The Indian Ocean island of Mauritius boasts azure waters and luxury hotels making it the perfect spot for your next holiday. And while cocktails in coconuts, heated pools, luxurious spas, and beachfront restaurants will have you never wanting to leave your island resort, there is also so much to do and see in Mauritius.
Here are some of our favourite places to visit on your holiday to Mauritius:
Grand Baie
The tourist town in the north of Mauritius, Grand Baie is known as the Creole Côte d’Azur. This horseshoe bay is a haven for tourists with plenty of restaurants, bars, cafes, and markets to explore.
It’s also the best place to visit if you’re wanting to embark on a fishing charter for the day or are looking for a good party and some evening entertainment.
If you want to be close enough to Grand Baie to enjoy the action but still want a relaxed, peaceful Mauritius holiday then consider booking in at Veranda Pointe aux Biches or Zilwa Attitude – both are located about 15 minutes away from the heart of Grand Baie.
Port Louis
Port Louis is the capital city of Mauritius. The beauty of Port Louis lies in its artistic, musical, historical, and architectural heritage. The Port Louis Waterfront is one of the most popular places to visit in Mauritius. It is a vibrant commercial and cultural hub, thriving with life, home to some of the best casinos, cinemas halls, exquisite restaurants, shops selling souvenirs, five-star hotels, and a marina.
In the evening, the waterfront takes on different energy, as the shops light up and unique food stalls start selling street food. You can take a peaceful walk along this stretch after sundown as well.
Baie Du Tombeau Beach just outside of Port Louis is also a picturesque stop. This beach is known for its crashing waves, golden sand, and unique shoreline.
Île aux Cerfs
Île aux Cerfs is an island located in Mauritius’ largest lagoon off the beach of Trou d’Eau Douce. The island boasts some of the best white sandy beaches in Mauritius, as well as a golf course, and a number of beach restaurants. Visitors to the island can engage in a number of activities here including parasailing!
If you want to spend some time exploring Île aux Cerfs then be sure to book in at Tropical Attitude who offers complimentary twice daily shuttles to the island. The beautiful Four Seasons Resort also has their very own restaurant on a private beach on the island.
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens
This is the National Botanical Garden of Mauritius. Spread over a sprawling lush green landscape, this magnificent garden houses 85 varieties of palms from Mauritius, Central America, and from the adjacent islands of the Indian Ocean. It is also home to 650 variations of flowers, plants and medicinal plants. Be sure to look out for the giant water lilies – a real highlight of a visit to the gardens.
Chamarel
Chamarel is our little sea-cret. While Mauritius is known for its luxurious resorts and azure waters and ocean activities, there is a hidden gem which many tourists do not get to explore. In Chamarel you will find a natural marvel known as the seven colored earth while the natural forests around this area offer ziplining, horseriding, quad biking, and guided nature drives.
The secluded Chamarel Waterfall also provides a jaw-dropping backdrop of lush forests and mountains which visitors to the island can trek to. Be the first among your peers to head out to this place of adventure!
Black River Gorges National Park
Those travellers feeling particularly energetic can head to Black River Gorges National Park for hiking. Various trails cater to all levels of fitness and offer gorgeous waterfalls, rivers, and tropical plants to see along the way. If you haven’t packed your walking shoes you could decide instead to drive up to the Black River Gorges viewpoint to see the island from a different perspective.
Ile aux Aigrettes
Ile aux Aigrettes is one of the last surviving natural spaces in Mauritius. This protected island, located off the coast from Preskil Island Resort, provides you a glimpse of the Mauritius of yesteryear. Here you can meet some Mauritius fruit bats and say hello to decades old giant tortoises. Rangers will take you on a guided walk around the small island to discover some of the local flora and fauna of Mauritius such as pink Pigeons!
Le Morne
Escape the crowds at Le Morne on the south coast of Mauritius. This stretch of land is more rugged than the better known beach spots and its towering cliffs make for a more dramatic scenery. You can even take a hike up Le Morne mountain, which was ounce a place of refuge for runaway slaves. The mountain top offers breathtaking 360-degree views of the island.
Le Morne is also a great place to visit if you want to get off-the-beaten track and insert some adventure into your beach break. This is one of the best places in the world to learn kitesurfing with a tranquil lagoon for beginners and wave spots for the more advanced. Looking for the perfect place to stay in Le Morne? Be sure to check out the JW Marriott.
Flic en Flac
South of Port Louis lies the best known, and longest, beach on the west coast: Flic-en-Flac. Sheltered from the south-east winds, the calm waters of Flic-en-Flac are ideal for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and diving while its palm-lined shore is home to a selection of authentic Mauritian shops, restaurants and bars. Some of our favorite places to stay in Flic-en-Flac include the Hilton Mauritius and Sofitel Mauritius L’Imperial.
Travel further down this coast and you’ll find the bustling Tamarin area. This is the best surfing spot in Mauritius. You can also book a boat cruise from here to go in search of wild dolphins. If you’re looking for somewhere to stay in this area look no further than Veranda Tamarin.
Ready to book your next island holiday to Mauritius? Get in touch with The Holiday Factory today.