Mauritius, with its many attractions spread throughout the island, is a popular destination for tourists. Known for its beautiful natural landscapes, friendly locals, and mild tropical climate, Mauritius is often referred to as a paradise on earth. However, the island offers more than just its stunning beaches and breathtaking views. It is also home to a variety of interesting architectural sites, museums, and unique natural attractions. Let’s take a closer look at some of the most notable ones.
Mount Le Morne Brabant
The photo of this landmark of the island of Mauritius adorns many tourist brochures. And this is not surprising, because it is one of its main symbols. It was on its slopes in the late 18th and early 19th century that escaped slaves hid, which is why many people associate Le Morne Brabant with the history of slavery and human suffering.
There was a tragic moment in these events. When the slaves saw the law enforcement officers coming up to them, they became very frightened and started jumping off the cliff. None of the victims could have imagined that they were actually being brought good news: slavery had been abolished on the island.
Le Morn Brabant is 556 m high, so you can see it from almost anywhere. If you want to climb up, use the services of an experienced guide. Although there are special trails leading to the top, the climb is not easy (it is considered moderately difficult). Those who make it to the top will be rewarded with a beautiful panorama, caves of escaped slaves, and a metal cross at the highest point.
“Underwater waterfall”
The “Underwater Waterfall” is an impressive natural phenomenon located near the coast of the Le Morne Brabant Peninsula. From a bird’s-eye view, it appears as a massive waterfall cascading into a deep oceanic chasm. However, this is merely an optical illusion created by strong underwater currents, the movement of silt masses, and the unique topography of the Indian Ocean. The effect is further enhanced by the clear water, which shimmers with shades of green, blue, and white.
Despite the fact that the Underwater Waterfall is located near the shore, you can only see it from above. Moreover, you need to do this from a certain angle, otherwise the illusion will immediately disappear. To do this, you should take a helicopter tour or climb to the top of Le Morne Brabant.
Neither from the ships, nor from the coast of Padun at all, so sailors, for centuries, sailing past this place, did not notice anything. Yes, you can also swim to it by boat and make sure that there is no depression in the middle of the ocean. This fact is confirmed by numerous studies, which have shown that the depth of coastal waters is no more than 100 m.
- Location: the southwestern edge of the island.
- Flight cost: about 4,000 rupees per person.
More details about this attraction can be found in this article.
Beaches of Mauritius
There are many beaches on the island, each with its own unique charm. There are both municipal recreation areas and wild beaches. The former are located near popular hotels and are well-maintained, with toilets, showers, changing rooms, cafes, parking, food vans, and other amenities. The latter, on the other hand, offer a more natural and untouched experience.
Almost the entire coastline of Mauritius is covered with white sand. The entry into the water is smooth and very comfortable, the ocean is quiet and calm, protected by a wall of coral reefs. As a rule, there is a strip of trees on the coast, providing natural protection from the hot sun. The only minus is that in some places there are a lot of sea urchins, so you can not do without special shoes.
Of course, you won’t be able to visit all the beaches of the island during your vacation, so make a note of at least the best ones. They are described here.
Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark
Don’t know what to see in Mauritius from the sights? We recommend visiting the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark, a unique natural site opened in the middle of the 20th century.
In the distant past, there was an active volcano in this place. The ash, lava, and ore that erupted from its crater formed hills, and the basalt rocks gave them seven different colors: yellow, blue, pink, purple, and more. Over time, the lava crumbled into sand-like particles. No matter how much you mix these particles together, they will still separate into different colors (even in the face of wind and rain). The nature of this phenomenon remains a mystery.
The best time to visit the colored dunes is at dawn, when the first rays of the sun hit the sand and change its color. In addition, it is not as hot in the morning as it is in the afternoon. However, some people say that the view is less spectacular in person than it is in online photos. Nevertheless, you can add beautiful photos to your collection and purchase a souvenir bottle filled with sand. To preserve the structure of the sand dunes, a viewing platform has been set up for tourists.
In addition to the seven-colored sands, this geopark is home to another famous attraction. This is Chamarel, the highest waterfall in Mauritius, which reaches a height of 100 meters. It falls from a basalt cliff into a large oval pool and flows down a forest-lined canyon.
You can see this amazing view from the observation deck, which is located on the left side of the access road.
The hike to the waterfall takes about 3 hours. If desired, tourists can even swim.
Other activities offered by the Seven Colored Sands National Park include visiting an authentic coffee shop, shopping at a souvenir shop, and observing giant Seychelles turtles.
Location: south-west of Mauritius, Chamarel village (a fenced-in area owned by a sugar cane company).
Work schedule:
- October – May: from 08:30 to 17:30;
- June – December: from 08:30 to 17:00.
- Monday is a day off, but the park is open on holidays.
Cost of the session:
- Adults – 250 rupees;
- Children aged 5 to 12 – 150 rupees;
- Children under 4 years old can visit for free.
Official website: www.chamarel7colouredearth.com.
Gorges de la Rivière Noire National Park
When looking at photos of Mauritius’s attractions in the brochures, you will surely notice the Black River Gorge. This is another park located in the southwestern part of the island and covering an area of almost 7,000 hectares. Moreover, almost half of its territory belongs to the McCabe Bel-Ombre Biosphere Reserve.
Black River Gorge was established in 1994. Its main objective is to preserve the unique flora and fauna of the island, as most of the island’s animals and plants are endemic (meaning they are not found anywhere else in the world). The island is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including deer, wild boars, monkeys, and relict forests, as well as black ebony trees, Seychelles maba trees, and dodo trees.
The park is home to forests, swamps, mountain rivers, and waterfalls. However, the most popular attractions in the area include:
- The Rivier-Noir area is home to the Alexander Waterfall Cascade.
- The Piton de la Piti is the highest point in Mauritius;
- Lake Grand Basin was formed in the crater of an extinct volcano;
- The Plain of Plan Champagne is the rainiest place on the island.
There are also many other sites to explore, such as the Tamarin Gorge, the Pitrin Plateau, the Black River Canyon, and the McCabe and Bris-Fer Ranges. There are also scientific stations located here that conduct various research projects.
Gorges de la Rivière Noire has 4 entrances, and there are convenient marked trails for tourists, with a total length of 60 km. The staff provides educational tours. The best time to visit the park is from September to February. During this period, you can witness the blooming of the national flower of Mauritius, the trachyanthes.
- Location: western part of the island, Riviera Noir district, near the town of Curpipe.
- Working hours: Monday through Friday, 08:00 to 15:15; Saturday, 08:00 to 11:00.
Admission is free.
Kasela Nature and Recreation Park
One of the most visited attractions in Mauritius covers about 350 hectares and is divided into 5 zones: African Safari, Kingdom of Predators, Thrill Mountain, World of Events, and Pangia’s Birds and Attractions. This place is considered the best for family vacations, so if you plan to visit it on your own, make sure to book your tickets in advance.
In the tourist (i.e. developed) part of the park, there is a zoo. Here you can see typical representatives of the island fauna and personally communicate with tame lions or other felines. You have 2 options – enter the enclosure for 15 minutes and take a photo (600 rupees) or take a tour for 45 minutes (3500 rupees).
Safari tours are organized in the wild area of Casela. During an hour-long walk on a comfortable bus, you will meet ostriches, zebras, cheetahs, peacocks, huge turtles, and other animals. The driver distributes bread to everyone, which can be used to feed the local inhabitants.
Other attractions include bungee jumping, zip-lining, and a suspension bridge that spans a gorge. There is also an observation deck in the park, which can be found on the map provided at the entrance.
- Location: southwestern part of Mauritius.
- Opening hours: Thursday to Sunday, 09:00 to 17:00. December 25 and January 1 are weekends, but the park is open on other holidays.
- Admission fee: 850 rupees.
- Website: https://caselaparks.com/
Ganga Talao Hindu Temple
What to see in Mauritius on your own? Be sure to visit the Shiva Temple, which is located on the shores of the sacred Ganga Talao Lake. This place is popular not only among pilgrims but also among ordinary tourists.
The roof of the temple complex is crowned with a statue of a famous Hindu god, which was erected in 2007. It is an exact replica of the Indian statue of Shiva on Lake Sursagar. The monument is 33 meters tall, making it visible from the approach road.
To enter the temple, you must remove your shoes. You are free to take photos, but please be quiet and behave appropriately. Women are encouraged to apply a bandi (a colored dot on the forehead) at the entrance, but it is difficult to remove, so please consider twice. There are pedestals around the lake and the sanctuary for offering sacrifices to the gods, often in the form of fruits. The festival of Shiva attracts the largest number of pilgrims. They come to receive the blessings of the deity and wash their feet in the sacred lake. A special road has been built next to the highway for those who walk.
- Location: southern part of the island, near the Black River Gorges Park.
- Admission is free.
Curious Corner of Chamarel Museum of Illusions
What to see in Mauritius when traveling with children? Visit the House of Illusions, located near the seven-colored lands of Chamarel. The “Curious Corner” includes more than 40 mazes, optical illusions, puzzle rooms, and other interactive exhibits. These include the Ames Room, which changes a person’s height, the Laser Music Studio, where you can create your own color melodies, the Mirror Confusion with light effects, the Inverted Room, and other unique attractions for children and adults.
The authors of this project are Englishmen David Hartshorn, Paul Rose and Ed Gray. They say that the idea of creating such a museum came to them over a glass of rum. Whatever it was, it paid off – now “Curious Corner of Chamarel” is one of the most visited museum complexes on the island. In addition to having fun in its halls, unusual photos are obtained. There is also a puzzle shop, a small bar and cafe on site.
- Location: Baie Du Cap Road 90402 Chamarel, Mauritius.
- Working hours: Sat. and Sun. from 09:30 to 17:00.
- Admission fee: adults – 220 rupees, children – 200 rupees.
Le Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis
Kodan is a promenade in Mauritius’ capital city of Port Louis – and one of the best places for shopping and walking, named after a famous French figure. Beautiful architecture, many fashionable boutiques and luxurious restaurants, shopping malls with duty-free outlets, casinos, cinemas, swings, hotels – a real paradise for shoppers and those who want to have fun.
Most of the establishments are open 24/7, so life on Le Caudan Waterfront never stops. Interestingly, some of the waterfront’s tourist attractions are located in historic buildings. For example, the Namaste Food Court and restaurant are located in the first meteorological observatory, while the Blue Penny Museum is housed in the former Docks office.
It’s hard to believe, but just a few decades ago, this was just an ordinary dock and warehouse in the city’s port. Now, it’s home to well-known establishments such as the Blue Penny Museum, Flemingo and Madison’s Duty Free, which offer a wide range of sweets, expensive alcohol, watches, jewelry, leather goods, and tobacco products.
There are also more affordable entertainment options on the waterfront. From there, you can admire the Indian Ocean and watch the harbor in action. Yachts, cruise ships, and fishing vessels regularly enter the harbor.
In the evening, vocalists, dancers, mimes, musicians, and other artists perform here. Street artists also sit along the promenade, ready to draw your portrait at affordable prices.
It is worth noting that many of the museums and attractions on the island of Mauritius are located either on the Kodan itself or on the surrounding streets. One such place is the Didus Art Gallery, which was founded in 2002. It also has a number of small shops where you can buy painting accessories, mosaics, picture frames, and interior design items.
Mauritius, whose attractions are diverse, offers a great vacation experience. Whether you’re an adult or a child, exploring the island’s top attractions will enhance your vacation.
