Things to do in Mauritius

25 things to do in Mauritius

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Watch sunrise over Le Morne Brabant

  Hike up the iconic basaltic monolith in the early morning darkness to witness a spectacular sunrise light up the turquoise Indian Ocean and surrounding lagoons.

  Le Morne

• Explore the Seven Coloured Earths at Chamarel

  Walk among surreal, multi-hued sand dunes formed by volcanic ash, a geological wonder nestled in dense tropical vegetation.

  Chamarel

• Snorkel at Blue Bay Marine Park

  Drift over pristine coral gardens teeming with parrotfish and angelfish in the crystal-clear, protected lagoon of Blue Bay.

  Blue Bay

• Visit the sacred crater lake of Grand Bassin

  Observe Hindu pilgrims at this tranquil, high-altitude lake where a towering statue of Shiva and colourful temples create a deeply spiritual atmosphere.

  Grand Bassin

• Taste dholl puri in Port Louis Central Market

  Bite into a freshly made, paper-thin yellow-split-pea pancake wrapped around bean curry, the beloved national street-food staple, amidst the market's vibrant chaos.

  Port Louis

• Wander through the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden

  Stroll beneath towering talipot palms and giant Victoria amazonica water lilies in one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere.

  Pamplemousses

• Learn about indentured labour at Aapravasi Ghat

  Stand in the restored immigration depot where nearly half a million indentured labourers first set foot in Mauritius, a sobering UNESCO World Heritage site.

  Port Louis

• Stroll along the Caudan Waterfront

  Browse shops, casinos and open-air cafés set against the marina in Port Louis, a lively place for an evening walk and people-watching.

  Port Louis

• Go on a catamaran cruise to Île aux Cerfs

  Sail across the lagoon to an idyllic sandy island fringed with coconut palms, perfect for swimming, sailing and a beach barbecue.

  Trou d'Eau Douce (Île aux Cerfs)

• Chase Tamarind Falls (7 Cascades)

  Scramble through lush canyons to find a series of waterfalls where you can swim in natural plunge pools surrounded by basalt cliffs and dense forest.

  Henrietta

• Spot pink pigeons in Black River Gorges National Park

  Hike through the largest remnant of Mauritian native forest to spot the rare pink pigeon and echoing calls of the Mauritius kestrel.

  Black River Gorges

• Dive at the Cathedral Flic en Flac

  Descend into a dramatic underwater archway encrusted with colourful corals and surrounded by shoals of reef fish off the west coast.

  Flic en Flac

• Experience a traditional sega dance performance at a beach resort

  Feel the rhythmic beat of the ravane drum as dancers in bright skirts swing their hips by firelight, capturing the island's Creole soul.

  Grand Baie

• Sample fresh seafood at the Grand Baie Bazaar

  Pick your own fish or octopus freshly grilled with a squeeze of lime, then sit on the sand as the Indian Ocean laps nearby.

  Grand Baie

• Kayak through the mangroves of Ile d'Ambre

  Paddle a transparent kayak through emerald mangrove tunnels on a tiny offshore islet, home to flying foxes and rare orchids.

  Ile d'Ambre, Northeast Coast

• Discover the historic Eureka House and colonial mansion

  Step into a beautifully restored 19th-century Creole mansion with antique furniture, surrounded by tropical gardens and a waterfall.

  Moka

• Walk on the 'Roche qui Pleure' coastal platform at Gris-Gris

  Watch massive waves crash against the black basalt cliffs and feel the spray at the 'Weeping Rock', Mauritius' wildest southern shoreline.

  Gris-Gris

• Kitesurf on the lagoon at Le Morne

  Harness the steady trade winds in a flat, shallow lagoon with the majestic Le Morne Brabant mountain as your backdrop, a world-class kite spot.

  Le Morne

• Admire the Chamarel Waterfall

  Gaze at a slender 100-metre waterfall plunging into a jungle-clad gorge, surrounded by mist and echoing bird calls.

  Chamarel

• Shop for handicrafts at the Quatre Bornes market

  Haggle for hand-woven baskets, colourful textiles and local knick-knacks at this bustling Sunday market, a favourite among residents.

  Quatre Bornes

• Soak in the natural pool of Pont Naturel

  Carefully descend a lava-rock staircase to a hidden coastal pool formed by a natural arch where waves surge through a blowhole.

  Near Le Bouchon

• Visit the Blue Penny Museum in Port Louis

  See one of the world's rarest stamps, the 1847 two-pence 'Blue Penny', amid exhibits on maritime history and dodo artifacts.

  Port Louis

• Go deep-sea fishing off Black River

  Chase blue marlin, yellowfin tuna and wahoo in the deep blue waters beyond the reef on the island's famous big-game fishing coast.

  Black River

• Enjoy a sunset cocktail in Grand Baie

  Sip a rum-based cocktail at a waterfront bar as the sun sinks into the bay, painting the sky pink and orange behind swaying palms.

  Grand Baie

• Explore the limestone caves and giant tortoises at La Vanille Nature Park

  Walk through a cool cave system and then hand-feed Aldabra giant tortoises that roam freely in a lush valley.

  Rivière des Anguilles