Things to Do in Mauritius - Activities & Attractions | OUTRIGGER
Discover things to do in Mauritius with OUTRIGGER. Explore top activities, attractions, and experiences across the island. Plan your adventure today.
Mauritius punches well above its weight for a 2,040-square-kilometre island. The things to do in Mauritius range from snorkelling reef passes teeming with triggerfish to hiking the volcanic peaks of the Black River Gorges, with enough cultural and culinary stops in between to fill a two-week itinerary without repeating yourself. Most major attractions sit within 45–90 minutes of the main resort belts on the north and west coasts, so you spend more time doing and less time driving.
The island splits naturally into activity zones. The north coast around Grand Baie is the watersports and nightlife hub. The west coast – Flic en Flac and Tamarin – offers the best surf and dolphin-watching. The south and east coasts are wilder, with dramatic basalt cliffs, the famous Île aux Aigrettes nature reserve, and quieter beaches. The central plateau holds the cultural heartland: temples, markets, tea estates, and the capital, Port Louis.
This guide covers the activities, sites, and experiences most worth your time, with enough practical detail – costs, timing, age suitability – to help you build a realistic itinerary.
Top things to do in Mauritius
- Snorkelling at Blue Bay Marine Park: A protected lagoon on the southeast coast with 50+ coral species and sea turtles. Glass-bottom boat tours depart from the beach. Visibility averages 10–15 metres on calm days. (Boat tours from MUR 500 (~USD 11) per person • Ages 5+ • 2–3 hours)
- Underwater waterfall illusion, Le Morne: Sand and silt cascading off the continental shelf creates the appearance of an underwater waterfall. Best viewed by helicopter or light aircraft over the southwest peninsula. (Helicopter flights from MUR 7,500 (~USD 165) per person • Ages 5+ • 15–20 minutes flight)
- Black River Gorges National Park hiking: The island's largest protected area covers 6,574 hectares of native forest. The Macchabée trail (10 km loop) passes viewpoints over the gorge and the Tamarin Falls. Pink pigeons and echo parakeets are resident. (Complimentary entry • Ages 10+ for longer trails • 3–5 hours for Macchabée loop)
- Dolphin watching, Tamarin Bay: Spinner and bottlenose dolphins feed in Tamarin Bay most mornings. Boat operators depart at 6:30–7am before dolphins move offshore. Swimming with dolphins is permitted but regulated – operators must not chase or corner them. (MUR 1,200–1,800 (~USD 26–40) per person • Ages 6+ for swimming; all ages for boat watching • 2–3 hours)
- Port Louis Central Market: Two-storey market in the capital selling spices, street food, textiles, and local crafts. The upper floor has the best street food stalls – try dholl puri (split pea flatbread) and gâteau piment (chilli cakes). Busiest Tuesday–Saturday mornings. (Complimentary entry; food from MUR 20–80 (~USD 0.45–1.75) • All ages • 1–2 hours)
- Île aux Aigrettes nature reserve: A coral island 850 metres off Mahébourg, restored to its pre-human ecosystem. Aldabra giant tortoises, pink pigeons, and Rodrigues fruit bats live here. Guided tours only – boats depart from Pointe Jérôme. (MUR 1,200 adults, MUR 600 children (~USD 26 / USD 13) • Ages 5+ • 2 hours including boat transfer)
- Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths: Volcanic dunes displaying seven distinct soil colours – red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow – within a few square metres. The adjacent Chamarel Waterfall (100 metres) is the island's tallest. Combined ticket with the rum distillery is the best value. (MUR 450 adults, MUR 225 children (~USD 10 / USD 5) • All ages • 1–2 hours)
- Kite surfing, Le Morne: Le Morne Peninsula's consistent trade winds (15–25 knots, May–October) and flat lagoon make it one of the top kite surfing locations in the Indian Ocean. Several IKO-certified schools offer beginner lessons. (Beginner lessons from MUR 4,500 (~USD 99) for 3 hours • Ages 14+ • 3-hour lesson; full day rental available)
Water activities: what to do in Mauritius on and under the sea
The island's fringing reef – one of the longest in the world at roughly 330 kilometres – creates calm lagoons on the north and west coasts that suit beginners and families. Blue Bay Marine Park on the southeast coast is the most biodiverse snorkelling site, but the northwest lagoon around Trou aux Biches is shallower (2–4 metres) and easier for children. Snorkel gear rents for MUR 300–500 (~USD 7–11) per day at most beach operators.
For scuba diving, the best sites cluster around the west coast: the Stella Maris wreck off Flic en Flac sits at 18 metres and is diveable from October to April when visibility exceeds 20 metres. The Cathedral – a series of basalt chambers off the northwest coast – suits advanced divers. PADI open water courses run MUR 18,000–22,000 (~USD 395–485) over three days.
Deep-sea fishing is centred on the west coast, where the ocean floor drops sharply offshore. Blue marlin, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo are the main targets. Half-day charters (5am–noon) start at MUR 15,000 (~USD 330) for a shared boat of up to six anglers. The season for blue marlin runs November–April.
Timing tip for dolphin watching: Operators depart Tamarin Bay at 6:30–7am. Dolphins are reliably present before 9am; after that they move to deeper water. Book the earliest available slot and confirm the operator follows the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation's responsible swimming guidelines.
Cultural sites and mauritius island things to do inland
Mauritius has a layered cultural history – successive waves of Dutch, French, and British colonisation, followed by indentured labour from India, China, and Madagascar – and that history is visible in its architecture, food, and religious sites. The Aapravasi Ghat in Port Louis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was the first immigration depot of the British Empire and is open daily 9am–4pm (complimentary entry). The nearby Blue Penny Museum holds the original 1847 Post Office stamps – two of the rarest in philatelic history – along with maps and colonial-era artefacts. Admission is MUR 250 adults (~USD 5.50).
The Siva Subramaniasamy Temple in Quatre Bornes and the Grand Bassin crater lake – a sacred Hindu site at 1,800 metres elevation – are both worth the detour if you're travelling during Maha Shivaratri (February/March), when tens of thousands of pilgrims walk to the lake. Outside festival season, Grand Bassin is a peaceful 30-minute drive from Curepipe with a short walk to the lake shore. No admission fee.
Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, established in 1770, is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere. The giant Victoria Amazonica water lilies are the headline attraction, but the garden also holds a collection of palms from across the Indian Ocean region. Arrive before 9am to avoid tour groups. Admission is MUR 200 adults, MUR 100 children (~USD 4.40 / USD 2.20); open daily 8:30am–5:30pm.
Stay close to the west coast's best activities
OUTRIGGER Mauritius Beach Resort sits on Bel Ombre's protected beach on the southwest coast, putting guests within 20 minutes of Le Morne kite surfing, Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths, and Black River Gorges trailheads – the three most activity-dense areas on the island. Explore the resort →
- Direct beach access on a protected southwest lagoon
- On-site watersports centre with snorkel and kayak hire
- Concierge bookings for dolphin watching, helicopter flights, and park tours
Food and local markets: things to see in Mauritius beyond the beach
Mauritian cuisine is one of the most genuinely multicultural in the world – Creole, Indian, Chinese, and French traditions have been mixing here for 300 years. The best way to eat well is to follow the street food circuit. Port Louis Central Market is the obvious starting point, but the Mahébourg Weekly Market (Monday mornings) on the southeast coast is less touristy and more representative of everyday Mauritian life. Vendors sell pickled mangoes, tamarind chutney, dried fish, and fresh tropical fruit at prices well below resort restaurants.
For a sit-down meal, the village of Chamarel has several family-run restaurants serving Creole fish curry and venison (cerf) – a local specialty. Expect to pay MUR 600–1,200 (~USD 13–26) for a full meal with a local beer. Reservations are not usually required outside public holidays.
Mauritius activity zones at a glance
| Bereich | Beste für | Distance from Port Louis | Peak season |
|---|---|---|---|
| North coast (Grand Baie) | Watersports, nightlife, reef snorkelling | 20–30 minutes | Year-round; busiest June–August |
| West coast (Flic en Flac / Tamarin) | Diving, dolphin watching, surfing | 45–60 minutes | October–April for diving; May–October for surf |
| Southwest (Le Morne / Bel Ombre) | Kite surfing, hiking, helicopter tours | 60–75 minutes | May–October for kite surfing |
| Southeast (Blue Bay / Mahébourg) | Marine park snorkelling, Île aux Aigrettes, cultural sites | 60–90 minutes | Year-round; avoid July–August crowds |
| Central plateau (Curepipe / Quatre Bornes) | Botanical gardens, markets, temples, shopping | 30–45 minutes | Year-round; avoid January–March cyclone season travel inland |
Cyclone season awareness: Mauritius sits in the South Indian Ocean cyclone belt. The active season runs January–March. Most years pass without a direct hit, but heavy rain and rough seas can disrupt outdoor activities and watersports for days at a time. Travel insurance that covers weather-related cancellations is strongly recommended for trips in these months.
Planning your mauritius things to do itinerary: practical tips
Renting a car is the most practical way to cover the island. Driving is on the left; roads are generally well-maintained on the main circuit but narrow and steep in the Black River Gorges area. Rental rates start at MUR 1,200 (~USD 26) per day for a small automatic. Fuel is subsidised and inexpensive by international standards.
A realistic five-day itinerary can cover the north coast beaches, a west coast diving or dolphin-watching trip, the Chamarel and Black River Gorges area, Port Louis and Pamplemousses, and a day on the southeast coast at Blue Bay and Île aux Aigrettes. Seven days is more comfortable and allows for a helicopter flight and a full-day sailing trip to offshore islands like Île aux Cerfs.
Most attractions open by 9am and close between 4pm and 6pm. Book helicopter flights, dolphin-watching tours, and Île aux Aigrettes at least 48 hours ahead during June–September peak season. Black River Gorges trailheads can be reached without booking, but hire a guide if you're attempting the longer Macchabée loop for the first time – guides charge MUR 1,500–2,500 (~USD 33–55) for a half-day.
Häufig gestellte Fragen
What are the best things to do in Mauritius for first-time visitors?
First-timers get the most out of Mauritius by combining a marine park snorkel (Blue Bay), a cultural half-day in Port Louis including the Central Market and Aapravasi Ghat, and at least one inland excursion to Chamarel – the Seven Coloured Earths, the waterfall, and the rum distillery can all be done in a single day. If budget allows, add a helicopter flight over Le Morne for the underwater waterfall view. These four experiences cover the island's natural, cultural, and geological highlights without requiring more than three days.
What is the best time of year to visit Mauritius?
May–November is the dry season and the most reliable period for outdoor activities. Temperatures sit at 22–26°C, trade winds are consistent (good for kite surfing and sailing), and rainfall is minimal. June–August is peak tourist season – prices are higher and popular sites like Île aux Aigrettes and Blue Bay Marine Park are busier. December–April is warmer (28–32°C) and wetter, with the highest cyclone risk in January–March. Diving visibility is best October–April on the west coast.
How many days do you need in Mauritius?
Seven days is the practical minimum to cover the main activity zones without feeling rushed. Five days works if you focus on one coast and skip the southeast. Ten days or more lets you add Rodrigues Island (a 90-minute flight northeast) – a quieter, less-developed island with excellent diving and hiking that most short-stay visitors miss.
Is Mauritius suitable for families with young children?
Yes – the calm lagoons on the north and west coasts are well-suited to children under 10. Trou aux Biches and Mont Choisy beaches have shallow, sheltered water with lifeguards present during peak season. Île aux Aigrettes is appropriate from age 5 and the giant tortoises are a reliable hit with children. Avoid the longer Black River Gorges trails with children under 8, and note that kite surfing and scuba diving have minimum age requirements of 14 and 10 respectively.
Do I need to book activities in advance?
For June–September travel, book helicopter flights, dolphin-watching tours, and Île aux Aigrettes at least 48–72 hours ahead. Deep-sea fishing charters should be booked 3–5 days in advance during peak marlin season (November–April). Beaches, hiking trails, markets, and most cultural sites require no advance booking. The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden and Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths can be visited without reservation year-round.
Ready to explore the best things to do in Mauritius? Book your stay at OUTRIGGER and gain insider access to curated activity recommendations, local expert tips, and exclusive guest perks that enhance your island adventure – from Black River Gorges hikes to Île aux Cerfs water sports and cultural village tours.