Underwater Waterfall

A intriguing illusion may be seen at the southwestern edge of the island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It is created by sand tracks on the sea bottom being carried away by water passing through the openings in the reefs (La Passe). When viewed from above, the discharge of sand and silt deposits gives the incredible sight of a "underwater waterfall". Satellite images reveal an underwater vortex that appears to emerge off the shore of this tropical paradise.

Le Morne Brabant, a basaltic monolith 556 m (1,824 ft) above sea level, towers high above. The peak is located on the Le Morne Brabant peninsula and encompasses an area of more than 12 hectares (30 acres). UNESCO has designated the region (Le Morne Cultural Landscape) as a World Heritage Site. Though this falls under the category of Mauritius waterfalls, it is actually an amazing optical illusion. The sand and silt on the ocean floor stream down in such a way that the water appears to be pouring down into an underwater waterfall. This spectacular visual effect is created by the passage of underwater currents. Because this is only seen from above, helicopters are specifically hired for underwater waterfall Mauritius tours.

Location: Le Morne, Mauritius