Seaplane tours in Mauritius: what the flight is, and what it does not see
I get asked about seaplanes more each year, and I understand why. Taking off from water is a different sensation from a helipad, the aircraft is lower and slower over the lagoon, and the reviews are warm: 4.5 from 121. Hansjoerg, from Mauritius, wrote that it was a “completely new feeling to take off and land on water”. Finn from Germany felt safe the entire time. Leroy from France saw two turtles. Nobody, in 121 reviews, mentions the underwater waterfall, and that is because it is on the other side of the island.
What the flight actually covers
The base is a hangar next to the car park at LUX* Grand Gaube, on the far north-east coast, roughly 80 km and about an hour and three-quarters by road from Le Morne. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, so the road is the operator’s problem, but it tells you where the aircraft lives. From there the route is the north-east lagoon: Île aux Cerfs, the Grand Port side, reefs and whatever sea life is about that day. Two aircraft can fly together as a duo. Pilot commentary is in English or French, there is a safety briefing, and the whole thing is private to your own party.
Two things to read before you book. First, duration is counted engine start to engine stop, so taxi, take-off and landing come out of your 15 or 30 minutes; on the short option that is a noticeable slice. Annalena from Germany called the 30-minute version “simply fantastic”, and if you are going at all I would take the 30. Second, the limits: 105 kg per passenger, nobody under seven, nobody over 200 cm, and not for pregnant women or anyone with back or heart problems or vertigo. Weather may reschedule, and cancellation is free to 24 hours before.
Seaplanes and the underwater waterfall
The illusion sits off the south-west tip of the Le Morne peninsula. Seaplanes do fly from the Le Morne lagoon with other operators, and a seaplane at the right height on a calm day sees the sandfall as well as a helicopter does; I am not telling you the aircraft cannot do it. I am telling you the one you can book through this site does not go there. If a page anywhere sells you a Mauritius seaplane and the underwater waterfall in the same breath, check which coast it lifts from before you pay. For the sandfall, the reliable bookable route is one of the three helicopter flights, all of which pass Le Morne.
Seaplane or helicopter
Take the seaplane if what you want is the water take-off, a slow private loop over a lagoon, and a flight that usually costs less per person than a helicopter seat. Take a helicopter if you want the sandfall, if anyone in your party is under seven or over 105 kg, or if you are staying in the south-west and would rather not spend a morning being driven to the north-east and back. The full comparison table, with departure points, minimum ages, weight limits and how each aircraft feels, is on helicopter vs seaplane.
| Private Seaplane Tour with Scenic Views of Mauritius | Sees the waterfallMauritius: Underwater Waterfall by Helicopter Tour | Mauritius: Scenic Helicopter Flight with Hotel Transfers | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Take-off | From water, Grand Gaube | Airport helipad | Airport helipad, hotel pickup |
| Time in the air | 15 or 30 min, engine to engine | 40 min | 35 min |
| Sees the waterfall | No | Yes | Yes |
| Coast flown | North-east | South-west via the plateau | West and south-west |
| Party | Private | Shared, up to 5 | Shared, 4 or 6 |
| Minimum age | 7 | None stated (infants free on scenic) | Under-2s free |
| Weight limit | 105 kg | Seated by weight | Seated by weight |
| Rating | 4.5 (121) | 5.0 (5) | 4.6 (98) |
| View → | Book this → | View → |
Ask which coast the aircraft lifts from before you ask the price. Grand Gaube means the north-east lagoon and no Le Morne. That one question saves more disappointment than anything else on this page.
Check seaplane dates
Live dates and the current rate for the north-east seaplane are below. Read the seaplane review for the day in order and what reviewers say about it.
If it is the waterfall you are after, the flight built around it is on the all tours page, or go straight to live dates on the homepage.
Frequently asked questions
Does the seaplane fly over the underwater waterfall?
The one on GetYourGuide does not. It lifts from Grand Gaube on the north-east coast and flies the north-east lagoon; the sandfall is off Le Morne in the south-west. Seaplanes from the Le Morne lagoon exist with other operators but are not bookable here. For the illusion, take one of the helicopter flights.
Is the seaplane cheaper than a helicopter?
Usually, per person, and it is private to your party, which is why people book it. But you are paying for a different flight over a different coast, and 15 minutes engine to engine includes the taxi and take-off. The comparison is on what a flight costs.
Who cannot fly on the seaplane?
Anyone under seven, over 105 kg (230 lb) or over 200 cm, pregnant women, and people with back or heart problems or vertigo. Families with small children should look at the helicopters instead; the reasoning is on is it worth it.
Is 15 minutes enough?
It is a taste. Duration runs from engine start to engine stop, so taxi and take-off come out of it. If you are making the trip to Grand Gaube at all, the 30-minute option is the one reviewers talk about.