Mauritius has a plethora of natural attractions and places to see. May it be one week, one month or a year, you’ll always find interesting things to do all across the island. But today we have a little bit of a different selection of great activities you can only do in Mauritius! Here we go:
- Go around the island in one day
If you’re feeling adventurous or maybe just exploring, one brilliant experience to try is to go around the island in 24 hours. Mauritius is 42 miles long and 29 miles wide, that is not very large, but we recommend you rent a car in Mauritius; that is the best piece of advice any Mauritian can give you. All that is required is a valid national driving license. Another option is to rent a chauffeur-driven vehicle in Mauritius, and enjoy your trip handsfree!
There is no best place to start this trip, Port Louis, Grand Baie, or at the SSR International Airport, you choose. Local coastal roads will guide you to some of Indian Ocean’s most prestigious beaches and hotels. Be prepared to come across deserted beaches, forgotten nature reserves and friendly little beachfront restaurants.
Related post: driving and traveling in Mauritius
- Swim with dolphins
To swim with dolphins is a childhood dream of many, but very few even imagine to swim with dolphins in the deep sea, in their natural environment. That’s what you can expect in Mauritius, authenticity! The best place to see these cetaceans in the Indian Ocean is off the western coast of Mauritius, not far from the bay of Tamarin.
The spinner dolphin and the bottleneck dolphins are the two most common species of dolphins you’ll see. But not at the same time, because when one species enters the lagoon the other one leaves to the deep sea. There are not many operators offering to swim with dolphins, but we’ve done the work for you; Caro des îles Excursions is renowned to be among the very best connoisseur of dolphins in Mauritius.
- Relax on an uninhabited island
Mauritius has about twenty islands as beautiful as the main land. While some of them are private, the vast majority of these islands are uninhabited. It’s up to you to choose, on the west with Ile aux Bénitiers and its emerald lagoons or the north and its deserted islands such as Gabriel Island or Flat Island. The southern coast offers Ile aux Aigrettes that will keep you occupied with its 26 hectares of nature reserve.
The most famous of these islets has to be Ile aux Cerfs, also known as Deer Island. This small paradise of 87 hectares is one of the most visited places of Mauritius. As it is located within the eastern lagoon, it is easily reachable by boat. The group catamaran boat trip with lunch, drinks and entertainment usually costs around 40 $ for a full day. Ile aux Cerfs is a great place to spend one day relaxing and sunbathing on pristine beaches.
- Walk with lions
If Mauritius is part of the African continent, its nucleus has to be the nature and leisure park of Casela. Located alongside the western coast, midway between Flic en Flac and Tamarin, Casela is simply one of the oldest attractions in Mauritius and not just for tourists. Many locals go there to enjoy its wild animals and thrilling activities.
Amongst the best jaunts, the walk with lion excursion is one that pleases to everyone. Casela Nature Park gives us the possibility of having a very close encounter with these felines, having the opportunity to experience and study the natural behavior of lions and cheetahs and being able to boast of having shared a walk with them in their environment. The excursion can be done everyday at 9:00, 10:30, 14:00 and 15:30. The whole tour last for about an hour, in groups of 12 people maximum.
- Tropical skydiving
Are you looking for some adrenaline rush? Or immortalize your trip on the island while doing something exclusive. If you always wanted to jump from a plane from an altitude of ten thousand feet, Mauritius can actually be the perfect place for skydiving.
Compared to other European countries, skydiving prices are really affordable and anyone can actually enjoy a freefalling experience in Mauritius. Assisted by professionals with a long experience ensuring your safety, you can let yourself be carried away by the incomparable emotion of flying through the skies while you feel the wind in your face and the gravity weight on your body.
From the top, you will observe the incredible beauty of the island, its mountainous chains, lush vegetation and its white sand beaches sheltered by the intense turquoise blue of the Indian Ocean. A unique experience to remember all your life with a smile. But the question is: would you dare?
- Dance to Sega music
Mauritian traditional music and dance is the Sega. A music and dance that dates back to ancient times when slaves used what they had to build a percussive instrument named “Ravanne” to sing their joy and sorrow.
Today still Sega is the most popular music in Mauritius and chances are you’ll hear this 6/8 tempo genre a lot while in Mauritius, so just dance to it. Numerous villas and hotels in Mauritius offer entertainments like live Sega music and dance on the beach till late night.
This authentic music and dance is performed around beach fire, a beautiful spectacle for those who want to get immersed in local culture. If you really want to get in the mood for Sega music, you can taste the traditional rum of Mauritius that also dates back to colonial times.
