Places to visit in Mauritius

Until about 20 years ago, Grand Baie, a quiet fishing village of Mauritius, is now a bustling tourist spot of the country. This lovely sheltered bay that is also given the sobriquet of ‘Le Trop,' appears happily bobbing up and down with the many big and small boats in its clear waters. The village has emerged as one of the most prominent tourism hubs of the nation and is famous for the many entertainment options and hot shopping districts, along with several unusual sightseeing spots, beaches, and excursions in the nearby areas and a kid friendly ‘Aquarium’ where you can enjoy feeding the fish and sizing a shark.

Apart from letting you enjoy rum tasting, the interactive museum of L’Aventure du Sucre located here will also allow you to learn the history of the island. Also, found only 275 m away from the institution, are the Pamplemousses Botanic Gardens which make for another refreshing visit. The garden which was built in the 18th century is famous for an enormous pond of Amazon lilies that are extraordinary to view.

Location: Northern Mauritius

Known for: Its immaculate beaches and shopping arcades

How to reach: Located 70 min away from Mauritius airport, you can reach it via bus or car and can explore it easily on foot.

Type: Village

Although famous among tourists as a great shopping destination in Mauritius, the capital city of Port Louis is also a trove amassing several cultural attractions in Mauritius. Located here is The Blue Penny Museum which is the home to the first ever colonial stamp across the globe. Also, The Natural History Museum in the city lets you get a glimpse of the preserved skeleton of the extinct dodo bird. Port Louis is also the place to get a taste of the multi-culture and faiths of Mauritius through a visit to its many Indian or Chinese temples, churches and mosques. You can also experience the life here by going for a leisurely afternoon stroll with the residents or expats of the area. Take a walk uphill from the Signal Mountain which derived its name from the antennae located on the top, to witness the beauty of the city below during sunset.

Location: Central Mauritius

Known for: Its numerous shopping districts, museums and religious places

How to reach: Port Louis is located at a distance of 47 km from Mauritius airport and can be easily reached through various modes of road transport.

Type: Cultural Centre

A visit to the Isle aux Aigrettes or the Egret Island undeniably enters the list of the most interesting things to do in Mauritius. Believed to be the last resting place of the former avian inhabitant of the island, the dodo bird, this locale is a beautiful and tranquil site that one should veritably pay a visit. Formed by a small coral outcrop and bounded by the limpid ocean water, the island is the current home of gigantic Aldabra tortoises which can be seen doddering amicably under a dark canopy and the stunning pink pigeons that dwell in the semi-wild.

Location: Southeast coast of Mauritius

Known for: Being a nature reserve centre inhabiting Aldabra tortoises, along with its beautiful coral reef

How to reach: Via road

Operating hours: 9am-4:30pm everyday

Approximate Cost: INR 1,000- 2,000

Tips: Do not forget to bring enough drinking water, a hat, a camera and a comfortable pair of shoes

Type: Park

Loved by all, be it kids or adults, La Vanille Nature Park is a breeding park of its kind. Carved amidst lush foliage, you can experience the breath-taking event of holding a baby Aldabra tortoise or even a baby crocodile, iguana or a fruit bat! The insectarium and fossil museum located in the vicinity gives your kids a unique opportunity to play on the forest playground.

Location: Mauritius

Known for: Giant Aldabra tortoises and nature shows including crocodile feeding

How to reach: Via road

Operating hours: 8:30am-5:00pm everyday

Approximate Cost: INR 900-1000

Type: Park

Chinese New Year is commemorated, with Port Louis being the focal point of the celebrations. People decorate the whole place beautifully with red lanterns, and one can enjoy the mesmerizing dance of the lion and dragon at the nighttime.

When: January

Holi is another Hindu festival that is fervently observed in Mauritius. The festival of colors and joy, Holi, is a much-awaited festival that everyone enjoys a lot, playing with colored powders, water and with music and dance all around.

When: February

It is an event that marks the beginning of fishing season. It is a prestigious festival for the Rodrigues' fisherfolk and opens up an excellent opportunity for joyous celebrations and lots of delicious food!

When: 1st week of March

Mauritius celebrates its Independence on 12th of March every year to mark their freedom from colonial rule and oppression and the foundation of their state on this day in 1968, as it is known today. Proud Mauritius citizens celebrate this day with the organization of parades and other patriotic events.

When: March 12

Another festival indigenous to Mauritius is Father Laval Day which is observed to pay homage to Jacques-Désiré Laval who arrived in Mauritius in 1841 as a healer and a missionary. On this day all Mauritians, irrespective of their faiths, head to his resting place in Sainte Croix in Port Louis to pay their respect.

When: September 9

Usually observed towards the end of September, Eid-Ul-Fitr is a Muslim festival that is celebrated with a lots of joy and vigour in Mauritius.

When: September

Diwali is a Hindu festival of lights which is celebrated with an ardent spirit in Mauritius. The Hindu population of the country lighten up their homes and surroundings with beautiful earthen lamps, electric lights and candles to mark the triumph of good over evil.

When: October or November

Mauritius is also known for its vibrant, engaging International Kreol Festival which is a four days long event that is celebrated every year since 2005. Commenced with the aim to celebrate Creole culture, it organizes many exuberant activities including traditional dances, music, and many exciting games, to end with a night of grand concert that's something to witness.

When: Early December

The Christians festival of Christmas celebrated every year on 25th of December is an occasion of much jubilation.

When: December 25

The roots of any place can be explored through its museums, and Natural History Museum does the same for Mauritius. It showcases a collection of some veritably fascinating artifacts which includes many ancient maps of the island and amusing paintings of the original fauna of the county- including that of a dodo. Along with these, you can also spot here the preserved bones of certain extinct birds, a curio of an engraving depicting some Dutchmen riding the back of an enormous tortoise and some salvaged objects- cannons, wine bottles etc. dating back to the Battle of Vieux Grand Port from 1810.

Location: Mahebourg

Known for: Artefacts including preserved bones of dodo, red rail and Rodrigues solitaire, and many ancient objects and engravings

How to reach: Through numerous modes of road transportation

Operating hours: 9am-4pm Mon-Fri and 9am-12pm Sat

Approximate Cost: Free

Type: Museum

Of the many beautiful and ardent natural environs of the rugged Mauritian mountains, Black River Gorges National Park deserves a special mention. One of the many magnificent attractions in Mauritius, the park is filled with lovely rainforests that boast of many quaint hiking trails and picnic spots. It displays a wide array of both flora and fauna, with many rare species too such as the Mauritian flying fox that draws in huge crowds of tourists from the world over. Serving as the most important wildlife and rainforest conservatory of the country, it is the home to many endemic birds and animals. The park is not only an essential ecological system but is also a celebrated tourist destination of Mauritius which is heavily frequented by avid hikers. The 60 km long hiking trail winds along the forest area to end at delightful picnic spots.

Location: Southwestern Mauritius, at Plaines Champagne road

Known for: Beautiful trekking trails and diverse wildlife, especially the Flying Fox

How to reach: On foot or by car

Operatinghours: 9:30am- 1pm

Approximate Cost: INR 4,000-4,500

Tips: Carry your hiking shoes, mosquito repellent cream, sunscreen and an extra set of clothes

Type: Animal Sanctuary

If Mauritian history dating to its colonial era is what you seek, then do not miss out on Eureka. The perfectly conserved Creole mansion that was built in the 1830s is indeed a sight to behold. Today it has been transmuted into a museum that takes you gliding back into the island's spirited bygone days of a plantation. The architecture of the house is another aspect to marvel at with its superior, tropical ideal construction that is still effective in keeping the interiors pleasantly cool. The incalculable number of rooms, 109 doors and antique furniture that’s beautifully preserved even to this day are incredible to witness. Moreover, the numerous ancient maps, and a mildewed piano along with carefully manicured grounds and stone servant cottages just add to the list of the house’s impressive features.

Location: Réduit, Moka

Known for: Being an iconic 19th century building with furnishings and architecture that throw you back in colonial times. Its scenic location is also one to admire.

How to reach: By road, through various modes of commutations

Operating Hours: 9am - 5pm Everyday

Approximate Cost: INR 700-800

Type: Notable Building

One of the most wondrous places to visit in Mauritius, Troud’Argent is a beach on Rodrigues Island. Extremely beautiful, with pure white sands and blue waters, the site finds its place at the top of the list of most popular tourist spots in the country. Equally loved by both tourists and the locals, the beach promises the most memorable and relaxed day out at sea. With the tropical sun shining bright and reflecting off the splashing waters at the shore, it is indeed a bliss to be lazing around on a chaise longue and sipping rum coco.

Location: Rodrigues Island

Known for: Its pristine beach. It is also the ideal place to go snorkeling in the clear waters and witness the bewitching beauty of the undersea life.

How to reach: You can make use of a ferry boat to reach Troud’Argent

Type: Beach

For those who delve into the depths of intriguing history, this place is a must visit. Le Morne Brabant marks the peninsular area of southeast Mauritius which makes for a spectacular mountainous landscape. However, it is more famous for being a refuge shelter for the runaway slaves from the nearby places including the African mainland, south-east Asia, and Madagascar. The hilly terrain that holds several caves helped them to conceal themselves from their masters and stay protected. Serving as an impregnable fortress and a refuge against slavery, it attained the symbolism of resistance against the social evil. It was declared as a World Heritage Site, Mauritius’s first ever, by the UNESCO in 2008.

Location: Peninsular area at the southwestern tip of Mauritius

Known for: The region itself is remarkable for its lush vicinage, splendid beaches, hidden caves, lots of unexplored wildlife and some great luxury hotels where you can stay to enjoy all of these.

How to reach: Located at a distance of 55 km from Mauritius, it can be reached by a car.

Type: Historic Site