Top things to do in Mauritius


By Amy Rosoman for British Airways

Title photograph by ohrimalex

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The island gem of Mauritius offers far more than powder-soft sand, azure lagoons and luscious landscapes. Lounge beachside, then take your time to explore the beauty of this tropical paradise before watching the sun set across the Indian Ocean. Discover the treasures of this sanctuary; they’re beyond belief.

Explore La Vallee Des Couleurs Nature Park

Immerse yourself in a blend of beauty and thrills in this scenic park, bursting with exciting activities that will leave you gasping for breath. Hike your way through to see the legendary Seven Coloured Earth before soaring across the third-longest zipline in the world (a whopping 1.5km long). Soak up the panoramic views of the south coast, then add to your adrenaline rush with a skywalk over a verdant ravine on the Longest Nepalese Bridge. If your legs get shaky while you are suspended between 80 – 100 metres above the velvet forest canopy, stop peering down and gaze across the stretch of epic scenery.

Top tip: Calling all nature lovers – keep your eyes peeled for wildlife wonders, with monkeys, tortoises, rare birds (including the pink pigeon), just to name a few.

Discover Mauritius

Dive into the Indian Ocean for an unforgettable experience and look out for pods of playful dolphins.

Discover the heights of Tamarind Falls

Visit the revitalising waters of Tamarind Falls on the southwest of Mauritius. Take part in a guided trek through a fascinating landscape of forests, mountains, rivers and waterfalls. Known as the seven cascades, this dazzling canyon is one of the most tranquil spots in Mauritius. When you reach Tamarind Falls, be sure to bask in the cool waters of the natural pool and stand underneath the tumbling chutes for a natural massage. Ready for more excitement? Book onto a canyoning experience, where you can abseil down waterfalls and jump into gorges.

Top tip: The best time to come here is from November – May, when the warm summer rain creates a flourishing utopia for visitors.

Take a Mauritius highlights tour

Blissful beaches in Mauritius

With cobalt-blue seas and powder-soft white sands, Mauritius beaches are some of the most picturesque in the world. Here, you can soak up over 160km of beautiful beaches. The east and west coasts boast stunning bays, the south offers shallow lagoons for snorkelling and the rugged north offers tranquillity on secluded beaches. The pristine beach of Belle Mare provides 10km of sparkling sands and turquoise waters for those perfect lazy days. Grand Baie glistens, popular for its scenery and activities, while Trou aux Biches is perfect for families with pretty pearl-sand beaches. It also features shallow waters and a reef close to the shore. Flic en Flac is a must-visit on the sunset coast.

Top tip: Get to Le Morne, one of the island’s best and most exclusive beaches. Kick back on icing sugar sands with the dramatic Le Morne Mountain in the distance, then cool off with a swim in the turquoise waters.

West coast dolphin encounters

Sail across the Indian Ocean for an unforgettable experience with whimsical dolphins. For the best chance to catch sight of these friendly creatures, skim across the tropical waters and look out for pods of playful dolphins on the South West of Mauritius. The hottest spots for your ocean adventure are Black River and Tamarin Bay, where you can join private or group trips. When your boat drops anchor, make a splash and snorkel in the crystal-clear waters, or simply take it all in from the comfort of the boat.

Top tip: As your boat heads deeper into the ocean, look out for gigantic whales diving, puffing and drifting through the vast glistening waters.

  • Woman playing golf. © PhotoTalk.

    Find your drive

    With a selection of championship golf courses on the island, find your spot for that hole in one.

    Book your stay at the Anahita Resort
  • Giant Tortoise feeding at the La Vanille Reserve park. © Konstik.

    Gentle giants

    Get up close to the local wildlife in Mauritius.

    Find our cheapest flights to Mauritius
  • Chamarel rum distillery. © Hemis / Alamy Stock Photo.

    Tantalising tipples

    Fields of sugarcane, barrells of aging rum and flavourful rum tasting – enjoy.

    Plan your trip

Make a splash with water sports

With around 330km of thrilling coastline, embrace the action-packed variety of water sports on offer in Mauritius. Choose from paddle boarding (at dawn or dusk for the perfect backdrop), sea kayaking, kite-surfing or surfing the waves. Rise across the sky on a parasailing excursion or stay on the surface during a glass bottom boat ride to catch an up-close peep of the underwater world. Ready for a mini voyage? Take a catamaran out or unwind on a yacht cruise, with the opportunity to snorkel alongside the reef. To further explore the underwater world of Mauritius, scuba dive along the ocean floor.

Top tip: Hit up the best of the coast, check out Grand Baie, Belle Mare, or Ile aux Cerfs for a taste of water sports action.

Enjoy a full day catamaran cruise

Golfing greens in paradise

Mauritius is a top destination for a spot of golf, and with glorious year-round weather, you’ll want to test out your drive every day of your trip away. From the beautifully manicured gardens surrounding 9-hole courses to the tidy championship grounds with 18-hole courses, be sure to book your tee time well in advance to make the most of golfing in paradise. Benefit from the brilliant green fares and choose from the many golf courses dotted across the land. Admire the scenery around you as you play; just be sure to watch your shots more than the views – there are plenty of water hazards to avoid.

Top tip: Stay at one of our golfing resorts during your Mauritius holidays and make the most of golfing days in Mauritius.

  • Kite Surfer off the coast of Mauritius. © ohrimalex.

    Ocean waves

    Take a whirl over (or under) the water and choose the water sport for you.

    Book a stay at LUX* le Morne

Make a trip to Port Louis

Take time to visit the capital, a melting pot of cultures from different countries. Immerse yourself in the mix of Africa and Europe with splashes of India, hints of China and bursts of the Middle East. Wander to the Central Market to soak up a taste of the local life. Buy flavourful fresh fruit, and inspect the natural aphrodisiacs and Chinese herbal medicines available. You’ll find more items than you would at your trip to a regular grocery store. Savour a touch of history and see an ancient dodo skeleton at The Natural History Museum; culture vultures can stroll along to The Blue Penny Museum for a slice of cultural heritage.

Top tip: Ramble to the top of Signal Mountain around late afternoon to catch a golden glow over the city at sunset.

See Port Louis and market marvels

Visit the Chamarel Rum Distillery

Surrounded by the luscious scenery of pineapple and sugar cane plantations, rum lovers can experience an epic tour – seeing, learning and tasting all things rum. Wander through the copper-column filled rooms and discover the unique distilling techniques used here. Check out the cellar full of barrels of aging rum (yum), where white rums can stay up to six months, six years and beyond. Soak up the beauty of this eco-friendly estate and the holistic senses of this wonderful domain. Feeling ravenous, yet? There is a mouth-watering restaurant here, where can you relish a menu full of flavour and local produce.

Top tip: Savour premium rum flavours, then try rums with delicious hints of vanilla, coffee or coconut. See the selection of cocktails and try the Tiki or Bramble for a taste of the tropics.

Follow the trails of Black River Gorges National Park

Discover the biggest National Park in Mauritius, oozing with luscious forests, rolling hills, cascading waterfalls and magical wildlife. Choose from an alluring 50km of flora and fauna nature trails and hike alongside flowering plants, rare birds, macaque monkeys and giant fruit bats in their natural habitat. Find your way to viewpoints of Tamarind Falls or explore more at the Alexandra Falls Viewpoint and surreal Macchabée Viewpoint. Be sure to catch the island’s best views from the Black River Peak Viewpoint, which is an easy 9km walk to the peak (which is also the highest point on the island) from the Petrin Information Centre.

Top tip: Keep your eyes peeled for the assortment of wildlife at this national park, with its diverse habitat and climate, spot the Mauritian flying fox if you can.

Book onto a south of Mauritius adventure

Where to stay

Lux* le Morne

Bask on the best beaches, right on your doorstep, and lose yourself under the stars as you stroll the white sands at night.

Book a stay at Lux* le Morne

The Anahita Resort

Frolic in the 213 hectares of luscious gardens and take a swing on the 18-hole golf course, designed by Ernie Els.

Book a stay at The Anahita Resort

Four Seasons Resort at Anahita

Explore the waterfront village and enjoy water sports galore, then cool off under the exotic garden showers.

Book a stay at the Four Seasons at Anahita