Things To Do In Mauritius

Things To Do In Mauritius: Mauritius, or the Republic of Mauritius, is a multi-cultural island nation located in the Indian Ocean approximately 2,000 kilometers from Africa and southeast of Seychelles. With palm-fringed beaches, aquamarine waters, gorgeous mountains, and lush national parks, Mauritius is popular for honeymooners as well as family vacations.

Mauritius is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs and has calm, crystal-clear waters, making it an ideal destination for watersports such as snorkeling, diving, kayaking, swimming, and more. However, unlike many islands, Mauritius has more than just breathtaking beaches. Enjoy a hiking trip through national parks, feel the adrenaline jump 10,000 feet from the sky, watch dolphins on a speedboat excursion or explore the volcanoes and ruins scattered throughout the island.

With street food ranking in the top 10 of the world, Mauritius is a paradise for the palates. Due to its history of migration, the cuisine of Mauritius is inspired by French, Indian, Chinese, and African cuisines. Faratas, dumplings, dhol puri, gatoux pimentes (chili cakes), boiled or fried noodles, and samosas are some of the must-try. To get an authentic feel of the island, visit the colorful markets, temples, and colonial mansions.

The capital city Port Louis is the epicenter of the urban Mauritian lifestyle. Although small, the island is divided into four regions (North, South, East, and West) as it experiences a micro-climate and diverse landscapes and lifestyles depending on these regions. Experiencing a tropical climate, Mauritius can be visited almost throughout the year.

Things to know before visiting Mauritius

• Accommodation: Mauritius has a wide choice of accommodation, from luxury and boutique hotels to guest houses and colonial villas. Choose from North, South, East, West, and Central regions depending on your sightseeing and activity needs. Make sure the accommodation you choose is listed with the tourism authority.
• Transport: Mauritius has a good network of public transport which includes buses, taxis, and trams. The main highway runs from north to south and is a scenic route. Therefore, exploring the island by renting a car or bike is very convenient. Prices start at MUR800 per day. The speed limit is 110km/h (68mph) on motorways and 50km/h (31mph) in built-up areas. A foreign license is accepted.
• Time Zone: Universal Time plus four hours (GMT/UTC+4)
• Currency: Mauritian Rupee, divided into 100 cents
• Prepaid SIMs are available for MUR 100.
• Free WiFi is available in all hotels, malls, etc.

25 Things To Do In Mauritius

1. Black River Gorges National Park

Being the only and largest in the island nation of Mauritius, Black River Gorges National Park is a sanctuary for diverse wildlife and tropical rainforests. It is the central attraction of tourists with an unparalleled love for nature and ardent trekkers. Before 1994, it was nothing more than a hunting ground. Later, it was officially declared a national park by the President of the Republic of Mauritius and has been available for public exploration since then.

It is located in the highlands of the Champagne Plain in the southwestern part of Mauritius. It includes an area of ​​6700 hectares of lowland forests, heathlands, and more forests, which is 5% of the island nation. The climate of the park varies from east to west; From moist rain forests to relatively dry lowlands. The park offers some dramatic scenery and terrain among mountain ranges and several waterfalls along the way.

2. Seven Coloured Earth of Chamarel

While Mauritius is mostly globally famous for its jaw-dropping beaches, the island is home to a huge variety of other geographical phenomena that you will not find anywhere else in the world. One such extremely curious natural phenomenon is the Seven-Colored Earth or Terrace D7 Coolers.

Located in Chamarel, the Terres de 7 Couleurs, or Seven-Colored Earth is famous around the world for its incredibly unique geological formation. A surrounded area with multicolored dunes in seven different shades of purple, green, brown, red, yellow, violet, and blue, Seven Colors Earth is one of the most visited tourist places in Mauritius. This popular tourist hub is often the only reason travelers make pit stops at Chamarel in the first place. The perfectly blended mounds look like something straight out of a painting, and the contrasts on the different layers of sand give a surreal 3D vibe that makes it look like someone has arranged each mound separately by hand to create the perfect lighting -and-shadow effect. However, the entire formation is completely natural and has a scientific explanation behind it.

The soil here is of volcanic origin, with tropical weather conditions washing away all the water-soluble elements, leaving behind only aluminum and iron compounds that are not able to mix. So if you take two different colored clay parts and try to mix them, they will not mix under any circumstances and will eventually settle into separate layers. Of course, you can’t test it on the actual site, but the souvenir shop lets you buy test tubes and small samples of multicolored sand, where you can try it out.

The best time to visit Terres de 7 Couleurs is during sunrise, as the fiery reds and oranges from the rising sun paint the entire landscape a vibrant shade of crimson, making the distinctively colored dunes stand out even more. where you will find it difficult to believe that the composition in front of you is actually real and tangible, and not directly from a painting. One of the island’s main tourist attractions since the 1900s, Chamarel’s Seven Colored Earths are protected on all sides by wooden fences, so you can only see them from afar, a short distance from fences from various observation posts, that are specially designed for this purpose.

Apart from the seven-colored earth, birdwatching is also a favorite activity here. There are some beautiful birds that have made this area their home, and if the idea of ​​bird watching interests you, you can visit the place equipped with a pair of binoculars and a good camera. There is a children’s park near Terres de 7 Couleurs, which is home to some giant tortoises that are docile, and even walk up to you with their necks stretched out to be tickled or patted!

3. Scuba Diving In Mauritius

Located in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is home to a wide variety of marine species and coral reefs, and underwater caves. Scuba diving in Mauritius provides a gorgeous view of the shallow sea waters. The world’s coral reefs have been affected by bleaching and rising temperatures, but the reefs of Mauritius stand out as an exception. Entirely surrounded by barrier coral reefs, the waters of the island are home to a variety of beautiful and rare creatures, providing a great show for the divers. Mauritius is ranked as one of the best destinations to make scuba diving a pleasurable experience. There are over 100 dive sites to see in Mauritius.

4. Underwater Waterfall

Mauritius is one of the best mysterious events in the world. A spectacular illusion, the underwater waterfall is located on the banks of Le Morne Brabant. The scene is an illusion, created by sand and silt on the ocean floor, which flows as if water is falling down. It also seems as if the entire island is being flushed down a big stream. The sand is pulled from the higher coastal shelf into deeper water by ocean currents, filling the water with sand.

This phenomenon is possible due to the fact that Mauritius has a volcanic origin. Although the ocean shelf is not deeper than 150 meters, the gorge into which these sand-filled waterfalls is as deep as 4000 meters. Though the water looks beautiful from the shore, a helicopter ride is required to witness the view. Aerial shots create the most stunning and visually stimulating appeal. Many have been established in Mauritius for this sole purpose.

5. Snorkeling in Mauritius

One of the best tourist destinations in Africa, Mauritius is also the best place for snorkeling. In the east and southwest of the island, the lagoon, which has a surface area of ​​300 km, is at its widest. In addition, Mauritius has about 430 different species of underwater fauna. The quality of seabed and coral varies sharply. Mauritius has a tropical climate. The water temperature is average (28 °C) in summer and 21 °C in winter. The water temperature is ideal for year-round snorkeling.

6. Le Morne Brabant

Le Morne Brabant is a mountain and UNESCO World Heritage Site located in the Le Morne Peninsula of Mauritius. It is located on the southwestern tip of the island. It is the most protected and wild mountain in Mauritius and a popular hiking stop for tourists. It takes three to four hours to reach the top, and the view is breathtaking. Le Morne Brabant is also home to Mauritius’s famous underwater falls.

Le Morne Brabant is distinguished by its basaltic monolith scaling up to 556 meters above sea level, and it covers an area of ​​30 acres of the peninsula. It also has two rare plants – Mandrinet and Bouquel d’Oril. The mountain was once used to shelter runaway slaves during the 18th and 19th centuries, and thus, is a symbol of the slaves fight for freedom. Blue-green lagoons surround the peninsula from all directions and the temperate waters, along with the spread of white sandy beaches surrounded by palm trees, make it an attractive tourist destination.

7. Visit Port Louis

Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius, is one of the most popular places to visit in the country. It is a melting pot of glitz and glamour, beautifully harmonizing with traditions and customs from its 300-year-old past. Port Louis is fascinating in terms of its mix of culture, tradition, and history.

8. Dolphin and Whale Watching

The island of Mauritius is especially attractive for adrenaline junkies and adventure sports enthusiasts, as you can indulge in a variety of activities while staying here. From standard deep-sea diving to scuba diving, snorkeling, wave boarding, and glass-bottom boat riding, there are countless things you can do while visiting Mauritius. One such activity on the island that is extremely popular among tourists of all ages is dolphin and whale watching. The best time for dolphin and whale watching is during the summer.

9. Savour the Local Food

Often described as a ‘melting pot of flavors’, Mauritius offers a wide variety of food from different cuisines. Several markets in Mauritius sell global food products. It is interesting to know that Mauritius does not have any specific cuisine; The island was uninhabited until the Portuguese found it on their voyage through the Indian Ocean. Colonial governments turned Mauritius into a plantation colony, bringing in slaves and indentured servants from swaths of South Asia and Africa to work in them. Eventually, voluntary migration also took place. Over the generations, their cuisine also got mixed with Creole. It is readily apparent that their varied cuisine is a must-try.

10. Nightlife in Mauritius

The nightlife here is quite fun and popular, in contrast to the calm atmosphere of Mauritius during the day. The nightlife of Mauritius is mainly centered around the north and west while the south and east of Mauritius are quieter. Since there is no bar closing time, it is one of the best places to enjoy the nightlife. Many clubs in Mauritius are open till morning and they are quite safe to visit.

11. La Vanille Nature Park

La Vanille Nature Park, also known as La Vanille Crocodile Park, is a conservation park in Mauritius, located in the south close to the village of Riviere des Anguilles. It is home to the largest captive herd of Aldabra tortoises in the world and the main attraction here is the crocodile farm. The nature park is also home to giant tortoises, iguanas, wild boars, deer, and many others. A free guided tour is available every 30 minutes.

La Vanille Nature Park also has a show feeding the giant Aldabra tortoise and feeding lemurs for visitors, as well as an alligator feeding. There is a pony ride on the interactive farm for kids for Rs.75. The Ruston & Hornsby diesel engine, one of the last locomotives used in Mauritius, is also on display here.

12. Chamarel Waterfall

Chamarel Falls, the highest waterfall in Mauritius, falls more than 200 feet located near Seven Colored Earth. Surrounded by the vegetation of the Black River Gorge, it is simply spectacular. Hiking to the top of the waterfall and jumping in the clear pool below is the most popular activity here. There are two viewpoints that boast a bird’s eye view of the waterfall. It is also a popular photography destination.

Chamarel Falls is situated in the middle of a beautiful valley and there is an easy trekking route to its base. The trek takes 3-4 hours from a 6km tropical-forest-fringed valley to Baie du Cap. It is also popular to drown through the waterfall from the very top of the rock and from the bottom of the pool. During the summer, the waterfall splits itself into two or three thin streams that never join until reaching the basin, but during the monsoon (or after heavy rains), the waterfall recedes as a single powerful stream. The best way to visit Chamarel Falls is on a tour.

13. Bois Cheri Tea Plantation

Mauritius has earned its reputation as a wildly popular destination among tourists from different parts of the world as it has much more to offer than just white beaches and turquoise waters. When your mind questions what else you can discover on this island, Mauritius will amaze you with experiences you cannot imagine as you dig deeper into its geographical expanse. Such is the Bois Cherry tea plantation of Mauritius.

As you head towards the southern part of the island, just a few kilometers from the Grand Basin or the Ganges Pond, you will find a village called Bois Cheri. Amazingly, it has a 250-hectare tea factory and museum located in the interiors of the city. It is reputed to be the island’s most extensive tea-producing property, along with a gourmet restaurant and barricading a bubble lodge for accommodation purposes. Being situated amidst nature, the view of the lodge is very spectacular.

14. Casela World of Adventures

Casella Nature Park, also known as Casella World of Adventures, is an amusement park and one of the most visited attractions in Mauritius. It is famous for activities like safari tours, ziplining, quad biking, turtle feeding, pony ride, etc. It is located in Cascavel, a village in Mauritius, on the west coast of the island.

The Casela Nature Park is also home to exotic animal species such as Java deer, macaque monkeys, wild boars, rabbits, and fruit bats, and some indigenous plant species such as cassias, ebony, pink pepper plants, and tamarinds. The nature park is divided into 4 states for activities like quad biking, photo-safari, and exclusive big cat and giraffe areas – Safari Kingdom; the Nature Kingdom, where an animal show with birds park and canopy can be found; The Middle Kingdom has adrenaline activities such as mud karting, and the Mountain Kingdom includes canyoning, zip-lining, wall climbing, etc.

15. Flic en Flac Beach

Flic en Flac, once a delightful little beach town, is one of the most popular tourist areas in Mauritius after Grand Baie. With its name translating to ‘Free and Flat Land’, which used to be an old Dutch proverb, Flick en Flac originally began as a fishing village that was a hunting ground for wild birds and ducks. Located on the west coast of Mauritius, Flic en Flac beach is the most prominent tourist destination in the region with miles of sand and azure waters.

An 8-kilometer-wide beach with an array of watersports, Flic N Flak boasts long stretches of casuarina trees lining the entire west-facing waterfront. The northern part of Flic en Flac is a small rocky beach, while the southern part gives you a breathtaking view of Tamarin Bay, nestled at the foot of a rocky mountain.

16. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden

Popularly known as Pamplemas Botanical Garden and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Port Louis, Sir Seevosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden (SSR Botanical Garden) is the largest botanical garden in Mauritius. Featuring an extraordinary variety of exotic and rare species of plants along with some endemic animals on the verge of being endangered, this sprawling garden covers a land of over 37 hectares!

There are also some trees and shrubs and some perennial species that can be found only during specific months of the year. Tourists can explore 85 varieties of palm trees from many parts of the world. Another attraction for visitors is the giant water lily in the huge pond. The park is rich in diverse fauna with species like tortoises and tortoises, deer, fish, and many birds and bats.

17. Aapravasi Ghat

The immigration pier in Port Louis was the center of the establishment of indentured – or indentured – workers in Mauritius. Prior to the 1800s, slavery was rampant in the country, and the Pravasi Ghat was built as the central depot after the British government decided to abolish slavery in what was known as the ‘Great Mauritius Experiment’. Such as receiving indentured laborers from countries. India, Africa, and Southeast Asia.

These laborers were brought to work in the many sugar estates across the island, and this model was soon followed by many other colonial powers around the world. Today, Pravasi Ghat stands as a testament to the history of indentured workers during British colonial rule and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

18. Port Louis Waterfront

The Port Louis Waterfront, or as it is commonly known as Le Caudon Waterfront, is a commercial development area located in Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. It has gained its reputation as the first major shopping expansion of its kind on the island nation, which includes various shops, casinos, banking facilities, restaurants, movie theaters, and a five-star hotel by the name of Le Labordonnaise.

19. Trou Aux Cerfs

Trou aux Cerfs is a dormant volcano, one of four in Mauritius. Also called the Moor’s Volcano, it is located in the Curepipe region and is one of the most famous natural tourist attractions in Mauritius. The volcanic crater is 650 m above sea level and has a depth of 100 m. It is surrounded by dense green forest and offers a stunning panoramic view of the Rampart Mountains, Trois Mameles, and the Port-Louis-Moca mountain range.

Trou aux Cerfs is famous not only because of its inside view but also because of its exterior view as a look towards the sea gives you a panoramic 360-degree view of the entire island and the miles of water around it. The crater bowl is densely forested, and it is a favorite hangout for walkers and joggers. It is believed that this volcano erupted once and since then has been dormant for the last 700,000 years.

20. Catamaran Cruise Mauritius

Catamaran cruises are the most popular luxury honeymoon destinations and Mauritius is one of them. Exploring the island nation by sailing on a ship can be an entirely different experience. There are many day cruises and dinner cruises that visit a variety of destinations and coasts. There are four major destinations covered by a catamaran cruise in Mauritius – West Coast, Gabriel Island, Ile aux Cerfs, and Flat Island.

21. Tamarind Waterfalls

Being a tropical island, Mauritius is not only home to beaches and lagoons but is also home to a large number of rivers and associated lakes, streams, and waterfalls. Being a popular tourist destination, the island’s abundant natural attractions may not be as untouched and untouched as they were twenty years ago, but they are still a sight for sore eyes. There are a lot of waterfalls scattered throughout the island, and one of the most popular waterfalls in the southwestern part of Mauritius is the Tamarind Falls.

22. Chinatown, Mauritius

A large number of Chinese immigrants set foot in Mauritius in 1940 in search of trade business under French and British rule. They settled around the Royal Road in the heart of Mauritius’ capital Port Louis, and thus Mauritius Chinatown was born. This unique area is home to its local celebrities, who are well known across the country. To speak of a few, Mrs. Kwok, the country’s most revered astrologer, is a host of highly intelligent and traditional Chinese pharmacy owners who have access to medicinal herbs, preserved insects, teas, spices, and other so-called “magical” supplies. Which is believed to cure incurable diseases.

According to the World Factbook by the Central Intelligence Agency, only 3 percent of the population of Mauritius is ethnic Chinese. However, it is interesting to know that Chinese products such as Chinese-style dishes and home decorations at restaurants and food stalls are extremely popular in the country.

23. Solar Sea Walk

Mauritius is known for its pristine sapphire blue beaches, lined with golden sand, and how one cannot talk about luxury resorts that offer a heavenly view of the vast Indian Ocean. You can spend your day lazily either on the beach or in your hotel room, you can also take part in various beach activities and water sports on the island.

One of the most popular activities to indulge yourself in is the underwater solar sea walk. What is this? You might be surprised.

First, let me clear your mind by saying that the Solar Sea Walk is completely unrelated to scuba diving. As the name suggests, the Solar Sea Walk is a walk on the bottom of the ocean, in shallow water, using a solar-powered helmet. The helmet provides a free flow of air supply. This means that there is a constant amount of oxygen present in your helmet, unlike scuba diving, where the air is supplied only on demand.

This is also where technology comes into play. The helmet you will wear will have solar-powered electric compressors, which will assure a readily available supply of oxygen for ease of walking on the sandy sea floor.

24. Bagatelle Mall

Bagatelle is one of the premier shopping malls in Mauritius with a charmingly lively ambiance, a wide range of retail sales, and leisure options. The mall strategically blends the world’s top-class brands inside this majestic setting, blending everyday entertainment with ease and convenience shopping. Bagatelle Mall has gained a reputation as a must-see destination in Mauritius, especially among international travelers, due to its striking architecture, wide walkways, and unmatched exposure to both local and international brands across its 155 stores.

Bagatelle Mall is also known for its food lovers market. The display of over 3000 food products in an area ranging from 1200 to 4000 square meters under the roof of Bagatelle Mall is another experience in this shopper’s haven. Everything you need can be found here from bakeries, butchers, grill bars, sushi, groceries, chocolates, seafood, cheese and delis, pizza, and pasta.

25. Ganga Talao

Ganga Talav (meaning ‘Lake of the Ganges’), also known as Grand Basin, is a crater lake located in the Sawan district of Mauritius and believed to be the holiest Hindu site in the island nation, The name is derived from its symbolic connection. To the Indian river Ganges.

There are temples along the lake, dedicated to deities like Shiva, Hanuman, Ganesha, and Ganga. In addition, there are sculptures of many Hindu and non-Hindu deities such as Durga, Mangal Mahadev (Shiva), and Buddha.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Mauritius

Q. Which country owns Mauritius?

A – Mauritius remained a predominantly plantation-based colony of the United Kingdom until independence in 1968.

Q. Is Mauritius Indian or African?

A – Mauritius is geographically part of the African continent and is located in the Indian Ocean.

Q. Why is Mauritius famous?

A – Mauritius is famous for the dodo (an extinct flightless bird shaped like a swan), a multicultural population, incredibly expensive resorts (up to $600 a night and more), the island is home to more wealthy clientele, Mauritian rum, sugar and fruit jams. completes. , seven colored earth, and an underwater waterfall.

Q. Is Mauritius part of Madagascar?

A – Mauritius is a subtropical island country in the Indian Ocean, 1,130 km east of Madagascar, off the southeast coast of Africa. Its outlying areas include Rodrigues Island and other smaller islands.

Q. Is Mauritius a safe country?

A – Most crimes are non-violent, but weapons have been used in some thefts. Although uncommon, there have been some cases of sexual assault on tourists. Avoid walking alone at night on beaches or in poorly lit areas, especially on the back streets of Port Louis’ business district.

Q. Is Mauritius a rich or poor country?

A – Mauritius has the highest per capita wealth of any country in Africa as shown in the left-most bar chart. At $32,700 it is more than double that of South Africa and Namibia where it is between $12 and $13,000. The other top 10 countries have per capita wealth of less than $10,000.

Q. What language do Mauritians speak?

A – Mauritian Creole is a French-based creole and is estimated to be spoken by about 90% of the population. French is the language used in education and the media, while English is the official language in Parliament, although members can still speak French.

Q. Which is better Maldives or Mauritius?

A – The islands are easy to explore and give you an action-packed experience. When looking for the best water sports experience, choose the Maldives. However, if you want to enjoy hiking, trekking, and other fun activities, then Mauritius is the better fit for you.

Q. Is Mauritius cheaper than the Maldives?

A – The Maldives is far more expensive than Mauritius as accommodation and food are available at higher rates for tourists.

Q. What currency is used in Mauritius?

A – If you are thinking of visiting Mauritius, you will need to spend some money on your trip. The official currency used there is the Mauritian Rupee, and it is not used anywhere else. The exchange rate between the Mauritian rupee and the pound changes daily, but it is around Rs 45.27 per pound at the time of writing.