Suppose you’re visiting Mauritius for the first time or just deciding to go back again, and you’re looking for the best things to do. May I be so bold as to suggest these ten incredibly fun things that most travelers don’t know about?
If you don’t know much about Mauritius, it’s a popular destination with beautiful beaches, amazing landscapes, and a friendly population. But because of its fame for being a tropical paradise, most people tend to fall for the same old trick of relaxing on famous beaches like Trou aux Biches, Flic en Flac, and Le Morne, exploring the Chamarel Seven Colored Earths, or hiking the Black River Gorges.
While these activities are pretty amazing, and every first-timer ought to try them at least once, it also makes traveling to Mauritius a bit redundant if you can’t spice it up or do what many other people aren’t doing. If you agree with me, you’d need to see these top 10 things that are fun and completely underappreciated.
Top 10 Things To Do in Mauritius
Before we begin, if you’d like to see the best countries in Africa to visit this year, click here.
10. Night Safari
Night safari experiences are a must-do. No, I didn’t stutter. African countries are undoubtedly known to have some of the best safari experiences, but the Mauritius night safari takes it to another level. Not only is the atmosphere totally chilling and conducive, like taking a calming walk at night, but you get to have fewer crowds during your trip and see the beers, wild boars, and other nocturnal creatures you most likely won’t see during the day.
Not to mention, the stargazing sessions are the perfect definition of relaxation. My particular favorite is Domaine de L’Étoile. Although they have some daytime sessions, which are pretty cool, too, I don’t think they compare to the night safaris.
9. Ride over Underwater Waterfall Illusion
The underwater waterfall illusion of Mauritius leaves a lasting impression. The best way to truly appreciate this natural beauty is by helicopter. Helicopter tours offer an aerial view of the illusion, allowing you to see the dramatic drop-off that creates the effect. From above, it looks like a waterfall plunging into the ocean’s depths. This striking effect is created by the way powerful underwater currents move the sand and silt on the ocean floor. The change in color and depth gives the visual impression of a waterfall flowing under the sea.
You can pair your helicopter tour with a hike up Le Morne Brabant. The mountain offers panoramic views of the island and the ocean
8. Kite Surf at Bel Ombre
If you already know of Bel Ombre, then congratulations, you are among the few adventurous tourists who know about this spot. The Bel Ombre is a perfect destination for kite surfing. Mauritius beaches overshadow this place in popularity, but if you’re not looking for just a beach day and want to catch some wind and ride the waves, then I suggest you start at Bel Ombre.
7. Visit Mahebourg
Mahebourg is one of the few places in Mauritius that’s not entirely commercialized and retains its charm. It’s a place where you can experience the daily life of Mauritians, from bustling markets to serene waterfront walks. The Mahebourg market is one of the largest and most vibrant markets in Mauritius. You can also explore the naval museum in a colonial-era mansion and see some famous artifacts won by Napoleon.
6. Hike Le Pouce Mountain
While Black River Gorge is a good hiking destination, and you should totally see it if you haven’t, Le Pouce Mountain is the choice I’d choose every day. It’s just as beautiful, and maybe I just love the underdog a bit too much, but it’s also underappreciated. You’re more likely to encounter locals and smaller hiking groups than any other spot in Mauritius. The mountain has one of the best views of the island, and it takes about 2 to 3 hours to get to the summit.
5. Visit the Salt Pans of Tamarin
The salt pans are set over a backdrop of Tamarin Bay, offering a beautiful view. It’s also a learning experience to see the large-scale salt production by local workers. The salt pans are shallow ponds where seawater is allowed to evaporate, leaving behind salt crystals. The process involves channeling seawater into these ponds and letting the sun and wind do the work of evaporation.
4. Explore île aux Aigrettes
Île aux Aigrettes is a small, protected island located off the southeast coast of Mauritius, near the village of Mahébourg. The island is a conservation area managed by the Mauritius Wildlife Foundation. It’s a unique spot in Mauritius where endangered species are being bred and slowly regaining popularity.
It’s best to tour on a guided tour to get more insights.
3. Swim with Dolphins in Tamarin Bay
Tamarin Bay is a popular destination for watching dolphins. The morning tours are the best time to watch and even swim with the dolphins as they are more active during this time. The only bad side to it is that most times, it starts by 6 am and for deep and late sleepers, that can prove to be difficult. But if you’re willing to get up by 6 am then it’s totally worth it.
Tamarin Bay isn’t exactly underappreciated it’s almost impossible to secure a spot without booking ahead of time. So, if you’re adding this to your itinerary, you need to plan ahead.
2. Visit Grand Bassin
The Grand Bassin is a pilgrimage site for Hindus and has a lake that’s about 1969 feet above sea level. The serenity of the Grand Bassin is almost surreal. You can explore the Shiva temples or enjoy the view over the lake with different species of birds clinging around.
1. Explore Chamarel
I know The Chamarel is a popular destination in Mauritius, but I also think it deserves to be seen more than once. Exploring Chamarel is quite popular among tourists, but it deserves another shout-out on this list. The seven-colored earth is a group of sand dunes of different colors, creating one of the most beautiful views in Mauritius. The Chamarel waterfall is also astounding. It’s one of the tallest waterfalls in Mauritius, and the surrounding area is a scenic paradise.
Conclusion
Mauritius has a lot of popular destinations that are not on this list but worth trying out. I tried mentioning them in the introductory paragraph. They are especially good to try out if you’re visiting for the first time. But every other thing here on this list is a must-do item for both first-time visitors and recurring travelers.
