Our Guide to Mauritius

The best region for: Independent exploration

The north of the island is home to the capital city; Port Louis. Founded in 1735, the vibrant city has plenty to explore. Like the rest of Mauritius, Port Louis is a melting pot of cultures; from the long standing Chinatown and the 19^th century Jummah Mosque to Mauritian street food stalls and French Colonial architecture. Port Louis is also a great place to learn more about Mauritian history – we particularly recommend a visit to the UNESCO World heritage site, Aapravasi Ghat, to learn about the Indian indentured labourers who arrived in the country between 1834 and 1920.

Our top recommendations:

1. Spend a day exploring Port Louis. For the best views across the city, visit the Citadelle Fort. Set atop a steep hill, the fortress overlooks Chinatown, the waterfront, the historic racing track and the surrounding mountains which frame the city.
2. Sugar cane is an important part of Mauritian history, due to the economic impact it has had. L’Adventure du Sucre is an engaging, interactive museum that showcases the history of the sugar industry on the island. It is great for people of all ages, and will be enjoyed by children and adults alike.
3. Chateau de Labourdonnais is a beautifully maintained and restored estate outside Port Louis. With a fine dining restaurant, chateau, beautiful gardens and a rum distillery, it is well worth a visit.

Our travel tip:

If you are looking to explore the northern part of the island independently then do hire a car for a few days. While things are close together, it will make your site-seeing easier. Driving in Mauritius is relatively easy, especially as they drive on the same side of the road as the UK. It is easy to navigate the road system, and there is plenty of parking near the waterfront in Port Louis.

Our recommended hotels:

1. The Oberoi: A luxurious resort with outstanding dining options, The Oberoi is great for those looking for a private, tranquil stay. 
2. 20 Degrees South: The island’s original boutique hotel, 20 Degrees South has plenty of charm and is the island’s only Relais & Chateaux property.
3. LUX* Grand Gaube: A great all round option, LUX* Grand Gaube is great for families and couples alike. It offers an array of restaurants and activities as well as being a good base for exploring the northern region.

If you do one thing...

Try the Mauritian delicacies at Port Louis market. Alongside stalls filled with fresh tropical fruit and vegetables, street food vendors sell an array of snacks and drinks. Try dhal puri, chilli cake, samosas and alouda. You can explore with a independently or with a guide if you are looking for pointers to the best stalls.

The best region for: Beautiful beaches and luxury resorts

In our opinion, you can’t beat the beaches on Mauritius’s East Coast. The long stretches of soft golden sand that frame the coast line make for an idyllic setting to relax, while the open water is excellent for water sports. The majority of the island’s luxury resorts are set along the east coast, bringing award-winning golf courses and an array of restaurants to try.

Our top recommendations:

1. There are a few islands off the Mauritian coast. The most popular to visit on a boat trip is Ile aux Cerf, although this can be rather busy. We would recommend a boat trip excursion around the east coast or a to visit it Ile D’Ambre, which is a nature reserve on the north east coast. Here you can kayak through mangroves and snorkel in the surrounding waters.
2. Along the east coast a number of hotels include complimentary water-sports, including non-motorised options and importantly motorised water-sports such as water-skiing as well. This is rarer on the west and northern coasts, so if you are looking to spend time water-skiing it is well worth considering.
3. There are a number of excellent golf courses along the east coast. One of the most picturesque is the Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club. Designed by Bernhard Langer, the challenging course has fantastic views, with greens overlooking sandy beaches.

Our travel tip:

If you are an early bird who loves seeing the sunrise, the east coast is the place to be. With long stretches of beaches, there is no better way to wake up than a walk along the beach as the sun rises.

Our recommended hotels:

1. Constance Prince Maurice: A luxurious resort on a secluded beach, Constance Prince Maurice sees a high proportion of return guests for a reason. The fantastic service, outstanding restaurants and beautiful setting are hard to beat.
2. LUX* Belle Mare: Set on a stunning beach, LUX* Belle Mare is a good “all-rounder”. The resort has a number of great restaurants, beautiful contemporary accommodation and a popular kids club.
3. C Mauritius: A great value all-inclusive resort. C Mauritius also has a fantastic kite-surfing school on site.

If you do one thing...

Enjoy a catamaran cruise along the coast and enjoy the open waters and a BBQ on board. Try our favourite dessert - bananas cooked on the BBQ with vanilla sugar, coconut and a touch of rum! 

The best region for: Nature lovers

The quiet, “rural” part of Mauritius offers a coastline dotted with small fishing villages, luscious green national parks, thundering waterfalls and dramatic mountains. For those who enjoy exploring on foot, there are a number of easily accessible hikes, while those who like spending time on water can enjoy the calm lagoons, coral reef and spotting resident dolphins.

Our top recommendations:

1. There are a number of hiking routes throughout the south of Mauritius. From gentle walks through the Ebony Forest which has been carefully restored, to more strenuous hikes through Black River Gorges National Park. We would recommend using a guide for the majority of hikes, partly for the additional knowledge on local flora and fauna and partly because routes can be hard to find where vegetation is thick.
2. Visit Chamarel Nature Reserve. One of Mauritius’s most visited locations, the nature reserve has two main attractions; the dramatic Chamarel waterfall and the intriguing Seven Coloured Earths. Both features are caused by the volcano that formed the island and are impressive to see.
3. Try local rum at Chamarel Rum Distillery. After a guided tour of the open-air factory and time to explore the beautiful gardens, you can try the nine different rum variations produced on site. Our favourite is the Chamarel Gold which is aged over 18 months and is perfect for cocktails, as Alisha can confirm! 

Our travel tip:

Of all the regions, the southern coast can be slightly cooler in our summer months. From June to August it would be wise to take a light jumper for evenings. This does mean that those keen to hike will find more pleasant temperatures and lower humidity throughout the day.

Our recommended hotels:

1. Lakaz Chamarel: A boutique eco-lodge in the hills, overlooking Le Morne mountain. The lodge is close to Chamarel village and nature reserve, making it a great base to explore the region.
2. Shanti Maurice: The small, luxury hotel is a relaxing haven, with a number of excellent restaurants. There is a fantastic spa, one of the largest in the Indian Ocean, with a resident Ayurvedic expert.
3. Heritage Le Telfair: With two competition standard golf courses, numerous restaurants, a stylish beach club and a great kids club, Heritage Le Telfair is a fantastic all round resort.

If you do one thing...

Visit Rochester Falls. The 10m high falls are tucked within the forest, and can be accessed on foot. The falls have featured in a number of Bollywood movies and make a beautiful place for a picnic and a gentle swim.

The best region for: Adventure and iconic settings 

The west coast of Mauritius is a tranquil haven of natural beauty and local charm, perfect for travellers seeking both adventure and relaxation. Stretching from the vibrant town of Flic-en-Flac to the scenic peninsula of Le Morne, this region offers some of the island’s most iconic landscapes, calm lagoons and coral reefs.

The west coast is also home to Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage site that stands as a historical and cultural symbol. With its beautiful beaches and stunning sunsets, the west coast of Mauritius is a great place to stay an explore the most iconic landscapes in Mauritius .

Our top recommendations:

1. Le Morne Mountain is both a picturesque mountain and a UNESCO heritage site, due to its historical ties to the abolition of the slave trade. You can climb to the top of the mountain on a guided hike that takes around three hours.
2. Le Morne Beach is one of the world’s top kite-surfing spots. With a number of kite-surf schools in the area it is a great place to learn or further your skills. It is also a fantastic place to relax and watch the skilled kite-surfers at work.
3. If you are looking to dive and snorkel in Mauritius, a number of the best spots are off the west coast. The area is also known as a great location to see spinner dolphins that can regularly be seen frolicking in the waters.

Our travel tip:

The sunsets on the west coast are fantastic. The sun sets on the horizon over the ocean, making the beach an ideal place to enjoy a drink while you relax and watch the sun.

Our recommended hotels:

1. LUX* Le Morne: Set at the foothills of the distinctive mountain, it is the ideal place to stay if you are looking to kite-surf or simply relax on the quiet beach.
2. Paradis Beachcomber: With Le Morne in the background and a turquoise lagoon surrounding the hotel, there are few locations as idyllic as this. The hotel has an picturesque golf course as well as a long stretch of beach and a collection of excellent restaurants. 

If you do one thing…

Learn to kite surf! There is no better place to try, and the kite surfing schools are welcoming to people with all levels of experience.

Mauritius promises an unforgettable escape for relaxation seekers, wildlife lovers, and avid hikers. Visit the iconic Le Morne Brabant, dive into crystal-clear lagoons, spot dolphins in Tamarin Bay, and discover rare bird species within Black River Gorges National Park. For those seeking adventure, hikes up Le Morne Brabant and through lush national parks reveal stunning views and a connection to Mauritius' rich natural heritage.

Love To Explore will craft your ideal Mauritian itinerary, with our extensive first hand knowledge and experience of the island. Start planning your dream trip to Mauritius today and let this tropical paradise captivate you.