Where to snorkel on the north-east coast

Five spots, from a marked reef trail to a sandbar only the fishermen know about.

The north-east lagoon is wide, shallow and protected by an outer reef, which makes it one of the calmest places on the island to snorkel — if you know where to go.

Start with the Roches Noires trail: marked, guided and inside a voluntary marine conservation area. Then go further out by boat, to the reef off Île d'Ambre, where the water drops from turquoise to deep blue.

Go early. Wind picks up after eleven most days, and visibility is best on a rising tide.

Book itRoches Noires reef trailfrom Rs 2,800