10 Things to Do in Mauritius - Your Complete Travel Guide
On a world map, Mauritius is a tiny dot in the vast Indian Ocean off the coast of Madagascar. Famous for its stunning beaches and luxurious resorts, Mauritius is a popular honeymoon destination.
However, there are many more things to do in Mauritius besides lazing on a beach. With its spectacular lagoons, blinding white beaches, lofty peaks, lush forests, beautiful people, and delicious cuisines, Mauritius is an amazing, multi-faceted island with lots to offer. Allow us to present a few of the extraordinary experiences you can indulge in on your holiday to Mauritius.
Helicopter Tour Of The Island
This is probably one of the most spectacular things to do in Mauritius! Seeing the spectacular lagoons, with their breathtaking colours, from above is an unforgettable experience. Air Mauritius provides helicopter tours from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport.
Visit Tamarind Falls
Tamarind Falls are a series of seven cascades in southwest Mauritius. Surrounded by lush forests and consisting of rock pools and gushing streams, it's a great place for a hike and to enjoy the tropical forests and views, followed by a refreshing swim. Check out this Tamarind Falls Tour
Swim With Dolphins & Whale Watching
Go snorkelling and explore the reefs off Black River (west coast) and if you're lucky, you might even spot the resident dolphins. Or you might even spot a whale or two! Check out this Black River dolphin boat tour. Or you can join an overnight catamaran cruise along the west coast where you can see the marine life as well as enjoy a glorious sunset. This Full Day Swimming with Dolphins and Casela Nature Park Tour is one of the best
Get Active With The Water
There's a host of water-based activities, from snorkelling in the lagoons to scuba diving, kite-surfing (Mauritius is one of the best kite-surfing destinations on the planet), wakeboarding, deep-sea fishing, and sailing. A unique marine experience is undoubtedly the sub-scooter where guests can enjoy the marine life from a marine scooter-like vehicle. You can also choose to explore the mangroves on Amber Island from a kayak. Better still why not try a Full day All inclusive Ile aux cerfs Catamaran cruise
Experience The Natural Wonders Of Mauritius
The dodo bird may be extinct, but Mauritius is still home to some amazing natural attractions. The Seven Coloured Earths are a geological formation found in the Chamarel plain of the Rivière Noire District in southwestern Mauritius. It's a wondrous experience to see the colours of the exposed rock face of the hills. This area is close to Black River where you can hop on a boat to go swimming with dolphins (see above). Other natural attractions include the giant tortoises (at La Vanille Nature Park) and the giant water lilies (Victoria Amazonica) at the lovely Botanical Gardens in Pamplemousses. We recommend this Full day tour with Crocodile Park & Seven Colored Earth
Learn The History Of Mauritius
Mauritius has a long and often tempestuous history. The island was named Mauritius by the Dutch, the first Western settlers, who arrived in the 16th century. They named the island Mauritius after the Dutch Governor at the time, Maurits van Nassau. Throughout the island, traces of this history are still visible such as the Old Grand Fort built by the Dutch or Fort Adelaide (or La Citadelle) built by the British in the 19th century on a hill overlooking the capital Port Louis. A great museum to visit is the Blue Penny Museum in Port Louis. You can also learn about the history of Mauritius at L'Aventure du Sucre, a living museum dedicated to the colourful history of sugarcane (and rhum) in Mauritius, and at one of the historic colonial estates such as the 18th-century Château de Labourdonnais, where you can visit the beautiful estate mansion, stroll around the extensive gardens, and do a rhum-tasting. If this is your thing then a good tour to take of the Museums is the The Mauritius Museum Tour
Hike To The Peak Of Le Morne
Le Morne mountain is a massive basaltic monolith with a summit 556m above sea level. Located at the southwestern tip of Mauritius, Le Morne mountain offers amazing views of the lagoons that extend from its foot to the vast expanse of the ocean. It's a somewhat rigorous hike but the spectacular views are so worth it. While you're up there, you might be able to make out the contours of the 'underwater waterfall,' a bizarre natural phenomenon just off the coast of Le Morne. This Full Day Private Hiking Le Morne Mountain with Seafood Lunch at Islet Fournea tour will cover all the bases, and more
Explore Port Louis
Port Louis is the capital of Mauritius. It's a bustling city with various markets, historical sights, and a newly-developed waterfront area. Interesting places to visit in Port Louis include the Blue Penny Museum, the Central Market, the Waterfront, and Fort Adelaide (for panoramic views of the city). This Botanical Garden, Sugar Museum and Rum Tasting tour of Port Louis will cover all the main points of interest
Visit Local Markets
One of our favourite things to do when travelling is to visit a market or two. The market in Port Louis is a popular one for visitors, but we can also recommend the market in Flacq on the east coast. Go on Wednesday and Sunday mornings when the farmers bring their freshest produce to the market. Aside from produce, there are vendors selling spices, clothing (like colourful saris), local food/snacks, and handicrafts.
Experience The Surrounding Islands
While the mainland has stunning beaches all around, the islands in the lagoon are even just as amazing. Part of the attraction is getting there - by speedboat or catamaran - when you glide over the incredibly blue, crystalline water. When you approach the islands, you'll be blinded by the white beaches. You can spend the day there lazing on the beach, chatting with the locals over a grilled seafood lunch, and snorkelling. There are day tours to some of the popular islands which include transfers and lunch including this one Luxury Catamaran Cruise of the Northern Islands
Recommended Hotels
Below are the hotels and resorts that we recommend for your stay, all of which are bookable with us here at Tradewinds, the specialists in Luxury Travel