Uncovering the Best 27 Wonders of the Island of Mauritius
Uncovering the Best 27 Wonders of the Island of Mauritius
The island of Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean about 2,000 kilometers (1,200 mi) off the southeast coast of the African continent, east of Madagascar. The capital and largest city, Port Louis, is located on Mauritius, where most of the population is concentrated.
Table of Contents
Mauritius Map
Informations
Temperature: You should ideally go to Mauritius during the winter season, which extends from the month of July to September
Language: The official language is english.
Currency: Mauritian Rupee (MUR) 1$=40 MUR 1€ =49 MUR
Food Prices: Meal in a cheap restaurant=7 USD, Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant=37 USD
You can find more information about the visa here.
Things to do
Le Morne Public Beach
Le Morne Public Beach is located on the south-west part of Mauritius island, 25 kilometers from Black River Gorges National Park. The soft white sand combined with the super clear ocean water makes for a true tropical haven. It is highly praised as maybe one of the best kitesurfing places in the world.
Le Morne Brabant
Le Morne Brabant is a peninsula at the extreme southwestern tip of the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius on the western side of the island. It is highlighted by an eponymous basaltic monolith with a summit 556 metres above sea level. The summit covers an area of over 12 hectares.
Blue Bay Beach
Blue Bay, located in the south-east of Mauritius, not far from Mahebourg, is a village which is known for its beach not only by Mauritians, but also by tourists, who visit it as often as they can.
Alexandra Falls
The iconic waterfall in Mauritius, the Alexandra Falls, standing 700 meters above the sea level is located in Black River Gorges National Park. This white waterfall is surrounded by nature’s lush greens and rare flora – fauna. The sight from the Alexandra Falls Viewpoint will make you bow before the wonders of nature.
Gorges Viewpoint
Situated right in the heart of the Black River Gorges National Park in Mauritius, the Gorges Viewpoint provides stunning views of this ancient primeval forest. The forest is famous for housing endangered species like the Mauritius Falcon. It’s a great place for those who wish to get up close and personal with nature and the wildlife on Mauritius residing in this park.
Belle Mare Public Beach
The east coast is less developed with just a few exclusive hotels lining the shore and private islands set in the large crystal-clear lagoons. Belle Mare, which is located on the north-east coast, is one of Mauritius’ best beaches.
Mahebourg Waterfront
Head over to the South-East of the island for a little casual walk while surrounded by spectacular views of the azure water!
Located in the traditional Mauritian Village, the new Mahebourg Waterfront is ideal for a relaxing walk as well as a journey back in time taking part in the local Mauritian history! You can also go ahead and explore the naval museum and get the chance to learn more about the epic battle that was fought in this region. There is also the memorial known as Bataille de le Passe that pays homage to the fighters who lost their lives in the battle.
Tamarina Golf Estate
Situated in Tamarin Bay on the sunny West cost of Mauritius is the exclusive Tamarina Golf Estate & Beach Club. The Estate harnesses the best of Mauritius and delivers this to you in a compellingly designed real-estate offering. Tamarina is only 25km south from Port Louis and 45 minutes by car to the airport.
Francois Leguat Tortoise Parc
François Leguat Giant Tortoise and Cave Reserve (“Francois Leguat Reserve”) is a park and nature reserve on the island of Rodrigues, dedicated to protecting the fauna and flora of the island. The reserve first opened in August 2007, part of the same project as La Vanille Reserve in Mauritius. It is named after the 18th century Huguenot settler François Leguat, who recorded much of the island’s natural flora and fauna before it went extinct.
Mahebourg Museum
National history collection of maps, art, weapons and artifacts, set in a charming 18th-century home.
La Cuvette Public Beach
La Cuvette beach is one of these very beaches. Only recently were the signs pointing to this beach erected roadside, again leading tourists and less aware natives to the sandy shores of this beach. It has proved itself to be one of the finer beaches that dot the coastline of Mauritius, as it has just about everything and anything one could want, from crystal clear waves to white sandy sores and a refreshing mix of stalls offering the most eccentric and flavorful of local cuisine.
Maheswarnath Mandir
Maheswarnath Mandir is a Hindu temple located in the town of Triolet, Mauritius. The presiding deity of the temple is Lord Shiva. The temple was founded in 1888 by Pandit Shri Sajeebunlall Ramsoondur who came from Calcutta.
Jummah Masjid
The Jummah Mosque, formerly the “Mosque of the Arabs”, is a mosque in Port Louis, Mauritius, dating from the 1850s. The building combines Indian, Creole and Islamic architecture. The Jummah Mosque houses the remains of Jamal Shah in a marble tomb adjacent to the mosque.
Îlot Gabriel
Îlot Gabriel is an island belonging to the state of Mauritius. It has an area of 42.2 hectares. It is located about 11 km northeast of Cap Malheureux in Mauritius. Nearby are the islands of Round Island, Île aux Serpents and Coin de Mire. At low tide, Flat Island is only a few meters away and can be reached on foot. North of Flat Island is the small rock island Pigeon House Rock.
Rochester Falls
Rochester Falls is a waterfall located in the Savanne district of Mauritius. Very popular for its rectangular rocks, the fall is one of the most popular tourist attractions and the widest waterfall in Mauritius.
Mont Choisy Beach
The longest beach in the north of Mauritius, Mont Choisy extends to Trou aux Biches and Pointe aux Canonniers, a beach of endless beauty. The beach is easily recognizable by its coast that formed an arc. A beach lined by thousands of large casuarinas trees, a white sand beach and a turquoise water like most of the beaches that can be found in the north of the island.
Blue Bay Marine Park
Blue Bay Marine Park is a marine reserve in the southeast of Mauritius. The 353 hectare area was declared a national park in October 1997. In June 2000 it was granted marine park status under the Mauritian Fisheries and Marine Resources Act.
La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes
La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes, also known as La Vanille Nature Park or La Vanille Crocodile Farm, is a privately run zoological park in the savannah district of the south of the island state of Mauritius.
Île aux Bénitiers
The Île aux Bénitiers is one of the coasts of the largest district of the Black River country in the southwest of Mauritius. A luxury hotel project is planned on the previously uninhabited island, which, like other tourist businesses in the area, will take advantage of the relative lack of rainfall in the southwest of Mauritius.
Tamarind Falls
Tamarind Falls or Tamarin Falls are a scenic attraction of southwest Mauritius. They are a series of seven cataracts located on the Tamarin River, two kilometers northwest of the great lake Mare aux Vacoas
Île aux Aigrettes
The Île aux Aigrettes is a 26 hectare island southeast of the island of Mauritius. It is located within the reef, about 1 km from the coast off Mahebourg. The island is a nature reserve of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, to preserve the native flora of the island of Mauritius and the Mascarene Islands. It serves to protect and breed certain animal species that are endemic to Mauritius and some of which are almost extinct.
Chamarel-Waterfall
The Chamarel waterfall is located in the southwest of Mauritius near the village of the same name and is named after the French officer Charles Antoine de Chazal de Chamarel, who lived in this part of the island. The Rivière de Cap falls almost 100 m over a cliff here. You can reach the foot of the waterfall via a narrow path. From the parking lot in front of it, a staircase leads to a viewing platform. Since the surrounding gorge offers protection to endemic animal species, flying foxes can often be seen. Nearby is the Seven Colored Earth.
Ganga Talao
Ganga Talao is a crater lake located in a secluded mountain area in the Savanne district, deep in the heart of Mauritius. It is about 550 m above sea level.The statue is a copy of the statue from Sursagar Talav Lake in Vadodara, India. Across the street is another 33 m high statue depicting Durga Maa Bhavani.
Seven colored earth
The Seven Colored Earth is a natural phenomenon near the town of Chamarel in the southwest of the island of Mauritius. It is a tourist attraction and is privately owned.
Black River Gorges National Park
Black River Gorges National Park is the largest of the three national parks in Mauritius. The others are the Parc national de Bras d’Eau and Islets National Park. Its size is about 6,574 hectares, which is about 3.5% of the island’s area. It is listed on the tentative list for UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The national park was established on June 15, 1994.
Flic en Flac
Flic-en-Flac is a seaside village on the west coast of Mauritius in the Black River district. The name most likely comes from an old Dutch phrase, “Fried Landt Flaak”, meaning free and flat land. Its white sand public beach is one of the longest on the island
Île aux Cerfs
Île aux Cerfs is a privately owned island near the east coast of Mauritius in the Flacq District. The island of Ile aux Cerfs is located outside Trou d’Eau Douce in the largest lagoon of Mauritius and offers 87 hectares of lush vegetation and preserved, white sand beaches
Attractions – Blue Penny Museum, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, Mauritius Aquarium, Black River Gorge National Park, Casela Nature and Leisure Park, L’Aventure du Sucre.
Things to Do – beaches, diving, golf, horseback riding, hiking, sky diving, four-wheeled drive.
Where to stay
A good night’s sleep is particularly important when you are travelling. Mauritius offers its guests a host of luxurious, charming and also out-of-the-ordinary accommodation.
Whether in the heart of the city, near the lake or surrounded by nature –Mauritius’s hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses guarantee a relaxing and invigorating stay.
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Top hotels we recommend in Port Louis: Citadelle Mall Apartments, Le Suffren Hotel & Marina,Cocotiers Hotel ,Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel
When we think of beautiful landscapes and wonderful islands, the first travel option that comes to mind is a cruise. So, if instead of flying and staying on one island, you prefer to explore several beautiful islands, this is the best option. On a cruise you can also relax on the days when the ship is only on the sea/ocean, but you also have the advantage of exploring more places if you are an adventurer. We collaborate with the best companies in the world and you can choose the perfect cruise:
Mauritian cuisine is a blend of French, Indian, Chinese, and African influences, with French and Indian being the most dominant. French dishes such as coq au vin and Indian curries are very popular. Seafood features heavily on menus with lobster a notable specialty. The French influence means that a variety of wine is usually available, but visitors may also wish to sample the locally made rums.
Restaurants
Mauritius has a lot of delicious food with the greatest concentration in Grand Bay. For fine dining, try La Toque Blanche (Racket Road, 30 meters from Grand Bay Bazaar, Grand Bay), which specializes in lobster and serves up all kinds of Mediterranean and Creole dishes in a simple white dining room. Restaurant La Plancha (Dodo Square, Royal Road, Grand Bay) is another popular choice, offering Mauritian BBQ and Creole dishes served in a tropical courtyard.
Up the road in Flic-en-Flac, the Mauritian and Indian dishes of chic and modern Hippocampe (Kalimaye road, Flic En Flac) are popular with diners. Alternatively, Tides Restaurant (Wolmar, Sugar Beach Hotel, Flic En Flac) offers international food from burgers to seared tuna in a classy beachside location.
Further afield, Rasoi by Vineet (Le Saint Geran, Pointe de Flacq, Belle Mare) is a resort restaurant featuring Indian dishes created by Michelin-star chef, Vineet Bhatia. Situated between St Louis and Grand Bay, the well known Le Fangourin Restaurant (Beau Plan, L’Aventure du Sucre, Pamplemousses) serves authentic Mauritian cuisine in a tranquil verandah with garden, pool and mountain views.
Travel Tips
- The best time to travel and the peak season for Mauritius is between September and December, when it’s mostly unpleasant and cold back home.
- Trust only guides: Do not fall for taxi drivers claiming to take you to ‘pristine beaches with golden sands’ and the likes. This is a major tourist trap as these taxi drivers not only charge exorbitantly but are also paid to get travelers to not-so-touristy-places. AVOID! Stick with your travel guide.
- Shop like locals: It is recommended to buy water from local shops as hotels charge almost double for water. Price of bottled water ranges from INR 30 to INR 600 as per the location.
- Tipping never used to be all that common in Mauritius. But thanks to all the tourists, it’s becoming more commonplace and a tip is always welcome.
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Find a great deal on Mauritius hotels.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Book a tour for your visit.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Don’t shop at the Port-Louis Central market: Buying spices from this market should be avoided. Rather buy some from the local supermarket.
- Keep your water sports plans for noon time. As most of the tourists are done with their share of water activities by noon, you might end up getting a good deal
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Shopping
Mauritius has a variety of shopping ranging from modern malls to bazaars and flea markets. The Caudan Waterfront Complex (Old Pavillon Street, Port Louis) is one of the main shopping centers on Port Louis, but the Cascavelle Shopping Mall (Bambous, Flic-en-Flac) is also popular. Aside from regular fashion and souvenir shops, the malls have a number of duty free stores which are popular with those in search of wool or cashmere clothing, watches or diamonds.
Outlet centers lure brand bargain hunters, particularly those interested in Ralph Lauren and Billabong beachwear, both of which are made in Mauritius. The Super U (Coromandel, Brand Bay) outlet is one of the main places tourists go, although there are other outlet malls at Arsenal, Curepipe and Port Louis.
The Central Market (Farquhar Street, Port Louis) is not only a famous attraction where visitors can pick up souvenirs and curios, but is the place many locals go for fresh fruit, vegetables, meat, and seafood. Popular Mauritian made items include flavored tea, perfumed oil, rattan handbags, rum, vanilla, and coffee. More unusual items include ethnic jewelry and model replicas of historic ships.
Getting Around
The Mauritian government runs several bus lines which, combined with private services that fill any holes, are an economical and reasonably comfortable way to navigate the island. The three main government-run companies are National Transport, United Bus Services and Mauritius Bus Transport, each focusing on different parts of the island. Tickets can be bought on the bus from the conductor, but it is a good idea to keep small change handy as you likely won’t get change. Bus stops tend to be marked with a white pole.
Mauritius has a limited water taxi service that takes passengers from Cauden Waterfront Port Louis to various hotels including those at Balaclava.There are a number of local and international car rental companies in Mauritius, particularly at the airports and in tourist areas. The conditions of the roads can vary, as can the driving, so proceed with caution. That being said, a rental car is a good way to get around and see more of this beautiful island. Drivers must be over 23 and have held a driver’s license for over a year to rent a car in Mauritius.
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Getting here
Most There are only two airports in Mauritius, Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport situated in Plaine Corail on Rodrigues and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. Those wondering how to reach Mauritius from Delhi or Mumbai, then we are here to inform that SSR Airport is well connected via domestic and international flights. Emirates, Swiss, China Eastern flights, Air India, etc. are some of the major international airlines with connectivity to these airports.
Most visitors arrive in Mauritius by plane at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) International Airport in the southeast, which now has a slick new terminal building. Air Mauritius run daily flights onwards to Sir Gaetan Duval Airport on Rodrigues. As a winter sun destination, high season stretches from November to February, and fares are at their highest around Christmas and New Year. The cheapest time to fly is during the Mauritian winter months of May to October.
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