Do Underwater Waterfalls Really Exist?

The small nation of Mauritius is filled with natural marvels—from the now-extinct dodo to the unique pink pigeons of the archipelago. If you take a seaplane ride over Mauritius Island, you'll spot yet another wonder: an underwater waterfall, or so it seems.

At this location, clusters of rocks and sand create the illusion of water cascading into an abyss. This fascinating phenomenon is actually an optical illusion—the 'flowing water' is simply sand and silt cascading off an ocean shelf into depths exceeding 13,000 feet.

Visiting the “Underwater Waterfall” in Mauritius

You can experience the Mauritius ‘waterfall’ firsthand. The best vantage point is from a seaplane, as the illusion is lost when you’re in the water. Consider taking a tour with Lagoonflight, which provides seaplane excursions lasting from 15 to 80 minutes.

Underwater waterfalls do exist!

While the underwater waterfall in Mauritius isn't a true phenomenon, don't feel disheartened. Natural underwater waterfalls do occur. To grasp how this happens, it's essential to understand the geography and topography of the ocean. When warm water meets cooler water, the warmer water forces the colder water downward due to its higher density.

This interaction can sometimes create underwater waterfalls. A notable example is the 300-mile stretch of water connecting the Greenland Sea to the North Atlantic Ocean, known as the Denmark Strait, which is home to an underwater waterfall that is also the tallest in the world.

At this unique junction, the cold and warm waters converge at a depth of 11,500 feet on the seafloor, causing the cold water to cascade down and form the Denmark Strait cataract. For perspective, this underwater waterfall is approximately times the height of Angel Falls in Venezuela, the tallest waterfall on land.

Regrettably, you can't witness the waterfall between Iceland and Greenland—whether by seaplane or in person—because the top of the Denmark Strait cataract lies 2,000 feet beneath the ocean's surface. At least you can explore Mauritius and dream of such a remarkable sight.