Things to Do in Mauritius

1. Le Morne Brabant

Jaw-dropping summit views reward the climb. Expect steep switchbacks, rocky scrambling and sunrise panoramas over turquoise lagoons.

Quick facts: A dramatic basalt monolith rises 556 meters above the ocean, visible from miles away. Hikers follow a steep trail through native vegetation and rocky ridges, where caves and wind-sculpted outcrops hint at a turbulent past.

Highlights: Fog curls along the cliff at dawn, revealing 360-degree views of turquoise lagoons and sugarcane plains, the sea reflecting light like a mirror. A local story remembers runaway slaves and a tragic 1835 episode, and annual remembrances at the foot of the slopes include drums and blue cloth offerings that shake with the wind.

2. Black River Gorges National Park

Wild forest and dramatic cliffs worth the trek. Expect waterfalls, endemic birds, and panoramic ridgeline views.

Quick facts: Dense native forest spills into steep gorges and ridgelines, hosting an array of endemic plants and birds that you won't find elsewhere. Marked trails vary from short viewpoint walks to longer ridge hikes, and sudden waterfall vistas reward those who keep exploring.

Highlights: Misty mornings often bring loud calls from the pink pigeon (Nesoenas mayeri) and kestrel (Falco punctatus), species that once fell to single-digit wild numbers and now benefit from active recovery programs. Basalt cliffs smell of damp earth, while native ebony and tambalacoque trees knit a canopy that shelters rare orchids and the chirps of echo parakeets.

3. Île aux Cerfs

Sun-washed beaches and a clear lagoon invite snorkeling. Expect palm-fringed coves, grilled seafood shacks, and easy water sports.

Quick facts: A short boat ride across a turquoise lagoon drops you into powder-white sand and palm-shaded coves that feel a world away. Local boatmen run regular shared shuttles and water taxis, making the spot an easy half-day escape for swimmers and snorkelers.

Highlights: Bernhard Langer created an 18-hole, par-72 golf course that hugs the shoreline, with several elevated tees framing sweeping lagoon views. A wide sandbar appears at low tide, forming shallow, crystal pools perfect for wading and spontaneous picnics.

4. Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth (Chamarel Geopark)

Chamarel Geopark

A surreal palette of rainbow sands you won't see anywhere else. Walk a boardwalk, snap close-ups of vivid stripes and watch the colors shimmer.

Quick facts: Seven bands of sand glow in shades from deep red to violet, and light angle changes make the colors look different through the day. Geologists attribute the painterly layers to varying mineral content and tiny differences in grain size rather than paint or dye.

Highlights: A curious quirk: seven differently colored sand layers, some only a few millimeters thick, resist blending because of tiny differences in particle size and mineral weight. Visitors often notice a warm, earthy scent and a faint metallic tang near the viewing platform, while low-angle sun brings out crisp stripes of red, brown, purple, blue, green, grey, and yellow.

5. Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao)

Ganga Talao

Sacred crater lake with towering deity statues and vibrant rituals. Expect incense, ringing bells and mirror-like waters at sunrise.

Quick facts: A sacred crater lake sits in a lush caldera, ringed by life-size deity statues and brass bells that tinkle when the breeze picks up. On major festival nights over 20,000 pilgrims climb the winding road carrying flowers, milk, and banana leaves, turning the shore into a living tapestry of color.

Highlights: A 33-foot Shiva statue presides over one bank, its copper surface catching golden light at sunrise. Every Maha Shivaratri night over 20,000 pilgrims light hundreds of clay lamps and leave milk and flowers along the shore, the water reflecting a river of tiny flames.

6. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden (Pamplemousses Botanical Garden)

Pamplemousses Botanical Garden

Explore giant lily pads and cathedral-like palm aisles for endlessly photogenic scenes. Wander shaded paths, spot exotic blooms and birds, and capture dramatic tree roots.

Quick facts: Giant Victoria amazonica water lilies can reach about 2 meters across, their rippling green pads floating like natural platforms on the ponds. Ancient banyan and talipot palms tower above shady avenues, and you can often hear a chorus of endemic birds and frogs between the paths.

Highlights: A tiny spectacle occurs with the Victoria flowers: each bloom opens white the first night, turns pink the next morning, and often measures up to 40 centimeters across before closing. Garden staff sometimes run early-morning guided walks during peak bloom when small groups of around 30–50 visitors can watch the flowers change color and scent at dawn.

7. Trou aux Cerfs

Spectacular crater views with almost no climb. Walk the one-kilometre rim, peer into an 80m-deep bowl and snap sunrise shots.

Quick facts: A steep-sided volcanic crater rim delivers dramatic panoramic views without a long hike, making it an ideal quick stop. Lush vegetation lines the bowl and a small, mirror-like pool can form after heavy rain, attracting local birds and photographers.

Highlights: Stand at the rim, roughly 300 meters across, and peer into a crater nearly 80 meters deep that occasionally fills with a glassy pool after storms. A full circuit around the rim measures about one kilometre, so most visitors capture the light and views in a brisk 20–30-minute walk.

8. Blue Bay Marine Park

Unforgettable snorkeling amid shallow coral gardens. Float over colorful reef fish and spot turtles in glass-clear water.

Quick facts: Turquoise shallows hide a dense coral garden accessible right from the beach. Snorkelers often float above clear sand while schooling parrotfish and sergeant majors weave below.

Highlights: Shallow reef patches feature brain coral heads and staghorn branches, with colonies reaching about two meters across in spots. Occasional hawksbill turtles and schools of colorful parrotfish create an underwater parade, every sound muffled and every color intensified by glass-clear water.

9. Caudan Waterfront

Port Louis

Harbourfront energy, local crafts and waterside dining in one lively spot. Wander markets, watch boats and sample fresh seafood.

Quick facts: Expect a lively mix of duty-free stores, local craft stalls and waterside cafés clustered around an active marina. Evening lights and occasional live Sega music turn the promenade into an open-air social spot for locals and visitors alike.

Highlights: A small on-site museum protects two of the world’s rarest stamps, the 1847 Blue Penny and Red Penny, a major draw for philatelists who travel specifically to see them. Nightly Sega performances near the pier fill the air with drums, rattles and call-and-response singing, the music blending with the scent of fried seafood.

10. Flic en Flac Beach

Golden sunsets and calm turquoise water pull you in. Expect long white-sand walks, shallow snorkeling, and live seaside music.

Quick facts: Long, pale sand runs for about eight kilometers, backed by casuarina trees and a relaxed strip of cafés and bars. Locals and visitors crowd the shoreline each evening to watch dramatic west-facing sunsets that often last twenty minutes of changing color.

Highlights: A shallow coral reef sits roughly 100 metres offshore, creating a glassy turquoise lagoon where waist-deep water stretches out for dozens of metres. Nearby beach bars keep evenings lively with sega bands playing ravanne drums and dancers performing under strings of lights, turning the sand into a spontaneous open-air dancefloor.