Mauritius - Things To Do

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Mauritius is small enough for you to base yourself in one place and explore the island’s highlights.

Natural history enthusiasts and hikers should head to the Black River Gorges National Park. There are hiking trails of varying difficulty, where glimpses of the rare pink pigeon and Mauritius kestrel are possible. Also worth a visit is Ile aux Aigrettes, a coral island off the south coast, which the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation is working hard to restore to its natural state.

A visit to one of the island’s lively markets is fascinating – Port Louis’s daily market is by far the largest but Mahébourg’s Monday market also has plenty of variety. The hustle and bustle amidst the colourful displays of fruit, vegetables, spices and souvenirs represents an unforgettable snapshot of everyday life in the island’s towns. For a shopping experience of a different kind, visit one of the upmarket shopping centres where tourists are tempted at every turn by diamonds, clothing and model ships. These include Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis and Ruisseau Creole in the island’s west. You may as well make the most of Mauritius being a duty-free island. In recent years a series of new, large, modern shopping malls has sprung up across the island, such as Les Halles in Phoenix, Bagatelle in Moka and Cascavelle in Flic en Flac. Thanks to the unstable economic climate, they are struggling to fill the shops in some of these malls and it remains to be seen how they will fare in the future.

One of the island’s most impressive attractions is L’Aventure du Sucre (Sugar World), a former sugar factory which has been transformed into a well-organised, modern museum telling the story of the industry on which the island was built. Its display on the island’s history is one of the best in Mauritius. Equally fascinating are guided tours of the Bois Chéri Tea Factory, which are followed by a tasting. The tour can also be done as part of La Route du Thé (The Tea Route), which takes in three sites linked to the Bois Chéri Tea Estate.

Mauritius is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Aapravasi Ghat, the immigration depot built in 1849 to receive indentured labourers in Port Louis, and Le Morne, the distinctive mountain in the southwest of the island that is regarded as a symbol of resistance to slavery.

Mauritius’s ‘melting pot’ of ethnicities provides a wealth of opportunities to experience local culture. Most organised tours will include a stop at Grand Bassin, where visitors can learn about this sacred Hindu lake and watch the worshippers who flock to its shores. The Tamil festivals are colourful and fascinating – if you have a chance to watch fire walking or the Thaipoosam Cavadee pilgrimage, don’t miss it.

You couldn’t write about the highlights of Mauritius without mentioning the beaches – and, yes they really are as good as they look in the holiday brochures. Belle Mare, Trou aux Biches and Flic en Flac are considered by locals to be among the island’s finest.

Beyond the beaches all manner of watersports are on offer, from kayaking to kitesurfing. Non-motorised watersports may well be included in your accommodation package. Under the waves there are colourful coral reefs and a wealth of diving and snorkelling sites. For those who wish to explore the underwater world without getting wet, there are submersible vessels (classic submarines and ingenious underwater scooters) – a great option for children and non-divers.

Sailing, deep-sea fishing and dolphin-watching cruises are all popular with visitors.

A trip to the island of Rodrigues is an ideal add-on to a stay in Mauritius. It is not a beach-lovers’ paradise but an opportunity to stray well off the beaten track and retreat into a world where simplicity rules.

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Mauritius - Things To Do

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Mauritius - Things To Do