After Cap Malheureux, Poste Lafayette also has a snorkeling trail since October 26. This underwater trail is the result of a collaboration between the NGO Reef Conservation and the Radisson Blu hotel. Céline Miternique-Agathe – Marine Project Team Leader for Reef, answers our questions.
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How did the project and the partnership with the Radisson Blu hotel come about?
We have been working with the Radisson Blu hotels in Mauritius for several years now. Initially, we mapped and inventoried the lagoon in front of the hotel in order to know the different ecosystems and organisms present. The hotel employees also received training on the marine and coastal ecosystems present in Mauritius and on the importance of preserving them. It is then that the idea of setting up an underwater trail came up. The objective is to sensitize the guests of the Radisson Blu but also the people of the region on the protection and preservation of this wealth.
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How big is the trail and what can be found along the way?
The snorkeling trail is about 300 meters long with markers every six meters. You will discover some of the species that make up the fauna and flora of the lagoon. The different markers guide the divers in order to help them understand and discover the lagoon of Poste Lafayette. The snorkeling trail of Poste Lafayette is a unique and rich space with seagrass beds, corals and a very rich fauna. There are even turtles that regularly come to lay eggs on the beach.
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What is the particularity of this aquatic trail?
First of all, you should know that there are very few trails like this one in Mauritius. The first one had been set up in 2014 by Reef Conservation as part of its Voluntary Marine Conservation Area project at Cap Malheureux/Anse la Raie. The trail set up with Radisson Blu is therefore the second to have been installed and allows you to discover the lagoon of Poste Lafayette. This trail offers a fun activity combining sport, discovery and environmental preservation.
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Is the trail free and open to the public?
It is free and open to all. However, we recommend that divers take precautions as with all water activities.
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Can we expect other snorkeling trails throughout the country?
The setting up of snorkeling trails is done according to the requests or projects. It is therefore quite possible that in the years to come other underwater trails will be installed in our Mauritian lagoons.
