News
The Mauritius 2020 Island Swim for Conservation

In 1997 a single swimmer circled Mauritius alone. He was not young, he was supported only by a boat, and it took him 18 days. He did it to prove it could be done.
In 2020, 12 Students from Northfields International School in La Bourdonais Mauritius are planning to swim around the Island in only 8 days, and they are doing it to generate interest in the things that matter to them. Why you ask? Are they crazy? Its 180 km.
Surely their parents won’t allow this, I thought, and I went down to the beach to meet the team and make a video of them on their first day of training. Unbelievably the parents who are all Mauritius residents, applaud their enterprise. It’s being cleverly coached by teachers Murray Botha and Jordan Peek who have planned a support team of canoeists and boats.

The Team of 12 swimmers
Inspired by Murray Botha and Jordan Peek, two teachers at the Northfields School, 12 Students between the ages of 12 and 17 are swimming around Mauritius. Accompanied by 4 x 2-man canoes, a powerful support team and a boat, the swimmers will make the swim in relays, changing swimmers every 30 minutes, and swimming 20 km per day over 9 days.
These Students watch plastic bottles being dumped out of the windows of buses and cars into the streets of Mauritius in their suburbs, and they see them being carried down-stream into the ocean.

Illegal trash dumping
They are also deeply concerned about the conservation of Mauritius reefs and about overfishing. They want to draw attention to both land based and marine conservation.
They asked me what conservation issues were faced by the diving industry in Mauritius, and I was happy to oblige.
https://youtu.be/Ajlkbrq8QSQ
We have had the most amazing diving for the last 3 years, with spectacular new corals and thriving and abundant fish life. Mauritius wreck diving is world class. Shark diving is superb, with deep walls and Cathedral like canyons where they lazily circle in the washing machine currents.
Now for no apparent reason the turtles have left Turtle Rock, we no longer see huge shoals of tuna and marlin and billfish are no longer around and although the sharks are still plentiful around their normal habitat, we no longer see the baby white tips on the inshore reefs. Trying to find out why, I looked into the Mauritius Ministry of Fisheries website, and was horrified to find recipes on how to clean reef fish so they could safely be eaten.
This list explains which of the reef fish must be treated before being eaten, among them a huge number of rare and endemic reef fish, all caught under license from the Mauritius Government.
One dreadful article explains how to clean and serve a Hawksbill turtle, listed as toxic unless treated, although these endangered turtles are now fully protected under recent legislation.
The legacy of French cuisine seems to be impacting the reefs, although the Island was British for over 150 years. Fortunately, most tourists are well aware of the need to protect reef fish, and most of the resorts are discreetly refusing to serve them.
The pic below shows the fish that can be caught under license in Mauritius- Groupers, Unicorn fish Yellow edged lyre tails, Porcupine fish, wrasses… all reef fish.

Reef fish on display on Ministry of Fisheries website
Tragically, the Fisheries Ministry does not seem to know the difference between pelagic commercial fish passing through in shoals and territorial reef fish. They also appear to have licensed and registered a shark exporter as seen on their web pages, despite the fact that they have signed an international protocol for the protection of sharks.

Small mesh net fishing
When I spoke to the students, each one had a different perspective on the swim, and all of them were completely committed. Illegal fishing with small mesh nets was a huge concern, as we all see this when we walk the beaches early in the morning.

The Island Swim Team with Jordan and Murray on their first training day
The teams of swimmers and paddlers will stop at various resorts on the lagoons overnight, and The Attitude Hotels Group of resorts, who have a reputation for implementing conservation practices in all their resorts, have volunteered to assist by providing accommodation in their resorts for the swimmers.
The conservation objectives will be presented every 20 km at the overnight stops. Diving centres along the route will meet the teams each evening.
With the uncertainty that oppresses a tropical island diving destination when the world goes into lockdown and planes are grounded, we are all concerned about the impact of the COVID 19 virus on international tourism in Mauritius.
The School Sports Department is planning a comprehensive scuba diving training program in conjunction with local dive centres. The local French school too has been approached by one of the diving centres in the area to allow training of their students.
Euro Divers at Club Med has offered its diving centre for training school Students, and Sun Divers in the West has undertaken to train school Students in the Flic en Flac area..
And taking advantage of the PADI COVID 20% discount on courses, many parents are keen to get their Students diving.
So, the 2020 Mauritius Island Swim is the ideal way to kick-start a new attitude to both conservation and diving in Mauritius.
- Words: Jill Holloway
- Copyright: Ocean Spirit www.osdiving.com 2020
- Images: Jill Holloway; Thomas Vignaud and the Mauritius Ministry of Fisheries
News
Explorer Ventures Launches Hot Summer / Cool Prices Sale

Save up to $1100 on select liveaboard dive trips from June through October 2025
Explorer Ventures Fleet is turning up the heat with its new Hot Summer / Cool Prices sale. For a limited time, divers can save $1000 or more on select liveaboard departures from June through October 2025.
Whether you’re ready to dive into crystal-clear summer waters or planning a cool fall escape, this promotion offers major savings on world-class dive adventures in the Galápagos, Turks & Caicos, and the Caribbean.
Hot Summer / Cool Prices – For the Summer Dive Traveler:
From June through August, take advantage of deep discounts on summer getaways. Enjoy up to $1100 off select trips aboard the Humboldt Explorer in the Galápagos or save $1000 on select summer departures aboard Turks & Caicos Explorer Il and Caribbean Explorer II, exploring magic of Saba and St. Kitts.
Cool Fall / Hot Prices – For Travel in the Fall:
Leave the cool weather and falling leaves behind — fall is the perfect time to head south and save. Take $1000 off select departures from September through October aboard Turks & Caicos Explorer II and Caribbean Explorer II.
See all details and departure dates: www.explorerventures.com/discounts-and-specials
Space is limited – and once the trips are full, the savings are gone. Book now to secure your spot!
Looking for other dates or destinations? There are more savings available across the fleet, including liveaboard diving holidays in Indonesia, the Maldives, the Red Sea, and Palau. Explore all current deals here: https://www.explorerventures.com/year-of-savings-dive-liveaboard-specials/
Contact:
1.800.322.3577 (US/Canada) | +1.307.235.0683
About Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Fleet
Since 1987, Explorer Ventures Liveaboard Fleet has been delivering world-class liveaboard diving, blending authentic experiences with a commitment to safety and sustainability. Operating in some of the world’s most breathtaking underwater destinations, their fleet of well-appointed vessels ensures every guest enjoys the highest level of comfort and care.
Explorer Ventures is proud to be the first liveaboard company to collaborate with Green Fins, earning certifications on four vessels: Caribbean Explorer II, Turks & Caicos Explorer II, Tiburon Explorer, and Humboldt Explorer. Notably, Tiburon Explorer and Humboldt Explorer are the only PADI Eco Centers designated in the Galápagos, underscoring their dedication to sustainable and responsible diving practices. With exceptional destinations, a global array of itineraries, and diver-focused design across the fleet, every voyage is crafted for comfort, convenience, and adventure—both above and below the surface.
Marine Life & Conservation
Make Every Dive Count

The Shark Trust Great Shark Snapshot is back for its 4th year! And this time the Shark Trust are asking you to Make Every Dive Count!
The last week of July will see the return of the Shark Trust’s citizen science initiative: The Great Shark Snapshot. It encourages divers and snorkellers, all around the world, to record the sharks and rays that they see. This year it takes place between the 19th and 27th July. Get ready to dive in!
The event is back for its 4th year, and it is happening in “Shark Month”, more commonly known as July! To coincide with a series of events that celebrate all things shark and ray, including Shark Week and the 50th anniversary of Jaws.
Divers, clubs, centres, charter boats and liveaboards are all encouraged to show their support by organising dives and events throughout the week. As well as gathering vital data, the event will provide a chance to celebrate the incredible shark and ray species that live in our ocean.
Information about the species and numbers of sharks and rays the participants find over the week will be added to the Shark Trust’s Shark Log. This global shark census will, over time, allow shark scientists to build a picture of species distribution and any changes that occur
Caroline Robertson-Brown, Marketing Manager at the Shark Trust said “It is great to see this popular citizen science event back for its 4th year. We are asking divers to Make Every Dive Count this year. To identify. Count and Record every shark, ray and eggcase they see during the week-long event. To organise dives especially to take part. Whether you are diving your local dive site, or on a trip of a lifetime, we want divers to join in on the Great Shark Snapshot in July.”
It is easy to join in. Just go diving between 19th and 27th July and record every shark, ray, skate or eggcase that you and your dive group sees. If possible, take photos and some video footage too. Then make sure that you record your sightings on the Shark Trust Shark Log recordings website or by using the Shark Trust app.
This year we have created a digital guide that puts all the information you need in one handy online guide. Which can be downloaded from the website.
The Great Shark Snapshot is a way for divers to get together, go diving, and do something to help shark conservation. Why not dive in?
Find out more here: www.sharktrust.org/snapshot
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