A jewel of an island nestled in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is the place to go for stunning beaches, hikes and resplendent natural wonders. Discover with this Mauritius travel guide.Â
Welcome to Mauritius, where cerulean waters kiss white-sand beaches, and lush landscapes give way to cascading waterfalls. It might sound like a daydream, but it’s reality – and boy is it magnificent.Â
Some people dismiss Mauritius as simply a high-end beach destination… their mistake. There are so many terrific things to do in Mauritius, from deep-sea fishing to hiking up majestic peaks in Le Morne that, if you wanted to, you could pack every day of your trip with adventures and still not scratch the surface.Â
Trust me, I’ve been here multiple times, so I’ve got the inside scoop on how to get to Mauritius, where to stay, what to do and some extremely useful travel tips to make your trip that bit easier. Let’s get into it.
With the perfect conditions and sunny weather, between October and December is the best time to visit Mauritius. You’ll miss the crowds of tourists flocking in for the holidays.Â
If you’re looking to spot whales, I recommend visiting between June and November, when they are the most active.
Heading to this tropical destination but still unsure of where to stay in Mauritius? Fear not; there are many picturesque spots to spend a night or two.Â
For first-timers, Grand Baie is the optimal spot to be. It’s only 30 minutes from Port Louis, has a bustling nightlife scene, and is central. Book a stay at Hôtel 20 Degrés Sud.Â
Flic en Flac is the perfect place to stay for beach lovers, with one of the longest and best beaches in Mauritius. Book a stay at Maradiva Villas Resort and Spa.
Le Morne is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, as it’s close to the enchanting Chamarel Waterfall, the Underwater Waterfall, and Le Morne Enchant (one of Mauritius’ best hikes.) Book a stay at JW Marriott Mauritius Resort.
Balaclava is terrific for those looking to flop and drop in luxury. That’s because it’s home to many of Mauritius’ best resorts, pristine views, and many water sports options. Book a stay at Le Jadis Beach Resort.
Packing for your Mauritius trip? Don’t forget…Â
Vacations in Mauritius are often dreamy and fun-filled. That said, it’s always necessary to prepare for the worst.Â
That’s why travel insurance is a must for any trip – to protect against costly hospital trips or lost baggage woes. I use AXA Travel Insurance.
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Standing over 272 feet tall, the Chamarel Waterfall is a breathtaking sight to see. You’ll need to do a short hike to get to the viewpoint – it’s worth it. A brilliant way to see the falls and nearby popular sights is on this wild southwest full-day tour.
Read Next: Visiting Chamarel Waterfall Â
Spread over 87 hectares of Mauritius’ eastern coast is the idyllic island of Ile aux Cerfs. This is the perfect spot to get a summer tan, go snorkelling, or just enjoy a swim.Â
Renowned for its popular catamaran day trips, it’s easily one of the best spots in Mauritius for a sunny day out.
Mauritius is famous for its marine life – as it has over 430 species in its nearby waters. This makes it a popular place for spotting dolphins (and maybe even swimming with them). If this sounds exciting, consider having a swim and snorkel with dolphins from Tamarin.
As Mauritius’ capital city, Port Louis is a bustling and energetic place to be. This is most apparent at the Port Louis Central Market, where you’ll find hundreds of stores.Â
Grab some street food or find the perfect memento to remember your trip.Â
Southwestern Mauritius has an incredible geological formation called the Seven-Coloured Earth.Â
They’re stunning dunes composed of seven different colours – red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow. See the seven sands with this entrance ticket, including admission to the nearby tortoise park and Chamarel Waterfall.Â
Le Morne Brabant is one of Mauritius’ most popular attractions and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Â
A guided hike up the mountain is a great way to experience the depths of the island’s beauty – as it takes two to three hours and has an elevation gain of 1747 feet.Â
Another terrific thing to do in Mauritius is visit the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden in Port Louis. It has over 650 plant species, a giant water lily pond, and over 85 palm tree types.
Interested in the endemic flora and fauna of Mauritius? Pay a visit to the La Vanille Nature Park to see Aldabra giant tortoises, Nile crocodiles, iguanas, caimans, and Mauritian bats.Â
That’s not all; it also has an insectarium, an aquarium and a fossil museum too!
This paradise destination offers a blend of relaxation and adventure — and the below handpicked itinerary suggestions show you just how to enjoy it all. Â
14 Days
Mahébourg – Le Morne – Flic en Flac – Port Louis – Balaclava – Ile aux Cerfs – Belle Mare – Grand Baie
Explore the best of Mauritius as you visit stunning beaches, bustling cities, and exquisite views.
10 Days
Port Louis – Le Morne – Tamarin – Cap Malheureux – Ile d’Ambre – Grande Riviere Sud Est – Ile aux Aigrettes – Mahébourg
This is the perfect itinerary for outdoor enthusiasts and hikers.
7 DaysÂ
Le Morne – Flic en Flac – Grand Baie – Belle Mare – Ile aux Cerfs – Port Louis
Visit some of Mauritius’ best honeymoon destinations on this week-long rendezvous.
8 DaysÂ
Flic en Flac – Tamarin – Le Morne – Bel Ombre – Blue Bay – Belle Mare – Grand BaieÂ
Pack your sunscreen and swimsuit for this ideal beach lovers’ Mauritius itinerary.
Of all the waterfalls in Mauritius, the strangest is found underwater on the Le Morne Peninsula.Â
Many come here to swim and surf and get a glimpse of the scenic wonder simultaneously.Â
The sight is caused by an optical illusion of moving sand — it’s not an actual waterfall — but it’s fascinating to watch.Â
Read Next: The Story Behind Mauritius’ Stunning Underwater WaterfallÂ
With all the delectable food and beach lounging, hiking is always a great way to get active. Enjoy a trek up Lion Mountain, a 1440-foot-tall mountain.Â
The hike takes around three to five hours and is a three-mile round-trip.
Rum is one of Mauritius’ most well-known exports, with an intense taste of spices, vanilla, and fruits.Â
There’s no better place to try this than at La Rhumerie de Chamarel – a charming distillery in South West Mauritius. Sip on local rum as you learn about the rum-making process.
The delightful Macondé viewpoint on the Le Morne Peninsula is in the Baie du Cap village. You’ll need to do a short, hour-long hike up to the viewpoint.Â
At the top, you’re rewarded with views of aquamarine waters and sweeping coastlines.
While Mauritius is one of Africa’s most expensive countries, there are still a few ways to experience it for free.Â
Most of its stunning beaches, such as Flic en Flac, Grand Baie, Le Morne, Pereybere, and Belle Mare, are free to visit. Just remember to put on enough sunscreen!Â
You can also explore many of Mauritius’s national parks for free, including Le Morne Brabant, Black River Gorges National Park, Trou aux Cerfs, and Le Pouce.Â
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