Most people who visit Mauritius are seeking relaxation rather than adventure. However, there is plenty to see and around two weeks will allow you enough time to wind down and relax, as well as to explore some of the elements that make Mauritius distinctive. Mauritius is small enough that you can base yourself in one place and explore by taking day trips. For a memorable contrast, consider adding a few days in Rodrigues.
Port Louis and Northern Mauritius A day will give you ample time to visit the island’s invariably hectic capital, Port Louis, which is best explored on foot, making sure that you stop in at the bustling market, the waterfront, Aapravasi Ghat (where indentured labourers were processed) and your pick of the various museums.
You can combine a trip to Port Louis with contrastingly peaceful visits to the nearby Pamplemousses Botanic Gardens and the historic Château de Labourdonnais, a renovated Creole mansion. Also in the area is L’Aventure du Sucre, a fascinating museum that tells the story of the sugar industry. The north (at Mont Choisy) is where you can take a submarine or underwater scooter to view the coral reef at the edge of the lagoon. Mont Choisy also has a good beach, as does nearby Trou aux Biches, and while in the area, you can stop in at the tourist resort of Grand Baie. As you potter along the coast, stop in at Cap Malheureux to see the distinctive red church featured in so many postcards.
A catamaran cruise out to the islands off the north will take the best part of a day and provides some excellent snorkelling opportunities.
Eastern Mauritius Less developed than the north, the east has some fabulous beaches, such as Belle Mare, and some of the island’s finest golf courses. This coast is popular for sailing excursions, which typically take in the tourist trap of Ile aux Cerfs.
Southern Mauritius herever you are staying on the island, the south is worth a visit. It cleverly combines unspoilt scenery and diverse manmade attractions. Starting in the southeast, drop in to the historic town of Mahébourg, which hosts a lively Monday market. Nearby is the beautifully simple Rault Biscuit Factory, where manioc biscuits are made the old-fashioned way.
Just south of Mahébourg you can snorkel in the impossibly turquoise waters within the protected marine reserve of Blue Bay and take a trip to Ile aux Aigrettes, a Mauritian Wildlife Foundation nature reserve. Back on the mainland is Vallée de Ferney, another nature reserve, which you can explore on foot or by 4x4.
Continuing along the south coast, La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes is primarily a crocodile farm but is home to giant Aldabra tortoises, Rodrigues fruit bats and other wildlife from the region.
Nearby St Aubin, a colonial house built in 1819 is a good spot for lunch and you can take fascinating tours explaining the production of vanilla, sugar and rum.
Inland lies tea plantations and the unmissable Bois Chéri Tea Factory, which offers guided tours and tea tastings. From there it is a short drive to the sacred lake at Grand Bassin, a cultural highlight of the south.
Western Mauritius he west has excellent beaches, notably the ever-popular Flic en Flac, and is the best part of the island for deep-sea fishing. Casela Nature and Leisure Park has all manner of attractions, the best of which is Safari Adventures with its interactive big cat experiences.
Heading inland towards Chamarel takes you through agricultural land, where sugarcane and pineapples cover the hillsides. The Rhumerie de Chamarel provides an insight into the rum-making process or, if you prefer something a little more active, La Vielle Cheminée provides some of the island’s best horseriding.’
Central Mauritius The island’s largest nature reserve, the Black River Gorges National Park, is popular for hiking and is easily accessed from the south and the west of the island. Although the centre of the island is where most of the population lives, it holds the least interest for visitors. For most tourists, the only reason to venture to the traffic-heavy centre is to pick up a bargain at the market in Quatre Bornes.
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