LC-Kayak Mauritius
Day 1
It is a 4-hour flight from SA to Mauritius.
A 1-hour bus ride takes us from the airport to our accommodation in Grande Gaube situated in the north-east of Mauritius.
Day 2
You will get shown how to pack your kayak to be ready for the paddle. After lunch we begin our adventure paddling in a north-westerly direction around the northern tip of the island passing Grand Bay en-route. We can expect a down-wind paddle as we round the northern point of Mauritius and enter the calm waters of the west coast. We camp on a long white beach called Mont Choisy. Day 2 will take approximately 2.5 hours
Day 3
It is a short walk to PRO DIVE, the company we use for scuba diving. They provide an excellent service for both the novice and experienced diver. Once the scuba diving is complete we repack the kayaks and begin the day’s paddle at about 2pm. We paddle down the west coast in a southerly direction heading for the Baie du Tombeaue, situated north of Port Louis. The bay is not on the tourist route so we can expect to have the beach to ourselves. There is a good chance of a perfect sunset with ships moored out at sea.
Day 4
Our paddle takes us beyond the reef so we start early to avoid the possibility of a head wind. We pass the numerous ships moored in the sea waiting their turn to enter the Port Louis harbour. After about 3.5 hours of paddling we enter a narrow “pass” which is a gap in the reef. Once we have negotiated this we enter the calm waters of Albion. The snorkeling is great and there are a few small shops to visit.
Day 5
This is one of our longest days so we start early, paddling out the “pass” again and then turn south, heading towards the tourist town of Flic en Flac. We paddle past some interesting caves in the rock face and we often see dolphins along this stretch. After about 1.5 hours of paddling we enter a small “pass” into the reef at Flic en Flac. We rest here and re-stock our food supply from the Spar nearby. We continue south passing luxurious hotels.
We exit the reef and head towards the mountain of Le Morne which we see in the distance. Paddling onto the sand on Bennitiers Island is a welcome relief after a 3,5-hour paddle from Flic en Flac. We camp on the island and there is a good chance of seeing an amazing sunset.
Day 6
A short 1.5-hour paddle sees the group reach the south-western tip of Mauritius bringing us to the end of the west coast. We load up the kayaks and a 1-hour bus ride takes us the length of the south coast to Chantauvent Guest House situated in Blue Bay, which is our half-way point.
Pa
ddling the south coast is only suitable for experienced paddlers who are fit. The total paddling distance of the south coast is 53kms which we divide into 2 days. It resembles the Wild Coast of the Eastern Cape in SA. It is isolated, wild and, with the prevailing south- east wind, sets the scene for some excellent downwind paddling for the more experienced paddler.
Day 7
Today is a ‘free’ day for those who did not paddle the South Coast. They can relax and enjoy some amazing snorkeling in Blue Bay, which is a marine reserve.
Day 8
We repack the kayaks and begin our paddle up the east coast. After 1.5 hours of paddling we arrive at an amazing island situated 4kms from the mainland. It is a beautiful, remote island with some interesting history linked to the sea battles of the past. The views are spectacular.
Day 9
It is a 3-hour paddle in the reef heading towards the beautiful island of Ille Aux Cerf. Along the way we visit fish farms erected in the sea and witness the feeding of thousands of fish. Arriving at the island by 12 noon allows us a long rest and opportunity to walk around and experience a very popular touristy spot, full of restaurants and water-sport activities. At about 3pm we paddle a short distance and arrive at a private home belonging to friends of mine. The hospitality is great and we camp in their beautiful garden.
Day 10
There are some interesting rocky sections to negotiate so we need to watch the tides to ensure we do not have to carry the kayaks unnecessarily. We will stop at some amazing snorkeling areas along the way and eventually arrive at Belle Mare. A long beach with beautiful grass makes for the perfect camp site. The paddle will take approximately 2.5 hours.
Day 11
We continue in a northerly direction past the St Geran Hotel. Once again the group splits up with the more experienced paddlers following me out through a “pass” to tackle the 2.5-hour deep-sea paddle heading towards Benache Island. The non- experienced paddlers meet the bus and trailer and get transported for about 4 kms. They offload, repack the kayaks and begin paddling again in the reef, meeting the rest of the group on Benache Island. This is our final night camping and it is a very small island with exquisite views.
Day 12
We can expect a 1-hour down-wind paddle in the reef to our finish point at Grand Gaube. Emotions run high knowing that you have just completed a circum-navigation of the island of Mauritius on a kayak. It will be a feeling that you will remember for a very long time as will be the friendships you have made within the group. The only thing left to do is carry the kayaks to the house, wash them and prepare them for storage. After a welcome lunch the bus takes everyone to Grand Bay for an afternoon of relaxation, shopping and visiting the many beautiful seaside restaurants. We end the day with a wonderful Mauritius restaurant meal.
Day 13
We have an early start to get to the airport for our 4-hour flight home.