Kayaking and Stand-Up Paddleboarding in Mauritius: Best Spots and Prices

Where can you kayak and paddleboard in Mauritius?

Blue Bay, Trou aux Biches, Grand Baie and Tamarin are the best spots. Kayak or SUP rental costs between 10 and 25 euros an hour depending on location.

Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding in Mauritius

Mauritius is ringed by a lagoon protected by a coral reef, giving it calm, shallow water of remarkable clarity in many areas. These conditions are ideal for sea kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), two water sports that anyone can pick up and that let you explore the lagoon at your own pace, quietly, with no engine.

Unlike kitesurfing or surfing, kayaking and paddleboarding require no prior training for the calm waters of the inner lagoon. A few minutes of instruction is enough to get started, and even children from around 5-6 years old can join in, seated in a tandem kayak.

At a glance


Where	Blue Bay, Trou aux Biches, Grand Baie, Tamarin, Mahebourg
Price	around 10 to 20 EUR an hour depending on the spot and equipment
Time needed	1 to 4 hours, up to a full day for coastal trips
Getting there	rent on the beach or through a hotel water sports centre, booking not usually required
Best time	year-round; morning (7am-10am) for the calmest water

The best kayaking and paddleboarding spots

Blue Bay (southeast)

Blue Bay is arguably the finest spot for paddling in Mauritius. This bay, classified as a marine park, shelters one of the island’s best-preserved coral reefs, with water of exceptional clarity. In a clear-bottom kayak (some operators offer these), you can watch corals, fish and rays right beneath you.

The bay is fairly sheltered from the wind by its geography, which creates calm conditions even when the rest of the island is windy. It’s the ideal spot for beginners and families.

Operators: several kayak and SUP rental outfits are set up on Blue Bay beach. Expect to pay 600 to 1,000 rupees (12 to 20 euros) an hour for a single kayak or SUP.

Note: Blue Bay’s marine park is regulated. Some areas are off-limits to motorised boats but open to kayaks and SUPs. Respect the marker buoys and never anchor on the coral.

Trou aux Biches (northwest)

Trou aux Biches is one of the most popular beaches on the north coast, with a shallow lagoon and calm water perfect for paddleboarding. The beach is long and gently sloping, making it easy to launch boards and kayaks.

From Trou aux Biches, you can paddle to the neighbouring beaches (Mont Choisy, Pointe aux Piments) by following the coastline — a lovely 2-to-3-hour paddling trip for those in decent shape.

Operators: water sports rental outfits are plentiful along the beach. SUP rental costs around 500 to 800 rupees (10 to 16 euros) an hour.

Grand Baie (north)

Grand Baie is the tourist hub of northern Mauritius. The sheltered main bay offers calm water that’s ideal for a morning SUP session. Early in the morning (before 9am), before motorboats start circulating, the bay is nearly empty and paddling there feels magical.

From Grand Baie, some experienced paddlers head out to the nearby islets (Gunner’s Quoin visible in the distance, Flat Island), though these crossings are best left to seasoned paddlers because of the offshore currents.

Operators: the water sports centres at Grand Baie’s hotels offer rentals, as do independent operators on the public beach.

Tamarin (west coast)

Tamarin Bay, famous for the spinner dolphins that often gather there in the morning, is an exceptional paddleboarding spot. Heading out on a SUP early in the morning and finding yourself surrounded by dolphins is a rare and memorable experience. Spinner dolphins are curious and often approach paddlers on their own.

The bay is also calm and well sheltered, making it ideal for SUP beginners.

Note: approach the dolphins slowly, without chasing them. Responsible operators recommend letting the animals come to you rather than paddling towards them. If the dolphins seem stressed (sudden jumps, abrupt changes of direction), move away.

Mahebourg (southeast)

Mahebourg Bay is large and sees little traffic from big boats, making it an ideal playground for kayakers. From the Mahebourg waterfront, you can paddle out to Ile aux Deux Cocos or towards Vieux Grand Port, with beautiful views of the Lion and Tourelle mountains.

This area is less commercial than Grand Baie or Trou aux Biches, and rental prices here are generally cheaper.

Ile aux Cerfs

If you’re visiting Ile aux Cerfs on a day trip, note that kayaks are available for rent on-site. Paddling around the island’s shores, exploring its hidden coves and watching the coral from a clear-bottom kayak is one of the most enjoyable activities on offer there.

Stand-up paddleboarding: what makes it different

Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) has grown steadily more popular in Mauritius in recent years. Several advantages make it particularly well suited to Mauritian lagoons:

Standing up gives you a bird’s-eye view of the seabed: you can clearly see the corals, fish and rays.
It’s an excellent full-body workout (legs, core, arms) while still being fun.
Balance comes quickly: most beginners are standing steadily within 15 to 20 minutes.
Inflatable boards are easy to transport and increasingly available for rent.

SUP yoga: some operators run yoga sessions on a paddleboard, standing or seated on a board anchored in the middle of the lagoon. An original and peaceful experience, especially at sunrise.

Night SUP tours: a few outfitters run night paddling sessions on boards fitted with LEDs that light up the water below, revealing nocturnal marine life. Available in Grand Baie and Trou aux Biches.

Sea kayaking: exploring the coastline

For more experienced paddlers, sea kayaking makes it possible to explore Mauritius’s coastline in ways motorboats simply can’t: coastal caves, small isolated beaches, southeastern mangroves, and passages between islets.

Recommended coastal routes:

East coast between Poste Lafayette and Roches Noires: a low-key coastline with wild beaches, century-old filao trees and shallow water. Navigation is easy and the scenery feels authentic.

Mahebourg lagoon: between the mainland and Ile aux Aigrettes, a protected area ideal for a 3-to-4-hour paddling trip with seabird watching.

Riviere Noire coast: heading south, between Flic-en-Flac and Riviere Noire, a varied coastline with low cliffs, snorkelling spots accessible by kayak, and views of Le Morne.

Rental and prices

Average rates in 2026

Single kayak: 500 to 700 rupees (10 to 14 euros) an hour
Tandem kayak: 700 to 1,000 rupees (14 to 20 euros) an hour
Stand-up paddleboard: 500 to 800 rupees (10 to 16 euros) an hour
Half-day kayak (4 hours): 1,500 to 2,500 rupees (30 to 50 euros)
Full-day rental: 2,000 to 3,500 rupees (40 to 70 euros)

Where to rent

Hotel water sports centres: almost all beachfront hotels offer kayak and paddleboard equipment to their guests, often free of charge at upmarket all-inclusive resorts. For outside guests, rates are higher.

Independent beach rentals: in tourist areas (Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches, Flic-en-Flac, Blue Bay), independent rental outfits often offer more competitive rates.

Bringing your own gear: if you paddle regularly, good-quality inflatable SUP boards are lightweight and can be checked in as luggage in a travel bag. Check with your airline about oversized baggage.

Safety and tips

Essential safety rules

Always wear a life jacket (provided by rental outfits, mandatory for children)
Never paddle alone in isolated areas
Check the weather forecast before heading out: the wind can pick up quickly
Stay within the inner lagoon (inside the reef) unless you’re an experienced paddler
Bring water and waterproof sunscreen
A waterproof pouch for your phone is strongly recommended

Best time to paddle

Between 7am and 10am offers the best conditions: the water is calm, motorboats are scarce, the light is beautiful for photos and temperatures are pleasant. By midday, the sea breeze can pick up and make the paddle back harder.

Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding in Mauritius appeal equally to sporty travellers looking for a workout and laid-back travellers looking for calm. At your own pace, against a postcard backdrop, it’s one of the best ways to experience the Mauritian lagoon from within. To combine paddling with snorkelling in the Blue Bay marine park with an expert marine wildlife guide: see snorkelling excursions in the Blue Bay marine park.

Kayaking and paddleboarding with kids

Tandem kayaks and kneeling SUP (rather than standing) are the most suitable formats for children from around 5-6 years old. Blue Bay and Trou aux Biches, with their shallow, well-sheltered water, are the safest spots for a first family outing — avoid Grand Baie in late morning, when motorboat traffic picks up. Remember to book a child life jacket in advance, as the right size isn’t always available at every rental outfit — it’s best to ask when booking. Our family activities guide lists other gentle water activities for younger children.

Kayaking, paddleboarding or snorkelling: which to choose

Profile	Recommended activity	Why
Family with young children	Tandem kayak at Blue Bay	Stable, calm water, turtles and fish visible from a clear-bottom kayak
Looking for sport and a full workout	Stand-up paddleboard	Works core, legs and arms, quick to learn (15-20 min)
Wanting a close-up view of marine life	Combined snorkelling (see our snorkelling guide)	Direct immersion, closer to corals and fish than while paddling
Seeking calm and a sunrise	Morning SUP at Grand Baie or Tamarin	Empty water before 9am, chance of spotting dolphins at Tamarin
Wanting an active coastal exploration	Sea kayak (east coast or Riviere Noire)	Longer, more physical, less crowded scenery

Our honest verdict

Kayaking and paddleboarding are worth it for almost every type of traveller to Mauritius: it’s a cheap activity, no experience required, that lets you see the lagoon from a different angle than lying on a towel. Blue Bay remains the best value for a first experience thanks to its sheltered water and visible marine life.

Best avoided if the sea is rough or the wind is strong outside the protected lagoon — in that case, it’s better to postpone the outing or stick to a very sheltered area like Blue Bay rather than push through.

If you’re after an even closer encounter with marine life without the effort of paddling, our snorkelling and diving guide is the better alternative.

Do you need to book ahead? No, rentals are generally available on the spot without a booking, except in peak season (July-August) at the busiest spots like Grand Baie.

Mistakes to avoid

Paddling beyond the lagoon without experience — past the reef, currents become strong and unpredictable; stay within the inner lagoon unless you’re a seasoned paddler.
Chasing the dolphins at Tamarin — this stresses them and can scatter the pod; let them come to you, as responsible operators recommend.
Heading out without checking the weather — the wind can pick up within 30 minutes and make the return trip hard; check the forecast before setting off, especially in the afternoon.
Forgetting the life jacket — mandatory for children and strongly recommended for everyone, even on water that looks calm.
Skimping on sun protection — exposure while kayaking or paddleboarding is direct and prolonged; waterproof sunscreen is essential, even under a hazy sky. For other water activities to combine with your trip, see our guide to the best beaches for snorkelling.