Anou al Morisπ€Ώ Snorkelling & diving Β· North
Snorkelling at Coin de Mire
Snorkel stop at the foot of the cliffs of Coin de Mire, the wedge-shaped islet off Cap Malheureux, on a boat or catamaran trip to the northern islands.
Coin de Mire (Gunner's Quoin) is a nature reserve and landing is not allowed, but boats stop in its lee to let you snorkel over rocks and coral in deep, very clear water. Most catamaran days to the northern islands (Γle Plate and Γlot Gabriel) include a stop here, and some speedboats from Grand Baie and Cap Malheureux do shorter trips.
The water is deeper than in the lagoons (it's outside the reef), so it's for confident swimmers. On calm days the visibility is excellent.
- Very clear water outside the reef
- Dramatic cliffs
- Part of the northern islands trip
π€Ώ In the water
- Entry
- By boat
- Depth
- 5β15 m
- Visibility
- β β β β β β β β β β
- Currents
- Open sea outside the reef: swell and currents possible.
- You may see
- Reef fish, Trumpetfish, Turtles (sometimes)
Getting there
π By car: 1 h 15 (62.8 km) off-peak. Directions in Google Maps β
π Booking: Book a catamaran or speedboat to the northern islands (Grand Baie or Cap Malheureux).
Tips
- π‘ It's deep open water: use the life jacket or noodle the crew offers if you're not a strong swimmer.
- π‘ Seasickness tablets help on the crossing if the sea is choppy.