Things to Do in Mauritius: 10 Ideas for Your Holiday

Some of the best things to do in Mauritius include visiting Chamarel and Black River Gorges, exploring Port Louis, taking a boat trip to Île aux Cerfs, discovering the northern gardens and spending time on the beaches. Tea tasting, cultural visits and guided walks give you more ways to explore beyond your hotel.

For a first visit, choose a few experiences that match your interests. Your accommodation, preferred pace and time available will help determine which places work well together.

Here are ten ideas to help you decide.

1. See Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earth and waterfall

Chamarel is a good choice if you enjoy natural scenery and photography.

The Seven Coloured Earth is an area of naturally coloured dunes viewed from designated paths and viewing areas. Your geopark admission also includes the Chamarel Waterfall viewpoints and tortoise park.

Allow time to enjoy the different stops. A visit to the waterfall viewpoints is a sightseeing experience; hiking down to the waterfall is a separate activity.

If you would like lunch in Chamarel or a distillery visit, include it in your plans before setting the day’s schedule.

2. Explore Black River Gorges National Park

Black River Gorges offers forest scenery, valley views and walking trails.

You can enjoy the landscape through viewpoint stops or make walking the main activity of your day. These involve different amounts of time and physical effort, so decide which experience you want before booking.

For a sightseeing visit, choose a few viewpoints alongside nearby attractions. For a longer walk, ask about a suitable route, current trail conditions and whether a guide is recommended.

Keep some flexibility in your plans because cloud and rain can affect the views.

3. Visit Grand Bassin, also called Ganga Talao

Grand Bassin is a sacred Hindu lake surrounded by temples and religious statues.

It is a place to learn about an important part of Mauritian culture and observe the setting at a respectful pace.

Dress modestly, follow instructions at temple entrances and ask before photographing people taking part in religious activities.

Grand Bassin can be considered alongside selected highland and south-west attractions. Our private South Mauritius tour explains the options for building a day around your interests.

4. Discover Port Louis through its markets, food and history

Port Louis is a rewarding choice if you want to experience the capital’s everyday life.

Explore the Central Market, walk through Chinatown and leave time for local food. The Caudan Waterfront offers another place to walk, browse shops or stop for a drink.

If history interests you, consider Aapravasi Ghat, the former immigration depot associated with the arrival of indentured labourers in Mauritius.

Choose the parts of the city that appeal to you most. A food-focused visit will feel different from a day centred on museums and historical sites.

5. Walk through Pamplemousses Botanical Garden

The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, commonly called Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, is known for its giant water lilies, palms and varied plant collection.

It is worth considering if you enjoy gardens, photography or a slower outdoor visit.

Give yourself time to walk through the grounds. Plants and flowers change with the seasons, so the garden may look different from photographs taken at another time of year.

If someone in your group has limited mobility, check the walking distances and access arrangements when planning the visit.

6. Visit Cap Malheureux and the northern coast

The red-roofed Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice church at Cap Malheureux is one of the north’s best-known landmarks.

The coastal setting makes it a pleasant stop for photographs and a short wander. You can also consider time around Grand Baie or a northern beach, depending on what you enjoy.

A garden visit, cultural stop and some time by the sea can make a varied day without requiring a long list of attractions.

See our private North Mauritius tour for ways to combine selected northern highlights.

7. Take a boat trip to Île aux Cerfs

Île aux Cerfs is an island off Mauritius’s east coast, reached by boat.

It suits visitors who want to spend part of their holiday on the water and enjoy an island beach stop.

Different excursions offer different experiences. Compare the departure point, boat type, time on the island, swimming opportunities and meal arrangements.

Check whether your booking is for a shared cruise or a private charter. A private hotel transfer can connect to a shared boat excursion.

Our Île aux Cerfs catamaran trip explains one of the available options.

8. Discover Blue Bay Marine Park

Blue Bay Marine Park is an option for visitors interested in marine life.

Depending on the excursion, you can explore by glass-bottom boat or join a snorkelling outing. A glass-bottom boat is worth considering if someone in your group would prefer to remain on board.

Ask about the trip duration, boarding arrangements and suitability for your group before booking.

Visibility and sea conditions vary. Follow the operator’s guidance and avoid touching or standing on coral.

9. Try Mauritian tea at Bois Chéri

Bois Chéri offers a different perspective on Mauritius through its tea-growing landscape and tea heritage.

Depending on the experience booked, a visit can include the museum, factory and tea tasting.

It is a good option if you enjoy learning how local products are made or would like a cultural stop away from the coast.

Confirm the programme for your chosen date. A visitor experience does not necessarily mean that every stage of production will be operating while you are there.

10. Enjoy the coastline around Le Morne

Le Morne combines beach scenery with the striking backdrop of Le Morne Brabant.

You can enjoy the coastal setting without planning a mountain hike. Leave time for photographs, a beach visit or lunch nearby.

If hiking is your priority, arrange it as a dedicated activity. Ask a qualified guide about current access, the route, physical demands and weather conditions before committing.

For a relaxed visit, keep the afternoon flexible and enjoy the landscape at your own pace.

Which activities should you choose?

For scenery: Start with Chamarel, Black River Gorges or Le Morne.

For culture and local life: Consider Port Louis, Grand Bassin or a tea experience.

For time on the water: Compare an Île aux Cerfs excursion with a shorter Blue Bay outing.

For families: Choose activities around your children’s ages, attention spans and usual meal or rest times. A garden visit, beach stop or suitable boat outing may work better than several long visits in succession.

For a quieter day: Pick one main attraction, allow time for lunch and leave space for an unplanned stop.

Your starting point matters too. Include the journey from your accommodation when deciding how much to fit into a day.

Do you need to book every activity in advance?

Book activities that depend on a scheduled departure, guide or limited capacity first. These can include boat trips, guided hikes and specific tasting experiences.

Keep some beach time and simple sightseeing flexible.

Before confirming an excursion, check what the price includes. Transport, entrance tickets, meals, guides and boat tickets may be charged separately.

For weather-dependent activities, ask about the operator’s cancellation or rescheduling arrangements.

Plan your Mauritius activities with Barefoot

Tell us where you are staying, your preferred date and the two or three places you would most like to visit.

We can help arrange a private land tour with an English- or French-speaking driver and a route suited to your group. Let us know about children, walking preferences, child seats and any required return time.

Boat excursions are confirmed separately as shared trips or private charters, according to your choice.

WhatsApp Barefoot Transfers Mauritius on +230 54 92 8500 to discuss your day.