6 best things to do in Mauritius
- Jul 17
- 4 min read
Mauritius is an incredibly diverse island and the perfect tropical destination for a relaxing beach holiday. While the island is famous for its beautiful white-sand beaches, there are plenty of other amazing things to do in Mauritius. From exploring colorful landscapes and botanical gardens to swimming with wild dolphins, there is something for every type of traveler.
Below you'll find our list of the 6 best things to do in Mauritius.
How many days do you need in Mauritius?
We recommend spending at least one week in Mauritius to properly explore both the north and south of the island. You can choose to stay in one location, but since driving from north to south takes around 2 hours, it's much more convenient to split your stay between two different areas.
Do you need a car in Mauritius?
Yes, we highly recommend renting a car in Mauritius. Having your own vehicle makes it much easier to get from the airport to your accommodation and to explore all the beautiful places the island has to offer. In Mauritius, you drive on the left-hand side of the road, but your Dutch driving licence is valid. The roads are generally in good condition, so exploring the island by car is easy and enjoyable.
Visit Le Morne (Beach)
Le Morne Beach is famous not only for its beautiful white sand and luxury resorts but also for the impressive Le Morne Brabant mountain that rises behind it.
From the beach, you'll have incredible views of the mountain, making it one of the most scenic places on the island. You can spend several days relaxing at a resort here, enjoy a beach day with a view of Le Morne Brabant, or even take on the challenging hike to the top of the mountain.
Walk through Pamplemousses Botanical Garden
The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden is easily accessible from Port Louis and also makes a great stop if you're driving from north to south (or the other way around). The garden is large and features beautiful walking paths, unique tree species, exotic plants and ponds filled with giant water lilies. It's a relaxing place to visit when you want a break from the beach and experience a different side of Mauritius.
Visit Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark
For a fun day trip, we highly recommend visiting Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark.
This natural park is home to the famous Seven Coloured Earth, the beautiful Chamarel Waterfall, and a tortoise park. After buying your ticket at the entrance, you can easily explore the different sights by car.
There are several stops throughout the park: The first stop is the waterfall, where you can take a short walk and admire it from two different viewpoints. The second stop is the highlight of the park: a unique landscape featuring sand dunes with seven different colors of earth. You can walk around the area, learn more about this fascinating natural phenomenon, and enjoy a coffee or lunch with a view.
A little farther along, you'll find a small park with giant tortoises originally from the Seychelles. There is also a souvenir shop where you can pick up some fun gifts. Near the Geopark, you'll also find the beautiful Le Chamarel Restaurant, which is a great place to visit before or after your trip. Here you can enjoy delicious traditional food with a spectacular view.
Swim with wild dolphins in Mauritius
Mauritius is a fantastic destination for snorkeling, especially in the shallow lagoons surrounding the island. Here you can spot colorful fish, coral reefs and sea turtles. The lagoons are also the perfect place to swim with wild dolphins. The best location for this experience is along the west coast, near Tamarin Bay. Tours usually start early in the morning because dolphins move further into the open ocean later in the day. Reputable tours prioritize the safety and wellbeing of the animals, and only a limited number of people are allowed in the water at the same time. You will mainly encounter bottlenose dolphins and spinner dolphins, which often swim in large groups in the shallow waters.
Keep in mind that you need to be a reasonably strong swimmer, as keeping up with the dolphins can require some effort. However, it's an unforgettable experience. If you're lucky, you might even spot a sperm whale. Swimming with whales is strictly prohibited, although unfortunately some irresponsible operators still do this. Luckily, enforcement and awareness are increasing, and many tour companies now focus on responsible wildlife encounters. We booked our tour with Dolswim LTD, an organization with respectful guides who do not chase the animals and follow responsible wildlife guidelines.
Visit the Dodo Museum
Once you arrive in Mauritius, you'll quickly notice that the dodo is everywhere. From supermarket bags featuring the famous bird to the local craft beer brand The Flying Dodo and countless souvenirs, the extinct bird has become a symbol of Mauritius. A visit to the Dodo Museum, officially known as the Natural History Museum, is something we highly recommend. The museum isn't very large, so you only need about an hour to explore it.
It's a fun way to learn more about the history of Mauritius and the fascinating story of the dodo.
Visit Château de Labourdonnais
Because we had some extra time before our flight home, we decided to visit Château de Labourdonnais somewhat spontaneously. This beautiful colonial mansion has been transformed into a small museum surrounded by a stunning garden. There's also a restaurant on-site where you can enjoy lunch or a drink. Your entrance ticket includes a rum tasting as well as tastings of fresh juices and fruit sweets. It's a fun and unique experience to add to your Mauritius itinerary.
Bonus Tip: see the underwater waterfall illusion from a helicopter
Although we didn't do this ourselves, it's possible to book a helicopter flight over Mauritius to see one of the island's most famous natural illusions. Near Le Morne Brabant in the southwest of Mauritius, you'll find what appears to be an underwater waterfall. Of course, it isn't a real waterfall underwater. Instead, it's an optical illusion created by the dramatic change in ocean depth and the movement of underwater sand. From above, the different shades of blue water and shifting sand create the illusion of a waterfall disappearing into the ocean. It's a truly unique sight that you won't find anywhere else.
