Surrounded by the welcoming waters of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius welcomes divers and snorkelers to a sunken wonderland. There are hundreds of species and coral varieties to be found and every site brings something new to the table. The Blue Bay Marine Park is ideal for snorkelling beginners as the waters are quite shallow: The seagrass and multi-hued corals house crowds of surgeonfish, parrotfish, Moorish idols and clownfish. If you're determined to spot a sea turtle, Pointe aux Piments is your best bet as the adorable reptiles tend to favour the area. Scorpionfish are quite common throughout the island and exciting to spot but always get a good look at where you're putting your feet or you could get a nasty sting. Divers who are on the search for larger aquatic species will adore Mauritius: Barracudas, dolphins, hammerhead sharks and even whales frequent the island. If you want to explore a wreck the Sirius, Silver Star and Djabeda shipwrecks are all great options- there's something fascinating about seeing a felled ship merge into the reef. The Cathedrale site is a vast underwater cave where the rays of light tint the water as vividly as stained glass. Bold divers can look for bull sharks at La Passe De Belle Mare, and alien-like lionfish can be spotted in Rempart Serpent.