The paradisiacal island of Mauritius is located in the middle of the Indian Ocean and is surrounded by beautiful reefs that are teeming with life. Colorful fish, turtles, barracudas, tunas and dolphins can be found off the coasts of the archipelago. The ideal environment for sharks and other predatory fish. Which shark species can you discover in Mauritius? And which animals are dangerous when swimming, swimming, snorkeling and diving? We give you all important information about the sharks in Mauritius.

The lagoons, the island Mauritius in many places are simply too wonderful: shallow, turquoise water, pleasant temperatures and, for snorkelers, many coral blocks right near the beach. I have rarely seen something so beautiful while traveling - and spent so much time snorkeling in the water as on this paradise island.

Ideal conditions for an unforgettable snorkeling trip where you... Wildlife with several species of fish, colorful corals and sea turtles. In the lukewarm water of the sheltered lagoons, snorkelers and swimmers can swim for hours.

There are serious shark attacks on the neighboring island

But then came the horror news: On the neighboring island of La Réunion, a snorkeler was killed in the lagoon, not far from the beach. eaten by a tiger shark – or at least human remains were found in the shark's body. It is still unclear whether the man from Scotland first died and was then eaten or was killed by the shark off La Réunion. Some reports of the incident have even confused Mauritius and Reunion Island. It is therefore difficult to say which of the facts of the attack are correct.

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Do not confuse Mauritius with Reunion Island

The difference couldn't be greater: While shark attacks almost never occur off the coast of Mauritius, on average more than half a dozen people die off La Réunion every year because they are attacked by sharks sharks to be bitten. Due to the geographical proximity, many people naturally ask: What about sharks in Mauritius?

Can the predatory fish help me splash around, swim, snorkeling and Diving also meet? And what dangerous sea creatures are there in the waters around Mauritius? We have put together the most important information about the Mauritius sharks - and the really dangerous animals in the water - for you.

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Brief overview – sharks in Mauritius dangerous for holidaymakers?

• There are several dozen species of sharks in the Indian Ocean, which naturally also occur in the waters of Mauritius.
• Are sharks in Mauritius dangerous for vacationers who want to swim and snorkel?
• Mauritius is surrounded by a large outer reef that acts as a natural barrier to the open sea.
• There have only been three shark attacks in Mauritius in the last 50 years.
• Don't confuse Mauritius with the neighboring island of La Réunion, where there are on average several serious attacks per year.
• In the Indian Ocean there are indeed animals that can be dangerous for swimmers and snorkelers - but the shark is not one of them.

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The most important shark species in Mauritius

Seeing sharks in Mauritius is not that easy. I contacted a local diving school and even the instructors had to think about where to see sharks. “We have to go out to Gunner’s Quoin or Flat Island to see a few black tips,” emphasizes Thierry, owner of the Dive Spirit diving center in Trou aux Biches.

Mauritius sharks can already be found when diving, but there is no special shark spot where the predatory fish can always be seen, at least in the northwest of Mauritius.

Numerous shark species are spotted around Mauritius

Nevertheless, sharks are present, and the diving instructors at the Dive Center even see whale sharks from time to time. In the waters around Mauritius there are the typical shark species that occur in many places in the Indian Ocean. These include the usual suspects - various species of reef sharks such as the blacktip reef sharks and whitetip reef sharks, each of which gets its name from the color of the tip of its dorsal fin.

We have to go out to Gunner’s Quoin or Flat Island to see some Black Tips.

Thierry, owner of a diving center in Trou aux Biches on shark sightings

Reef sharks are the most common

They are reef sharks because, as their name suggests, they can often be found on reefs and sometimes just lie around in caves. In contrast to the pelagic species, which always have to swim in order not to die, the reef sharks can also simply take a break. They are completely harmless to humans and rather small overall - maybe up to 1,80 meters tall.

Large pelagic species certainly present

In addition, among the Mauritius sharks there are the large, pelagic shark species in Mauritius such as the gray shark, bull shark, tiger shark, hammerhead shark and also the great white shark. Bull sharks, tiger sharks and great white sharks in particular can also be dangerous for humans - if the animals mistake a wriggling swimmer or snorkeler for prey, they can be tempted to test bite.

In addition to these predatory fish, the waters of Mauritius also contain the huge, plankton-eating whale shark, which is popular with divers. The animals, which are up to 16 meters long, are not observed off the coast very often, but with incredible luck they can be seen while diving and snorkeling.

1. Blacktip Reef Shark

The blacktip reef shark is a fascinating and elegant species of fish found in tropical and subtropical waters. It belongs to the Requiem shark family and is best known for its distinctive black tips on its fins. In this blog post you will learn more about the characteristics, behavior and habitat of this impressive predator.

The blacktip reef shark has a slim and streamlined body that allows it to glide through the water quickly and agilely. It reaches a maximum length of around two meters, with females being slightly larger than males. Its muzzle is broad and rounded, and its eyes are relatively small. It has five gill slits on each side of its head that help it filter oxygen from the water.

2. Gray reef shark

The gray reef shark is a medium-sized shark found in tropical waters around the world. It is an important part of the reef ecosystem as it preys on other fish and invertebrates, maintaining the balance of the food chain.

The gray reef shark has a typical shark appearance, with a streamlined body, a long snout and several rows of sharp teeth. It is mostly light gray in color, with a white belly and white spots and stripes on the sides. His eyes are small and black, suggesting that he relies more on his sense of smell and electricity than his sight.

3. Whale shark (Rhincodon typus)

The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is a giant of the sea. It can be up to 20 meters long and weigh over 15 tons. That's the same as three elephants or six cars! Despite its enormous size, the whale shark is completely harmless to us humans. It is not a predatory fish, but a filter feeder. This means that it feeds mainly on plankton, tiny creatures that float in the water. But it also eats small fish and squid, which it sucks up with its huge mouth.

Its mouth can be up to 1,5 meters wide and has more than 300 rows of tiny teeth. However, it does not need these teeth for chewing, but only for holding onto its prey. He lets the water with the food run through special filters in his throat that separate the food from the water. It can filter up to 6.000 liters of water per hour!

4. Great White Shark (Carcharodon carcharias)

The great white shark is not only the largest but also the most notorious shark in the world. It is a fascinating and at the same time frightening animal that captivates many people. In this blog post you will learn more about the great white shark, its characteristics, behavior and relationship with humans. The great white shark belongs to the mackerel shark family and is closely related to the basking shark and the megalodon.

It can be up to 6 meters long and weigh over 2 tons. It has a streamlined body, a pointed snout, five gills and two dorsal fins. Its skin is gray to blue on its back and white on its belly. Its teeth are triangular, serrated and very sharp. It has up to 300 teeth in several rows, which it constantly renews.

The huge predatory fish is a shark found worldwide and feels at home in all oceans. However, it prefers coastal areas with warm or temperate climates. It is a solitary animal that rarely lives with other sharks. It is an opportunistic hunter that feeds on various sea creatures. Its prey includes fish, seals, dolphins, small whales, turtles and sometimes birds or garbage.

5. Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas)

Have you ever heard of the bull shark? It is one of the most dangerous sharks to humans, but also one of the most fascinating. In this blog post you will learn more about this impressive fish that can live in both salt and fresh water.

The bull shark can reach a length of up to 4 meters and a weight of more than 500 kilograms. He has a powerful body, a broad head and a blunt snout. Its color is gray to brown on the back and white on the belly. It has small eyes and sharp teeth that it uses to tear apart its prey.

It can be found in all oceans around the world, but prefers warm waters. It usually lives near the coast, where it feeds on fish, turtles, rays and small sharks. He is an opportunistic hunter who eats everything he finds. It is also a very adaptable fish that can change its environment.

6. Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)

The tiger shark is not only one of the largest sharks, but also one of the most fascinating. It can reach an impressive length of up to 5 meters and a weight of more than 1 ton. The tiger shark is at home in all oceans around the world, but it particularly likes warm and tropical areas.

Its diet is very diverse, ranging from fish, turtles, dolphins and small sharks to birds, seals and even garbage. The tiger shark is a curious and adaptable predator that explores its surroundings and eats everything it finds.

Unfortunately, this gave him a bad reputation as a dangerous man-eater. Although the tiger shark sometimes attacks humans, most of the time these attacks are due to confusion or defense.

7. Great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran)

You've probably seen a great hammerhead shark before, right? It is the largest representative of the hammerhead sharks and can grow up to 6,1 meters long. That's as long as a minibus! But what makes this shark so special? And where can you find him? In this blog post you will find out everything you need to know about the great hammerhead shark.

The great hammerhead shark lives in warm waters around the world, from Australia to Africa to the Americas. It particularly likes to swim near coral reefs or other structure-rich habitats where it searches for prey. Its favorite foods are rays, other sharks, bony fish and sometimes crustaceans or squid.

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Mauritius – Sharks dangerous for humans?

Many holidaymakers wonder whether Mauritius sharks are dangerous to humans. Basically, it has to be said that Mauritius has something like a natural barrier that usually keeps sharks away from the beaches. A shallow, sandy lagoon runs around the island, which is also responsible for the wonderful turquoise color of the water.

On the outside of the lagoon is the outer reef, which runs almost around the entire island. It acts as a natural barrier, keeping sharks and other larger predatory fish from getting too close to the beaches. Accordingly, sharks in Mauritius are not particularly dangerous to humans. In the last 50 years there have been only three shark attacks off the coast of Mauritius - two of them on fishermen and one on a swimmer.

Shark attacks on La Réunion - not to be confused with Mauritius

The situation on La Réunion is completely different. There are warnings everywhere about the sharks that swim around in the waters off the island. On the neighboring island of Mauritius, people are regularly attacked, seriously injured and even killed by sharks.

The tragic holiday in question took place here recently with the Scottish holidaymaker, whose hand - including his wedding ring - was found in the stomach of a tiger shark. The sharks on Reunion Island are apparently involved in shark attacks much more often, even though the island is only a few hundred kilometers from Mauritius.

The reasons for numerous shark attacks on La Réunion are still unclear

The reasons for the numerous shark attacks are not yet clear. It is assumed that these are different influences. On the one hand, sharks can live relatively undisturbed in the nature reserve around the island and reproduce more strongly again. At the same time, the supply of food for sharks in the overfished oceans is becoming ever smaller. They are therefore getting closer and closer to the beaches.

In many places on Reunion Island, the natural outer reef that surrounds Mauritius is missing. What Shark attacks As far as safety is concerned, the beaches of Reunion Island are one of the most dangerous places in the world. The shark species that are responsible for over 90 percent of all shark attacks worldwide are often involved: tiger sharks, bull sharks, great white sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks (Longimanus).

Really dangerous sea creatures in Mauritius - stonefish, sea snakes, sea urchins and triggerfish

There are actually dangerous marine animals in Mauritius - but the shark is usually not one of them. Holidaymakers should be particularly careful about stonefish, sea snakes, sea urchins and triggerfish when swimming.

1. Stonefish

The stonefish is an extremely treacherous animal. They sit quietly on reefs or on shallow sandy bottoms and can often hardly be distinguished from the ground. If you touch them or step on them, they emit their poison. This can lead to paralysis and even death.

2. Sea snakes

Sea snakes are found on the coasts of tropical waters. Their bite is almost painless, but the venom is extremely dangerous. It causes paralysis, which can lead to death.

3. Sea urchins

Sea urchins are somewhat less dangerous. If you step in it, painful wounds, redness and inflammation occur. Fortunately, sea urchins are easy to see.

4. Triggerfish

The colorful and pretty triggerfish are also not entirely harmless. They have strong territorial behavior. If you invade their territory, they begin to pursue swimmers, snorkelers and divers. The large fish can bite very painfully and are relentless in their pursuit. It's not easy to escape them.

Diving with sharks in Mauritius – a fascinating and unforgettable experience

Sharks are not brutal killers – quite the opposite. They are sensitive animals that lovingly care for their offspring, are incredibly intelligent and are at great risk of extinction. As a diver, I always tried to watch sharks while diving. Unfortunately, the shy predatory fish are only rarely seen anymore.

You have to be a diver and go into the water in very special places to even encounter sharks. We've been lucky enough to dive with sharks in the Red Sea in Egypt, see sharks in the Maldives, see sharks in Thailand, sharks in Florida and sharks in Mauritius. Unfortunately, we have not yet encountered sharks in the Mediterranean - for example off Mallorca, Malta, Sardinia or Cyprus.

I hope to meet sharks as often as possible while diving, because the number of endangered animals is decreasing every year. Over 100 million animals are killed every year for their fins, which are considered a delicacy in China.

The best dive sites for shark watching in Mauritius

• Flic en Flac: There is a large reef here with lots of corals and fish, which attracts sharks. You can often see whitetip reef sharks and blacktip reef sharks here.
• LeMorne: There is a deep wall here with many caves and crevices where the sharks hide. You can especially find gray reef sharks and lemon sharks here.
• Grand Baie: There is a large lagoon here with a lot of sandy bottom where the sharks rest. You can especially encounter bull sharks and hammerhead sharks here.

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Related Articles

Read more – find out more about sharks in Mauritius

• Shark attacks on La Reunion from Diving Magazine (02.03.2019/XNUMX/XNUMX)
• The most shark-rich waters in the world from DerStandard.de (July 26.07.2023, XNUMX)

Sharks in Mauritius – lucky if you come across one while diving

My conclusion

You have to be very lucky to see sharks in Mauritius. Encountering a predatory fish in the lagoon as a snorkeler or diver is extremely unlikely. Basically, however, the Heier are present in the waters of the Indian Ocean. Whale sharks, blacktip reef sharks, gray sharks, whitetip reef sharks, bull sharks, tiger sharks, hammerhead sharks and great white sharks, along with several dozen other smaller shark species and various rays, are native to the waters.

Anyone who sees a shark while diving in Mauritius can count themselves really lucky and will probably have an unforgettable experience. Everyone else can go swimming and snorkeling with peace of mind: being eaten by a shark in Mauritius is somewhere between extremely unlikely and impossible.

Have you ever dived with sharks or are you planning your first trip to Mauritius? What do you think about the threat of sharks while swimming in Mauritius? Share your experiences in the comments.