Can you get attacked by a shark while kiting in Mauritius?

Introduction

With its turquoise lagoons, steady trade winds and world-renowned spots such as Le Morne or Anse la Raie, Mauritius is a little paradise for kitesurfing enthusiasts. Every year, thousands of kitesurfers come here to glide across the water, buoyed by ideal conditions and a spectacular setting.

But in Mauritius, the island's kitesurfing scene is a little different.

But in the collective imagination, a doubt persists, often fueled by social networks or miscellaneous events from elsewhere:

What if there were sharks?

And above all, is kitesurfing a risky activity in Mauritian waters?

This fear, while legitimate, deserves to be confronted with the facts. In this article, I offer a neutral, documented and scientific analysis to answer the question:

👉 Can you get attacked by a shark while kiteboarding in Mauritius?

We will review:

• the shark species present around the island,
• their behavior and habitat,
• the statistics of attacks recorded,
• the testimonials from local practitioners,
• and, of course, the prevention and safety measures to be aware of to practice serenely.

Spoiler alert: Mauritius is a lot safer than you might think, but you might as well have your facts straight.

1. Shark presence in Mauritius

1.1 Shark species surveyed

Mauritius is home to a notable diversity of shark species, evolving mainly in coral reefs, lagoons and the surrounding deep waters. Here is a list of the main species observed in Mauritian waters:

1.1.1 Blacktip shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus)

• Average size: 1.6 meters
• Behavior: Shy, rarely aggressive toward humans
• Habitat: Shallow lagoons, coral reefs
• Diets : Fish, cephalopods, crustaceans
• Dangerousness : Considered harmless to humans

This species is one of the most common around Mauritius, often observed by divers and snorkelers.

1.1.2 Gray reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)

• Average size: 2 meters
• Behavior: May show signs of intimidation if threatened
• Habitat: Coral reefs, drop-offs up to 275 m deep
• Food : Fish, crustaceans, cephalopods
• Dangerousness : Rarely dangerous, but observe with caution

This shark is often seen in groups and plays an essential role in the reef ecosystem.

1.1.3 Lemon shark (Negaprion acutidens)

• Average size: Up to 3.5 meters
• Behavior: Calm, but can be curious
• Habitat: Lagoons, shallow coastal areas
• Diet: Fish, crustaceans
• Dangerousness : Harmless to humans, but must be respected

Recognizable by its yellowish color, this shark frequents shallow waters and is rarely involved in incidents with man.

1.1.4 Bulldog shark (Carcharhinus leucas)

• Average size: Up to 3.5 meters
• Behavior: Unpredictable, considered potentially dangerous
• Habitat: Coastal waters, estuaries, sometimes freshwater
• Food: Fish, turtles, marine mammals
• Dangerousness : Considered one of the most dangerous sharks for humans

Although present around Mauritius, interactions with humans are extremely rare.

1.1.5 Great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran)

• Average size: 3 to 6 meters
• Behavior: Solitary, generally non-aggressive
• Habitat : Coastal and pelagic waters
• Dietary: Skates, fish, other sharks
• Dangerousness : Attacks on humans extremely rare

This shark is recognizable by its T-shaped head and is classified as endangered by the IUCN.

1.1.6 Whitetip shark (Carcharhinus albimarginatus)

• Average size: Up to 3 meters
• Behavior: Curious, may approach divers
• Habitat: Outer reef slopes, up to 800 m deep
• Diets : Fish, cephalopods, crustaceans
• Dangerousness : Not very dangerous, but observe with respect

Present around the reefs of Mauritius, this shark is often observed during deep-water dives.

1.1.7 Maho shark (Isurus oxyrinchus)

• Average size: 2.5 to 4 meters
• Behavior: Very fast, can be aggressive if threatened
• Habitat : Deep pelagic waters
• Dietary : Fish, cephalopods
• Dangerousness : Potentially dangerous, but rarely observed near the coast

This shark is rarely seen around Mauritius, but its presence is possible in deep waters.

1.1.8 Whale shark (Rhincodon typus)

• Average size: Up to 12 meters
• Behavior: Peaceful, harmless
• Habitat: Tropical and warm waters
• Food: Plankton, small fish
• Dangerousness : None, totally harmless to humans

The world's largest fish, the whale shark is a harmless filter feeder often observed by lucky divers.

1.1.9 Nurse shark (Ginglymostoma cirratum)

• Average size: Up to 4 meters
• Behavior: Slow, docile
• Habitat : Coral reefs, sandy bottoms
• Dietary : Fish, crustaceans, mollusks
• Dangerousness : Harmless, but may bite if provoked

This shark is rarely seen around Mauritius, but its presence is possible in reef areas.

1.1.10 Dagsit shark or grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)

• Average size: Up to 2.5 meters
• Behavior: Can be territorial, especially in the presence of food
• Habitat: Coral reefs, drop-offs
• Food : Fish, cephalopods
.
• Dangerousness : Not very dangerous, but observe with caution

This shark is often seen in groups around the reefs of Mauritius.

This diversity of shark species around Mauritius testifies to the richness of its marine ecosystem. Most of these sharks are harmless to humans and play a crucial role in the ecological balance of the oceans.

This diversity of shark species around Mauritius is a testament to the richness of its marine ecosystem.

1.1.11 Longiman shark (Carcharhinus longimanus)

• Average size: Approximately 2.5 to 3 meters
• Behavior: Curious, opportunistic, often attracted to boats or unusual situations in the open sea
• Habitat: Deep oceanic waters, far from shore (tropical and subtropical pelagic zones)
• Dietary: Pelagic fish, squid, sometimes carrion
• Dangerousness : Moderately to highly dangerous to humans in the event of a maritime accident on the high seas (famous for its post-sinking attacks)

🔍 Notes specific to Mauritius:

Although present in the oceanic zone around the island, the longiman shark is never observed in lagoons or kitesurfing areas, which are close to the coast and protected by reefs. It mainly moves out to sea, several kilometers from the barrier.

1.2 Behavior and habitat

1.2.1 Areas frequented

The sharks found around Mauritius occupy a variety of marine habitats, depending on their species and stage of development:

• Shallow lagoons: Species such as the blacktip shark (Carcharhinus melanopterus) and lemon shark (Negaprion acutidens) frequent lagoons and shallow coastal areas, particularly coral reefs.
• Coral reefs and drop-offs: Grey reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos) and whitetip sharks (Triaenodon obesus) are often seen near coral reefs and drop-offs, where they hunt fish and cephalopods.
• Deep oceanic waters: Species such as the longiman shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) and mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) evolve mainly in the open sea, far from coasts and swimming areas.

It is important to note that the majority of sharks in Mauritius avoid areas heavily frequented by humans, such as beaches and kitesurfing areas, preferring quieter habitats.

1.2.2 Periods of frequentation

Sharks are generally most active during certain periods of the day:

• Dawn and dusk: Many shark species are most active during these periods, taking advantage of the low light to hunt.
• Night: Some species, such as the whitetip shark, are mainly nocturnal, hunting actively at night and resting during the day in caves or under rocky overhangs.

These behaviors vary according to species and environmental conditions, but in general, sharks avoid areas heavily frequented by humans during hours of high human activity.

1.3 Common prey

Sharks around Mauritius have a varied diet, adapted to their habitat and morphology:

• Bonefish: The main food source for most sharks, including species such as mullet, parrotfish and surgeonfish.
• Cephalopods: Squid and octopus are also common prey, especially for species like the grey reef shark.
• Crustaceans: Crabs and shrimps are consumed by certain species, particularly those frequenting sandy bottoms or reef areas.
• Rays and other sharks: Larger predators, such as the great hammerhead shark, may prey on other sharks or rays.

1.3.1 Feeding behavior

Sharks are opportunistic predators, using a variety of senses to locate and capture their prey:

• Olfaction: Their sense of smell is highly developed, enabling them to detect traces of blood or other chemical substances at great distances.
• Electroreception: Thanks to Lorenzini's light bulbs, sharks can detect electric fields produced by the muscular movements of their prey, even when hidden beneath the sand.
• Vision: Although their vision is adapted to low light conditions, it is less accurate than that of humans, which can sometimes lead to misidentification.

Sharks can hunt alone or in groups, depending on the species and the availability of prey. Some, like the blacktip shark, are known to hunt in groups, circling schools of fish to facilitate capture.

1.3.2 Risk of confusion with humans

Shark attacks on humans are extremely rare in Mauritius. When they do occur, they are often the result of confusion:

• Similar silhouettes: Surfers or swimmers can be confused with sharks' natural prey, such as turtles, due to their silhouettes seen from below.
• Erratic behavior: Disorderly movements or splashing may attract the attention of sharks, prompting them to investigate.

However, in Mauritius, swimming and kitesurfing areas are generally located in shallow lagoons protected by reefs, where the presence of large sharks is rare. In addition, the local authorities (coast guard) regularly monitor these areas to ensure the safety of users.

2. Shark attack statistics in Mauritius

2.1 Historical data:

📊 2.1.1 Number of recorded attacks

According to data from the Global Shark Attack File (GSAF), Mauritius has recorded a very limited number of shark attacks in recent decades. Incidents are rare and often linked to particular circumstances.

📍 2.1.2 Location and circumstances of attacks

The rare documented attacks have generally occurred in specific areas and in particular contexts:

• Fishing areas: Some incidents have involved fishermen operating on the high seas, where the presence of sharks is more likely.
• Isolated nautical activities : Isolated cases have been reported during activities such as diving or swimming outside supervised areas.

It is important to note that swimming and kitesurfing areas, located mainly in reef-protected lagoons, have not been the scene of shark attacks.

🦈 2.1.3 Species involved

Shark species potentially involved in the rare incidents in Mauritius include:

• Bulldog shark (Carcharhinus leucas): Known for its ability to evolve in fresh and shallow waters, it is present in some coastal areas.
• Longiman shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) : Pelagic species, generally found in the open sea, far from the coast.

However, no confirmed attacks have been specifically attributed to any species in Mauritius, due to the lack of detailed data.

📅 2.1.4 Evolution over time

Historical data indicate stability in the number of shark attacks in Mauritius, with no significant increase over the years. This stability contrasts with some regions of the world where an increase in human-shark interactions has been observed. Source : no-passion.com

To sum up, shark attacks in Mauritius are extremely rare and generally linked to special circumstances, such as deep-sea fishing or water sports activities outside supervised areas. Swimming and kitesurfing areas, located in protected lagoons, offer a safe environment for recreational activities.

2.2 Comparison with neighboring islands

2.2.1 Reunion Island

Reunion Island is one of the world's hot spots for shark attacks. Between 1980 and 2017, the island recorded 57 attacks, 26 of which were fatal, representing a fatality rate of 46%, well above the global average of 9%. The species mainly involved are the bull and tiger sharks. As a result of these incidents, strict measures have been put in place, including a ban on swimming and surfing in certain areas. Source : researchgate.net

2.2.2 Mayotte

Mayotte has recorded just one documented shark attack, occurring in 1956 in the Mozambique Channel, which was fatal. Since then, no further incidents have been reported, making it a very low-risk area.

2.2.3 Madagascar

Madagascar has experienced 7 shark attacks, 4 of which were fatal, according to available data. These incidents are rare and often linked to specific activities such as fishing or deep-sea diving. Source : planetdeadly.com

2.2.4 Rodrigues

Rodrigues Island, a dependency of Mauritius, recorded one non-fatal attack in 1963. No further incidents have been reported since, indicating an extremely low risk.