Surfing One Eye: Guide to Mauritius's Monster Wave

What Is One Eye?

One Eye — named for the single eye-shaped opening visible through Le Morne Brabant mountain when viewed from certain angles at sea — is a reef break off the southern tip of the Le Morne peninsula. It is one of the most intimidating and celebrated surf breaks in the Indian Ocean.

The Wave

One Eye breaks over a shallow reef and is a left-hander that can produce long, fast, powerful barrels. At full size (4–6 metres during peak swells), it is strictly for experienced surfers only. The shallow reef below makes wipeouts genuinely dangerous. One Eye has hosted major international surf competitions.

When to Surf One Eye

The best conditions coincide with the southern hemisphere winter — May through September — when south and south-westerly swells wrap around the tip of Mauritius. The wave begins to work from 1.5 metres and becomes spectacular at 2.5 metres and above.

How to Get There

One Eye is accessible by boat from the La Gaulette or Le Morne area. Several operators offer transfers to the break. Do not attempt to reach it by swimming from the beach.

Who Should Surf One Eye

This is emphatically not a beginner or intermediate wave. You should have at least five years of consistent ocean surfing experience, be comfortable in hollow reef surf, and ideally go with a local guide for your first session.

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