Mauritius

Mauritius is a popular destination amongst tourists, especially from India. The beautiful sunlit Islands of the Republic of Mauritius have been a point of interest for travellers for quite some time.

An island in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is rich with dense forests, distinctive wildlife, pristine beaches, and many points of interest, making it a dream place for the newly married couples. In recent times, Mauritius has gained a wide popularity. Other than beauty, Mauritius is famous for its hospitality and its artificial handicrafts. The country is a cluster of beaches and islands, and thus offers lots of adventurous activities. Things to do in Mauritius include walk on the sand, dive into the deep water and explore new species of aquatic animals and then after being tired, eat some new varieties of really delicious seafood, and much more. Mauritius is a breathtaking island that cannot be missed!

What to see in Mauritius

1. Beaches

The island is surrounded by numerous beaches all unique in their beauty and the view they offer of the endless ocean. The shallow clear waters and the numerous stalls make for a pleasant family picnic at the Trou-aux-Biches beach. The Belle Mare Plage is a good choice if one wants to catch the sunrise while taking a dip. Although the Ile-aux-Cerfs Beach can get crowded during the weekends, it can be quite pleasant during the other days when it's relatively quieter. It is one of the most popular beaches on the island. The water in the Pereybere beach is relatively deep and makes for a good deep sea diving destination. With its reputation as one of the undiscovered spots in Mauritius, the La Cambuse Beach is perfect for a quiet swim. It would also be the perfect spot for a quiet romantic evening. The Le Morne beach is one of the busiest of the beaches on the island. There are numerous water sports activities that take place here and is quite popular with people who love adventure.

2. Black River Gorges National Park

The Black River Gorges National Park is located in the western part of the island country of Mauritius. It is the biggest national park and the largest protected forest of Mauritius, offering over 50 km of trails. Come here to explore picturesque hiking trails, enjoy a picnic in a lush-green rainforest, cool off under waterfalls, and admire rare species of native birds and flowering plants. The Black River Gorges National Park in Mauritius covers 2% of the total landmass of the island country.

The national park is located about 37 kilometres from the national capital Port Louis in Mauritius. One can reach via rented cab by following M2 highway in just 1 hour.

3. Port Louis

Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius, is one of the most popular destinations to visit in the country. It is a melting pot of glitz and glamour harmonising beautifully with traditions and customs from its 300-year-old past. Port Louis is fascinating in terms of its mix in culture, tradition and history.

4. Belle Mare Plage Beach

The Island is home to a number of beaches and each is more beautiful than the last. What stands out for Belle Mare Plage beach is the neighbouring Belle Mare village which offers you a glimpse of the laidback local life and is strongly promoted to benefit Mauritius tourism. Belle Mare Plage is visited by a number of travellers and is also home to one of the most luxurious resorts in the country, the Constance Belle Mare Plage. The longest beach on the island, despite the crowds, it offers everyone a space to call their own. Surrounded by a shallow lagoon, it is the ideal spot for a relaxing swim and also for little ones who’d like to enjoy the cool, blue waters. Owing to the efforts of Mauritius tourism, the beach is quite clean and we suggest to completely avoid littering as the management here is quite strict.

5. Trou Aux Cerfs

Also referred to as Murr’s Volcano, this is a dormant volcano at a height of around 600 meters. The crater of the volcano is very well defined and can actually give visitors a sense of what it might have looked like while it was active.

6. Tamarind Waterfalls

The Waterfalls are one of the most popular features of Mauritius. Formed by a series of seven cataracts on the Tamarin River, these Waterfalls will leave you spellbound. The scenery is truly stunning.

7. Seven-Coloured Earth in Chamarel

Have you seen the earth light up in seven different hues at the same time? At Seven-Coloured Earth or Terres de 7 Couleurs you can. Owing to a geographical phenomenon, the multi-coloured dunes in the area are in different colours of green, brown, red, yellow, purple, blue and violet. The contrasting, vivid hues against the layers of brown sand paint a stunning picture and it’s almost magical to spend time here. The phenomenon occurs due to the volcanic origin of the sand in combination with the tropical weather conditions. Since all other water-soluble elements are washed out in the rain, the undissolvable compounds of aluminium and iron remain. Locals will tell you that the best time to visit is during sunrise and we completely agree. Shimmering in shades of crimson and orange, the sunrise is breathtaking. The sands are protected by wooden fences and Mauritius tourism has made provisions for observation decks so tourists can enjoy uninterrupted views of the sands.

Activities and Things to Do in Mauritius

Visit Mahebourg

If your idea of a perfect vacation is to explore lesser-known areas and enjoy the local vibe of the place, then Mahebourg should definitely be on your Mauritius itinerary. A fishing village, it is not visited by many tourists and that’s exactly what makes it special. With quite a few historical museums, a bustling market and small cafes, Mauritius tourism has made noteworthy efforts to make the village tourist-friendly. The charm of the place lies in its non-touristy vibe and of course the ever-welcoming locals in Mauritius.

Explore Chamarel waterfalls

One of the highest waterfalls in Mauritius, Chamarel waterfalls cascade through craggy rocks against the backdrop of stunning blue skies. Located close to Chamarel waterfalls is the site for Seven Coloured Earth and picturesque trekking trails that you must explore. Set out on a memorable trek to explore the beautiful Tamarind falls. Since the area is visited by many nature lovers, Mauritius tourism board has ensured proper signs and information boards in respect to the area, the fauna and flora and general safety guidelines.

Visit Port Louis

Chances are that the busy capital city will be the first on your itinerary and rightly so. Giving you a glimpse of what is to come; Port Louis is as welcoming as it is charming. Do spend a couple of days here to explore the local market, the museums, and the lip-smacking food the city promises. If you’d like to take back souvenirs for family and friends back home, Port Louis is where you will find Mauritius tourism gift shops. You can choose among local artefacts, teas, spices and locally-made apparel as gifts.

Places to visit: Mauritius Photography Museum, Rochester Falls, La Cuvette Beach

Explore the busiest town in Mauritius

Grand Bay is one of the biggest reasons why Mauritius tourism has witnessed such a surge in the last few years. A surreal stretch overlooking the emerald green waters, Grand Bay or Grand Baie is where tourists can experience the island’s energy and lively nightlife. It’s also home to some of the best restaurants and hotels so if you’d like to experience the island like a tourist, this definitely needs to be on your list. With a little something for all kinds of travellers, water sport enthusiasts will especially enjoy Grand Bay since it’s the starting point for all deep diving excursions. For those of you who can’t enjoy a vacation without a little shopping, the bustling town is home to innumerable fashion boutiques and souvenir shops selling jewellery, apparel and home decor.

Scuba Diving

If you visit Mauritius and don’t scuba dive, you will miss out on a memorable experience. A volcanic island, it offers a surreal experience to divers, one that is unlike any other scuba diving site in the world. Through tunnels and caves, diving here is a little tricky, but just choose a reliable Mauritius tourism diving operator and you can rest assured. The best deep diving sites are Belle Mare la Passe du Puits, Tamarin Bay and Blue Bay.

What to Eat In Mauritius

Although it is true that the restaurants provide exquisite delicacies to the visitors, yet it is one of the best places to enjoy the street food. Especially if one is a veggie, then there are plenty of options in selecting tasty vegetarian dishes. Some of the dishes from the street corner are Di pan frire, Alouda, Briani, Dholl Puri, Boulettes, Gateaux piment, Roti Chaud, Farata Gajacks, etc.

The Mauritian cuisine is the direct reflection of its diverse and vibrant culture and is greatly influenced by the residents of the island - French, Chinese and Indian. Dishes representing the French cuisine have become very popular over the years in the island. Quite interestingly, most of the culinary traditions and dishes are inspired from the former Indian workers and slaves and Chinese immigrants who came to island in the 19th century.

Best Time to Visit Mauritius

Owing to a typical tropical climate, Mauritius tourism witnesses a surge during the months of May to December. The temperature is moderate throughout the year and you can dive for a swim anytime in this gorgeous island.

It’s best not to visit from January to March, a time when Mauritius tourism is at its lowest due to regular cyclone warnings. We would also recommend avoiding the east coast during the months of July to August owing to strong winds.

How to Reach Mauritius

Travelling to Mauritius can be as much fun as being on the Island. The most common way to reach Mauritius is by air but travelling on a ship or cruise can prove to be romantic and adventurous. Read on to get a detailed account of how to reach Mauritius.

By Air

Mauritius has flights from almost all over the world. It is very well connected to the rest of Africa, major cities of Europe, the Middle-East and Asia. For Indians, it shouldn’t be a problem availing flight services to Mauritius from Mumbai and Delhi. The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is the major gateway to Mauritius. Located at Plaisance it is about 50 kilometers from the capital city of Port Louis. While Air Mauritius is the home carrier operating a network of local and international routes, there are International airlines like Air India, Air France, British Airways, Emirates and South African Airways that provide services from their home bases as well.

The Mauritius Airport is well equipped with services for the tourists who visit. The terminal also has bars, restaurants, and the famous Duty-Free. The mornings witness high inbound air-traffic but that shouldn’t take more than an hour to clear out.

By Sea

A number of ships and cruises have services that let you travel to Mauritius in style. Mauritius also has its own vessels that travel to and from the Reunion Islands. The most common route here is from Madagascar. The journey can take up to 4 days or more depending where you board from and the weather conditions.

Travelling locally

There are a number of ways to travel within Mauritius like bus and taxi, car, motorbike and bicycle rentals and even flight and helicopter services.