Waterfalls are typically envisioned as majestic rivers plunging from heights, a natural spectacle that has inspired poets and painters for centuries. The great Tang Dynasty poet Li Bai captured the essence of waterfalls in his poem "Gazing at the Lushan Waterfall," with the line: "The torrent falls three thousand feet, as if the Milky Way descends from the ninth heaven." However, there exists a place that challenges our very notion of what a waterfall can be—the underwater waterfall of Mauritius.

The Enchanting Island of Mauritius

Mauritius, an island nation in the eastern African region, lies in the southwestern Indian Ocean, 2,200 kilometers off the coast of Africa. Once a desolate island devoid of human inhabitants, it was first stumbled upon by a Portuguese sailor named Mascarenhas in 1505. When he attempted to land, a swarm of bats took flight, prompting him to exclaim, "Island of Bats!" However, Mascarenhas did not linger, and the name faded with time. Over ninety years later, in 1598, Dutch sailors arrived and named the island "Mauritius" after their prince, establishing it as a Dutch colony. The name has persisted ever since.

Today, Mauritius is no longer a colony but an independent island nation. Upon arrival by air, one is struck by the island's diverse and stunning landscapes: steep mountains, narrow plains, undulating highlands, and picturesque bays, all embraced and accentuated by the azure sea. The blue of the sea, sky, and island blend harmoniously, tinged with a hint of green, reminiscent of fine celadon porcelain from the ancient kilns of Jingdezhen. The island and sea merge into one, yet remain distinct, with a surrounded by pleasing pink and green colors -this is the glittering coral reef, like a string of emerald necklaces adorning the island, adding an incalculable charm and vibrancy to the scenery. The island boasts vast white sandy beaches, towering royal palms that bloom once a century, and giant water lilies drifting serenely in clear ponds. In the skies, the rare Mauritian pink pigeon flits about, and the seas teem with a kaleidoscope of fish of all shapes and sizes. Whether basking on the beach, strolling through forests, swimming in the sea, or exploring the coral reefs in a small boat, visitors to Mauritius can immerse themselves in a unique romantic ambiance, unparalleled comfort, and unexpected delights.

The Underwater Waterfall: A Spectacle Below the Waves

The most striking wonder of Mauritius is undoubtedly its spectacular and dreamlike underwater waterfall.

Located at the southwestern tip of the island, the best way to view the underwater waterfall is from the air, via helicopter or hot air balloon. From this vantage point, the sea is so clear and transparent that one can see the beaches and the surrounding coral reefs with striking clarity. The white waves lapping against the reefs resemble a skirt's hem, perfectly placed.

As the aircraft gains altitude and positions itself in front of the underwater waterfall, an incredible sight unfolds: beneath the sea level, a vast, steep cliff emerges, with its upper part connected to the island and its lower part plunging into the dark abyss; the cliff's front is indented, with towering rocks and jagged stones on either side; above the cliff, a torrent of silvery "water" converges and plunges down from the precipice, forming a broad waterfall; the "water" fans out and expands forward in a fan shape before gradually vanishing into the dark depths... This "waterfall" is so grand and mighty that it rivals the world's largest waterfall, Niagara Falls. As the aircraft descends to hover above the "waterfall," the spectacle becomes even more imposing. The proximity and changing light make the cliff seem like a bottomless abyss; the silvery "water" rushes down like a wild horse, swallowed by the abyss in an instant, while the subsequent "water" continues to advance with vigor.

Despite the grandeur of the "waterfall," there is an eerie silence, which gives the whole scene an unreal quality. One cannot help but question the reality of what they see, eager to unravel the mystery of this waterfall and how it came to be.

The Play of Light and Illusion

To unveil the true face of the underwater waterfall, one must venture to the site by boat.

Rowing above the coral reefs feels like navigating through a bizarre primeval forest. Sunlight filters through the water, casting a dance of light on the brown, blue, yellow, and black rocks. The closer one gets to the "waterfall," the more intense the sense of tension becomes, not from fear of being capsized by the waterfall but from the worry of being swept into the fathomless depths... Gradually, as the boat approaches the "waterfall," it becomes apparent that the sea is calm, devoid of the dramatic scenes witnessed from the air. The water here is not deep, only 10 to 20 meters, and through the clear water, one can see the white sand and silt on the seabed. However, upon closer inspection, these sands and silts are in motion, pushed by an invisible force, swiftly and resolutely rushing towards the open sea and disappearing into the dark abyss. At this point, the revelation dawns: the silvery "water" seen from the air is actually these sands and silts, and the so-called "waterfall" is nothing more than a colossal "sand flow" created as they cascade from a height to the seabed. The clear waters, combined with the refraction and reflection of light, have deceived our eyes, making us overlook the presence of the sea and mistake the "sand flow" for water flow.

In essence, the underwater waterfall is a playful illusion crafted by light.

The Formation of the "Waterfall"

Although the underwater waterfall is not a real waterfall, the underwater topography is still astonishing, especially the movement of the sands and silts, which evokes a sense of mysterious power.

How did it all come to be?

Mauritius Island was formed by volcanic eruptions: millions of years ago, undersea volcanoes continuously erupted, with magma steadily rising and forming the small part of the island that breaks the surface, while the majority of the magma, hidden beneath the sea, became the island's continental shelf. Since the magma growth was almost entirely vertical, the shelf around Mauritius has a significant drop, causing the water depth around the island to jump from a few meters to nearly a kilometer. Additionally, partial collapses during the accumulation of magma created an indented gap near the coast, which is the underwater cliff we see today.

The movement of the sands and silts is entirely due to ocean currents: the unique submarine topography here creates massive whirlpools that transport sands and silts from elsewhere, depositing them on the cliffs before they plummet into the sea, thus forming the dreamlike spectacle of the underwater waterfall.