Things to do in

Mauritius

Visit La Vanille Nature Park (La Vanille Réserve des Mascareignes) in Rivière des Anguilles to see and interact with giant Aldabra tortoises—some of the largest land tortoises on Earth. The park is a family-friendly wildlife reserve featuring a tortoise enclosure, crocodile swamp, insectarium, and a botanical garden showcasing native and endemic plants. Guided talks and feeding opportunities let you learn about tortoise biology, conservation and the park’s breeding programmes.

Experience an adrenaline-filled canopy adventure over the multicoloured landscapes of Vallée des Couleurs Nature Park in Chamouny, Mauritius. The activity combines multiple zipline runs of varying lengths and speeds with scenic suspension bridges, offering panoramic views of the park's unique mineral cliffs, lakes and native forest. Guided staff lead safety briefings and manage all technical equipment, making options available for families, first-timers and thrill-seekers.

Experience a guided safari drive and secure big‑cat (fenced) viewing at Casela Nature Parks, located in Cascavelle on the west coast of Mauritius. This activity combines a short open-vehicle safari through the park with close but safe viewing of lions and other big cats behind protective barriers. A trained guide provides natural-history commentary, responsible animal‑welfare information and photography opportunities.

One of the oldest and most famous botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere, founded in the late 18th century by Pierre Poivre. The garden is renowned for its collection of indigenous and exotic plants, an iconic pond of giant Victoria water lilies, an extensive palm collection, spice and economic-botany sections, and a layout that reflects both scientific and colonial-era landscaping. It is a top attraction for nature lovers, photographers and families visiting Mauritius.

L'Aventure du Sucre is a museum housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century sugar factory that tells the story of sugar and its central role in Mauritius' history, economy and culture. The museum combines historical exhibits, interactive displays, preserved machinery, film presentations and tastings (including local rums and cane products) to offer a comprehensive, engaging experience for visitors of all ages.

Aapravasi Ghat is the historic immigration depot in Port Louis, Mauritius, where between 1834 and the early 20th century hundreds of thousands of indentured labourers from India and other regions first landed. The site preserves archaeological remains and an interpretation centre that tell the story of indenture, migration, and the formation of modern Mauritian society.

The Port Louis Central Market (commonly called the Baz') is Mauritius' largest and liveliest market located in the heart of the capital. It's a bustling, colorful hub where locals and visitors buy fresh produce, spices, textiles and locally-made crafts. Expect a sensory experience—aromas of ground spices, bright fabrics, hand-carved souvenirs and the energy of daily Mauritian life. Ideal for foodies, souvenir hunters and anyone interested in local culture.

Taste Mauritius in a bite: a guided or self-guided street-food walk through Port Louis sampling three island classics — dholl puri (flatbread stuffed with ground yellow split pea), boulettes (steamed or fried dumplings), and alouda (a sweet, milky rose-flavored drink). This experience combines flavors from Indian, Creole and Chinese foodways and the lively atmosphere of the Central Market and waterfront stalls.

Le Caudan Waterfront is Port Louis's bustling waterfront district combining a modern shopping complex, restaurants, craft market and marina. Adjacent pedestrian lanes feature the colorful Umbrella Street installation — a photogenic canopy of suspended umbrellas that brightens the old port quarter. Together they offer a compact mix of shopping, dining, culture and great photo opportunities against the harbour backdrop.

Blue Penny Museum is Mauritius’s premier philatelic and cultural museum, located at the Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis. It is best known for housing (on display or loaned exhibits) Mauritius’s legendary 1847 "Post Office" stamps — the rare Blue Penny and Red Penny — alongside a broader collection that explores Mauritius’s postal history, maritime heritage, colonial past and visual arts. The museum combines traditional exhibits with interactive displays and high-resolution digital magnification to let visitors study tiny stamp details up close.

Experience Mauritius' historic racecourse at Champ de Mars in central Port Louis. Founded in the early 19th century, Champ de Mars is one of the oldest racecourses in the Southern Hemisphere and hosts colorful, social race meetings that combine sport, local culture and betting. Race days are lively — expect parade rings, tote betting, grandstand viewing and feature races that draw both locals and visitors. Check the Mauritius Turf Club calendar for exact dates and feature events as the schedule is seasonal and subject to change.

Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin) is a sacred crater lake located in the Savanne District of Mauritius. It is the most important Hindu pilgrimage site on the island — especially during Maha Shivaratri when thousands of devotees travel on foot to pay homage. The site comprises the lake, several temples and shrines, and a prominent 33‑metre (approx. 108‑ft) statue of Lord Shiva overlooking the water. The surroundings are peaceful, forested hills and walking paths that offer both spiritual and scenic experiences.

Kaylasson Temple is a vibrant Hindu temple located in the Ste‑Croix neighbourhood of Port Louis, Mauritius. Named with reference to Mount Kailash (the mythic abode of Lord Shiva), the temple is an active place of worship and a cultural focal point for the island’s Hindu community. Visitors will find colorful Dravidian-style architecture, sculpted deities, daily puja (prayer) rituals and, during festival periods, lively processions and offerings. The temple sits in the Ste‑Croix area and provides pleasant views over parts of Port Louis and the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Maison Eureka is a well-preserved 19th-century Creole mansion set in a large tropical garden in Moka, Mauritius. The property functions as a house-museum and restaurant, showcasing traditional Creole architecture, antique furniture, decorative objects, and period rooms that illustrate daily life on a colonial island estate. The grounds include formal gardens, a small orchard, and remnants of plantation-era equipment — all set against the green inland hills of Moka.

Château de Labourdonnais is a beautifully restored 19th‑century colonial mansion set within manicured gardens and working orchards in Mapou (northern Mauritius). The estate combines a historic house museum, orchards of tropical fruits, artisan food outlets and an on‑site rhum distillery. Visitors typically enjoy a guided tour of the manor and grounds, a behind‑the‑scenes look at the estate’s rum production and guided tastings of rums and fruit liqueurs. There is also a restaurant and boutique selling estate products. Reservation recommended for weekend visits and tastings.

Rhumerie de Chamarel is a small-batch, artisanal rum distillery set in the lush hills of Chamarel, Mauritius. The experience combines a guided tour of the production process — from sugar‑cane fields and milling to fermentation, distillation and ageing — with a curated tasting of the distillery's signature rums and a chance to sample rum‑based cocktails and food pairings. The setting offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, making the visit both educational and scenic.

Bois Chéri Tea Route is a short interpretative tour through one of Mauritius' oldest tea estates in the south-central highlands. The experience combines a small museum on the island’s tea history, a guided walk around lush tea fields, an operational factory demonstration (depending on schedule), and a tasting session in the panoramic tea pavilion. The visit highlights local production techniques, colonial and post‑colonial history of tea on the island, and offers a chance to purchase fresh loose-leaf teas and blends.

Le Pouce (812 m) is the third-highest peak in Mauritius, sitting in the Moka Range near Port Louis. This popular day-hike offers a moderately challenging ascent through native and exotic vegetation, rocky scrambles and a rewarding panoramic summit view over Port Louis, the northwest coast, and surrounding sugarcane plains. The trail is suitable for fit beginners and experienced hikers; guided and self-guided options are available.

Pieter Both is an iconic granite peak in the Moka Range of Mauritius. This route is intended for experienced hikers and scramblers: it combines steep forested approaches with exposed granite scrambling and a final technical section with fixed chains and anchors to reach the distinctive summit boulder. The climb rewards participants with dramatic 360° views over northern and central Mauritius (Port Louis, Le Pouce, the north coast and offshore islets).