Places to Visit in Mauritius

Mauritius is small, about 65 km from north to south, so you can see the main tourist places in Mauritius in three days of touring and still have time on the beach. Here are the 12 places we recommend most, and which of our tours covers each one.

1. Ile aux Cerfs: White-sand island off the east coast, reached by boat, with water sports and the GRSE waterfall trip.
2. Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth: Dunes of sand in seven colours in the south-west, next to the 100-metre Chamarel waterfall.
3. Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao): Sacred crater lake with the giant Shiva and Durga Maa statues, the most visited Hindu site in Mauritius.
4. Black River Gorges National Park: Rainforest, waterfalls and the island's best viewpoint over the west coast.
5. Port Louis and Caudan Waterfront: The capital, with the Citadel, the central market and the waterfront's shops and restaurants.
6. Pamplemousses Botanical Garden: The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam garden, famous for its giant water lilies and spice trees.
7. Cap Malheureux: The red-roofed church facing the islands of the north, a favourite photo stop.
8. Grand Baie: The north's beach town for shopping, restaurants, nightlife, undersea walks and parasailing.
9. Le Morne Brabant: UNESCO-listed mountain with a beautiful beach and the famous 'underwater waterfall' view from the air.
10. Trou aux Cerfs: A dormant volcanic crater in Curepipe with views across the island.
11. Casela Nature Park: Safari, zip lines and animal encounters on the west coast, popular with families.
12. Blue Bay Marine Park: Clear water and coral for snorkelling and glass-bottom boat rides in the south-east.

• Spend a day on the beach and lagoon at Ile aux Cerfs
• Sail on a catamaran with lunch and snorkelling
• Watch dolphins at Tamarin Bay early in the morning
• Try parasailing or an undersea walk at Grand Baie
• Visit Grand Bassin and the Shiva statue
• Hike in Black River Gorges or climb Le Morne
• Shop and eat at Caudan Waterfront and Grand Baie
• Take a helicopter flight over the 'underwater waterfall'

• North tour: Port Louis, Caudan Waterfront, Pamplemousses, Cap Malheureux, Grand Baie
• South tour: Grand Bassin, Trou aux Cerfs, Black River Gorges, Chamarel
• Ile aux Cerfs day: Ile aux Cerfs and the GRSE waterfall (optional)

All three are included in our packages; see Mauritius sightseeing tours for details and our day-by-day itinerary.