Hello Nemo

What's new in Mauritius? A submarine ride into the depths of the ocean.

In the magical depths of the ocean, imagine the fish swimming up to greet you, their curious eyes peering through a glass. It’s as if they’re saying, “Welcome to our world!” It’s an unforgettable experience, almost surreal, being so close to the creatures of the deep.

While the word ‘submarine’ may conjure images of uniformed navy men, in the amazing water world of Mauritius, it’s the latest adventure to try!

The island nation, with its 330-km-long coastline, beckons travellers with shimmering beaches where the sun invites one to bask in its warmth. But while the sands are for almost hypnotic relaxation, the crystal-clear waters are playgrounds for adrenaline seekers.

Gentle thrills like banana boat rides and snorkelling coexist with high-speed jet ski tours and invigorating kayaking. For the truly daring, a ride on a sea kart (a hybrid between a boat and a jet ski) or the heart-pounding sensation of flyboarding — flying above the water on a futuristic board — offers that extra dose of exhilaration.

Yet, nothing compares to the extraordinary: a submarine tour. Trou aux Biches is a small, quiet town on the northern coast of Mauritius, home to an untouched pristine beach. This is where the submarine tour starts. A short ferry ride away, the submarine is anchored by the base ship Le Betty des Mascareignes, from which it is launched into the ocean!

The vessel is a BS1100 submarine that can accommodate 10 people. It floats gracefully on the water, its sleek body gently bobbing. Once it stabilises, an open hatch on its surface

welcomes tourists to climb inside its belly. It’s an adventure; almost mysterious and somehow heart-pounding! Inside, it feels like a private plane, except we’ve swapped the blue skies for blue waters. The cabin is cosy, and despite the snug quarters, no one seems to mind as everyone gets a viewing port for looking outside.

After a brief safety rundown — life jackets and oxygen masks are ready — we are set to dive! A television screen livetelecasts the immersion of the submarine from the ship deck above. A slight rocking alerts that we are underwater and we start descending. Slowly, the submarine is enveloped by a soft, blue light, and then the corals appear, followed by a mesmerising parade of fish. Schools of yellow-spot emperors and blue-striped snappers swim in perfect harmony, adding to the kaleidoscope of colours.

A booklet in the seat pocket details the fish found in this part of the ocean. The most common is the yellow and brown clownfish (inspiration for Nemo from the eponymous film).

Soon, the wreck of a submerged vessel appears. It’s Star Hope, a 17th-century Japanese fishing trawler, intentionally sunk to create a home for fish. It’s not the Titanic, but still impressive.

Gliding towards artificial coral reefs in the area, created to feed the fish and offer them shelter, a veritable world opens up. Here, the waters teem with life — fish of all shapes and sizes, each more curious than the last. A grinning Nemo swims up to my port, almost pressing its face against the submarine as if asking “wan’na play catch?”

Every few metres, the environment changes as sunlight filters in, painting patterns and rainbows in the water. The submarine halts at 35 m, on a sandy bed, surrounded by the tranquil depths of the ocean.

After a peaceful pause on the ocean floor, the journey to the surface begins, trailed by the inquisitive schools of fish. As the water begins to sparkle, and the sunlight becomes brighter, we know we have “surfaced” with memories of a lifetime!