Mauritius: Lagoons, Le Morne & the Island's Wild South
Reef-sheltered lagoons and long beaches, the UNESCO-listed mountain of Le Morne, the coloured earth and waterfall of Chamarel, rainforest gorges, and a strong Indian heritage, six to seven hours' flight from Mumbai.
- Best time to go
- May to December is drier and less humid; April, May, October and November are ideal. January to March is hot and wet, with a risk of cyclones.
- Flying from India
- Non-stop flights from Mumbai (about 6 hours), Delhi (about 7½ hours), Bengaluru and Chennai.
- Visa for Indian passports
- No visa is needed in advance: Indian passport holders are admitted for tourist stays of up to 90 days, with a return ticket, a confirmed hotel booking and proof of funds. Complete the free Mauritius All-in-One Travel Form before you fly; the passport must be valid for at least six months.
- Currency
- Mauritian rupee (MUR). Cards are accepted at hotels and larger restaurants; carry cash for markets and roadside stalls.
Mauritius at a glance
Mauritius is ringed by a coral reef that keeps most of its lagoons calm and clear, and each coast has its own character. The east, around Belle Mare, has the longest beaches and the boat trips to Île aux Cerfs; the south-west is dramatic, with Le Morne Brabant rising above the lagoon; the north around Grand Baie is lively, with restaurants and calm water; the west coast is sheltered and enjoys the best sunsets.
Inland, the island is surprisingly wild. Black River Gorges National Park protects native forest and viewpoints over deep valleys; Chamarel has the Seven Coloured Earth and a 100-metre waterfall; and Grand Bassin is a sacred lake for the island's Hindu community, guarded by a giant statue of Shiva. Nearly seven in ten Mauritians have Indian roots, and the Aapravasi Ghat in Port Louis, where indentured labourers arrived from India, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Must-see
- Le Morne Brabant
- Chamarel's Seven Coloured Earth and waterfall
- Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao)
- Île aux Cerfs by catamaran
- Port Louis and the Aapravasi Ghat
Food to try
- Dholl puri and farata from street stalls
- Fish vindaye
- Rougaille (Creole tomato sauce)
- Gâteaux piments (chilli fritters)
- Alouda, a sweet milk drink with basil seeds
Where to shop
- Port Louis Central Market
- Caudan Waterfront
- Model ship workshops in Curepipe
- Grand Baie's boutiques and bazaar
- Vanilla, rum and spiced tea
Where to Stay
Areas and styles of stay we book most often. We shortlist specific hotels once we know your dates and budget.
East coast, Belle Mare and Trou d'Eau Douce
Beachfront resorts on the long lagoon
Large resorts and villas on the island's longest white beaches, with golf nearby and boat trips to Île aux Cerfs. Breezy in the winter months, which keeps it fresh.
South-west, Le Morne peninsula
Resorts below the mountain
Hotels on the Le Morne peninsula with the mountain behind and the island's best kitesurfing lagoon in front. Close to Chamarel, Black River Gorges and boat trips to Île aux Bénitiers.
North coast, Grand Baie and Pereybère
Boutique hotels near the restaurants
Smaller hotels and villas close to Grand Baie's bars, restaurants and shops, with calm swimming bays and easy trips to Pamplemousses and Port Louis.
Signature Experiences
Moments we build Mauritius journeys around
Catamaran to Île aux Cerfs
A day sailing the east coast lagoon with snorkelling stops, a barbecue lunch on board and time on Île aux Cerfs' beaches, with a stop at the Grande Rivière Sud-Est waterfall.
Chamarel waterfall
The St Denis river drops about 100 metres in one leap into a forested gorge. Pair it with the Seven Coloured Earth and lunch at a hillside restaurant.
Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao)
The crater lake regarded as sacred by Mauritian Hindus, lined with temples and overlooked by a 33-metre statue of Shiva. Hundreds of thousands walk here for Maha Shivaratri.
Pamplemousses botanical garden
One of the oldest botanical gardens in the southern hemisphere, famous for its pond of giant Amazon water lilies, spice trees and over 80 kinds of palm.
Port Louis with a local guide
The Central Market's spice and street-food stalls, the Aapravasi Ghat immigration depot (a UNESCO site) and the Caudan Waterfront by the harbour.
The wild south coast
A drive along the cliffs and sugarcane fields of the south, stopping at Rochester Falls, which tumble over columns of basalt near Souillac, and at Gris Gris's wave-battered headland.
Planning Your Journey
Timing, routing and what our specialists tell every Mauritius traveller
When to visit
April to June
Warm, drier weather after the summer rains, and good value outside school holidays.
July to September
The cooler southern winter, around 24°C by day, ideal for hiking Le Morne and touring inland.
October to December
Warm and sunny before the summer rains, with excellent diving and calm seas. Peak demand at Christmas.
Getting there and around
Flights
Non-stop flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, in the south-east.
On the island
The east coast is 40 to 60 minutes from the airport, Le Morne about an hour, and Grand Baie about 1¼ hours. We arrange private transfers and drivers.
Insider notes
Choose the coast by season
In the southern winter (June to September) the east coast is breezy and the west is calmer and sunnier. In summer, the east is pleasant and the west can be very hot.
See the underwater waterfall from the air
The famous illusion off Le Morne is only visible from a seaplane or helicopter flight. Book a morning slot for the best light.
Hire a driver for touring days
Distances are short but roads are slow. A private driver for a day covers Chamarel, Black River Gorges, Grand Bassin and the south coast comfortably.
Mind the sea urchins
Wear water shoes in rocky shallows and follow your hotel's guidance on currents near reef passes.
Mauritius: Common Questions
East for long beaches and families, south-west for scenery and Le Morne, north for restaurants and nightlife, and west for calm water and sunsets. On longer trips we often split the stay between two coasts.
Plan your Mauritius journey
Speak to a specialist.
Share a few details and one of our Mauritius specialists will get in touch, usually within a working day.
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Ready to plan Mauritius?
Tell us your dates and who is travelling. We reply with a costed, day-by-day plan you can change as much as you like.