nature science history

The Incredible ‘Underwater Waterfall’ of Mauritius

underwater waterfall trench le morne mauritius

Located at the Southwestern tip of the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean you will find a fascinating illusion. It is caused by the trails of sand on the sea floor being dragged away by water going between the opening in the reefs (La Passe). When viewed from above, the runoff of sand and silt deposits creates the incredibly spectacular impression of an ‘underwater waterfall’.

underwater waterfall mauritius 2

Satellite views (such as the Google Map screenshot below) are equally dramatic, showing an underwater vortex seemingly appearing off the coast of this tropical paradise.

underwater waterfall mauritius satellite 1

Towering high above is Le Morne Brabant, a basaltic monolith with a summit 556 m (1,824 ft) above sea level. The summit covers an area of over 12 hectares (30 acres) and is situated on Le Morne Brabant peninsula. The area (Le Morne Cultural Landscape) is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

underwater waterfall mauritius

Protected by its isolated, wooded and almost inaccessible cliffs, in the 18th and early 19th centuries runaway slaves formed small settlements in the caves and on the summit of the rugged mountain. The oral traditions associated with the ‘maroons’ have made Le Morne a symbol of the slaves’ fight for freedom, their suffering, and their sacrifice. As an important stopover in the eastern slave trade, Mauritius came to be known as the ‘Maroon republic’ because of the large number of escaped slaves who lived on the mountain.

Watch our video with amazing drone footage of the amazing underwater waterfall illusion.

Sources: 1, 2

Enjoyed this article? Please keep the Mission going! Even a little support can make a big difference for independent journalism!
Alright, I'll keep you going!
Written by Tamás Varga
A sociologist and English major by degree, I've worked in the area of civil society & human rights and have been blogging in the fields of travel, nature & science for over 20 years.

6 thoughts on “The Incredible ‘Underwater Waterfall’ of Mauritius”

Leave a Comment

Your personal data will be treated securely and will not be disclosed to third parties. By clicking this button, you authorize Earthly Mission to process the personal data you provide. For more information, see Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

Earthly Mission