Things To Do in Mahebourg

Mahebourg’s National History Museum commemorates the island’s brushes with naval warfare through the centuries, as foreign ships often used to do battle off Mauritius’ shores. This museum’s set in a heritage building – dubbed by locals as a castle – that dates back to the 1700s. Inside, exhibitions tell the tales of bloodthirsty contests near Mahebourg, and you’ll see artefacts that have been recovered from shipwrecks in the Grand Port bay. There are links to extinct species here, too – you can see the skeletons of a giant tortoise and a dodo.

A wash of red, blue, yellow and green descends across Mauritius every year on National Day, which celebrates the island’s anniversary of gaining independence. Mahebourg is no exception, and you’ll see the nation’s flag fluttering on every street corner. Celebrations take place on the 12th March, and usually involve local parties and live music.

For the most authentic Mauritian shopping experience, head to Mahebourg’s full-of-life market. It runs throughout the week, but doubles in size every Monday as more sellers set up to peddle their wares. Tasty flatbreads are dished out at street food stalls, and you can try specialties like chilli cakes and crisp, full-to-the-brim samosas. Souvenir stands make up a proportion of the stalls, too, and there are loads of places to pick up textiles and items of clothing.

Blue Bay didn’t get its name by chance – this first-class beach has such vibrantly blue waters that no other title seems fitting. It’s about 10 minutes’ drive from Mahebourg, and has a semi-circular beach that’s one of the most picturesque on the island. As well as the cushion-soft sands, there’s a protected marine park off the coast that makes snorkelling and scuba diving a must-try.