Mauritius

Mauritius, in a few days

From the beaches of the north to the lagoons of the south-west, by way of Île aux Cerfs and the coloured earths of Chamarel, a day-by-day road trip: the map, what is worth booking, everything that costs nothing, and where to sleep at three budgets.

Day by day

1

Grand Baie and the north

Days 1-2

The busiest stretch of coast, with calm turquoise lagoons and the bay the catamarans leave from. At Cap Malheureux, a small church with a red roof looks out to the northern islets.

🎟️ Worth booking

• Catamaran to Île aux BénitiersFull day · from €55
  A day in the lagoon off the west coast near La Gaulette, with swimming stops and a Creole lunch on board.
• Reef diveHalf day · from €45
  Diving on the coral reefs off the north coast, with centres that also take beginners.

✦ Free to visit

• La Cuvette beach
• Pereybère beach
• Cap Malheureux and its red-roofed church

📲 Book things to do in Grand Baie and the north on GetYourGuide

2

The east coast and Île aux Cerfs

Days 3-4 · 🚗 Car 1h30

A lagoon island off the east coast, reached by boat from Trou d'Eau Douce, with long white beaches and water sports.

🎟️ Worth booking

• Île aux Cerfs by boat, with lunchFull day · from €60
  Across the lagoon to the island, time on its beaches, and a barbecue lunch.
• Grand River South East waterfallHalf day · from €35
  A boat up the mouth of the island's longest river, to where the waterfall drops through a rocky gorge.

✦ Free to visit

• Belle Mare beach
• The shallow east coast lagoon
• The fishing village of Trou d'Eau Douce
• Flacq market

📲 Book things to do in The east coast and Île aux Cerfs on GetYourGuide

3

Le Morne and the south-west

Days 5-6 · 🚗 Car 2h

A peninsula under Le Morne Brabant, the mountain where escaped slaves hid from their pursuers, UNESCO-listed since 2008. The lagoon at its foot draws kitesurfers from around the world.

🎟️ Worth booking

• Kitesurfing in the lagoonHalf day · from €60
  A lesson or a session in the Le Morne lagoon, where the trade wind blows steadily through the southern winter.
• Le Morne Brabant hike (UNESCO)Half day · from €40
  A steep climb towards the 556-metre summit, with a view over the lagoon and the whole south-west coast.

✦ Free to visit

• Le Morne beach
• The turquoise lagoon
• Sunset over the peninsula
• The village of La Gaulette

📲 Book things to do in Le Morne and the south-west on GetYourGuide

4

Chamarel and the south

Day 7 · 🚗 Car 40 min

Green hill country above the south-west coast, home to the Seven Coloured Earths, a waterfall of about 100 metres and a rum distillery.

🎟️ Worth booking

• The Seven Coloured Earths and the waterfall2h · from €12
  Dunes of volcanic soil in bands of red, brown and violet, then the Chamarel falls from the viewing platform.
• Rhumerie de Chamarel, tasting1h30 · from €15
  A distillery that makes agricultural rum from fresh cane juice, with a tour and a tasting.

✦ Free to visit

• The Black River Gorges viewpoints
• Macondé viewpoint
• Bel Ombre beach

📲 Book things to do in Chamarel and the south on GetYourGuide

Worth sorting before you go

Hire a car · The island is best seen from behind the wheel, with one to two hours between regions. Driving is on the left.

📶 eSIM data
Online the moment you land, no roaming bill.
Get one · Holafly

🛡️ Travel insurance
Health, luggage, cancellation.
Cover it · Ekta

🚗 Car hire
Compare the agencies before you land.
Compare · Booking

💳 Fee-free card
Pay at the real rate, with no exchange markup.
Open one · Revolut

🚐 Airport transfer
A private car at a fixed price from the moment you land.
Book it · GetTransfer

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Flavours & local habits

🍽️ Worth tasting

• Dholl puri: thin flatbreads made with ground split peas, rolled round a curry and chutney. The island's street food.
• Rougaille and Creole curries: tomato stews and curries that mix Indian, African and French cooking.
• Mine frite and fried rice: fried noodles and rice from the island's Chinese kitchen.
• Gâteaux piments: small, spicy split pea fritters, sold by the bag.
• Alouda and rhum arrangé: a cold milk drink with basil seeds and jelly, and rum steeped with fruit and spices.

⚠️ Best avoided

• Swim inside the lagoon: beyond the reef and near the passes, the currents are strong.
• Driving is on the left, and roads are narrow and often without pavements: slow down through the villages.
• Wear sunscreen even under cloud. The tropical sun burns faster than you expect.
• Bargain at the markets, but not in shops, where prices are fixed.

Words that help

English ↔ French

✈️ Flight delayed by 3 hours or more, or cancelled? You may be owed up to €600. Check your flight on AirHelp.

The practical page

Scan to open this guide online, always up to date.
https://offwegooo.com/en/guides/mauritius

Packing checklist

Have a good trip.
Guide made on offwegooo.com · Photos via Pexels · Details are indicative, check before you leave.