Updated: February 2024
From exploring pristine beaches, hiking up gorgeous waterfalls, or exploring the vibrant local culture, there is no shortage of activities to do in Mauritius. Whether you’re seeking relaxation, adventure, or cultural immersion, Mauritius has something for everyone. Here are 27 activities you can do during your stay at this enchanting destination.
Culture and Town Exploration
Colourful and Lively Port Louis
Did you know that thanks to the “Porlwi by Light” festival and the New Chinatown Foundation, Port Louis has over 60 street arts? Street art hunting has swiftly become one of Mauritius’ most unusual activities!
The majority of them can be seen on Chinatown and Bourbon Street, ranging from Chinese-inspired murals to abstract art. So grab your camera and go on a street art adventure!
Central Market
Feeling hungry? Head down to the Central Market if you’re looking for some delicious noms in Port Louis. Under one roof, you’ll find a large variety of local delicacies, fruits and vegetables, souvenirs, handicrafts, clothing, and spices.
You’ll find a wide variety of wonderful food to eat in the central market, which is one of Mauritius’ most well-known street food centres, including Briani, Dholl Puri, Faratha, Gateaux Piments, and more.
Mauritius’ food is delicious and affordable, combining flavors from Africa, India, China, and Europe. Simply order two pairs of Dholl Puri and you’ll have a filling meal for just a dollar!
After you have your fill, head to the first floor, where you will find the craft market. Remember that because it’s a tourist market, pricing will be significantly higher, so negotiate before you purchase your souvenirs here.
Caudan Waterfront
Located in Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius, The Caudan Waterfront is a beautiful site to explore in Mauritius, from the views across the bay to the colorful umbrellas and street art near the Mauritius Postal Museum. It features premium and budget shopping malls, a craft market, a casino, two hotels, and food courts, all constructed on reclaimed ground!
If you wish to try some local cuisine, go to the “Pat et Rosy Galettes de Manioc” stand, which is a short distance from the casino. They sell a variety of cassava-based foods, including cakes, rotis, and more. The stands normally open around 11 am and can get quite crowded during lunchtime.
Azuri Village
The Azuri village, in the north of Mauritius, is home to luxury boutiques and apartment complexes of the country. If you aren’t staying at one of the resorts, you can still explore the annual Christmas market, which takes place during the first or second week of December every year.
Sunset at Signal Mountain
If you don’t feel like hiking but still want to see the sunset over Port Louis, Signal Mountain is the place for you! The track is easy to follow even for beginners, and the entire hike takes less than an hour.
Flora and Fauna
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden (SSR)
The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden covers a lush area of about 37.5 hectares and is a peaceful and picturesque setting for visitors to enjoy the beauty of plants and nature. This garden is the oldest Botanic Garden in the Southern Hemisphere. Regular educational programs and guided tours are offered to provide visitors with information on the garden’s rich history and diverse collection of flora.
La Vanille Nature Park
La Vanille Nature Park covers 3.5 hectares of lush tropical vegetation where visitors can see and interact with over 1000 Aldabra giant tortoises. There are also 2000 Nile crocodiles and other animals like monkeys, iguanas, bats, deer, geckos and wild boar. The park also features an Insectarium with over 23,000 insect specimens on display, plus an aquarium and fossil museum for visitors to explore.
A new petting farm and pony rides have been added, allowing children and families to interact with and feed farm animals. Park guides and animators offer tours to provide information on the park’s wildlife and conservation efforts.
Adventure
Chamarel
The colorful sand dunes that were generated millions of years ago by volcanic action are what distinguish Chamarel 7 Colored Earth. The many layers of red, brown, green, blue, violet, purple, and yellow that abound in this section of Mauritius are the main things that draw the majority of visitors.
Make your visit on a bright, sunny day for the finest experience. This is the only time you’ll be able to distinguish between all seven hues.
The Black River Gorges National Park
The Black River Gorges National Park is one of Mauritius’ most prominent tourist attractions. Over 6,700 hectares of mountains and forests make up the national park, where you may spend the day hiking to see many amazing waterfalls and beautiful views.
The Black River Gorges are open to the public and offer a variety of hiking paths, including the Black River Peak, Mare aux Joncs, and Savanne trail, as well as the more difficult Parakeet trail. Cascade 500 Pieds and Alexandra Falls are two popular waterfalls here. The national park includes four main entrances, with two information centers located in Petrin and Black River.
The majority of the paths are well-marked, although maps are also available. You can also use the maps.me app to assist you navigate the national park.
Pont Naturel
If you enjoy exploring the outdoors and are searching for something different to do in Mauritius, make sure to check out Pont Naturel! The Pont Naturel is a natural rock formation that has been fashioned into a bridge over thousands of years by the forces of nature.
Hiking from Le Bouchon beach through sugarcane fields, mangroves, and along a mountainous coastline is the best and most scenic route to get there.
Le Morne Brabant
The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Le Morne Brabant was once utilized as a haven for escaping slaves. It is now one of Mauritius’ most popular hikes. The hike is rather straightforward, with some rock scrambling near the middle, but you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of Mauritius’ only underwater waterfall!
After the hike, head down to the Le Morne beach where you can relax and enjoy the calm and quiet island life. The main beach is fairly busy on weekends, so if you want to avoid the crowd, head a little further to the beach close to Hotel Riu Le Morne.
The Tamarind Falls
The Tamarind Falls (also known as Tamarin Falls or 7 Cascades) are a group of 12 waterfalls, seven of which are significantly larger than the others. The waterfalls, which are located near the village of Henrietta, are one of Mauritius’ most renowned tourist attractions.
If you’re not a seasoned hiker, we strongly advise hiring a local guide because it’s easy to get lost and several parts are quite steep and dangerous.
Le Pouce Mountain
The pinnacle of Le Pouce Mountain, shaped like a thumb, offers a 360-degree view over Mauritius Island. The hiking track is located in the commune of Petit Verger, Saint Pierre, and is quite straightforward, making it suitable for people of all fitness levels.
Trou Aux Cerfs
Trou des Cerfs, a dormant volcano in Curepipe, is one of Mauritius’ most prominent natural attractions. A paved path runs all the way around the crater, making it a popular jogging area.
If you wish to take a break and appreciate the panoramic views of the Curepipe, Trois Mamelles, Le Pouce, and Pieter Both mountains, there’s also a small kiosk and a few benches placed around the area.
Waterfalls
The Chamarel Falls
The Chamarel Falls, at a height of 100 meters, is one of Mauritius’ tallest waterfalls. To get there, you’ll need to pay Rs 325 (US$ 7.60), which includes a visit to the Seven Colored Earth, which is made up of brightly colored sand dunes.
Two vistas are available here, one on the left side of the parking lot and the other further up via the steps. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can follow the trail down to the waterfall!
Eau Bleue Waterfalls
Located near the town of Cluny, the Eau Bleue waterfall is one of Mauritius’ most underappreciated attractions. Eau Bleue is made up of six waterfalls, and although being breathtakingly gorgeous, it is rarely crowded. So, if you want to swim in crystal-clear water away from the crowds, Eau Bleue is the place to go!
The Eureka Waterfalls
The Eureka Waterfalls are another place you must visit in Mauritius. Four waterfalls are within a few minutes of each other behind the Eureka House in Moka. The walk is well-marked, and admission to the waterfalls costs Rs 300 (US$ 8.60).
The Rochester Falls
The Rochester Falls are one of Mauritius’ most beautiful waterfalls, and a visit to them is a must! The waterfall is reached via a dirt road from Souillac and requires no severe hiking.
La Vallée des Couleurs
La Vallée des Couleurs is a nature park known for its 23 different colors of soil, waterfalls, and a variety of fun outdoor activities such as ziplining, Nepalese bridge, quad biking, and more.
In general it takes about 2 hours to visit all the main sites, but if you want to do other activities, you could easily spend the entire day there.
Islands and Beaches
Grand Baie
Grand Baie must be included on any list of things to do in Mauritius. Located in North Mauritius, Grand Baie is a popular tourist destination with a variety of beaches, resorts, shopping malls, restaurants, and nightclubs for those who like to party till morning.
You can choose between the popular Grand Bay public beach, La Cuvette, Pereybere, or the more distant Bain Boeuf beach, which is located a bit outside of the city center but is still worth a visit. When you think of Mauritius as a postcard-perfect picture of white sand beaches and gorgeous turquoise ocean, you will find it here in Grand Baie.
Ile aux Cerfs
Ile aux Cerfs is one of Mauritius’ most popular islands and locations to visit, with a calm shallow beach and a magnificent sandbar stretching out to sea. Parasailing, kayaking, snorkeling, and relaxing on the beach are just a few of the activities available here.
Because the island can feel a little touristy on weekends and holidays, we recommend avoiding them for the greatest experience and to escape the crowds.
Ile aux Aigrettes
Ile aux Aigrettes is a small nature reserve in Mahebourg’s Bay that is home to various endangered plant and animal species. It is also one of Mauritius’ top locations to visit! You can go on a guided tour of the island or a sunset sail tour of the island to swim and snorkel.
Le Souffleur and Savinia Beach
Visiting Le Souffleur and Savinia Beach is without a doubt one of the most non-touristy things to do in Mauritius.
One of Mauritius’ most magnificent blowholes can be found at Le Souffleur! You won’t find a large crowd there very often, most likely because the road getting to this location is somewhat bumpy, but the view is well worth it!
If you venture a bit further, you’ll chance upon Savinia Beach, which is the island’s most secluded beach where you can enjoy the beach to yourself most of the time!
Pointe D’Esny
On Mauritius’ southeast coast, Pointe D’Esny is a modest strip of white-sand beach. The beach is normally not too crowded due to its secluded location, making it one of our recommended beaches in Mauritius! Unfortunately, there aren’t many shady locations on the beach, but the crystal-clear ocean should be enough of a reason to go.
The Telfair Garden
The Telfair Garden, which is located near the Souillac beach, is one of Mauritius’ most beautiful tourist destinations. Take a walk along the beach to watch the waves and observe the fisherman at work, or have a beach picnic.
Gris Gris Beach
Gris Gris Beach is a beautiful beach where you can see the powerful waves crash against the rocks, and it is without a doubt one of the best things to do in Mauritius! Swimming is not recommended due to the strong currents. Instead, take a walk down the beach to discover hiking trails that lead to “La Roche Qui Pleure,” beach caves, and three secret waterfalls!
A 2-hour quad bike tour is another fantastic activity in Gris Gris. It’s a fascinating experience for daring people who wish to see Gris Gris with a local guide and see all of the lesser-known sites away from the masses.
Rodrigues Island
Spend a weekend in Rodrigues Island if you want to add a little extra vacation to your Mauritius holiday. This small island is often referred to as the “old Mauritius,” making it ideal for people wanting a slower pace of life.
The majority of visitors come to Rodrigues to relax, but the island also offers extraordinary landscape with plenty of options for adventurous outdoor activities including trekking, zip-lining, and cave exploring.
Trou D’Argent, Ile aux Cocos, Mont Limon perspective, François Leguat Reserve, Port Mathurin, and others are among the top locations to visit in Rodrigues.
Rodrigues is significantly smaller than Mauritius, so you can easily see the most popular sights in a weekend, but if you truly want to discover some hidden gems, we recommend staying for at least one week.
