November 27 - 29, 2008

In November, the turquoise waters around a historic in Mauritius will be ablaze with colourful sails on wooden masts that bend in the wind.

La Regatta Mauritius is an international sailing event held in traditional Creole sailing boats called Pirogues, elegant wooden sailing boats made of tropical timbers and bamboo yards. Creole fisherman race the boats all year round but La Regatta Mauritius, held in the bay of Mahébourg  is the biggest event of all.

The bay of Mahébourg  is sailor’s dream, a tropical lagoon with small coral islands, abundant and exotic bird and marine life, like the Pink Pigeon and the giant turtle, and the beauty of the Blue Bay Marine Park. 

Mahébourg also harbours fascinating nautical history. The Dutch first settled the island here in 1598 and in 1810 Napoleon won his only naval battle, against the British, in this bay.

Today the town of Mahébourg  has a charming French village feel and the port still has a small Creole fishing fleet. La Regatta Mauritius will accordingly give visitors a delicious taste of traditional Creole cuisine and culture.

La Regatta Mauritius is about participation, team building and three days of fun and social activities. Teams of 5 to 7 will fight for trophies against the breathtaking lush background of the Grand Port mountain range.

One of the islands near Mahébourg, Ile aux Aigrettes,  is a national conservation park and this year’s La Regatta will host a range of events designed to increase awareness of the need to protect Mauritian biodiversity.

Mauritius is renowned for its world class resorts and health spas, tropical lagoons and white sand beaches but more and more visitors are coming to enjoy water sports and sporting events held all year round.  Sheltered tropical lagoons and reefs surrounded by the deep Indian Ocean give Mauritius world class diving and snorkelling, surfing, wakeboarding, kiteboarding, windsurfing and game fishing.

The combination of luxurious accommodation, world-class water sports and French hospitality has made Mauritius one of the world’s popular conference destinations.

La Regatta Mauritius is an incredible photographic and sporting opportunity and spectacular photographs from previous regattas are available now for publication.

Media information and pictures: The Wren Partnership: 03 9685 2600

La Regatta website: www.laregatta.com/English/

For general Mauritius information: www.tourism-mauritius.mu

Air Mauritius operates regular direct flights from Perth and Melbourne, with connectivity via Virgin Airlines. For travel bookings contact your local travel agent. Or visit http://www.thewrenpartnership.com/Bookings/Mauritius.html