With beaches to render you speechless, luxury resorts and water sports galore, Mauritius points of interest revolve around the sun, sand and sea. The action doesn’t stop there though, with giant tortoises roaming free, inland jungles and colonial history to explore.
Mauritius Points of Interest
Port Louis
The charming history of Port Louis
Multicultural Port Louis is the island’s charming, colonial capital and the place to go for some action after a long day in the sun. A popular Mauritius tourist attraction is Le Caudan Waterfront, with panoramic views of the Port Louis harbour. Eat, drink and be merry before tempting your luck at the casino or checking out boutique shops.
If you love heritage stamps, maps and engravings, pop into the Blue Penny Museum. The history continues with a trip to Citadel Fort Adelaide, a fortress 240 feet above sea level, and the intriguing Natural History Museum. Don’t leave without visiting the Central Market, to assault your senses with colour, traditional flavours from street vendors, local handicrafts and succulent fruits.
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden
Giant lily pads in Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden
Just a short drive from Port Louis is the Pamplemousses District, home of the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden. It’s often touted as one of the best botanical gardens in the world, most notable for a majestic pond filled with water lilies so big, you could practically sail to China on them.
If you’re wondering about the impossibly long name, the gardens were named after the first Prime Minister of Independent Mauritius. For wildlife lovers, you’ll see brightly coloured birds, Aldabra tortoises and deer populations.
Mauritius Tourist Attractions
Eureka House
Get a glimpse of aristocratic life, at Eureka House
Colonial life is on full display at the elegant, Creole style Eureka House. Sitting majestically by the river Moka, the structure is one of the largest on the island, with 109 doors and windows. Inside, get a glimpse of life as an aristocrat, with antiques, photos, artworks and opulent furniture.
The grounds match the splendour of the mansion, with an intriguing blend of Mauritian native plants and English-style landscaping. Walking tracks take you to four enchanting waterfalls and abundant marine life includes carp, eels and tilapias. Pick up a trinket at the souvenir shop and taste traditional cuisine, like smoked marlin, in The Old Kitchen.
Belle Mare Coast
Relaxation, Belle Mare coast style
Back to the beach, where top Mauritius points of interest reside along the sheltered east coast. Belle Mare’s natural attractions are as beautiful as the name leads you to believe. White-sand, a coral-protected lagoon and that unsurpassed Indian Ocean blue is the backdrop for snorkelling, glass-bottom boat rides, diving and happy days swinging in a hammock by the sea.
For sporty types, Belle Mare is home to renowned championship golf courses, The Links and The Legend. When night falls, luxury hotels compete to tantalise your taste buds and entertain with chic bars, DJs and jazz. Make sure you catch a séga show on the beach, with open fires, Creole drummers and dancers.
Chamarel Park
The spectacular coloured sands of Chamarel Park
The Seven Coloured Earths are a spectacular display of nature, at Chamarel Park in The Black River District. Due to the conversion of basaltic lava to clay minerals, the sand dunes offer a kaleidoscope of reds, browns, violets, greens, blues, purples and yellows. Go at sunrise to see the striking difference between the tones.
The Waterfalls of Chamarel are 83 metres high and you can view them from a deck near the Seven Coloured Earths or trek through lush vegetation to cool off in the shallow water below. If you’re feeling adventurous, Parc Aventure Chamarel offers obstacle courses and treetop walks.
Ile aux Cerfs
Paragliding adventures on Ile aux Cerfs island
Just a short water taxi trip from the mainland at Trou d’Eau Douce, Ile aux Cerfs is a tiny tropical paradise with a larger-than-life appeal. An iridescent lagoon takes centre stage for parasailing, snorkelling, water skiing and banana rides. The coral reef is rich with marine life, with volcanic black rock creating magical underwater scenes.
If you can drag your eyes away from the scenery to take a swing, head to the 18 hole golf course. Restaurants offer local cuisine and there’s a market for handicrafts and textiles. Some hotels on the east coast offer complimentary transfers to the island, or you can take a day trip on a catamaran, sunset cruise or speed boat. Ill aux Cerfs is one of the more relaxing Mauritius points of interest.
Grand Baie
Incredible blues for watery fun in Grand Baie
When you want action and adventure with your impossibly blue seas, Grand Baie in the north is the place for you. By day you’ll struggle to fit everything in, with choices including the Underwater Sea Walk, Submarine Excursion and the Underwater Scooter. Dive on coral reefs, sail, windsurf, go deep sea fishing and explore the outer northern islands.
Shopping centres, markets, crafts, boutiques and souvenirs give your wallet a workout, but save some for glittering nights out. Grand Baie hosts the island’s best bars and clubs, including the famous Buddha Bar. If you’re a true night owl, you’ll be happy to know the action doesn’t heat up until midnight and parties last until the sun comes up.
Mauritius Cuisine
Is this your dinner? It will be, when you holiday in Mauritius
Chances are you’ll see your dinner brought in from the sea, before it lands on your plate that night. Seafood in Mauritius is the main event, with succulent dishes like octopus curry and Millionaire Salad, with prawns, oysters, crab and fish. Then, there’s the street food with a delectable blend of Creole, African, Indian and Chinese. The Port Louis Market is a great place to sample a variety of dishes, including dholl puri (flat bread filled with curry split-peas), pineapples sprinkled with sea salt and chili flakes, samosas, Creole curries, spicy pickled vegetables and sugarcane juice. Between the bounty from the sea, the multicultural influences and fresh as can be produce, the food is a Mauritius tourist attraction rivalled only by the postcard perfect beaches. Bon appétit!
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