Top things not to miss in Mauritius
From breathtaking mountains and stunning sand beaches to historic sites and adventurous activities, Mauritius is a perfect destination for both couples and families alike. We visited Mauritius with our 7 month old baby and I’ve compiled a list of what not to miss on the island.
Explore the beautiful beaches
The island has so many beaches that it can be difficult to choose. My favourites with sandy shores and calm clear waters were the beaches at Belle Mare, Trou aux Biches and Le Morne.
Chamarel Village
This small village is located on a hilltop on the South of the island not far from le Morne and offers outstanding views of the sea. Chamarel Village is best known for its seven coloured earths attraction which consists of sand mounds composed of seven different sand colours. These occur as volcanic rocks cools at different temperatures and results in bands of sands of different colours.
Also not to be missed while in Chamarel are the waterfalls. Do try to get up as high as you can for the best view of the falls and the perfect photo spot.
Pamplemousse Botanical Garden
Also known as Sir SeewoosagurRamgoolam Botanical Garden, this 25 hectare garden is home to a wide variety of indigenous and exotic plants. Don’t miss the giant Victoria Amazonica water lilies and the talipot which flowers only once in its lifetime producing the biggest inflorescence. A number of trees in the park were planted by well known public personalities including Indira Gandhi and Nelson Mandela. No entrance fees.
Ile aux Cerfs
With stunning white sandy beaches and turquoise waters, Ile aux Cerfs is a large island on the East coast of Mauritius and a great place to spend the day. The island is a 5-10 minute boat ride away.
Crocodile and Tortoise Park
Catch a glimpse of the reserve’s over 2,000 crocodiles and tortoises including Nile crocodiles and Aldabara tortoises. The park also houses a rare collection of 23,000 suffed insects. The timings are from 9:30 am to 5 pm.
Casela park
The island’s zoo which also features a mini safari bus tour. For the courageous types, you can even go on a lion walk where you can see the lions up close (under close supervision of course!)
Swim with Dolphins
So you’ve met the crocodiles and tortoises, and walked with the lions. It’s time to go swimming with the dolphins! One the highlights of my trip, a chance to swim and see the dolphins up close in the open sea. Make sure you book this ahead of time with many of the tour operators (or directly with the hotel aquatic centre) as you will likely have to rise very early to catch the dolphins as they travel along their natural feeding routes. There are various places in the country that offer this opportunity to the visitors including Le Morne , Black River, and Tamarin.
Grand Bassin
A crater lake 1,800 feet above sea level, Grand Bassin is located in the mountainous southwest district of Savanne. Also known as the Ganga Talao, the lake becomes a major pilgrimage site during the months of February and March when the Hindus celebrate the Maha Shivaratree
Domaine de Labourdonnais
A majestic mansion built in 1859, this beautifully restored colonial residence can be visited along with is vast garden and sugar cane plantations. You can enjoy a stroll in the gardens, taste the locally produced rum in its distillery or indulge in local Mauritian cuisine in the restaurant.
Black River National Park
Also called Black River Gorge, enjoy stunning views of Mauritius or go hiking along the park’s many trails. Keep an eye out of for srare birds including the pink pigeon, Mauritius Kestrel, and Green Echo Parakeet.
Port Louis
This capital city is the major administrative centre of the country and is located on the northeast side of the island. A good place to shop, pickup up from souvenirs at the local market, or enjoy local food along the city’s many restaurants and street food merchants. Don’t miss the Chinese religious momentum, Thien Thane Pagoda!
Le Morne
Le Morne Brabant is a peninsula at the extreme southwestern tip of Mauritius. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it was by far my favourite part of the island and is truly one of the island’s must visit locations. Le Morne is also famous for its underwater waterfall optical illusion which can be seen from high altitudes and give the viewer the impression of a waterfall under the sea. The area is home to many of the island’s best beaches so do try to spend some time in one of the areas’ many seaside resorts.
Wander through sugarcane plantations
The island is literally covered with sugar cane fields so a trip wouldn’t be complete with a visit to one of its many plantations. Visit L’Aventure du sucre, a sugar museum where you’ll get a comprehensive overview of the history of sugarcane in Mauritius along with a refreshing cup of fresh sugarcane juice.
I absolutely loved Mauritius! From the gorgeous beaches, to the food and its friendly and welcoming people, the island has something to offer to everyone. If you are the type who enjoys island life but is looking for more than endless days at the beach, Mauritius is the place for you with its various activities. We are already talking about the next time we go back!
