Gris Gris Mauritius
Located in the south of the island in the village of Souillac, Gris Gris (so named because of the atmosphere of gloom always hanging around with a constant breeze blowing in the area) is a beach very different from all the other beaches in Mauritius. It is the only place around the island where coral reefs are altogether absent; this, coupled with the constant blowing of the south east trade winds over the sea, results in waves of amazing velocity and force. The swirling of the white foam coming to crash against the weather created cliffs can be observed in a totally serene place.
The actual beach itself is a thin stretch of white sand surrounded on one part by the rough sea and on the other part by cliffs atop of which is found a forest. Obviously, swimming is prohibited in the area. The crashing of waves can be observed along the upper cliffs whilst breathing in the salty air and feeling the splash of the cold water onto the face. It is advised to always take care when walking in the area to prevent slipping over the wet rocks. The sea can be observed either on the back cliffs or from up front where the cliffs jut out where you can feel the spray of the water on your face. Sitting onto the cliffs with feet dangling over the crashing waves, you can enjoy a peaceful moment with nature.
As the area has become more of a place of interest over the years, accommodations have been made for the public like ramps to protect people from leaning too close over, public toilets, lamp posts, dustbins, kiosks, benches to sit down and relax as well as parking facilities. It is easily accessible through a battered road amongst sugar cane fields and there are also banners leading to it. Very near the cliffs is a small restaurant called le Gris Gris Restaurant serving local Mauritian food.
A few metres off the Gris Gris cliffs is Le Souffleur (Blowhole), an amazing weather shaped chimney type rocky structure where the angry waves can go through and then blow out via the top opening. Also located in the area is La Roche qui pleure (weeping rock), another cliff, where the crashing waves cause big tear shaped wave droplet to fall once the waves have splattered against it.