The Story Behind Mauritius Underwater Waterfall Illusion

Baffling the most well-traveled of our world, this captivating phenomenon happens in the Indian Ocean, on the tropical island of Mauritius. Visible year-round, it is completely safe to swim in or even surf on! To ignite your wanderlust, here’s how the magic operates on this paradise island!
Did you know you can now travel with Culture Trip? Book now and join one of our premium small-group tours to discover the world like never before.
If you’ve never come across this island before, it’s chiefly known for being the home of the now extinct Dodo bird. More recently, Mauritius took the world by storm with the discovery of a lost continent beneath it, known as Mauricia. It’s now back with yet another fascinating trait, an underwater waterfall. Just to be clear, it isn’t an actual waterfall, but rather an illusion which can only be seen from up top. Located on the southwestern coast of the island known as Le Morne Peninsula, the phenomenon takes place in the turquoise lagoon. Thanks to the crystal clear water, it possible to see through it, being the key to unraveling the mystery.

Misleadingly, it isn’t the water which is actually falling into the unknown, but rather the sand and silt sediments which are in perpetual movement. Mauritius, being a relatively young island, happens to sit on an ocean shelf raised above seabed level. Off this particular coast, a gradual slope is noticed, abruptly ending in a 4000-meter-deep abyssal drop. Thanks to this marine topography, various shades of blue are visible, due to the movement of sand and silt deposits along these slopes. It is this unique harmony of shades which create the optical illusion which has won so many admirers across the world.

Echoes of the ancient supercontinent, Gondwanaland

To best capture this gift from Mother Nature, there is nothing better than a helicopter ride above the Le Morne Peninsula. Enhanced with the UNESCO World Heritage peak, the view gets even more breathtaking and begs for unlimited snapshots and footage. The national carrier, Air Mauritius, offers great deals for this memorable flight.

Love reading Culture Trip? How about travelling with us! Our Culture Trips are small-group tours that truly immerse you in a destination through authentic travel experiences. You can also embrace slow travel and the joys of journeying by train on our eco-friendly Rail Trips.

Culture Trips launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes places and communities so special.

Our immersive trips, led by Local Insiders, are once-in-a-lifetime experiences and an invitation to travel the world with like-minded explorers. Our Travel Experts are on hand to help you make perfect memories. All our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.?>

All our travel guides are curated by the Culture Trip team working in tandem with local experts. From unique experiences to essential tips on how to make the most of your future travels, we’ve got you covered.