Emerald Sea

The Mer d'Emeraude is a stretch of very shallow water behind a coral barrier at the mouth of Diego Suarez bay, where white sand under a metre or two of water turns the whole lagoon a pale green that gives it the name. Boats sail out from Ramena in the morning, usually in traditional dhows under sail, and stop at sandbanks that emerge at low tide, where crews grill fish caught on the way. Snorkelling is easy in the calm water though the coral is patchy. The trip is a fixture of any stay in the far north and runs most days in season. Wind is a constant here, which makes the sail good and the sun bearable, and also means the sea can be too rough to go at all.

What you actually see

• The green lagoon - pale turquoise water over white sand.
• Sandbanks - bars that surface at low tide for lunch stops.
• Dhow sailing - the traditional boats used for the crossing.
• Grilled fish lunch - cooked by the crew on the sand.

When to go

April to November, avoiding the cyclone months. Trips depend on wind and sea state and are cancelled in strong conditions. Low tide exposes the sandbanks and is the better half of the day.

Honest expectations

Coral is patchy and damaged in places, so snorkelling is pleasant rather than spectacular. There is no shade on the sandbanks and sunburn is the main hazard. Boats are open and get wet. The trip is popular and several groups may share the same bank.

Nearby

Ramena beach is the departure point; Diego Suarez lies southwest.