Travelers are always looking for inspiration to guide their adventures. Coming up with a list of places to visit can be challenging when you’re staring at Mauritius
What are the top tourist attractions in Mauritius? What are the most iconic sites on everyone’s list of things to see in Mauritius?
Some destinations just stand out above the rest. Many are the type of places where you can take a photo. It does not need any explanation to identify the location:
The Chamarel seven colour earth or Ile aux Cerfs Island.
But, some places are less well-known to new travellers or those who have not yet visited the Island. These can often be the most rewarding to visit.
These attractions, as well as the goals they represent, are what make them so significant. In other cases, it is the site itself that makes it worth visiting the country. Some of these are the more popular UNESCO World Heritage sites.
If you want to start your own list of places to visit while on vacation. Then start with our list of the top tourist attractions in Mauritius.
Chamarel is a village in the southwest of Mauritius, near Tamarin and Le Morne. It is but better known for its Coloured Earths and Chamarel Falls.
Seven-coloured earth is a natural phenomenon and a popular tourist destination in Mauritius. The colours evolved as basaltic lava was converted to clay minerals. It is said that if the colours mix together, they will separate on their own.
The Chamarel Falls on the St. Denis River is another interesting sight to see in Chamarel.
Three distinct streams of water descend from a height of 272 feet into a gorge. Many consider this to be Mauritius’ most beautiful waterfall.
This magnificent waterfall, set against the picturesque forest and mountains, is mesmerizing.
Most aerial photos of Mauritius reveal the beauty of the lagoon that surrounds Ile aux Cerfs. The latter was once used by wealthy Europeans to hunt deer. Today, the island is a popular destination for those enjoying a day trip.
Combining this visit with a stay in the lovely fishing village of Trou’Eau Douce on the east coast is a great idea.
The beautiful Touessrok golf course is located on this island. It also offers lovely and scenic coves protected by casuarina groves.
The Black River Gorges National Park is without a doubt the green jewel of Mauritius.
Since June 1994, this forest is managing by the “National Park Conservation Service”. It is of 6,600 hectares, located in Plaines Champagne on the heights in the southwest of Mauritius,
The Black River Gorges Park provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity to go hiking. It allows you to discover random walks about 300 species of trees, shrubs, plants, and animals.
These gardens were renamed in 1988 in honour of this beloved Mauritius Prime Minister. He led the country to independence twenty years earlier. The SSR Botanical Gardens are one of the most popular tourist attractions.
The gardens are well-known for their giant neophytes, Victoria Amazonia, with their enormous leaves.
Port Louis, the capital, of Mauritius. Founded by the French governor Bertrand-François Mahé de La Bourbonnais in 1735. Located on the northwest coast, Port Louis is the administrative and business capital.
During the day, Port Louis is overrun with office workers. After office hours, it becomes quieter. This allows visitors to enjoy a pleasant outing on the famous Caudan seafront.
It is decorated in a classic London theatre style and can seat around six hundred spectators. Fort Adelaide is on a hill overlooking the city and the harbour. This citadel-like building was 1835 built by the British. In the idea to keep an eye out for potential riots in Port Louis before the abolition of slavery.
Trou aux Cerfs is an extinct volcano located in the center of the central plateau. It has a view of the small town of Curepipe. The crater’s steep slopes end in a natural lake.
The panoramic view from this point is spectacular. It offers views of the main towns as well as the Moka mountain range and the northwest coast.
Grand Bassin, is a lake located in the district of Savanne, right in the heart of Mauritius. It is about 600 meters above sea level.
The Grand Bassin is a holy lake for Mauritians of the Hindu faith..
Every year on Maha Sivaratri the Hindu community makes a pilgrimage there to honour Lord Siva. Beside the lake, there a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and other Gods. The 33-meter-tall Mangal Mahadev (Shiva statue) also stands guard over the lake.
Imagine, 400 years ago, contemplating the lands of Mauritius. Endless forests unfold before you, pigeons, parrots, and bats flying in groups.
Ile aux Aigrettes
Giant turtles and dodos are approaching you and wondering what you are doing here. The Aigrettes is where you can see some of the island’s rare and endangered species in their former glory.
Visitors will be able to see the last traces of the dry ebony forest that once covered the entire main island. They will also be able to see some of the work done by the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation. Replant and reintroduce endangered vegetation such as rare orchids, reptiles, and birds.
This small group of islets has become a favourite stopover for sailboats and divers. It can also be pleasing to visit it by catamaran. It is possible to book cruises through hotels or local receptive agencies.
Visitors can snorkel in the crystal-clear waters of Coin de Mire. It has seabird niches in its cliffs, by joining one of these cruises.
This excursion provides the opportunity to picnics around Île Plate and Îlot Gabriel.
Even further north, you can see the remarkable silhouette of Ile Ronde. It is a nature reserve with restricted access to protect the native plant and reptile species.
Mauritius Wildlife Foundation is currently conducting a major conservation operation on these islands. The Ronde Island and its neighbour, Snake Island.
Need of Permits upon entry, but they can get local.
The Eureka house is an old house dating from 1830, equipped with 109 doors. It is a must-see if you want to understand Mauritian life during the colonial era.
Casela World of Adventures is a beautiful nature park. Located in the southwest region of Mauritius, next to the Rempart Mountain.
Casela is one of the island’s two animal parks, the other being La Vanille. It is Mauritius’s oldest park and one of the best places to visit for sightseeing.
The Casela park spans 250 hectares of rugged terrain. A lush forest, scorched-earth safari, and breathtakingly mountain gorges. It is home to both native and exotic species. Such as Java deer, wild boars, hares, macaque monkeys, mongoose, and fruit bats…
Other tourist attractions in the east of Mauritius include:
There are several sites to visit in Mahebourg and its environs. This includes the fascinating National History Museum and the Naval Museum. (Houses the bell recovered from the shipwreck of St Géran. There are other interesting nautical objects.
The Mahébourg market is the least touristy and most traditional of Mauritius’ markets. It provides good business, particularly in the areas of ephemera, clothing, and toys.
The natural park of La Vanille, located in the southern village of Rivière des Anguilles. It is a safe haven for Nile crocodiles, alligators, and giant tortoises.
La Vanille is also the world’s largest Aldabra giant tortoise breeding center. There are over 500 turtles of various ages roaming the park. Its insectarium allows you to diddle around with insects.