Mauritius Excursions - The coolest tours, places and experiences

Are you currently planning your vacation in Mauritius and wondering what you can do on the island? Mauritius is full of surprises and has more to offer than you might initially think. We spent a full four months on the island and went on numerous excursions, explored many sights in Mauritius, and experienced some amazing moments.

Today, in the following article, we present you with some Mauritius excursions that we believe are definitely worth it. This list is, of course, very subjective and based on our experiences. Have fun browsing and imitating.

What you should also know:

What else you should know:
Black River Gorges National Park
Mauritius Excursions to Port Louis
Tour to Île aux Cerfs
7 Cascades Waterfall (Tamarind Falls)
Catamaran Adventure to Îlot Gabriel
Excursion to the Sacred Lake
Dolphin and Whale Tours in Mauritius
Mauritian Tea Tour (Route du Thé)
Hiking on Le Morne Brabant
Helicopter Flight over Mauritius
Food Tour through Mahebourg
Stand-up paddleboarding on the water
Kayaking in Blue Bay
Other popular tours in Mauritius

Black River Gorges National Park

One of our favorite places on the island is definitely the Black River Gorges National Park, which is located in the southwest of the island. You should definitely take a trip to this park, as there are several highlights to discover here.

There are more than 60 km of hiking trails through the park, several waterfalls, great viewpoints, and a diverse range of fauna and flora. If you enjoy being outdoors and don’t mind wearing sturdy shoes during your vacation, then the Black River Gorges National Park is the right place for you.

mauritius-chamarel-waterfall-wasserfall

Our top highlights in the park:

Alexandra Waterfalls in the south
Mare Aux Joncs Waterfall in the north
Chamarel Waterfall (book your entrance ticket here*)
Seven Colored Earth (we didn’t find it that exciting)
Bel Ombre Trail (start: Gorges Viewpoint)
Macchabee Viewpoint (view of the west coast)
Chamarel Viewpoint (View of the west coast)
Gorges Viewpoint (View of the hinterland)

The park is open daily from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (weekends from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.), and admission is free. You can enter the park via four different entrances; you can park your car in the parking lot in front of each one. We always took the Case Noyale entrance from Flic en Flac.

There is also the Black River entrance, on the other side the entrance at Le Pétrin Information Center, and the Chamouny entrance. The approach from the Case Noyale entrance is particularly beautiful, as you pass by wonderful viewpoints.

Hiking trip to the Black River Gorges National Park*
Hiking Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire in Mauritius*
Chamarel: Entrance ticket to the Seven Colored Earth Geopark*
Mauritius: Exclusive Southwest Tour with great stops*

Mauritius Excursions to Port Louis

You should definitely take a trip to Port Louis. Here in the island’s capital, there is much to experience and some great sights. The number one reason to come to Port Louis is, of course, the Central Market. Here you can find fruit, vegetables, spices, textiles, and souvenirs and much, much more. Don’t be surprised, things get loud here, and above all, there’s still a lot of bargaining going on. Don’t let that deter you; just join in. The market is open daily from 5:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., only closing at 11:30 a.m. on Sundays. Be sure to try: pineapple with salt and chili!

Afterwards, you should also take a closer look at the other parts of the city. The Caudan Waterfront is also very beautiful, with its restaurants, shops, the Blue Penny Museum, and, of course, the colorful umbrellas (Umbrella Square). Let yourself go and stroll through Chinatown, visit the Government House, the Catholic Bishop’s Church, St. Louis Cathedral, and the Jummah Mosque. If you have enough time, you can hike to the old fortress, which offers a great view over Port Louis.

Mauritius: Port Louis Street Food Walking Tour*
Day Tour of the Capital Port Louis*
Port Louis: Private Guided Sightseeing Tour*

Tour of Île aux Cerfs

During our time in Mauritius, we were repeatedly recommended an excursion to Île aux Cerfs. One morning, we set off for Trou d’Eau Douce to take a boat to the island (book a speedboat here*). The Île aux Cerf island is quite small and located off the east coast of Mauritius. The boat ride only takes about 10-15 minutes.

Once you arrive there (in the north), you should head south immediately, as there is much less going on there. Most vacationers stay directly in the north at the pier, where you’ll also find souvenir shops, restrooms, and restaurants (Sands Grill, La Chaumière Masala Restaurant).

The small bay in the southwest of the island is particularly beautiful if you walk clockwise along the coast from the jetty. The water there is warm, crystal-clear, and shimmers in the most beautiful shades of blue. Here you can relax and float in the water. Keep an eye on the time, though, as most boats leave for the last time around 4 p.m. You can find our detailed article here: Mauritius Excursions – Île aux Cerfs. Alternatively: Excursions to Île aux Bénitiers*, Île aux Aigrettes*, or the small Île aux Cocos.

Mauritius: Full-Day Catamaran Tour to Île Aux Cerfs*
Trou d’Eau Douce: Adventure in the Southeast of the 5 Islands*
Ile aux Cerfs: Sirene d’Or boat trip with lunch*

7 Cascades Waterfall (Tamarind Falls)

The excursion to the 7 Cascades is highly recommended. This is a beautiful waterfall that falls in 7 steps and forms several natural pools. This beautiful spot is located between Curepipe and Black River Gorges. You should wear sturdy shoes, as you will need to do some physical activity to reach the individual steps. The Seven The Cascades are nestled amidst the wild, green thicket; the scenery is truly magical. You can, of course, also take a dip in the natural pools.

If you’re interested in this excursion, you should first drive towards Henrietta Village. Drive to the Henrietta Bus Station and continue a little further until you reach a small Hindu temple. Park your car on the other side of the road and look for a small path that leads into the thicket. This path will take you to the first waterfall. Then follow the trail markers on the rocks and trees. The first 3 Floors are relatively easy to reach. Be sure to pack mosquito repellent and enough provisions.

Introduction to Canyoning at the 7 Waterfalls of Tamarin in Mauritius*
Half-Day Hike to the 7 Waterfalls of Tamarin in Mauritius*

Catamaran Adventure to Îlot Gabriel

North of Mauritius are several small islands, the Northern Islands. From You can start excursions to these islands from Grand Baie. For example, you can take a catamaran past Coin de Mire and continue to Îlot Gabriel and Île Plate. On board, you can enjoy a delicious BBQ and drinks, and snorkeling is also included on this excursion. Enjoy the crystal-clear waters, the beautiful beaches, and the underwater world off the coast of Mauritius.

Mauritius: Day Trip by Catamaran to the Northern Islands*
GrandBay: 3 North Islands Catamaran Cruise & Lunch on the Island*

Trip to the Sacred Lake

If you have your own rental car in Mauritius, you should also take a trip to the Grand Bassin, the sacred lake. This lake is located in the island’s interior, at the eastern end of the Black River Gorges National Park. Before you reach the lake, you’ll pass the giant Shiva statue. And we mean HUGE. The lake itself is considered one of the largest pilgrimage sites outside of India and is visited by around 500,000 pilgrims every year (late February/early March). The occasion is the Maha Shivaratree Festival.

Once you reach the crater lake, you’ll discover the many temples, sacrificial shrines, and statues of gods. Entrance is completely free. Since this is a religious site, you should be careful with your clothing. Out of respect, avoid wearing tight-fitting pants and tops. Another important point: wild monkeys! Do not feed these monkeys, do not touch them, and do not let them get too close to you. They are, after all, wild animals!

Dolphin and Whale Tours in Mauritius

Mauritius is known for its stunning beaches and rich marine life. Dolphin and whale tours are popular activities for visitors who want to explore the region’s fascinating underwater world. Popular locations for dolphin tours include Tamarin Bay, Flic en Flac, and Black River. The best time for whale tours in Mauritius is usually between June and October. During these months, whales, especially humpback whales, migrate through the waters around the island.

Mauritius: Dolphin Experience, Trou aux Cerf & Grand Bassin*
Île aux Bénitiers: Snorkeling with Dolphins, Boat Tour & Lunch*
Tamarin: Guided Kayak Tour with Dolphins*
Whale Watching in Mauritius from Grande Rivière Noire*

Mauritian Tea Tour (Route du Thé)

Discover the green heart of Mauritius and learn how tea is made. The interior of the island is definitely worth a trip, as it is home to beautiful tea plantations, fields, and forested mountains. If you’re lucky, you might see locals picking tea. Visit Mauritius’ oldest tea producers at the Bois Cheri plantation. Harvest fresh tea leaves on the plantations and enjoy the atmosphere during a tea tasting on the veranda with a view. We sat here with our friends from Germany and sampled the different teas.

Afterward, visit the factory in Maubon, where you won’t be able to taste any tea, but you can learn interesting facts about the production of the delicious banana chips. Also highly recommended is the Domaine des Aubineaux estate, with its magnificent garden and beautiful manor house, which serves as a museum, where you can learn more about tea in Mauritius. Not only can you enjoy the wonderful atmosphere here, but you can also sample delicious tea and rum. You’ll also be shown how vanilla is made on this estate.

Tea Plantation-Bois-Cheri-Mauritius-Excursion

Hiking on Le Morne Brabant

Are you looking for action, adrenaline, and nature? Then you should definitely take the hike on Le Morne Mountain. The view from the top is simply spectacular! The mountain is 556 meters high and requires a certain level of fitness. If you want to conquer this mountain, you should wear sturdy shoes, bring plenty of fluids, and have enough energy to climb the final stretch.

You should also be aware that the area is privately owned. However, you are permitted to climb the mountain, with or without a guide. At the foot of the mountain is a small hut where you must sign up before the hike. On the way back, you can also remove yourself from this list.

Marco’s brother and his girlfriend were recently in Mauritius and climbed the mountain. They were also thrilled with the hike, even though it is a bit more challenging. You can also just hike to the green gate and enjoy the magnificent views along the way. This section is quite easy and can be mastered without much effort.

It’s only beyond the gate that things get strenuous and not entirely safe. Be sure to start early in the morning when it’s not quite so hot. Enter “Le Morne trail entrance” into Google Maps to find the starting point. You should allow approximately 3 to 4 hours for the approximately 3.5 km hike to the summit and back, depending on your pace.

Mauritius: Eco-hike to the UNESCO mountain Le Morne Brabant*
Guided sunrise hike and climb on the mountain Le Morne*
Hiking on the popular Morne Brabant in Mauritius*

Helicopter flight over Mauritius

We are often asked whether we also offer a Helicopter tour. Unfortunately, we have to disappoint you; back then, we didn’t have enough money for such an adventure. Or rather, we didn’t want to spend so much money on such a short-lived experience. Today, we would definitely book such a tour, as the bird’s eye view is always magnificent.

Mauritius is surrounded by a reef that stretches almost completely around the island. The many shades of blue of the Indian Ocean, the white sandy beaches, the lush green mountain landscape… ah… the view from the helicopter must be unique!

Most people take this sightseeing flight because they want to see the famous “Underwater Waterfall.” It really does exist, at least visually. Unfortunately, it’s an optical illusion. Strong water currents wash away the sand, making it look like an underwater waterfall to us.

But regardless of whether there’s a waterfall or not, it just looks amazing, doesn’t it? So if you have the chance to take a helicopter tour, DO IT! This is probably one of those so-called “once-in-a-lifetime” experiences.

Seaplane sightseeing flight over Mauritius*
Pair-sized seaplane sightseeing flight over Mauritius*

Food tour through Mahebourg

When we first arrived on the island, we spent the first few days in Mahebourg because we wanted to get settled in first. Besides, we had no idea about the island at the time. So for us, it was a case of arriving, going with the flow, and seeing what happens. Mahebourg is definitely one of the most authentic places on the island. At first glance, the area may not seem particularly “chic” or “clean,” but here you’ll get a good impression of the “real” Mauritius.

Visit the central market of Mahebourg (Rue Hollandaise) and feast on the many delicious little things. Mahebourg is considered a colonial gem; many of the old wooden houses are sadly empty, while others have already been replaced by new buildings. This is probably what Port Louis must have looked like before the construction boom.

While there are no special sights in the island’s former capital, we were still impressed by its atmosphere and authenticity. The city also immediately showed us that Mauritius is much more than “just” a honeymoon island. Tip: Café de Labourdonnais, Le Bistrot, and Cafe Gourment.

Stand-up Paddling on the Water

Have you ever tried the trendy sport of stand-up paddling? Try it in the island’s protected lagoons. Here, the sea is gentle and mostly calm, inviting you to glide across the water. At the same time, you’ll be exercising, enjoying the great weather, and then jumping into the “cool” water.

You can rent a board for a day or a whole week. In most cases, the board will even be delivered to your accommodation (free of charge and/or for a fee, depending on where you live). You’ll pay around €35 for one day. It’s significantly cheaper if you rent for several days. Book here: REAL Mauritius.

Kayaking in Blue Bay

You’ve probably already read something about Blue Bay, right? We highly recommend a trip to this bay. We went there twice because we loved it so much the first time. On our first visit, we went on a snorkeling and boat tour (it was okay); the second time, we rented kayaks. That was really, really cool.

Once you reach Blue Bay, walk left along the bay until you reach the wall with the hotel. There you can rent kayaks and explore the bay and surrounding area on your own. You can even sail to the Ile des Deux Cocos and take a break on the small island there. We had a fantastic time in Blue Bay with our friends from Germany. We paid €12 per hour, if we remember correctly. More about this here: Blue Bay Mauritius.

Snorkeling in the lagoon of Mahebourg in Blue Bay, Mauritius*
First dive in the lagoon between Blue Bay and Mahebourg*
Glass-bottom boat tour with snorkeling in the Blue Bay Marine Park, Mauritius

Other popular tours in Mauritius

Mauritius: Quad tour through the wild south of the Island*
From Trou d’Eau Douce: Catamaran Cruise to Île aux Cerfs*
Mauritius: Amber Island Kayak or Small Boat Tour*
3-Hour East Coast Diving Adventure*
Beginner and Advanced Kitesurfing Course in Mauritius*
Three Northern Islands: Private Boat Trip & Beach Barbecue*
PADI Open Water Diving Course in Mauritius*