part of the island every day · Pick a different dive or snorkel spot for each of the morning, afternoon and evening dives · It is all-inclusive – meals, drinks, skipper/guide, etc. · Most of the boats are of 4 star standard · There’s something special about falling asleep to the gentle rocking of the boat and the soft lapping of the ocean against the ..hull. Many claim this is the best way to see any of the Indian Ocean Islands, and one can understand why. Speak to your IslandsOnly consultant about the sailing options available. Big Game / Deep-sea Fishing The waters off Mauritius offer some of the finest big game fishing and attract enthusiasts from all over the world during the respective seasons. There are numerous fishing operators on the island, but it would be a good idea to check out their boat, equipment and what they are offering before agreeing to a charter. Prices will vary between boats, the length of trip and the package they offer. · A half-day trip (+/- 6 hours) including crew, equipment, snack and drinks will cost Rs7,000 to Rs10,000 per boat. · A full-day trip (9 to 10 hours) including crew, equipment, snack and drinks will cost Rs7,500 to Rs11,000 per boat. Ask your IslandsOnly consultant for the details of an operator near your hotel.