Idyllic, pristine, and serene are a few adjectives that describe Mauritius, a tiny island in the Indian Ocean. Belonging to the African Continent, Mauritius is one of the most breathtaking island countries in the world. Blessed with clear blue waters that sparkle like topaz, Mauritius is the ideal location for a peaceful holiday. A favorite among honeymooners and families alike, Mauritius offers a plethora of things, including relaxing on the beaches, exploring its natural attractions, indulging in water sports activities, visiting the cultural attractions, trying out its local cuisines, and shopping at its local markets. Here you will get the answer to your question, what to do in Mauritius.
Visit the Chamarel Seven Colored Earth Geopark
If there is one natural wonder that you should not miss in Mauritius, it is the Chamarel Seven Colored Earth Geopark. This geopark is endowed with lush greenery and natural beauty, but what steals the show is the gorgeous colors of the earth. A work of soil erosion that has been happening for the last 600 million years, a part of the earth here is colored with seven vibrant hues, including blue, purple, brown, pink, and more. The presence of certain types of minerals is also another reason for this phenomenon. Visiting this geopark is one of the best things to do in Mauritius.
Relax on the Beaches
If you do not want to hike up the Le Morne Brabant Mountain, you can also choose to spend time on the gorgeous beach below it. But there is no dearth of splendid beaches in Mauritius. The beaches here are endowed with powdery white sand akin to icing sugar and brilliant blue waters which are bliss to your eyes, mind, and heart. Almost all hotels and resorts here provide access to a private beach, although visiting a public beach is an equally good idea. If you are looking for some peace and quiet, the beaches on the east and south coast are the best, while the beaches on the west coast are full of activities. Apart from Le Morne, La Cuvette, Belle Mare Plage, Flic en Flac, Blue Bay, Tamarin, Trou aur Biches, etc., are some of the best beaches in Mauritius.
Stroll Inside Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens
Opened in the 17th century, Pamplemousses Botanical Garden or Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden is one of the oldest botanical gardens in this island country. It is also usually a part of most Mauritius holiday packages. Spread around an area of 81 acres, this botanical garden is home to more than 650 plant species. One of the highlights of this botanical garden is the 85 varieties of palm trees, which have been brought from different parts of the world. Apart from palm trees, you will also get to see the Palmier Bouteille, the Baobabs, etc. The place also has a large spice garden. During your tour of this botanical garden, you will also get to see boucle d’oreille (Mauritius’ red national flower) as well as giant water lilies.
Hike Up Le Morne Brabant Mountain
One of the most popular Mauritius things to do is hiking up Le Morne Brabant Mountain. Located on the southernmost tip of the island, this 556-meter-high mountain is endowed with stunning beauty. But Le Morne Brabant is not popular just for its beauty. Rather, the mountain was a refuge for the slaves of the island in the 18th and 19th century and has witnessed their pain, subjugation, and sacrifice. The mountain is home to the International Slave Route Monument. If you are a serious hiker, you can hike the mountain and enjoy the view of the island from above as well as the caves and waterfalls on your way up and down.
Trek Inside the Black River Gorges National Park
If you want to see something beyond the beaches and islands of Mauritius, a visit to the Black River Gorges National Park is a must. Spread over an area of more than 50 km, this national park is the country’s largest protected forest. The park is a treasure chest of nature’s best gifts, including verdant forests, deep valleys, rolling hills, and gorgeous waterfalls. It is also home to a variety of flora and fauna. The Black River Gorges National Park is heaven for birdwatches, as you will get to see a variety of rare bird species here, including the Mauritius kestrel, white-tailed tropic birds, pink pigeons, and more. You will also get to see some amazing waterfalls, including Alexandra Falls and Tamarind Falls during your trek. There are around 8 trails here, covering 60 km of area, and you can choose one as per the difficulty level you prefer.
Indulge in Water Sports
While the beaches in Mauritius are perfect for rest and relaxation, this is not the only thing you can do here. Rather, you will find a treasure trove of water sports and beach activities in Mauritius, including everything from fun adventures to extreme thrills. Kayaking, parasailing, windsurfing, whale watching, glass bottom boat riding, dolphin spotting, surfing, sailing, water skiing, and standup paddleboarding are some of the water adventures you can enjoy here. If you want to enjoy underwater adventures, there is a buffet of them for you to choose from. Scuba diving and snorkeling are the most popular underwater sports here, although you can also try submarine safari, underwater sea walk, underwater sub scooter trip, and more.
Experience Animal Encounters at La Vanille Nature Park
There are several nature parks in Mauritius. However, La Vanille Nature Park is one of the best and the most popular, especially for families’ fun in Mauritius. The star attraction of this nature park are the Aldabra giant tortoises, their average weight being 250 kg. You will not only get the chance to see these massive tortoises but also pet and feed them. Apart from tortoises, the park also has Nile crocodiles, iguana, bats, monkeys, pigs, and numerous farm animals. When you are in this park, you must also check out the insectarium, which has a wide range of insect collections, i.e., more than 26000 species from five continents in the world. The Fossil Museum is quite an amazing attraction here, where you will get to see a huge number of fossils from Madagascar. La Vanille Nature Park is a conservation center, making your trip here both educational and entertaining.
Enjoy Mauritius’ Local Cuisine
One of the most fascinating things about Mauritius is its cuisine. Due to years of colonization and slavery, people from different parts of the world resided in Mauritius, and the local food here is a combination of many. The local food here has French, Indian, Chinese, and Creole cuisines. Most of the dishes are heavy on seafood, although there is plenty of variety here. Dhal puri (Indian-style flatbread), Mauritian cari, boulettes (dumplings), pineapple and chili salt, gateaux piments, biriyani, poudine mais, fish vindaye, jamalac, rougaille, etc., are some of the must-try dishes here.
Get Some Retail Therapy
A trip to Mauritius would not be complete if you do not indulge in some retail therapy. Le Caudan Waterfront is quite a touristy place for shopping, where you will find stores of international brands and art shops selling handicrafts. But if you want to experience the authentic stuff, you must visit the local markets of the country. Most of the local markets here sell everything from fresh fruits and vegetables to clothes, accessories, handicrafts, and local products. Flacq Market, Quatre Bornes Market, Port Louis Central Market, Mahebourg Market, Grand Baie Market, and Le Craft Market are some of the best markets available here. Apart from these, Mauritius also has shopping malls like Phoenix Mall, Grand Baie La Croisette, and Bagatelle Mall.
Mauritius is one of the best vacation places when it comes to tropical destinations. The sight of the island itself is quite refreshing, and the things it offers ensure that you have the fun-filled and memorable holiday of your lifetime.
