Why go to Mauritius
Most people book Mauritius for the lagoons, and the lagoons are every bit as good as the photos. What surprises them is everything else. The island is small, about 65 km long, yet you can hike a rainforest gorge in the morning, eat a Creole curry at lunch and watch a Hindu ceremony at a crater lake before dinner. Indian, African, Chinese and French influences all sit in the same street, often in the same meal.
It is also an easy place to travel. Distances are short, English and French are widely understood, and the locals speak Creole among themselves. Don't treat it as a resort island where you never leave the hotel. The best days happen when you do.
What to see: the places worth your time
- Le Morne Brabant. This basalt mountain rises from the southwest tip and is a UNESCO site tied to the history of escaped slaves. Climb it with a guide at dawn if you can manage the scramble. Otherwise just sit on the public beach below. The lagoon here is also the island's kitesurfing centre.
- Chamarel and the Seven Coloured Earths. The dunes of red, brown and violet sand are small, and you only need about 30 minutes. The nearby Chamarel waterfall is a drop of around 100 metres, and the rum distillery down the road does a decent tasting.
- Black River Gorges National Park. This is the green heart of the island. Trails lead through native forest, and the viewpoints over the southwest coast are superb. Go early, before the cloud settles.
- Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao). A sacred crater lake for Mauritian Hindus, with huge statues of Shiva and Durga. It is calm on weekdays and packed during the Maha Shivaratri pilgrimage in February or March. Dress modestly and watch out for the monkeys.
- Port Louis. The capital is not pretty, but it is real. Walk the Central Market for spices and street snacks, then the Caudan Waterfront, and finish at Aapravasi Ghat, the UNESCO-listed site where indentured labourers first arrived.
- Pamplemousses Botanical Garden. Its giant water lilies and rows of palms are the draw. Allow a leisurely two hours, ideally in the morning when it's cooler.
- Île aux Cerfs. A boat trip from Trou d'Eau Douce takes you to this east-coast island. Go on a weekday, because weekends get crowded. The turquoise water is real, though the beach is far from deserted.
- Blue Bay Marine Park. Calm, shallow and good for snorkelling in the southeast, close to the airport. It suits a first or last day.
- Cap Malheureux. A red-roofed church sits on a postcard-perfect point at the far north, with Coin de Mire island offshore. It makes a quick stop on the way back from Grand Baie.
- The south coast cliffs at Gris Gris. The sea here crashes against rock, so it is for looking, not swimming. It is a good reminder that the lagoons are the exception, not the rule.
Things to do
Snorkelling and swimming come first, naturally. At Tamarin you can go out early on a boat for a chance of wild dolphins, but pick a small operator who keeps a respectful distance. Kitesurfing and windsurfing are strong at Le Morne, especially in the windy months from May to October. Divers should look at the north and west for wrecks and reef walls.
On land, hike Le Pouce or the Black River trails, or take a guided walk around Chamarel. Visit a tea estate such as Bois Chéri in the south, and tour a sugar museum like L'Aventure du Sucre for the island's history. In Mahébourg, the Monday market is the one most locals actually use. For something very local, find a Sega night. The dance is rooted in slave heritage and is more fun when you join in than when you watch.
How many days and a suggested route
A week is the sweet spot, and five days is workable. With ten, you'll have time to do nothing on a beach, which is half the point of the trip.
- Days 1 to 2, southeast: land, settle in around Blue Bay or Mahébourg, snorkel, and visit the Monday market if it fits.
- Day 3, south and southwest: Gris Gris, La Vanille Nature Park, then Chamarel for the earths, waterfall and rum.
- Days 4 to 5, west: Le Morne, Tamarin and Flic en Flac. Add Black River Gorges for a hike.
- Days 6 to 7, north: Grand Baie, Pamplemousses, Cap Malheureux and Port Louis. If you have time, take a catamaran to the northern islets.
When to go
The island has two seasons. From November to April it is hot and humid, with sea temperatures like a bath, and this is also cyclone season, with the greatest risk in January to March. From May to October it is cooler and drier, and the sea is a little fresher, though still perfectly swimmable. The east and south are windier in winter.
The best months are May, June, September, October and November: good weather and fewer crowds. July, August, Christmas and New Year are the busiest and priciest. Avoid the middle of the cyclone season if your dates can move.
Where to stay
- Grand Baie (north): the most developed area, with restaurants, bars and shops. It is lively, a bit built-up, and the best base without a car.
- Flic en Flac and Tamarin (west): sunnier and drier, with great sunsets. Flic en Flac is more mid-range and social. Tamarin suits surfers and a relaxed crowd.
- Le Morne (southwest): dramatic scenery and kitesurf culture. Luxury resorts dominate, with a few guesthouses.
- Trou d'Eau Douce and Belle Mare (east): long beaches, quieter, and well placed for Île aux Cerfs. Many large resorts.
- Mahébourg and Blue Bay (southeast): real local life, cheaper guesthouses and a short ride from the airport.
On a tight budget, look at guesthouses and apartments in Grand Baie, Flic en Flac and Mahébourg. Mid-range travellers have lots of choice in the west and north. Luxury is the island's trademark, from Le Morne to Bel Ombre.
What to eat and where
Eat on the street at least once a day. Dholl puri, a thin yellow split-pea flatbread wrapped around curry and chutney, is the national snack and costs very little. Gateau piment (chilli and split-pea fritters), mine frite (fried noodles) and farata are all worth trying. At the Port Louis market, look for alouda, a sweet milky drink with basil seeds.
Sit-down meals lean on curries, rougaille (a tomato-based Creole stew), vindaye (fish in mustard and turmeric) and octopus curry. Biryani is also a serious thing here, often at weddings and festivals. Try the palm heart salad if it's on the menu. Local beer is Phoenix, and the rum is better than most visitors expect. Chamarel and Bel Ombre both have good distillery tours.
Restaurants in Grand Baie and Flic en Flac cover every budget, while tiny places in Mahébourg and Port Louis are the cheapest and often the best. Lunchtime is when the local eateries are at their best.
Getting from the airport and getting around
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) is in the southeast near Mahébourg. Transfers to hotels run from about 30 minutes (Blue Bay) to two hours (Grand Baie and the northwest). Pre-booked transfers and taxis are the easy option. Agree on the price first, or insist on the meter in a licensed cab.
Buses connect nearly everywhere and are very cheap, but they are slow and can be crowded. Direct routes are limited, and you may change at Port Louis or Rose Hill. The Metro Express tram runs between Port Louis and Curepipe, handy for a day in the middle of the island but no use for beaches. Renting a car gives freedom, and driving is on the left. Roads are decent but narrow in places, and the motorway is quick. Many visitors hire a driver for one or two big days instead.
Rough daily budget
- Budget: around 40 to 60 euros a day, with a guesthouse, street food and buses.
- Mid-range: around 100 to 180 euros, with a nice hotel, restaurants, a rental car and a couple of excursions.
- Luxury: from 300 euros upward, and well above that in the best resorts.
Accommodation is the biggest cost. Food can stay cheap if you eat local, while alcohol and imported goods are pricey. Excursions such as boat trips and diving add up fast.
FAQs
Is Mauritius safe for tourists?
Yes, it is one of the safest destinations in Africa. Use normal care with valuables on beaches and at night in cities.
Do I need a car?
Not strictly. You can use taxis, tours and buses. A car is useful if you want to explore the south and the interior freely.
Which side has the best beaches?
The north, west and east all have excellent lagoons. The west is sunniest, the east is windier and quieter in winter, and the south is wilder and less suited to swimming.
Can I drink the tap water?
It is generally treated, but many visitors stick to bottled water. Ask at your accommodation.
How many days do I need?
Five to seven days is ideal for seeing the island and still relaxing. A long weekend is too short for more than one region.
Photo: "dronepicr" · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · Guide updated 21 Oct 2026