Located at the heart of the Indian ocean, Mauritius stands out as a dream destination. Between hiking in dense forests, luxurious hotels, world class diving sites and an interesting cultural mix, Mauritius fascinates more than one. Nature lovers will enjoy the beaches and explorers will prefer the tropical and natural sceneries. Discover together one of the most beautiful countries in the world, minus the flight time.
Located at the height of the Tropic of Capricorn, the island is part of the Mascarenes archipelago like Réunion and Rodrigues Island. The 200 kilometres of coastline of Mauritius are almost entirely made up of coral reefs. As you can imagine, it is ideal for the diving and snorkeling underwater, but that’s not all. All aquatic activities can be practised here. Surfing at Tamarin and Le Morne, while kite surfing is better enjoyed in the South and the East. You can also swim with dolphins and watch whales off the coast of Tamarin.
Mauritius has some of the most stunning beaches in the world. Famous for its turquoise waters and floury white sand, beaches like Flic en Flac and Grand Bay make the island a paradise for sunbathing. However if you are looking for more than just a simple sunbath, you will be surprised of how much the island has to offer.
Holder of many Big Game Fishing records , Mauritius is a paradise for fishing. Across the island, operators offer Big Game FIshing trips. This activity is very much appreciated by tourists. For the time of one day, encounter the biggest sea predators ,like the Blue Marlin and the Espadon.
The inner part of the island is composed of lush forestation and several mountain ranges. Black River national park is an an ideal place to discover the biodiversity of the island. The park offers several kilometres of trails to discover a tropical flora and fauna in an adventurous mood. In this natural and unspoilt environment, you will come across the most beautiful waterfalls of the island, more than 300 species of plants as well as endemic birds.
Lying next to the national park, the small village of Chamarel is one of the main attractions of the island. The village is home to a rare natural phenomenon, the Seven Coloured Earth of Chamarel. This unique place offers an incredible view of seven color shades of earth in a limited space and the longest waterfall of the island.
Port Louis the capital, is the place where you will find the most beautiful mixture of the Mauritian culture. At every street corner, the city is colored by several religious monuments, Hindu temples, mosques, Chinese pagodas and Catholic churches. Even if the city has somewhat modernised in recent years, it has managed to preserve its charm with its colonial houses and monuments.
Fort Adelaide, also known as the Citadel, is one of the oldest buildings in Port Louis. The Citadel is located on a hill and offers an excellent panoramic view of the city of Port Louis. The closest is the Hippodrome du Champ de Mars, created more than two centuries ago. It is the oldest racecourse of the southern hemisphere.
The main attraction of Port Louis is its market (said: Bazaar in Mauritian creole). Located in the heart of the city, the central market never lacks animation, regardless of the day. Traders will expose all types of fruits, vegetables and exotic spices. But it is the Mauritian street foods that will charm you at Port Louis market.
It is the best place to taste the famous Dholl Puri and gato-piments. In case of thirst, get yourself a glass of Alouda, a drink made from milk and highly appreciated by the Mauritians. Port Louis market is a place not to be missed during a holiday in Mauritius. Although it is crowded and noisy, a visit is really worth the extra decibels.
Located only a few kilometres from the capital, the Botanical Garden of Pamplemousses (SSR Botanical Garden) will delight quite a lot of visitors, especially nature and plants lovers. The garden exist since 1770 and was constructed by Pierre Poivre (former French Governor). SSR Botanical garden covers an area of more than 37 hectares and is home to an incredible variety of tropical plants including the famous giant water lilies.
After a visit of the city of Port Louis, the Pamplemousses garden definitely worth a visit. If you like plants, make sure you have the services of a guide. For the price of one euro, you will have a guided walk with a plant expert who will be there to inform and share some interesting views.
Still in the North of the island you will discover the Château de Labourdonnais , one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mauritius. Built in 1859, this castle is the ideal place to familiarize yourself with the Mauritian lifestyle of the 19th century. The castle was very well preserved but necessitated a recent renovation to accommodate the increasing number of visitors.
The property is surrounded by perfectly kept gardens, a distillery, a bar where you can taste typical Mauritian beverages. The Château de Labourdonnais has also a restaurant and a shop where products made by local artisans are exposed.
Located close to Flic en Flac, the Casela Nature Park is the best place to take a walk in nature. The Park extends over an area of 14 hectares and is home to thousands of birds and more than 150 species of animals. You can interact with animals such as lions, monkeys, giants turtles and birds. For adventurous souls, the park also reserve activities such as quad, hiking and zip line.
