Best Places to Visit in Mauritius: A Complete Travel Guide
Mauritius is one of those rare destinations that genuinely delivers on its promise. Warm turquoise water, sugar-white beaches, lush green mountains, and a culture that blends African, Indian, French, and Creole influences into something completely unique — it's hard to leave disappointed.
But Mauritius is more than just beaches. Knowing which part of the island to base yourself in can make the difference between a good holiday and an unforgettable one. Whether you're after a lively resort scene, a quiet romantic escape, or an adventure into wild coastline and jungle trails, this guide covers the best places to visit in Mauritius so you can plan your trip with confidence.
How to Choose Where to Stay in Mauritius
The island is small enough to explore in a day's drive, but each coast has its own personality. Think of it in four sections:
- North and West coast — busier, more amenities, best for first-time visitors and those who want resort life with plenty to do
- East coast — quieter, more exclusive, home to some of the island's most luxurious hotels
- South coast — wild, dramatic, and largely undeveloped — best for adventurers and those wanting to escape the crowds
- Inland — forests, waterfalls, botanical gardens, and cultural landmarks well worth a detour
With that in mind, here are the best places to visit in Mauritius.
1. Grand Baie — The North Coast Resort Town
If you want a classic beach holiday with a vibrant social scene, Grand Baie is your spot. This is the island's only real resort town, and it punches well above its size in terms of things to do.
What was once a quiet fishing village has grown into a thriving hub with a horseshoe-shaped bay lined with hotels, restaurants, bars, and boutique shops. It sits just 25 kilometres from the capital, Port Louis, making day trips easy.
What to do in Grand Baie:
- Shop for jewellery, high-end labels, and upscale souvenirs along the main strip
- Take a glass-bottom boat trip or join a dolphin-watching cruise
- Explore the nearby offshore islets — Flat Island, Round Island, Gunners' Quoin, and Serpent Island are all accessible from here
- Hit the nightclubs after midnight when the town really comes alive
The beaches at La Cuvette and Grand Baie Public Beach are pleasant but not the island's best for swimming. Drive a short distance to the Pointe aux Canonniers peninsula, where a beautiful chain of white-sand beaches stretches all the way down the west coast.
On the quieter north-east side, the Rivière du Rempart region offers secluded coves, world-class spas, and some of the most exclusive accommodation on the island — a favourite for honeymooners.
2. Trou aux Biches and the West Coast
The west coast of Mauritius is sheltered from the south-east trade winds, which means calmer seas, sunnier afternoons, and some of the most swimmable beaches on the island. This is the coast that most people picture when they imagine a Mauritius holiday.
Trou aux Biches is a particular highlight — crystal-clear water, safe swimming conditions, and a coral reef just a short swim from shore. It's popular with families for good reason. If it gets too busy, the neighbouring village of Pointe aux Piments offers a refreshingly quiet stretch of coastline.
Further south, Flic-en-Flac is the longest and best-known beach on the west coast. Its calm, palm-fringed waters are ideal for swimming, kayaking, snorkelling, and scuba diving. The village has a relaxed, lived-in feel with local restaurants, beach bars, and hotels at various price points.
The west coast is also home to the country's largest and most elaborately decorated Hindu temple, and the rolling sugar cane plantations that line the inland roads are worth exploring at a slower pace.
3. Le Morne Peninsula — The Island's Most Dramatic Setting
At the south-western tip of Mauritius, the Le Morne Peninsula is arguably the most photogenic spot on the entire island. A long stretch of powdery beach curves around a reef-protected lagoon, all in the shadow of the imposing Le Morne Brabant mountain — a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Le Morne is famous among windsurfers and kitesurfers for its reliable winds and the extraordinary "underwater waterfall" optical illusion visible from the air. It also has one of the island's top golf courses and some of its most luxurious resort properties.
It's slightly removed from the busy tourist centres, which makes it ideal if you want space, scenery, and seclusion without sacrificing comfort.
4. Belle Mare and the East Coast
The east coast is Mauritius at its most refined. Less developed and more exclusive than the west, this stretch of coastline is home to some of the island's finest hotels and the breathtaking Belle Mare beach — widely considered one of the most beautiful in Mauritius.
Belle Mare's sand is the softest on the island — fine, powdery, and blindingly white — with an emerald lagoon that stays calm even when the open sea gets choppy. The sea can get rough in the trade wind season (May to October), but the lagoon almost always offers safe, beautiful swimming.
At the northern end of Belle Mare lies the Poste de Flacq Peninsula, with top-tier resorts and some excellent golf courses. Just a short boat ride away is Île aux Cerfs, a small island with beautiful beaches and water sport facilities — a popular day trip destination.
The east coast is best visited between November and April when the sea breeze is welcome rather than blustery.
5. Chamarel and the Black River Gorges — Inland Mauritius
Most visitors spend their entire holiday on the coast, and while that's entirely understandable, spending a day or two inland rewards you with a completely different side of Mauritius.
Black River Gorges National Park is the island's largest protected forest — a jungle-like landscape of waterfalls, hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and extraordinary birdlife. Pink pigeons, echo parakeets, and Mauritius kestrels can all be spotted here. The gorge viewpoints are spectacular, and the trails range from easy walks to more challenging day hikes.
In the nearby Chamarel village, two things are unmissable:
- The Seven Coloured Earths — surreal dunes of volcanic soil estimated to be seven million years old, naturally striped in shades of red, brown, yellow, black, purple, and green. Even in heavy rain, the colours stay distinct.
- The Chamarel Waterfall — one of the highest waterfalls on the island, dropping around 95 metres. For the adventurous, abseiling is available — not for the faint-hearted.
Chamarel is also known for its rum distillery and coffee plantations. Stop at a local farm stall to pick up fresh coffee, sugar cane products, or juicy pineapples.
6. The South Coast — Wild, Authentic, and Untouched
If Grand Baie is the island's front door, the south coast is the back garden — craggier, wilder, and far less developed. Towering cliffs and dramatic coastal scenery replace the gentle resort beaches of the north and west, and the pace of life slows right down.
Blue Bay Marine Park (Blue Baie) is one of the best diving and snorkelling destinations in the entire Indian Ocean. Over 50 species of coral have been recorded here, the majority still healthy and thriving. The water is shallow enough for beginners and rich enough to keep experienced divers happy.
Also worth visiting on the south coast:
- Bel Ombre and Chemin Grenier — pristine, uncrowded beaches in lush green settings
- Île aux Aigrettes — a coral island nature reserve established in 1965, home to endemic plant species found nowhere else on earth
- Mahebourg Market — a lively, authentic local market that gives you a genuine feel for everyday Mauritius life
The south coast is the best place to visit in Mauritius for travellers who want to avoid the crowds and experience the island as it really is.
7. Port Louis — The Capital Worth a Half Day
Most visitors pass through Port Louis without stopping, which is a shame. The capital is small by global standards but packed with character — a working port city with a colourful Creole market, a waterfront lined with restaurants and cafés, and a fascinating mix of colonial-era architecture and modern development.
The Central Market (Port Louis Caudan Waterfront area) is the best place to pick up local spices, street food, and handmade crafts. It's busy, lively, and entirely unlike anything you'll find in the resort areas.
Port Louis is also home to the Blue Penny Museum, the Natural History Museum, and the Aapravasi Ghat — a UNESCO World Heritage Site marking the arrival point of indentured labourers in the 19th century.
8. Jardin de Pamplemousses — The Botanical Gardens
One of the oldest botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere, the Jardin de Pamplemousses (Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden) is worth a couple of hours of anyone's time. Named after the French word for grapefruit, the garden is famous for its giant Victoria amazonica water lilies and its extraordinary collection of palms from around the world.
It's located in the north of the island, making it an easy add-on to a Grand Baie base. Go in the morning before the heat builds and the tour groups arrive.
Practical Tips for Planning Your Mauritius Trip
Best time to visit: October to April is the warm, dry season and the most popular time to visit. May to September is cooler and windier — not ideal for beach holidays, but quieter and cheaper. Cyclone season runs from December to March, so travel insurance is a must.
Getting around: Renting a car is the easiest way to explore. The island is small — you can drive from one end to the other in about two hours — and the coastal roads offer beautiful scenery. Taxis are widely available but metered fares can add up quickly.
How long to stay: A week gives you enough time to see the highlights. Two weeks lets you slow down, explore inland, and visit the southern and eastern coasts properly.
Combining with East Africa: Mauritius pairs beautifully with a safari in Uganda, Rwanda, Kenya, or Tanzania. Many travellers use it as either a pre-safari relaxation stop or a post-safari beach reward. → View our Mauritius travel packages
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Places to Visit in Mauritius
What is the most beautiful place in Mauritius? Belle Mare on the east coast is widely considered the most beautiful beach in Mauritius, thanks to its exceptionally fine white sand and calm emerald lagoon. Le Morne Peninsula in the south-west is arguably the most dramatic and photogenic setting on the island.
Which part of Mauritius is best for families? The north and west coasts — particularly Trou aux Biches and Flic-en-Flac — are best for families. The water is calm, the beaches are safe for swimming, and there's a good mix of activities and restaurants.
Which area of Mauritius is best for honeymooners? The north-east coast around Rivière du Rempart and the Le Morne Peninsula in the south-west are the top choices for honeymooners, offering secluded coves, world-class spas, and some of the island's most romantic luxury resorts.
Is Mauritius worth visiting for more than beaches? Absolutely. Black River Gorges National Park, the Seven Coloured Earths at Chamarel, the Jardin de Pamplemousses, Blue Bay Marine Park, and Port Louis all offer rich experiences beyond the coastline.
How many days do you need in Mauritius? A minimum of 7 days is recommended to experience more than one part of the island. 10–14 days gives you the flexibility to explore the south and inland regions without rushing.
Planning a trip to Mauritius combined with a gorilla trekking safari or wildlife experience in East Africa? Get in touch with our team at Tulambule Uganda Safaris — we specialise in East Africa and Indian Ocean packages tailored to your interests.
