sandy beaches and azure sea

The North Region

Les Vergers of Labourdonnais at Mapou
Close to Grand Bay, discover a large variety of tropical fruit trees and colourful fragrant flowers. After a walk among the anthuriums, bougainvillea and hibiscus, taste jams and freshly squeezed fruit juice made from fruit grown in the orchard. Those living in Mauritius buy plants and flowers for their gardens and homes at Labourdonnais.

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden
The Pamplemousses garden is known by botanists from around the world for the large collection of indigenous and exotic plants that grow there, including the giant Victoria Amazonica water lilies and the numerous species of palm trees. The talipot or coryphe parasol is of particular interest: the legend says that it flourishes only once every fifty-seventy years then dies. Leave the busyness of the towns behind you, whether you want to go for a gentle stroll or a brisk walk, you can relax and breathe in the fresh unpolluted air.

The Red Roof Chapel in Cap Malheureux
Cap Malheureux is the northernmost part of the island. This is where the Commander-in-Chief John Abercromby landed his troops when the British attacked the island for the second time in 1810. Moreover, Cap Malheureux owes its importance to a small chapel: Notre Dame Auxiliatrice, commonly known as the Red Roof Chapel. Once there, simply appreciate the quality of the meticulous carpentry work and its giant clam holy water stoup.

Paul and Virginie Monument at Poudre D’or
The most famous Mauritian myth is undeniably the one of «Paul and Virginie». It was inspired by the sinking of the Saint Géran on the northeast coast. A small monument marks the spot where the ship sank. The legend tells that Paul, of humble origin, awaited the return of his beloved Virginie, of noble blood. Her ship, the Saint Géran crashed against rocks. It is said that Paul jumped into the water and swam to his beloved who, shy and chaste, refused to remove her clothes to follow him back to shore. Finally, her waterlogged Victorian clothes dragged her to the bottom, and she drowned. The book of Bernardin de Saint-Pierre tells that Paul died of grief afterwards.

The East Region

Grand River South East
The Grand River South East is a real attraction. The wide estuary enters an impressive gorge ending on a pictorial waterfall. An ideal place for excursions.

Bras d’Eau National Park
The mountain-bike trail in the Bras d’Eau forest is open to the public and winds it’s way through the bush and through the shady exotic forest before following an old railway line to the lava caves where you will discover the ruins of an old sugar factory. Bring your own bike or book a trip with an outdoor adventure company. If you are not into cycling, you can follow the trail on foot.

Pont Bon Dieu
On the eastern plateau, at Brisée Verdière, hidden in the middle of a sugar cane field, is the Pont Bon Dieu Cave. A trail leads to this natural cave, which is approximately 15 metres high and 20 metres wide. As well as the interesting volcanic phenomenon you are likely to see swallows nesting inside the cave and wild monkeys. With beautiful surroundings and views of the sea, the cave is a little treasure off the beaten track.

Roches Noires and Poste Lafayette
The public beach of Roches Noires extends to Poste Lafayette, an excellent place for fishing and breathing in the crisp air. These are two very popular summer resorts, especially during the warmer months as the sea breeze there blows almost all year round, which makes it an ideal place for kitesurfing and windsurfing.

Belle Mare
Belle Mare has a beautiful white sandy beach. The coastal road which follows large stretches of white sand from Palmar to Trou d’Eau Douce winds down to Grand Port right next to the sea and ends in the village of Mahebourg.
During weekends and on public holidays, the locals flock to the beach at Belle Mare making it a great place to meet the people of Mauritius and discover their culture. Enjoy a tasty ice cream from one of the many colourful and musical ice cream vans. And for the more adventurous at heart, why not go parasailing, which gives you a magnificent birds-eye view over the turquoise lagoon.

The South-East Region

Mahebourg
One of the main fishing villages on the island, Mahebourg is built along the shore of the immense bay of Grand Port. Founded in 1804 by the French Governor Charles Decaen, Mahebourg witnessed the only Napoleonic naval victory over the English in 1810. This victory is also listed on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. A major centre of economic life under French administration, Mahebourg was also known for its slave market.
Full of emotions, it is one of the rare places on the island that has kept this particular period of our history engraved in stone.

Pointe Canon
Pointe Canon in Mahebourg is an excellent place to photograph Lion Mountain and the Grand Port mountain range to the left of it. Ilôt Mouchoir Rouge with Ile aux Aigrettes to the right are also worthy of a place in the photo album. Pointe Canon is a popular concert venue and is known for its annual memorial ceremonies celebrating the abolition of slavery on the 1st of February. It also announces the departure of regattas where colourful pirogues are steered with speed and skill by their proud teams, who come from all over the island to compete in this friendly competition within the beautiful lagoon.

National History Museum
There are so many places to visit in Mahebourg, but a must-see is the fascinating National Naval and Historical Museum. Located at the entrance of the town, the Château de Robillard, a French colonial building from the eighteenth century, houses the National History Museum. Old maps, engravings, crockery, pirates’ swords and even fragments of shipwrecks, recount the rich maritime history of the island. The crown jewel of this fascinating museum is the bell recovered from the wreck of the St Géran.

Blue Bay
Pointe d’Esny, a white sandy beach lined with bungalows, leads to Blue Bay. This beach, surrounded by a semicircle of casuarinas is one of the nicest of the island with its fine sand, clear water and lively corals, perfect for snorkelling.

Blue Bay Marine Park
Blue bay is an exceptional preserved marine park. Corals and fishes are visible a few meters from shore. Among them, you have the parrot-fish, the trumpet fish and baby barracudas. Have a better view and snorkeling experience with a glass bottom boat.

Telfair Municipal Garden
Witness the stunning view of the southern sea and the Riambel naval cemetery. Discover the charming alleys shaded by centenarian trees where friendly locals spend their time.

Rochester Falls
The Rochester Falls out of Souillac are worth a visit. The road passes through the sugar refinery of Terracine. Over time, curious carvings have appeared in the lava shaped by the waters and green crystals were formed in the soil.

The South-West Region

Tamarin and Black River
Tamarin and Black River were once simple villages inhabited by locals and fishermen, but today they are quite different. Although it has been transformed by many luxury villas, shopping centers and restaurants, Tamarin Bay remains a popular surfing spot, with a long left-hand reef break and 10-foot swells.

Martello Tower at La Preneuse
The Martello Tower at La Preneuse was built by the British between 1810 and 1846 to protect them against their sworn enemy, the French navy. Since being restored in 1999, the tower is now accessible for guided tours. If you have some time to spare, take a dip in the sea at La Preneuse. The scenery is dominated by the beautiful Black River mountain range and the unmistakable shape of the Le Morne mountain that towers over the transparent lagoon below.

Black River Gorges National Park
One of the main green attractions is the Black River Gorges National Park which extends over 16,680 acres and provides a haven to highly endangered native plants and animals. It plays home to around 311 species of native and endemic flowering plants and nine species of birds that can only be found in Mauritius.
You can walk along a number of dedicated trails inside the gorges itself and can even hike up to the plateau. Make sure you wear the right shoes and clothing if you want to attempt a hike, and take your own food and drinks and other supplies along with you, as there are no shops or medical support within the park.

Case Noyale and La Gaulette
In these small fishing villages, you can find cheap rooms, apartments and guesthouses to stay in, which is great for kite surfers on a budget. What better way to discover and appreciate how the locals live, work and play! From there you can drive up to the plateau and see the exquisite views from Chamarel and other tourist sites. You can also take a boat ride to Ile aux Bénitiers or, for the more adventurous, go kite surfing at Le Morne.

Ile aux Bénitiers
Surrounded by turquoise sea, this island is set in a lagoon near Le Morne, where it is safe to go swimming and snorkeling. You can reach the island of Bénitiers using the local fishermen boats at Case Noyale and La Gaulette, or by catamarans and speedboats from Le Morne, Black River, or even further from Flic en Flac and the North. This small island is completely flat and measures just 2 kilometers by 500 meters, so you can easily explore it. The boat trip usually includes a barbecue and drinks on the island.

Le Morne Brabant
Some of the most beautiful hotels and golf courses are found at Le Morne. The oldest ones were established with the arrival of the first tourists on the island and have an authentic hostelry culture. There is something for everyone; whether you prefer to walk along the kilometers of white sandy beaches, actively take part in sea sports, or simply want to lounge around and rest. The southern part of Le Morne is ‘The Place’ to try kite surfing, windsurfing and surfing in the strong and steady south-east trade winds that gain momentum after crossing the high mountains of the Black River Gorges.

Piton de la Rivière Noire and Chamarel
The Piton de la Rivière Noire is part of the mountain range circling the National Park. In the highlands, Chamarel village is known for its seven-coloured earth, its charming restaurants and its rum factory, where you can learn everything about distillation and even do some rum tasting. The viewpoints over the ocean and the West coast are breathtaking, especially at sunset. In winter, when the sky tends to be clearer, you can see the grey silhouette of the high mountains of Reunion Island far in the distance.

Inland and Center Region

Marie Reine de la Paix
Overlooking the city of Port Louis and tucked into the side of Signal Mountain is the Catholic Church Marie Reine de la Paix. If you are ready to climb the 82 steps to reach the monument, the view of the city and of the sea from the Church grounds is stunning. The gardens surrounding the church are beautifully maintained and are a great spot for picnics and a place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city Paix.

Le Caudan Waterfront
Le Caudan Waterfront is a must for those looking for the top designer brands at bargain prices. At this bustling, lively seafront you will find numerous restaurants serving a wide range of cuisines. Take a visit to the artisanal shops and only library in Caudan and browse through the contents of the shelves… You are likely to find a treasure of Mauritian art and literature.

Mauritius Postal Museum
Located in a beautiful old stone building next to the Caudan Waterfront, you will be warmly welcomed by the hosts of this Museum which displays stamps, first day covers, and many other interesting objects marking the history of the Mauritius postal service. A range of stamps, first-day covers, stamp albums, books, key rings and other souvenirs are on sale at the Mauritius Postal Museum.

Blue Penny Museum
Mauritius is known for the extinct dodo as it is for its rare and expensive Blue Penny stamp. An original issue can be seen at the Blue Penny Museum in Caudan. This beautifully decorated museum is also home to other precious collections that represent the mixed historical and cultural heritage of Mauritius.

Fort Adelaide
Located on a hill overlooking the city and harbour, the Citadel of Port Louis (Fort Adelaide) is a fort that was built between 1834 and 1840 to guard the city against riots during the abolition of slavery. Today local and international concerts and artistic shows are performed there and it is definitely worth a visit for the stunning views from this vantage point.

Ganga Talao
Not far from Mare aux Vacoas reservoir is Grand Bassin, also known as Ganga Talao. It is one of the rare natural lakes in Mauritius, formed inside the crater of an extinct volcano and is the renowned pilgrimage place for Mauritians of Hindu faith. Every year in February, during the Maha Shivaratri week, thousands of Hindus walk miles from every corner of the island to bring their gifts for Lord Shiva at Grand Bassin.

Curepipe Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden in Curepipe were created in 1870 and are the second largest botanical garden in Mauritius. The garden is home to some rare trees and other indigenous plants. You’ll find locals fishing in the river that runs through the gardens and there is a lake surrounded by Nandia palms. A walkway runs through the gardens where you’ll find families and children playing and running, and couples walking hand-in-hand.

Balfour Garden
A garden and playground in the quiet suburbs of Beau Bassin, a sister town to Rose Hill, is where locals come to exercise, children play and couples and families picnic. Take a walk, through the pretty, tranquil gardens and appreciate the fresh air and quiet setting. Beautiful views of a waterfall, the Grand River North West flowing towards Port Louis, and the stunning Moka Mountain range in the background add to the charm of these gardens.