Mauritius, officially known as the Republic of Mauritius, is an island located in the Indian Ocean, approximately 2,000 km off the southeast coast of the African continent, near Madagascar and Mozambique. The island was first discovered by Arabs in 975 AD, followed by the Portuguese between 1507 and 1513. Along with Rodrigues and the French department of Réunion, Mauritius forms part of the Mascarene Archipelago. Since its discovery, the island has experienced successive periods of colonization by the Dutch, French, and British. Mauritius gained independence and became a republic in 1968. That’s a brief overview of the island’s history—now let’s dive into what really interests us:
At the southwestern tip of Mauritius lies a fascinating optical illusion. Viewed from the air, sand and silt deposits create the illusion of an underwater waterfall. Thanks to aerial photography, this visual deception is absolutely breathtaking! In fact, this natural wonder can even be seen on Google Maps. The stunning satellite images almost convince us there is an actual underwater waterfall off the coast of this tropical paradise. In other photos, the landscape appears as if painted in shades of green, blue, and white, further enhancing the illusion of a waterfall plunging into the depths of the Indian Ocean.
It is the sand that causes this magical illusion, accentuated by the vibrant colors of the water. Large waves crash into this part of the island, dispersing the sand and creating a natural “downward” current. With these images, we truly get the impression of a real waterfall, though in reality, the phenomenon is more akin to an hourglass.
We all know that Mauritius is a paradise island, but these images add even more appeal to the volcanic island.
Article updated on 17 October 2024
