Mauritius Travel Guide

People across the world have made Mauritius their holiday destination of choice since the 1950s, but we’re now expanding the possibilities of what that means. In the age of sustainability, we’re looking to offer more than just the white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons that our island is famed for. In particular, we are focusing on integrating sustainability throughout our sector in order to open up new national parks for exploration and adventure.

For many years now, people have known Mauritius for its resort hotels that overlook the lagoons and coral reef surrounding the island. They have helped drive a constant growth in visitors. By 2019, we had 110 hotels and approximately 1000 Tourist Residences and Guest Houses that accommodated 1.4 million tourists throughout the year. However, such a large number of visitors has put pressure onto the coastline’s natural ecology. That’s why we want to try and bring tourists inland.

What we at the Mauritius Tourism Authority want to do is work with our main tour operators to make them aware of these opportunities. We want them to make nature base tourism part of their mainstream offers. That’s essential because in 2019, when we received 1.4 million visitors, 60% of them still arrived in the country via traditional operators. That doesn’t even include online travel agencies (OTAs). Therefore, encouraging tour operators to promote inland packages is a core part of our sustainability commitment.

It’s not just national parks, either. We want visitors to explore our local communities and experience the deep culture and heritage that Mauritius can offer. To do this, we are running programs that will train taxi drivers, tour guides to empower them on the best practices. That means the drivers can offer half- or full-day packages bringing tourists into the villages that are dotted across the island. There they can eat with the inhabitants, spend time with them, and buy from local artisans.

Whether it is major tour operators or independent taxi drivers, the Mauritius Tourism Authority is working with as many individuals and organisations as possible in order to create a green and sustainable tourism sector. Since June of 2023, the Mauritius Tourism Authority has set up the Sustainable Tourism Unit (STU), building upon thefoundations of Sustainable Island Mauritius (SIM), which was co-funded by the European Union and which ended in December 2022. Through STU, we will accompany the approximately 6000 operators to guide them on lowering the carbon footprint of their activities. Since 2018, we have already worked with more than 3500 individuals, but STU will continue until everyone is involved.

We have developed a system to achieve this. The Mauritius Pro-Handprint Innovation Framework (MauPHI) was produced through a four-year collaboration with our partner Collaborating Centre on Sustainable Consumption and Production. The MauPHI Impact Criteria consists of 11 potential impact categories against which any operator or services provider can assess themselves. They include measures for everything from product attractiveness and impact on cultural heritage, to customer awareness and emissions values. By leveraging this toolkit, we can promote sustainability throughout the entire supply chain.

Three thousand, five hundred individuals have been trained on how to use it since 2018. However, from 2024, the Mauritius Tourism Authority, through its parent Ministry of Tourism, will consider making MauPHI a mandatory requirement for all 6000 operators in the country. They will need to provide us with data for their energy consumption, water consumption, waste management, community development, and many other metrics that show their efforts towards sustainable tourism.

We want this because we aim to differentiate Mauritius from other destinations in the region. Our goal is to become the first destination in the southern hemisphere to hold a green destination accreditation, which we plan to achieve by 2030. Ensuring that every operator complies with the MauPHI metrics is our way of accomplishing that.

We have started the process by selecting two pilot areas in which all the operators will need to meet STU’s demands. They are the village of Bel Ombre, on the southern coast, and the island of Rodrigues. In these two regions, we have started the certification process through a recognised Certification body called Green Destinations. Over the next year, we will bring these two regions in line with the accreditation standards. Then, through the lessons learned with those two pilots, we can then convert the whole of Mauritius by 2030.

Alongside the Green Destinations certification, we want every single operator recognised as meeting the Global Sustainable Tourism Council’s (GSTC) standards. At present, of the 110 operational hotels on the island, more than 40 already hold a GSTC certificate. That’s nearly 50%, a good figure compared to many other destinations. But we want to go further and ensure every single of the operators, service providers and product manufacturers along the value chain hold an approved certificate.

Something that we’re already supporting is an initiative known as Made in Moris. This is operated by our partners, the Association of Mauritian Manufacturers, and encourages the resorts to source as much as they can from local manufacturers and producers. It’s an important sustainability initiative not just from an environmental perspective but an economic one as well. The majority of our visitors stay at one of the 110 hotels, and our goal is to ensure that at least 50% of the supply chain for each one of those is local. Making the hotels as sustainable as possible will ground the country’s overall strategy.

Mauritius Tourism Authority has been working with the Mauritius Bankers Association to develop a system for green financing. It is understood that a number of SMEs in the country have expressed that the biggest barrier preventing them from pursuing sustainability is finance. So, we worked with the banking association to produce a pamphlet that highlighted the types of green measures and technologies that SMEs could implement, as well as the financial options available to support them in doing so. Like Made in Maurice, this initiative represents an important step in helping every link along the supply chain.

In 2022, we held the first Sustainable Tourism Mauritius Awards. While we actively advocate for a widespread green transition, we also sought a way to recognise their efforts. Different categories were established, including large accommodation, small accommodation, restaurant, tour operators, nature-based tours, and many more. Individuals or businesses interested in participating could nominate themselves for an award after which our auditors would conduct thorough assessments of their operations. The participants in the first awards found high value in the recognition, prompting us to host a second ceremony this year, with further plans to organise the 3rd edition in 2024.

All of this is essential because in the end Mauritius, as an island country in the Indian Ocean, is vulnerable to the effects of climate change. Rising sea levels pose a threat to the nation’s survival while heating oceans have the potential to destroy the vulnerable coral reef surrounding the country. We recognise that travelling to Mauritius is itself somewhat problematic because it’s almost necessary to arrive here by plane. That’s why we’re doing everything we can to make every other aspect of Mauritian tourism environmentally friendly. Moreover, money generated through the tourism sector will play an important part in securing a future for the nation’s resilience and biodiversity.

Mauritius is a unique environment. Its isolation has led to an incredible biodiversity, with 39% of plants, 80% of non-marine birds, 80% of reptiles and 40% of bat species found on the island considered endemic. For example, there are 23 different reptile species in the

country – 22 of which are found only here. Meanwhile, the 691 indigenous flowers species on the island has led the World Conservation Union to recognising Mauritius as a Centre of Plant Diversity. We’re proud of this and want not only to preserve this precious landscape but also to share it as widely as possible.

As we open up our national parks, we want visitors to be certain that they are visiting in a way that will help rather than hinder our environment. That’s why we’ve implemented SIM and are course-correcting our entire tourism industry. We believe Mauritius will be a unique destination in the southern hemisphere, one where tourism contributes to the livelihood of our people, animals and plants. The coronavirus pandemic dealt a blow to our sector – as it did everywhere – but we’re well on our way to recovering the historic highs of 2019. But this time, Mauritius will do it in the most ecological and economically sustainable way possible.

WHAT TO DO...

PORT LOUIS

Port Louis is the capital of Mauritius, and the first place that you will experience when arriving in the country. The first thing to hit you when you explore the city is its mix of contemporary urban and French colonial architecture.

Visit Le Caudan Waterfront, a new commercial development in the heart of the city. This area of Port Louis is almost its own town, containing everything from banks and restaurants to a crafts market and casino. This place

has its own atmosphere, making it stand out from the rest of Mauritius, and offers firsttime visitors everything they could want to orient themselves on the island. Moreover, it is within walking distance to other Port Louis attractions.

Central Market is a big open-air market where traders sell fruit, vegetables, meat, textiles, crafts, and hot food. This is the market that locals use, so its an ideal place to get to grips with Mauritian culture.

Place d’Armes hosts Government House, an 18th Century French colonial building that is today used for the government’s daily sessions. There are also statues of Queen Victoria and colonial governor Mahé de Labourdonnais, making this an important place to visit in understanding Mauritius’ history.

The Blue Penny Museum is another great attraction for understanding the island’s colonial and post-colonial past. Named after the one penny and two penny stamps, the collections inside are far wider ranging than postal history. There are historic maps, paintings, photographs, and sculptures that tell the island’s history. The Blue Penny Museum is situated within Le Caudan Waterfront, but deserves its own visit.

Les Jardins de la Compagnie is a green park lined with beautiful banyan trees and water fountains located just a stone’s throw from Place d’Armes. The garden is an ideal place to get away from the city bustle.

Street food is available throughout Port Louis, and is a fundamental way of connecting with Mauritian culture. Try the Mauritian biryani, a skilfully prepared take on the Indian dish, containing rice with vegetables and meat cooked in aromatic spices. There’s also dholl-puris, fratatas and alouda, all of which are delightful savoury snacks. Meanwhile, the gateaux piments is unmissable. It’s a chilli cake made from yellow split peas, deep fried with spices and chilli, and moulded into a bite-sized ball. There’s plenty of other dishes available from street carts, though, so don’t be afraid to try something new.

Discover the Aapravasi Ghat, the UNESCO World Heritage site, which holds significant importance in the history of the country. It translates to “The Immigration Depot”, which served as the primary entry point of entry for immigrants. Here you can learn about the stories of the indentured laborers who arrived in Mauritius during the 19th century.

The Champ de Mars Racecourse is another great spot if you are interested in horse racing. It is the oldest racecourse in the southern hemisphere and holds significant cultural and sporting importance for the island.

Fort Adelaide or ‘La Citadelle’ is a historical fortress located on a hilltop in Port Louis, which stands as a reminder of the island’s colonial past and the significance of its historical heritage.

Port Louis is just the gateway to Mauritius, so while it contains many of its own attractions, there are many more across the island. The most immediate of those is Le Pouce, the third highest mountain on the island, and just a few miles outside the capital. The trailheads are easily reached by public transport and reaching the summit is relatively easy. Once there, it will reward you with an incredible 360-degree view across the island.

Black River Gorges National Park is a native forest containing numerous endemic plant and animal species. It is located in the south-west of the island and easily reachable by public transport. There are pre-defined trails that take you through the most gorgeous parts of the park and enable you to see unique animals such as the pink pigeon and Mauritian bat as well as endemic centenary trees. There are sheer cliffs, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, bridges and incredible views –particularly from the Gorges and Macchabée viewpoints. The park is most easily accessed from the nearby town of Chamarel. You could also start at the village of Bel Ombre, which is home to one of Mauritius’s two pilot sustainable tourism projects.

Bras d’Eau National Park is way out in the east of the island, a few miles from the town of Poste Lafayette. It’s an unusual location because it was once a centre for the country’s sugar industry, with French colonialists building sugarcane mills in the area and locals settling nearby for jobs. However, once abandoned, nature reclaimed Bras d’Eau. As a result, there are building ruins in the 400 hectare park, some of which are visitable. There are also plenty of hiking trails, picnic areas, bird watching sites, and even a visitor center to learn more about the park’s incredible biodiversity. There is even Bras d’Eau beach on its eastern tip, a small alcove that’s nonetheless separate from the beaches of nearby Porte Lafayette.

Grande Montagne Nature Reserve is on the island of Rodrigues. It encompasses the Grand Montagne mountain range and is a crucial part of preserving the last remaining indigenous and endemic forest of Rodrigues. The 25 hectare park is home to rare species including the Rodrigues fruit bat and Rodrigues warbler bird. Free guided tours through the reserve are given by the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation throughout the week. These are highly recommended, as trekking unguided through the forest is difficult. Reaching Rodrigues is also a challenge – it is some 600km from Mauritius itself, and reachable only by ship.

Islets National Park is not a singe location but a reserve incorporating eight islands off the coast of Mauritius. It rests off the north-east coast of the island and is much closer than Rodrigues island. As a result, it is a popular destination for Mauritians themselves. Ile d’Ambre is the largest and most popular of the islands. There you will find rocky beaches, volcanic craters, and mangrove forests. There is plenty of bird life here as well as several endemic species of butterflies such as the Mauritian friar. Ile d’Ambre is reached by boat from the mainland town of Grand Gaube.

The idyllic beaches

The beaches of Mauritius are evocative of dream, escape and heat. Surrounded by beautiful white sandy beaches and cliffs that offer, together with the blue lagoon, an extraordinary scene that varies according to the seasons and the time of the day.

In the North, the calm and sheltered lagoons call for relaxation and lay back, with a pleasant temperature all the time. Péreybère and Mont Choisy are the most popular beaches.

The south-west wind blowing more or less strongly all year round, makes the waves dance endlessly.

The East coast features a long stretch of beautiful sandy beaches, but it is also the windiest part of the island, especially in winter. One of the most popular beaches, Belle Mare, is also one of the longest beaches on the island. Ile aux Cerfs, an isle set in the lagoon a few minutes by boat from the coast.

Flic-en-Flac is a seaside village on the west coast of Mauritius in the district of Black River. Its public white sandy beach is one of the longest on the island.

Ebony Forest

One of the last remaining forests in Mauritius is a crucial conservation area. Budding naturalists will enjoy a trip to the Ebony Forest, a major conservation project committed to reversing the impact of habitat degradation in Mauritius and creating a sanctuary for the island’s unique and rich flora and fauna. The lush Ebony Forest is an act of love – since 2006, the forest’s conservation team have been working tirelessly to weed, plant and grow native and endemic plants.

Diving in Mauritius

Discover Mauritius as you would never have imagined it. With stunning underwater sceneries featuring a rich fauna and flora, and numerous wrecks lying on the sand for hundreds of years for some of them, the island offers an extraordinary adventure playground to amateur and professional divers.

Anyone fore Golf

Mauritius has some of the world’s best golf courses. There are over a dozen golf courses to discover, some designed by the likes of Bernhard Langer and Ernie Els, where perfectly manicured greens lead to views of the ocean and mountains beyond. You can even hop on a boat over to Ile aux Cerfs Golf Course to play on an offshore island – it is often voted one of the top 100 golf courses in the world.

Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve

This small islet is surrounded by a ring of coral and ebony forest covers its landscape, situated in the Mahebourg Bay, about 85 m off the south-east coast of Mauritius. Unlike the mainland which is of volcanic origin, Ile aux Aigrettes is made up of coralline limestone. You can enjoy a guided tour, keeping a lookout for rare plants, reptiles, tortoises and beautiful birds, including the pink pigeon, Mauritius fody and Mauritius olive white-eye.

Chamarel Waterfalls

Undoubtedly the tallest single-drop waterfall in Mauritius at about 100m high, the Chamarel Waterfall is a striking piece of nature standing amid dense vegetation. Fed by the waters of three distinct streams pouring into Saint Denis River, it has a powerful rush with a peak flow rate in excess of 40,000 m³ per minute.

La Vallée des Couleurs

Forget all your worries and daily stress. Let yourself be carried away by the mystery of La Vallee des Couleurs Nature Park! Since the 23-coloured Earth was discovered on the 4th of July 1998, it has become one of the most famous attractions for Mauritians and foreigners. Stroll on foot, trip on the of quad & buggys or discover the park by making yourself comfortable in our Jeeps.

Le Morne Brabant

Dicovering the Morne Brabant - The slave route The Morne Brabant is a mountain of the south-west of Mauritius, on the peninsula of the Morne. Declared World Heritage by UNESCO since July 6, 2008, the site is a sanctuary for runaway slaves and is a strong cultural and patrimonial symbol for every Mauritian.

L’Aventure Du Sucre

Not far from the Botanical Garden of Pamplemousse, a bougainvillea and coconut trees alley, a pond lined with lush nature ... in this stunning tropical setting stands the massive renovated sugar mill which is one of the most spectacular attraction of the island!

La Vanille Nature Park

La Vanille Nature Park is an idyllic and stunning park of lush tropical vegetation covering 3.5 hectares. Enjoy the unforgettable experience of walking amongst the largest group of captive-bred giant Aldabra tortoises in the world.

Bel Ombre Nature Reserve

Bel Ombre Nature Reserve. Four words that sound like a promise. Nestled in the heart of Bel Ombre, this protected domaine of 1,300 hectares hosts a unique biodiversity. With its endemic flora and fauna, ancestral forests and vestiges of past glories, it is a territory of striking beauty and character.

Notre Dame Auxiliatrice

One of the most renowned churches in Mauritius is the Notre Dame Auxiliatrice Chapel, a Roman Catholic Church famous for its vivid red roof against the bright turquoise sea and azure sky. Located ten minutes from Grand Bay is the small fishing village of Cap Malheureux.

Dolphin & Whale watching

Take to the water and go Dolphin and Whale wathcing, or if you’re feeling more adventurous, explore a side of Mauritius that other tourists rarely see.

Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark

Welcome to the heights of Chamarel. A destination whose geology is a wonderful work of art, complemented by a perfect harmony of colors. Early mornings are a call to adventure, right in the heart of Chamarel’s exotic world. Meander through the winding roads of its wild mountains

WHERE TO S TAY

One of the most important decisions visitors must make when visiting Mauritius is where to stay. Fortunately, there are 100 hotels and nearly 1000 guests houses spread throughout the island, so wherever you choose there is bound to be suitable accommodation for you.

IN THE NORTH:

Grand Baie is Mauritius’ most popular tourist resort. Don’t let that put you off, though! Its postcard-perfect beaches and coves make it the ideal place for water-based adventures. There are plenty of tour operators here offering everything from water skiing to scuba diving. The town also has an incredible nightlife!

The peaceful town of Cap Malheureux, most famous for it’s red-roofed Notre Dame Auxiliatrice church. This is a village of fishermen, so expect to find the finest quality seafood at its diners and restaurants.

A little further around the cape is Grand Gaube, a village that combines colonial architecture with indigenous folklore. It has a stunning rocky coastline and one of the white sand beaches that Mauritius is most famous for. There are plenty of restaurants here too for tying out local cuisine.

Anse La Raie is a tiny village between Cap Malheureux and Calodyne. You’ll want to stay here to enjoy the wild headland and snorkelling in the aqua blue lagoon.

Le Chateau de Labourdonnais is a beautifully restored colonial mansion and estate with orchards, gardens and a rum distillery.

IN THE SOUTH:

Bel Ombre should be your first choice for a sustainable destination as it is part of STU’s green destination pilot project. There are plenty of hotels here overlooking the beach, which itself is subject to awe-inspiring views of coral reefs. Golfers are particularly encouraged to stay here, as there are 18-hole courses nearby and even the Golf du Chateau hotel that has its own 9-hole course.

Mahebourg is an ideal place to spend time among locals. It’s filled with fishermen, markets, street food stalls and tiny winding streets. The town was Mauritius’s first settlement, and it has managed to survive with very little touristic expansion.

Chamarel is the gateway to the Black River Gorges National Park, but it also its own attractive destination. Its most iconic feature is the Seven Colored Earth, where the land itself is comprised of layers of seven differently coloured clay. Nearby is the incredible Chamarel waterfall. There are plenty of hotels to choose from in the local area.

Ile aux Aigrettes is a small offshore islet which is a nature reserve and home to endangered endemic species like the Mauritian Kestrel and Pink Pigeon. At the same time, you can enjoy a boat trip.

IN THE EAST:

It is impossible to talk about the east of Mauritius without mentioning Belle Mare. It has the island’s iconic long white sand beach with a mountainous hinterland behind. The town itself is called Beau Champ, and contains the remains of several sugar mill chimneys. From here you can also reach the Ile aux Cerfs, which is itself a stunning resort island.

Poste Lafeyette is home to several high-end resort hotels that are the doorstep to an idyllic beach holiday. There are golf courses, marine diving and skydiving experiences, as well as some of the island’s best restaurants. Nearby are the impressive Sagar Shri Mandir Hindu temple and market village of Flacq. This seaside resort is also the gateway to the Bras d’Eau national park.

Grand Sable is a small town that’s fairly southerly along the east coast. However, it is also the starting point for visits to numerous attractions including Montagne Blanche, the Roches Noires Caves, Notre Dame des Anges chapel, and the Pointe du Diable colonial-era fort.

Ile aux Cerfs

The island lies off Trou d’Eau Douce in the largest lagoon of Mauritius and offers 87 hectares of luxuriant vegetation and preserved, white, sandy beaches. Besides the Ile Aux Cerfs Golf Club, one can also experience three beach restaurants and engage in a wide variety of activities on Ile aux Cerfs. Depart from the village of Trou d’Eau Douce and spend the whole day on the island.

IN THE WEST:

Flic-en-Flac is a popular tourist destination and contains all of the travellers want, whether you’re alone, a couple, or a family. The nearby Casela natural reserve is carefully engineered to blend the island’s natural landscapes with family adventure experiences such as a water park and zoo.

Le Morne village located on the southwestern tip of the island known for le Morne Brabant, a basaltic mountain with high cultural and historical significance.

Quatre Bornes is in the centre and is the living, working, breathing hub of Mauritius’s residents. You will find the modern, day-to-day life of Mauritius here. As such, it makes for an unusual tourist destination but a great place to stay if you want to see what real life is like. There are plenty of markets, street food carts, shopping centres and historic buildings to visit here. There is even the Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcano crater that’s now a lake. Its central location also means it’s well connected to nearly all other parts of the island.

Tamarin is a small village popular with people interested in sea sports such as kitesurfing and bodyboarding. Tour operators also offer dolphin and whale watching tours that start at Tamarin. This is an authentic Mauritian village that has escaped the urbanisation or glitzy redevelopment that tourist attractions can sometimes experience.