Mauritius · MU

Eau Bleu Waterfall

Eau Bleue is not a single postcard cascade but a whole chain of waterfalls strung along one river in Mauritius's south-east, tucked behind the sugarcane near Cluny and Mare Chicose. The name says everything: the pools glow an almost unreal turquoise-blue, fed by underground springs that give the water a clarity most Mauritian rivers never manage. Local hikers rate it among the island's best—and it costs nothing to enjoy. There is no gate, no ticket and barely a sign to guide you. The approach is a narrow lane through the cane to a small water pumping station, then a trampled footpath down into the trees—until the ground drops away and reveals the first pool. Follow the river and you'll pass several more falls, each with its own scramble down, its own jump-off point and its own shade of blue. Plan on two to four hours if you want to walk the whole chain, or an easy hour or two to swim at the most accessible pools. Bring grip-soled shoes, swimwear and water, and treat the place with respect: the descents are steep and slippery, the main pool runs several metres deep, and there are no lifeguards. The clearest, safest conditions come in the dry months; the fullest flows come after the summer rains.