Mauritius: Tamarin, the mythical bay

Please be our guest and follow us to Tamarin Bay, southwest of the island in the Black River region. In 1768, the then French governor, Daniel Dumas, and Pierre Poivre, Intendant named this village Tamarin because of the large number of Tamarind trees growing in this area.

On the way to Black River, as you leave the entrance to the village of Flic en Flac, you will be greeted by La Tourelle Mountain looking over the picturesque village of Tamarin. This fishermen’s village can also be reached on foot from the impressive Flic en Flac beach, crossing the mouths of two rivers (Rivière Tamarin and Rivière du Rempart). You just need not to fear of getting a little wet and there you are at this mythical bay which has welcomed so many surfers from all over the world since the 1970s.

This well-hidden gem is the very heart of the village of Tamarin. In addition to being the meeting point for surfers, it is also where water sports enthusiasts rally: bodyboarders, kite surfers and more recently stand-up paddlers … Late afternoon, this beach unfolds a warm atmosphere as it is a popular place for Mauritians who gather around a drink or two to appreciate awesome sunsets and moonrises. At dawn, the workmen at the Yemen Saltpans will introduce you to the island’s only artisanal salt production. A must-see for collection of sea salt and its ancestral techniques. A few meters from Les Salines, an old lime kiln dating from the time of the arrival of Mahé de La Bourdonnais in 1715.

A little further on, at the public beach of La Preneuse, named after a French boat, that took refuge there during the colonial period, stands the Martello Tower with its cannons pointing towards the Black River Bay. Recognized national heritage, the Martello tower was built in the middle of the 19th century by the British Royal Engineers to protect the west coast from sea attacks. The tower now converted into a museum narrates the history of our country. And if you are fascinated by old structures, then make a short stop nearby at the Saint Augustin Church dating from 1857 and let yourself be carried away by the tranquility of the place.

This peaceful village is also the starting point for sea excursions. Book one of our catamaran trips to encounter a large population of dolphins in their natural habitat off Black River Bay or simply spend a pleasant day between sky and sea. Depending on the season, fishermen can embark on big game fishing boats for sport fishing and bring back a variety of beautiful catches such as marlin, swordfish, and many others.

We are confident that this little getaway in our company will entice you to follow us and discover even more of this attractive Black River region.

See you soon!

NadElle