Top 10 Activities in Mauritius

Mauritius may be a small island in the Indian Ocean, but it will astound you. Sure, it nails the ‘tropical island’ part, but there’s more to this place than meets the eye. The best things to do in Mauritius cover a lot of ground, from thrilling activities to some of the best hotels you’ll find, all trapped between botanic gardens, nature reserves, and restaurants that will have foodies in awe. Add in the icing-sugar-fine golden sands of its many beaches, and you have a truly unique destination.

#1 The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden

These lovely gardens are frequently compared to Kew Gardens in London. However, at Kew, you must enter massive glasshouses to see and smell some of the world’s most fantastical tropical plants. In the Pamplemousses area of Mauritius, you can see them growing in an outdoor garden, which is often similar to their natural habitat.

Book a private guided tour if you want to find the tree that cures flatulence and learn how the water lilies that emerge white among the vast Amazonica lily pads close red a day later.

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#2 L’aventure Sucre

L’aventure Sucre tells the story of sugarcane, Mauritius’ main crop since the Dutch introduced it in the seventeenth century.

This museum tour, located near the Botanical Gardens in an old factory on the Beau Plan Sugar Estate, begins with an interactive exhibition that explains how sugar cane is processed and ends with a tasting of various sugars and rums. There is also a good restaurant on the estate. Le Fangourin serves local delicacies and delicious desserts with a hint of local sugar, as well as an excellent rum-focused cocktail menu.

#3 Heritage Nature Reserve

The Heritage Nature Reserve’s diverse landscape’s literal highs and lows are best explored by quad bike. Drive through sugar cane fields, take in the breathtaking view of the Domaine de Bel Ombre, and look for waterfalls, rock pools, and endemic bird species like the Pink Pigeon, Mauritius Black Bulbul, and Mauritius Kestrel.

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#4 Bubble Lodge

Definitely the most unusual hotel rooms on the island. Bubble Lodge is a collection of semi-transparent eco-domes located in the heart of Mauritius’ largest tea plantation.

Who would turn down the opportunity to sleep under the stars on the banks of a lake in the middle of a tea plantation? A guided tour of the Bois Chéri tea factory, a visit to the tea museum, time to explore the tea plantation, and half board at the estate’s renowned fine dining Bois Chéri Restaurant, where the passion fruit rum is a must-try, are all included in your stay.

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#5 Black River Gorges National Park

A 16,680-acre national park in the southwest of the island that has been left largely unaltered by man.

To reconnect with nature and explore a truly unspoiled area of the island where endangered native plants and animals still thrive. There are approximately 311 species of native and endemic flowering plants and nine species of birds found only in Mauritius. Follow the trails along the gorges, but bring your own supplies as there is no shop here.

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#6 Port Louis

Port Louis, on Mauritius’ northwest coast, is a world away from the small villages and coastal resorts that make up the majority of the island.

It’s an opportunity to see what everyday urban life in Mauritius is like. Enjoy the old city’s French colonial-inspired architecture and the relaxed shopping and dining area at the Caudan Waterfront. You’ll have to navigate your way past the big international brand stores, but there are some hidden local retail gems in between. Chinatown is also a fun place to visit.

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#7 Ganga Talao

Ganga Talao, or Grand Bassin as it is more commonly known, is a crater lake in the secluded mountain region of Savanne in the south of the island.

This beautiful, tranquil lake is located in the heart of the country, about 1800 feet above sea level, and its banks are dotted with Hindu temples and gods. Many Hindu pilgrims in Mauritius walk barefoot from their homes to the lake during the Shivaratri festival, which takes place between the end of February and the beginning of March. Guests are welcome to attend the spectacle, but please dress modestly in order to respect the worshippers. During the quieter seasons, it’s also a lovely place to walk and watch monkeys play in the wild.

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#8 Le Morne Brabant Mountain

As a result of runaway slaves using this rugged mountain full of hidden caves as a refuge, it has become a symbol of freedom and a Unesco world heritage site. It is recommended that you hire a guide to learn about the flora, fauna, and wildlife that you encounter along the way, as well as to ensure that you climb safely.

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#9 Fun Adventure Mauritius

Mauritius is a paradise for water sports enthusiasts, with activities ranging from water skiing to scuba diving, kite surfing to sea karting.

The warm waters that surround the island make it an ideal environment for water sports, and most of the large resort hotels offer a variety of non-motorized water sports at an all-inclusive price, so there’s nothing to lose by giving them a try. Pilot one of these speedboat carts for a novel way to explore the coastline, which is currently unique to Mauritius.

#10 Casela Nature Park Zip Line

An extra-long zip line that takes you above Casela Nature Park, a safari and adventure park hybrid.

This scenic and often terrifying thrill ride will have you zipping over canyons, sweeping over incredible scenery, and splashing into the water. Some of the lines are singles, doubles, and quadruples, in which four people ride together.

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