Best excursions in Mauritius: top 10 travel ideas

Mauritius - is not only about a beach holiday. In fact, the island is better suited to those who love excursions, activity and discovering something new. If your goal is only the sea, explore the best beaches of Mauritius and choose a hotel on the coast.

As for an active holiday, we recommend making a list of the main places and planning your route. We suggest taking a look at the most popular excursions and destinations waiting for you in Mauritius.

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Diving and snorkeling in Mauritius

Diving in Mauritius is among the top activities, just like snorkeling. First, they are relevant all year round, although there are more favorable months when the water is maximally calm and clear. This is the period from September to November. Second, the coastal waters have very beautiful coral reefs and comfortable access to them. Often such places have a soft beach, a lagoon with a sandy bottom, and then coral gardens.

• Blue Bay Marine Park - home to more than 50 species of coral and 70 varieties of fish. The park covers an area of more than 350 hectares and has national status. To preserve it, rather strict visiting rules apply on its territory. Here you can snorkel, and in deeper waters dive with scuba gear. The park is located in the southeastern part of Mauritius. The nearest town is Mahebourg, where there are many local tour operators on the beach offering both glass-bottom boat trips and equipment rental.
• Deer Island or Ile aux Cerfs. An interesting island with large snow-white beaches and clear water. A good place for a one-day outing. You can get here by catamaran or speedboat, as part of an excursion or by boat, which runs quite often on schedule.
• Trou aux Biches. One of the best beaches in Mauritius. It stretches for two kilometers. An ideal place for a holiday with children. The entrance to the water is gentle, the bottom is sandy. The beach has a net barrier in the water. Then the coral gardens begin - great for snorkeling. Trou aux Biches is on the northwestern coast. There are very beautiful sunsets here and many excellent hotels.
• Coin de Mire. A small islet is located 8 km north of Mauritius. Near it there is a wonderful dive spot with caves, steep walls and drop-offs. You will meet a variety of marine life in the coral gardens. Absolutely all diving centers include this place among the top places to visit. Also nearby is Djabeda Wreck - a Japanese ship on the seabed covered with coral.
• Stella Maru Wreck - a sunken Japanese trawler in Trou aux Biches Bay. By the way, the beach of the same name is considered one of the best on the island. At the dive spot you can meet octopuses, barracudas and many other creatures.

Tip: If you are looking for beach resorts for the whole family, where you can not only swim but also snorkel, choose the northwest of Mauritius.

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Dolphin cruises

Black River Bay on the west coast is the best place in Mauritius to start a cruise, or more precisely an ocean trip with dolphins. Most such excursions start early in the morning in this bay. Be sure to take the opportunity to swim with wild dolphins.

How it happens: you go out to sea by boat in search of a group of dolphins. As soon as they are found, you stop and can swim with them. Of course, this does not guarantee direct contact with the dolphins, but the chances are there. And the very fact of being so close to these animals is fascinating.

Such excursions are offered by absolutely all travel agencies on the island, and you can also book the trip at your hotel reception.

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Catamaran cruises

Luxurious modern catamarans are used not only for excursions, but also as transport to coral reefs and live sites. Lunch or dinner is often included in the package. Catamarans also sail to wild islands near Mauritius. As a rule, such a trip is booked for the whole day. This can be done in the hotel lobby at the reception. When booking a hotel on Wiotto, tell the manager that you want a catamaran cruise. Everything will be organized for you on convenient dates.

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Nature and culture

Mauritius is famous not only for water entertainment, but also for very interesting places on land. We will talk about them below.

Tour of the capital Port Louis

At least half a day should be devoted to the sights of the capital of Mauritius. You will be offered a large number of city tours on different themes. Among other things, you will see: the Port Louis Caudan waterfront, the Marie Reine de la Paix viewpoint, Odysseo Oceanarium, the Blue Penny Museum, Fort Port Louis, several beautiful temples and many other iconic places. Even just walking through the streets of the port capital will be very interesting. At the very least, the choice of souvenirs will be huge, especially at the Central Market, which is almost always included in the Port Louis route.

If you want to save money, you can easily explore the capital on your own. The city is relatively small and quite simple in terms of logistics.

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Visit to the Bois Cheri tea plantation

Located at an altitude of 500 m above sea level, the 19th-century Bois Cheri tea plantation is the oldest on the island. During the tour, you will be shown how black tea is grown, harvested, sorted and packed. A tasting of Mauritian teas with a stunning panorama is a must. You can also visit the tea museum.

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Chamarel dunes

The Chamarel dunes or Seven Colored Earth are a very famous and must-see attraction in Mauritius. They are located in the southwest of the island, next to the town of the same name. The special feature of Chamarel is the sand, which appears in 7 different colors: brown, red, violet, blue, yellow, green and purple. During the excursion, you will be told about the origin of the dunes and why the sands do not mix. The place is truly unique.

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Tamarin waterfall

Tamarin or Tamarind is the most beautiful waterfall in Mauritius. It has seven cascades and is surrounded by jungle. It is located in the southwest of the island near the town of Henrietta. The waterfall is large and picturesque. You will also have the opportunity to swim in clear natural pools.

This excursion is suitable for hiking lovers. The route is of medium difficulty and it is still better to take a guide for such a trip. Write to us in the online chat - we will tell you how to book a guide for the dates you need.

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Underwater waterfall

One of the most mesmerizing natural calling cards of Mauritius is the famous underwater waterfall. It is nothing more than an optical illusion. The unusual effect arises because of the movement of sand and silt, which sea currents carry from shallow areas into deep underwater fissures. If viewed from above - from a helicopter or drone - these sandy streams create the impression of a powerful water cascade, as if disappearing into the ocean abyss. The underwater waterfall is located off the southwestern coast, not far from the Le Morne Brabant peninsula.

A sightseeing flight by seaplane gives vivid emotions. Usually, departure is from La Prairie beach. During the excursion, panoramic views open up of Le Morne Brabant, the underwater waterfall itself, as well as the picturesque landscapes of the Black River Gorges National Park.

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Casela World of Adventures

Casela World of Adventures is a Mauritian safari park on the west coast. The nearest town, which is also worth visiting, is Flic en Flac. There are many animals here - inhabitants of the African savannah: giraffes, lions, zebras and many other species. You will travel by jeeps, eco-riders or quad bikes. There is also an amusement park on the territory with a zip line, karting and a food court. The park will fit perfectly into a trip with children.

Casela Nature Parks

Pamplemousses Botanical Garden

Pamplemousses is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the entire southern hemisphere. It was founded in the 18th century and covers an area of almost 40 hectares. This place is worth visiting thanks to an incredibly beautiful and interesting collection of 650 plant species.

The highlight of the botanical garden is the huge water lilies. A photo with them in the background will no doubt collect many likes. This is a kind of marker that you have been to Mauritius. Also be sure to see the unique talipot palm - it blooms once every 70 years. Maybe you will be lucky.

Pamplemousses is located next to the capital Port Louis. Entrance is paid - about 5 euros. Nature lovers should take a guide in the garden. That way the excursion will be much more interesting.

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