Love the idea of water adventure sports but hate the idea of swimming ? Here is your answer !

For all those who haven’t tasted the exotic and untouched beauty of the Mauritian Island, guys you are missing on something. Mauritius is a beautiful country, the best part being its small size, making it totally explorable within a matter of 4 to 5 days. Yes, 5 days is all you need to explore this magnificent country inside out.

Apart from the virgin white sand beaches, exotic wildlife and vast variety of flora and fauna there is one activity which totally sets Mauritius apart from the rest of the world. For all you adrenaline junkies (and pragmatic folks with a fancy for adventure) this activity is a must do. I am talking about Underwater Sea Walking. This activity is unique to Mauritius and oh! totally worth it. And it is actually what its title says- walking on the sea bed. 3.5 metres underwater, and no, you do not need to know how to swim ! Want to know more? Read on.

Once you get to Mauritius, there are two places which offer this activity. One is at Blue Bay and the other at Grand Baie. I did this activity at Grand Baie. Getting to Grand Baie is simple. For economic travellers, you would need to take an express bus to Port Louis which could cost you anywhere between 20-60 MUR (about 40-120 INR). At Port Louis, you would need to go to the central bus station (there is only one there) and take an express bus to Grand Baie (which would cost you another 60 MUR). Taking a taxi in Mauritius is generally exorbitantly expensive costing anywhere between 500-2000 MUR for a one way ride to Grand Baie depending upon the location you are travelling from and its distance from Grand Baie. However, if you are willing to take that extra bit of spending, a cab ride is faster than the bus. You can choose to travel locally in a rented self-driven car too. This is usually the most popular option amongst Indians who can drive. However following the roads in a new country could be a challenge and unnecessarily stressful. 

Once you get to Grand Baie, there are a number of Adventure Sport Companies with their display boards on the main road. There is just one company called “Underwater Sea Walk” which offers this activity in Grand Baie. The best time to experience all water sports are the summer months in Mauritius which are from December to February. At this time, the waters are clearer and more predictable. 

Underwater Sea walk timings are from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The activity is conducted in a group of 5-6 in various batches. The entire activity takes about 1.5 – 2 hours including the 20 minute to and fro boat ride to the diving platform. The 2:30 p.m. batch is the last batch for a typical summer day, so you have to be on time to get it. The Activity will cost you about 1500 MUR if you go there and book on the spot. If you are a solo traveller or a couple, do not book in advance online as that would be for double the actual price. However, if you are a large group, prior booking may be essential.

The adventure starts with taking the group in a glass bottom boat to the diving platform which is about 20 minutes away from the shore in the centre of the sea. The ride itself is picturesque and thoroughly refreshing. Once the group reaches the diving platform, the head instructor gives an introduction to the activity. 

The group is provided with underwater walking shoes. You obviously have to be in water friendly clothes (swimwear is not necessary). For all those folks with eye glasses there is good news! You do not need to remove your glasses or wear contact lenses. Simply, because the helmet that is worn on the head while going underwater doesn’t let water inside it.

Now, another good news for partially hydrophobic people like me- You do not need to know how to swim. In fact, every person who goes underwater is tied a weight band on the waist so that the person sinks and does not float. That is precisely why I loved this activity- you do not need to know how to swim, but you must know how to walk!

Now, it was time to go underwater. Yes, I admit, it was scary for once, especially when you realise that the only thing around you is water, and nothing else. The group is accompanied by two divers who are essentially like guides and monitors. They monitor the overall performance of the person walking underwater and make sure the group is comfortable. 

Every person is made to wear a helmet containing oxygen before diving underwater. The shelf life of the oxygen in the helmet is about 15 minutes. That is the duration of the total time spent by us “walking” under water. There were a few cautionary measures explained to the group before taking the dive, which must be heard attentively. 

As for the walk itself, it was an experience that cannot be explained in words. It was a different world altogether. The depth of the sea bed was around 3.5 metres. It gets a little difficult keeping one’s balance while walking underneath, but you get accustomed to it after the first five minutes. Also, the air pressure causes ear ache, which almost as much as that in an airplane. Everything underwater seems to be going on in slow motion.

Any communication with the dive monitors can be made only by gestures since there is complete silence underwater and even if you speak, nobody will be able to hear you. The water monitors will also be filming the entire activity with their underwater camera, which you can also purchase after the activity for 2500 MUR. It would be cheaper to buy your own camera for 600 MUR, by doing that you get to keep the camera too!

The dive company generally gives each person a banner to hold while walking under water saying "My holiday in Mauritius" and captures it in the camera. When you look at it coming back home, it brings sweet memories back.

The dive monitors also give you crumbles of bread to feed the fishes. You see a large variety of underwater animals which is a wonderful experience. When the fishes crowd around your face, the feeling is very different. It feels worth it. After 10 more minutes of walking, the group is then taken up to the diving platform via a ladder.

Once you are on sea level again it feels like you are transferred into another world. The experience leaves you in a state of awe. You feel thrilled and overwhelmed. Remember to carry a large towel with you since that will be required to dry yourself. No matter the season, the boat ride till the shore is generally accompanied by cold winds. Sometimes there are also light showers. A sudden temperature change may not be good for the body so it is better to keep a large towel or a coat to cover your body and give it some warmth after the activity. 

Once you are back to the shore at the adventure company’s office you can collect your dive certificate and DVD/ pendrive of your amazing adventure and go back home with a treasure of memories.