Things To Do in Mauritius

The botanical gardens at Pamplemousses have been around since the mid-1700s, nabbing them the title of the oldest in the southern hemisphere. Spend a few hours mooching around the greenery and you’ll clap eyes on baobabs, lotus flowers, and a whopping 85 varieties of palm tree, plus giant water lilies that Monet would’ve had a field day with. Calodyne and Grand Baie are the closest resorts – they’re about 20 minutes’ drive away.

Sponge-soft sands and clear waters draw families to the cove at Pereybere. The sea’s really calm, too, so it’s ideal for pint-sized swimmers. There’s a decent selection of cafés and restaurants backing the beach, plus stalls selling fresh fruit and Mauritian-style fast food. It’s a popular pick with locals, so avoid weekends if you want the sands to yourself.

Mauritius probably isn’t the first place that springs to mind when you think of cuppa-producing countries. But the island has a bit of a history when it comes to tea. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the industry by following the tea route. Highlights include Domaine des Aubineaux – a Colonial house-turned-museum that’s dedicated to all things tea – and the plantation at Bois Chéri, where you’ll have the chance to sip a few samples of the local brews.

Head to this 3-kilometre runway of white sand on a weekday and it’ll be half-empty. But stop by at the weekend and you’ll be unrolling your towel next to crowds of picnicking Mauritian families. Grab some lunch from one of the snack stands or sand-side cafés and join them under the shady casuarina trees.

While most modern rums are made from molasses, Mauritius keeps things old school by sticking to sugar cane. Taste the difference at Rhumerie de Chamarel, a west-coast distillery that’s about 20 minutes’ drive from Bel Ombre. Guided tours let you in on the secrets of producing rum, and finish off with tastings of the vanilla-spiced liquor. There’s a shop, too, if you want to stock up on a few bottles.

Tamarin Beach is a little different to most of Mauritius’ sandy stretches. For starters, the grains here are more gold-dust than ice-white. There’s no calm, reef-sheltered lagoon, either. Instead, you’ve got one of the island’s premier surf spots – you’ll often see students from nearby watersports schools paddling out on their boards.

Want to get a sneak peek at Mauritius’ underwater residents without getting wet? Head for the aquarium. Set up in the north of the island, a 20-minute drive from Grand Baie, it’s home to around 200 species of fish, coral and sponges. There are even a few sharks stalking the waters. Plan your visit for 11am to catch feeding time.

For a dose of Mauritian city life, point yourself in the direction of the island’s capital, Port Louis. Haggle for souvenirs at the Central Market, then make your way to the Caudan Waterfront. Set alongside a posh marina, it’s got a more-than-generous helping of shops, bars and restaurants. There’s also a market where you can pick up locally made handicrafts.

Red is the colour of choice for Chinese New Year. Chinese residents hang scarlet lanterns outside their homes, and hand out money to little ones in cherry-coloured envelopes. Head for Port Louis’ Chinatown district and you’ll be able to see traditional dragon dances and fireworks displays, and tuck in to authentic dishes like dumplings, sea weed and wax cakes.

Golfers have got it made in Mauritius. There are a dozen-odd courses to pick from, and they come paired with Indian Ocean views and tropical garden backdrops. Tee off at Belle Mare Plage Hotel’s The Legend course – home of the Mauritius Open – or sail across to Le Touessrok’s world-famous 18 holes, set on the island of Ile aux Cerfs.

Black River Gorges – 25 minutes’ drive from Bel Ombre – is Mauritius’ only national park, so it’s a must-do for nature fans. There are loads of different types of plants, plus wildlife that you’ll only see here. Hiking trails criss-cross the park – pick one and head off into the forest where you’ll find rivers ripe for a quick dip. Or channel your inner adrenalin junkie and abseil down canyon walls and thundering waterfalls.

Walkers have got it made in Mauritius – the jungle-coated interior is ideal hiking territory. Opt for an easy trail through one of the national parks, or scale up one of the island’s craggy mountains. Standing tall at 828 metres, Black River Peak is the highest, but Le Pouce is also a good shout – it offers up photo-worthy views of Port Louis and the islands floating off the north coast.

Once you pull up at this beach, you’ll see where it got its name – the water’s so blue, it looks like it’s been airbrushed. But it’s what lies beneath the waves that’s the biggest pull here. The coral gardens were Mauritius’ first marine park, and they hide all sorts of exotic sealife. You can snorkel straight from the sand, or hop on one of the glass-bottom boats that push off from the jetty.

The bath-warm waters around Mauritius are home to a standout cast of underwater characters. You don’t have to be a pro diver to spot them – you’ll be able to tick off a fair few armed with just a snorkel. But if you are a scuba fan, make for the west coast. It’s home to some of the island’s top dive sites.