Level: Free shore access This spot have a free shore access: you can go snorkeling there freely and without having to book a tour or pay an entrance fee.
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Last updated on May 30, 2021
La Prairie Beach is located just south of Le Morne Brabant, on which it offers a lovely view. Its corals – which start a few meters from the beach – and its shallow depth make it a popular snorkeling spot, especially as the beach is rarely crowded. Around the coral and on the sandy bottoms, you will encounter many reef fish as well as some sea stars.
La Prairie Beach is located along the scenic coastal road of southern Mauritius, about 600m south of Le Morne village. It is a public beach. A small car park allows parking near the beach.
Get into the water from the beach, preferably near the coral areas.
Unlike most of the reefs of Mauritius, found far from the beaches, the reef of La Prairie has grown only a few meters from shore. Shallow (↕3-6ft/1-2m) and sheltered by the calm waters of the lagoon, it is made up of large coral patches, sadly quite unhealthy.
While snorkeling above the coral, you’ll spot a good diversity of reef fish. The green chromis, the whitetail dascyllus and the dusky farmerfish stay near the branching coral, in which they can hide in case of danger. Bluebarred parrotfish, surgeonfish, and boxfish also occur in these shallow areas, as well as dozens of other fish species.
Around the coral, the sandy beds are home to many species associated with this environment, such as sea cucumbers, cushion starfish and cone snails. Yellowstripe goatfish also wander in these areas, using their barbels to probe the sand for food.
Be careful not to stray too far from the beach if there is a current. Also watch out for kite-surfers, which frequent the lagoon when the wind blows.
Some food trucks are generally present on the beach, especially during weekends.
These snorkeling spots are accessible to beginners and kids. You will enter the water gradually from a beach, or in a less than 3ft. deep area. The sea is generally calm, shallow, with almost no waves or currents. These spots are usually located in marked and/or monitored swimming areas. It is not necessary to swim long distances to discover the sea life. This level only apply when the spot experiences optimal sea and/or weather conditions. It is not applicable if the sea and/or weather conditions deteriorate, in particular in the presence of rough sea, rain, strong wind, unusual current, large tides, waves and/or swell. You can find more details about the definition of our snorkeling levels on our snorkeling safety page.
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Snorkeling spots are part of a wild environment and their aspect can be significantly altered by weather, seasons, sea conditions, human impact and climate events (storms, hurricanes, seawater-warming episodes…). The consequences can be an alteration of the seabed (coral bleaching, coral destruction, and invasive seagrass), a poor underwater visibility, or a decrease of the sea life present in the area. Snorkeling Report makes every effort to ensure that all the information displayed on this website is accurate and up-to-date, but no guarantee is given that the underwater visibility and seabed aspect will be exactly as described on this page the day you will snorkel the spot. If you recently snorkeled this area and noticed some changes compared to the information contained on this page, please contact us.
The data contained in this website is for general information purposes only, and is not legal advice. It is intended to provide snorkelers with the information that will enable them to engage in safe and enjoyable snorkeling, and it is not meant as a substitute for swim level, physical condition, experience, or local knowledge. Remember that all marine activities, including snorkeling, are potentially dangerous, and that you enter the water at your own risk. You must take an individual weather, sea conditions and hazards assessment before entering the water. If snorkeling conditions are degraded, postpone your snorkeling or select an alternate site. Know and obey local laws and regulations, including regulated areas, protected species, wildlife interaction and dive flag laws.
