City guide · Mauritius
Our guide to Mauritius: Flic en Flac and its sunset, Île aux Cerfs and the eastern lagoons, Chamarel and the southern waterfalls, Grand Baie and the northern beaches: hours, prices and the best addresses.
Mauritius reveals itself region by region, each with its own character.
Lagoons in the east, colorful waterfalls in the south, lively beaches in the north: the island is explored in a loop, between beach, mountain, and extinct volcano.
Flic en Flac beach
The island's best sunset
On the west coast, Flic en Flac is known for its sunsets, worth seeing at least once during your stay. A few things to note though: dead coral makes walking uncomfortable (water shoes are a good idea), and swimming isn't always easy here. As for crowds, the beach is also quieter on weekdays than on weekends.
Mauritius isn't one island, but several: each coast has its own mood.
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Find my destinations →Île aux Cerfs · Belle Mare
The east coast holds the island's most beautiful lagoons, between a day trip to an islet and plenty of activities around your hotel.
Mauritius's best-known islet
A classic east-coast excursion, Île aux Cerfs is reached by boat, about an hour from Grand Gaube. White sand beaches, turquoise water, and activities make it an essential day trip, best booked on a weekday to avoid the crowds.
The east coast's most photogenic lagoon
Belle Mare boasts one of the east coast's finest beaches, lined with hotels and a calm lagoon perfect for swimming. Also not to be missed nearby: the Grand River South East waterfalls, reachable by boat excursion, where the river plunges straight into the ocean.
Chamarel · Le Morne · Tamarin
The island's densest region: nature parks, waterfalls, plantations and hikes, all the way to the UNESCO-listed Le Morne peninsula.
Snorkeling & nature reserve
Blue Bay Marine Park protects one of the island's finest coral reefs, perfect for snorkeling. Right nearby, Pointe d'Esny, near Mahébourg, is a beautiful, less touristy beach that's also great for viewing marine life. Just off the coast, Île aux Aigrettes is home to a nature reserve where the island's endemic wildlife is being reintroduced. Nearby, the Pont Naturel (a rock arch carved by the ocean) is worth the detour.
The South's essential trio
The village of Chamarel brings together three classics of the South: Chamarel Waterfall, the island's highest; the Seven Coloured Earths, a geological formation of multicolored dunes (budget around €10 for entry); and the Chamarel rum distillery, on the Royal Road, for a tasting of local rums.
The island's tropical forest
Black River Gorges National Park offers hikes and viewpoints over Mauritius's tropical forest. Nearby, the Ebony Forest Reserve and the Valley of Colours combine a zipline, natural pools (Bassin Blanc, Bassin aux Anguilles), and local wildlife (a good option for an active day out in Chamouny).
Waterfalls, dolphins & thrills
The 7 Waterfalls hike is done with a guide (through operators like Radjaventure or Jay7Cascades) to explore this string of natural pools. Tamarin Bay is the starting point for morning dolphin-watching excursions, while Tamarin Falls rounds off the visit to the area.
UNESCO-listed peninsula
Le Morne peninsula combines one of the island's most beautiful beaches with a mountain steeped in history: listed on UNESCO's International Slave Route, it recalls the refuge that runaway slaves once found here.
A 360° panorama over the lagoon
The hike climbs through dense vegetation to a spectacular viewpoint over the turquoise lagoon and the whole southwest coast. The trail gets steeper and more technical toward the end, so it's best to set off early and wear good shoes (some prefer a guide for the final stretch).
An islet carved by the ocean
Crystal Rock is a small rocky islet set in the middle of a brilliant blue lagoon, shaped over time by marine erosion. It's reached by boat excursion from Le Morne, usually combined with a snorkeling session on the surrounding reef (one of the most photogenic spots on the southwest coast).
Also worth seeing
A map, addresses, your pace
Excursions, beaches, waterfalls, and great addresses: tell us what you like, and we'll put the trip together.
Plan my trip →Grand Baie · Cap Malheureux
The island's most touristy region, between family-friendly beaches, nightlife in Grand Baie, and excursion departures to the north.
The iconic little church
At the very tip of the island's north, Cap Malheureux is known for its little red-roofed church, one of the most photographed images of Mauritius. It's also the starting point for excursions to Île Plate, for a day of snorkeling away from the coast.
The lively heart of the North
Grand Baie is the island's liveliest seaside resort town, with restaurants, shops, and boat trips. It's also home to the Surya Oudaya Sangam Tamil temple. Just nearby, Pereybère beach offers a more family-friendly atmosphere and calm water, protected by the lagoon.
The North's family-friendly lagoon
Trou aux Biches unfurls one of the island's most beautiful public beaches, protected by a shallow, especially calm lagoon (a real plus for family swimming or snorkeling close to shore). The fine sand and the casuarina trees lining the beach also make it a good spot for an evening stroll.
Other beaches in the North
The historic botanical garden
The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, better known as the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere. Its giant water lily ponds and tree-lined grounds, on the Royal Road, are well worth a shaded visit.
Between lagoon and volcano, Mauritius is crossed in one loop, never quite the same twice.