Submarine, Sea Walk and Underwater Scooter in Mauritius

Discovering the seabed of Mauritius without diving

Mauritius is surrounded by a lagoon and a coral reef sheltering exceptional marine biodiversity: multicolored corals, tropical fish, rays, turtles and sometimes even harmless reef sharks. While scuba diving remains the most immersive way to discover them, it requires training and certification. But several alternatives now let every visitor, whether they can swim or not, marvel at these underwater treasures.

The tourist submarine, the helmet-based sea walk and the underwater scooter are three complementary experiences, each with its own advantages, age limits and prices. Here’s everything you need to know to choose the experience that suits you.

At a glance

Where	Flic en Flac (submarine), Grand Baie and Trou aux Biches (sea walk), west and north coast hotels (scooter)
Price	roughly 30 to 80 euros depending on the activity
Time needed	1h30 to 2h per experience, including transport
How to book	book through an operator or your hotel, transfer often included
Best time	year-round, avoid days with rough seas during the rainy season

The Blue Safari tourist submarine

About the experience

The Blue Safari Submarine is the only civilian tourist submarine in the southern hemisphere. It operates off the west coast of Mauritius, in the Flic en Flac area, since the late 1990s. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience worldwide: you board a genuine passenger submarine that descends to 35 metres deep, well beyond what’s possible to see while snorkeling or even on a beginner dive.

The submarine can carry up to 20 passengers, seated facing 40 cm diameter glass portholes. The descent takes about 5 minutes, followed by 35 to 40 minutes underwater observing the seabed. A guide narrates the trip via an audio system.

What you’ll see

At 35 metres deep, you’ll be able to observe:

• Intact, colorful coral formations
• Schools of tropical fish: parrotfish, surgeonfish, angelfish
• Stingrays resting on the sand
• Moray eels in their crevices
• Staghorn corals and orange gorgonians
• Sea turtles that sometimes cross your path

The Blue Safari Submarine follows a specially designed route where artificial structures have been sunk to create an artificial reef heavily frequented by marine life. Divers from the operator swim outside to interact with you through the portholes, which is particularly fun.

Practical information

Departure: The submarine departs from the Flic en Flac jetty, on the west coast. A transfer from your hotel can be arranged.

Total excursion time: about 2h00, including 40 minutes underwater.

Minimum age: 3 years old (children love the experience).

Medical contraindications: no particular pressure-related constraints. The cabin is pressurized at normal atmospheric pressure. Those prone to claustrophobia should nonetheless think it over before booking.

2026 prices:

• Adult: about 80 euros (4,000 rupees)
• Child aged 3 to 12: about 50 euros (2,500 rupees)
• Child under 3: free on a parent’s lap
• Prices vary for packages including a meal or additional activities

Booking: essential, especially in high season. The official Blue Safari Submarine website allows online booking. Several travel agencies in Mauritius also offer this excursion. You can also book via GetYourGuide with flexible cancellation: book the Blue Safari submarine in Flic en Flac.

Tips to make the most of it

Arrive 30 minutes before departure to complete boarding formalities. Wear comfortable clothes (no swimsuit needed, you won’t get wet). Bring your camera or smartphone, as photos through the portholes are possible, although light can be dim at great depth. Some morning sessions offer better natural light.

The sea walk (underwater walk)

The pressurized helmet concept

The underwater walk, also called sea walk or helmet diving, is an activity that lets you literally stroll along the seabed at a depth of 3 to 5 metres, without needing to know how to swim or dive. The principle is simple: you wear a heavy, transparent diving helmet supplied with compressed air from the surface. Your head stays completely dry and you breathe normally, while your body is in the water.

Guides accompany you every step of the way. You walk on the sandy floor of the lagoon, surrounded by fish that come to visit (helped along by the bread crumbs guides hand out). The experience lasts between 20 and 30 minutes underwater.

Where to do a sea walk in Mauritius

Sea walks are offered in several areas of the island:

Grand Baie (north): several operators offer this activity from Grand Baie beach or nearby jetties. This is where the offering is most developed.

Trou aux Biches: a popular spot on the north-west coast, with well-preserved seabeds.

Blue Bay (south-east): in the bay classified as a marine park, the sea walk lets you observe a remarkable coral reef. Some operators offer sea walks in this area, although access is regulated to protect the park.

Flic en Flac: several operators on the west coast offer the sea walk alongside other water activities.

Price and duration

• Average price: 40 to 60 euros per person (2,000 to 3,000 rupees)
• Full activity duration: 1h30 to 2h including briefing, equipment and boat transfer to the site
• Time underwater: 20 to 30 effective minutes

Who is the sea walk for?

The sea walk is available from age 8 (depending on the operator, some accept from age 6). There’s no upper age limit. People suffering from ear infections, respiratory tract infections, or ear-balance issues should consult a doctor beforehand. Pregnant women cannot take part.

No need to know how to swim: guides hold you and the equipment keeps you on the seabed. It’s an ideal experience for families or anyone who wants an immersive experience without diving certification.

The underwater scooter (Seabob or underwater scooter)

What is an underwater scooter?

The underwater scooter is an electrically powered device you hold with both hands, which tows you through the water a few metres deep. Unlike the sea walk, you’re entirely in the water (with mask and snorkel) and you glide at the surface or slightly below, propelled by a silent motor. It’s a dynamic, fun way to explore the lagoon with no swimming effort.

The most common devices in Mauritius are Seabob F5 units, capable of reaching 15 km/h on the surface and diving several metres deep. They work like an underwater handlebar with an acceleration trigger.

Where to rent an underwater scooter

Most large hotels in Mauritius offer Seabobs or similar scooters to their guests, particularly resorts on the west coast (Flic en Flac, Black River) and the north (Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches). Independent water sports centres also offer supervised sessions.

Recommended operators:

• Water sports centres at 4- and 5-star hotels: Constance Belle Mare, Heritage Awali, Sugar Beach
• Watersports Mauritius in Flic en Flac
• Fly Blue Kite in Le Morne sometimes offers underwater scooter outings alongside kitesurfing

Price and conditions

• Free rental: 30 to 50 euros for 30 minutes
• Guided session: 60 to 80 euros per person
• Minimum age: 12 generally, sometimes 10 with an adult
• Requirement: ability to swim, as you’ll be in the water with mask and snorkel

You don’t need to know how to dive, but you do need to be comfortable in the water. The Seabob can dive down to 40 metres with practice, but tourist sessions take place at moderate depths.

Comparison table of the three experiences

To help you choose, here’s a summary of the three options:

Blue Safari Submarine

• Depth: up to 35 metres
• Time underwater: 40 minutes
• Adult price: around 80 euros
• Minimum age: 3 years
• Swimming required: no

Sea Walk (underwater walk)

• Depth: 3 to 5 metres
• Time underwater: 20-30 minutes
• Adult price: 40 to 60 euros
• Minimum age: 8 years
• Swimming required: no

Underwater scooter

• Depth: 1 to 5 metres
• Duration: 30 minutes
• Adult price: 30 to 80 euros
• Minimum age: 12 years
• Swimming required: yes (mask and snorkel)

Booking tips

Book these activities in advance, especially during high season (July-August and December-January). Spots for the Blue Safari submarine are particularly limited.

Many hotels include these activities in excursion packages. Check with your concierge as soon as you arrive, or contact the operators directly.

For families, the sea walk is often the best compromise between accessibility (children from age 8), sense of immersion and reasonable price. For a truly unique and deep experience, the Blue Safari submarine remains unmatched.

What you’ll take away from this experience

Whichever option you choose, one reason these activities are so popular in Mauritius is the richness of the marine life. The low human pressure on certain areas of the reef, the clarity of the water and the diversity of species make every dive a visually spectacular experience.

Children and adults alike come out amazed every time. These activities are regularly cited as the most memorable moments of a stay in Mauritius, even for people who had never put their head underwater before.

What if you already know how to swim or dive?

If you’re comfortable in the water and the idea of staying passive under a helmet or inside a submarine frustrates you a little, turn instead to our complete guide to snorkeling and diving in Mauritius: a mask and snorkel are enough to explore the lagoon at your own pace, and a discovery dive from age 8 lets you go much further than a sea walk. Families with young children, or anyone who prefers a gentler immersion, will be better served by the submarine or sea walk described above.

These experiences also combine well with other outings at sea: a morning swimming with dolphins in Tamarin followed by an afternoon sea walk, or a submarine trip in Flic en Flac before heading to the best beaches on the west coast. If you’re staying in the south-east instead, whale watching is another way to enjoy the sea without any technical equipment.

Where to go depending on where you’re staying

If you’re staying in the north, Grand Baie and Trou aux Biches concentrate most of the sea walk and underwater scooter offerings. On the west coast, Flic en Flac is a must for the Blue Safari submarine and also offers sea walks. If you’re staying near Blue Bay or Mahebourg in the south-east, options are more limited, but some operators run supervised sea walks within the marine park.