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Things to do in Mauritius

More than a beach paradise, the island also offers hiking, world-class diving, and a rich local cuisine.

Our most recommended things to do in Mauritius

Full-Day Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch Included

1. Full-Day Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch Included

Soak in the beauty of Mauritius on a full-day Isle aux Cerfs catamaran cruise, with the option to book hotel transfers. Admire the scenery as you sail to a quiet spot. Swim, snorkel, sunbathe and walk along Isle aux Cerf's beaches, and enjoy a barbecue lunch with drinks.  Enjoy a light breakfast and then climb aboard the Island Hopper catamaran. Cruise from Pointe Jerome to the privately owned island of Ile aux Cerfs. Arrive at an amazing snorkeling spot to either swim in the calm waters or snorkel with the colorful reef fish. Take in the sunshine, or simply relax away from the crowds. Then, enjoy a delicious bbq lunch prepared and served by the friendly crew onboard the boat. Get some free time to explore Ile aux Cerfs independently. Go for a walk along the spectacular beaches or just sit back and relax before sailing back to Pointe Jerome with a chilled drink in your hand.

Mauritius: Full-Day Catamaran Cruise to the Northern Isles

2. Mauritius: Full-Day Catamaran Cruise to the Northern Isles

Explore Mauritius' 3 Northern Isles in just one day on this full-day catamaran cruise. Marvel at Mauritius' very own island getaways, government-declared nature reserves featuring pristine white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, and beautiful coral gardens. Enjoy tea, coffee, and cake upon arrival at the catamaran Wind Dancer, then depart from Grand Baie Public Beach after the captain's briefing. Cruise easily for approximately 1 hour on the way to the magical Flat Island. Visit the island before returning to the catamaran for a sumptuous BBQ lunch and drinks. After lunch, explore the beauty of Gabriel Island. Snorkel in the lovely lagoon, or simply laze in the sun on the beautiful sandbar that Gabriel Island is best known for. On the return journey to Grand Bay, make a stop at the natural aquarium of Coin de Mire and swim and snorkel among a multitude of colorful reef fish. The catamaran arrives back in the bay in the afternoon. Both shared and private options are available for this tour.

Île aux Bénitiers: Snorkeling w/Dolphins Boat Tour & Lunch

3. Île aux Bénitiers: Snorkeling w/Dolphins Boat Tour & Lunch

Begin your 7 to 8 hours tour: Dolphin swimming, Crystal rock, Benitier islet & lunch with a complimentary hotel pick-up at your accommodation anywhere in Mauritius. You will meet and be greeted by our certified guide and after boarding to your comfortable vehicle, we will set off at La preneuse/ flic en flac, a village nestled in the west of Mauritius. Arriving there, you will board to your speed boat & start cruising to the open sea to see & swim with the dolphin. While cruising, our skipper and guide will explain to you how to approach these beautiful mammals and swimming rules to respect these lovely dolphins and their natural environment. Arriving at the spot, you will have the opportunity to swim with dolphins which is an incredibly moving experience that will bring you into contact with strikingly beautiful scenery, unspoiled landscapes, and wonderful animals. You’ll plunge into the remarkable world of these powerful marine mammals and come face to face with the dolphins. After swimming with the dolphin, you'll be heading to the famous and natural Crystal rock. Over there, you will have the opportunity to snorkel in the pure crystal lagoon and take great pictures. The crystal rock is a beautiful natural phenomenon occurring in the southwest of the island in the lagoons of Le Morne. This subliminal rock formation sits just a couple of hundred meters away from the shore and offers a splendid view to anyone who lays their eyes on it. After swimming, you'll be heading to Benitier islet to savor a 3-course lunch, The wonderful cooks will start preparing the lunch as soon as you will be on the island, and within an hour you will be eating a delicious menu of Grilled Seafood and Fish, Chicken, Sausages, Garlic Bread, Salads, Dessert: Banana Flambe. You will have a wide selection of unlimited local Drinks which will be available on the island during lunchtime. After lunch, you can enjoy some relaxation time - have the leisure to tan on the beach, walk around the endless beach of the island or explore the amazing lagoons and coral reefs around the island. A unique experience of swimming activity with dolphins in their natural surroundings! We certainly focus on Corporate Social Responsibility and we make sure that no animal is harmed during snorkeling sessions. Swimming with dolphins offers a rewarding, educational, therapeutic, and amazing experience for everyone!

Black River Swim with Dolphins Speedboat Tour

4. Black River Swim with Dolphins Speedboat Tour

Explore the west coast of Mauritius and the Black River area on a guided speedboat trip from Grande Riviere Noire. Admire views from the water and search for dolphins in their natural environment. Discover the underwater world while swimming and snorkeling. Climb aboard a speedboat and start your tour along the unforgettable west coast of Mauritius. Get a detailed briefing from your skipper before you take off to see wild dolphins and other marine life in their natural habitat. Enter the water in groups of 2 at a time to get close with these special marine mammals. Encounter native spinner dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, and more in the coastal waters off of the Black River region. Round off your trip with a snorkeling session by the colorful coral reef to see the amazing ecosystem up close and personal.

Mauritius: Wild South West Full-Day Tour

5. Mauritius: Wild South West Full-Day Tour

Enjoy a scenic tour of the wilder landscape of southwest Mauritius and taste the local rum before savoring a delicious lunch at a restaurant. See the volcanic crater of Trou Aux Cerfs, Chamarel Waterfall, 7-Colored Earth, La Rhumerie de Chamarel, and more with a guide.  Visit the ship model factory in Curepipe where their craftsmen are adept in the art of miniaturization and the techniques of replica work. You will then head to the sacred lake of Grand Bassin, the most important place of worship for Mauritian Hindus and make a short drive to the Black River Gorges and stop at the Black River View Point, to see the island’s endemic flora and fauna. Visit La Rhumerie de Chamarel to learn about the various stages involved in making the local rum, before tasting the end product! A delicious gourmet lunch will then be served in a local restaurant. After lunch, the drive continues to Chamarel Village to admire the 90-meter high Chamarel Waterfall and the curious 7-Coloured Earth, a natural phenomenon caused when basaltic lava converts the clay mineral into vibrant shades of red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow. Take a winding drive to the southwest corner of Mauritius, and enjoy the drive through Macondé Bridge for panoramic views across the Baie Du Cap River.

Trou D'eau Douce: Catamaran Cruise to lle aux Cerfs

6. Trou D'eau Douce: Catamaran Cruise to lle aux Cerfs

Spend the day cruising through the crystalline waters off Mauritius on a luxurious catamaran. Sunbathe, swim and enjoy a tantalizing BBQ lunch on board. After a morning departure from Trou D’eau Douce, set sail on a well-appointed catamaran through the crystal-clear water of Mauritius. Bound for the stunning GRSE waterfalls, you’ll glide through the sea, taking time to sunbathe and relax on the deck of the broad catamaran. If you’re lucky, you’ll even see some monkeys on the way over. After gazing at the splendor of the waterfall, you’ll hop into the water for some snorkeling at a perfect, hidden spot. Then, indulge in a BBQ lunch on board en route to the paradisiacal Ile aux Cerfs, where you can spend some time relaxing on the pristine beach. Amble around on the tropical wonderland before heading back to the boat to head back to the dock.

Mauritius: Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Ile aux Cerfs & BBQ

7. Mauritius: Full-Day Speedboat Tour to Ile aux Cerfs & BBQ

Spend a full day discovering the beautiful island paradise of Mauritius by speedboat. Depart at 09:30 am and after a short while, stop to swim and snorkel in the crystal clear waters. Enjoy the underwater marine life and swim amongst superb corals and brightly colored tropical fish. Continue sailing and see the d' Alblair shipwreck of 1902 on the coral barrier, and make a brief stop at the old Lighthouse island. Afterward, the speed boat will take you along the east coast and then upstream along the Grand River (the longest river in Mauritius), ending at a beautiful waterfall. Next, a BBQ of grilled chicken and fish will be served on one of the picture-postcard beaches: Île aux Cerfs Island. Île aux Cerfs Island. Here you will have the time to relax and enjoy a swim before you cruise to the last stop at Ile aux Aigrettes. At Ile aux Aigrettes you will enjoy a last drink in a natural swimming pool accompanied by an abundance of starfishes. On board, during the whole day soft drinks, local beer and rum will be available. Arrival back at the beach of Shandrani Hotel is around 4:00 PM to 4:30 PM.

Black River: Dolphin Swim and Whale Watching by Speedboat

8. Black River: Dolphin Swim and Whale Watching by Speedboat

Climb aboard a speedboat with a capacity for no more than 8 people plus 2 skippers and set off an amazing speedboat trip along the Black River coast of Mauritius. Benefit from a detailed briefing to learn how to respect the environment and hear the rules of approaching the dolphins to cause them minimum disturbance. Get the chance to enter the warm waters of the Indian Ocean to get up close to the magnificent marine mammals in their natural habitat. Encounter native spinner dolphins and bottlenose dolphins playing in the ocean, and end with a snorkeling session at the amazing coral reefs. Then, look for whales and get a 60% chance of seeing them. Encounter majestic humpback whales between June and October and resident sperm whales all year round.

Mauritius: Le Morne Mountain UNESCO Eco Hike

9. Mauritius: Le Morne Mountain UNESCO Eco Hike

A 4WD vehicle will take you from the designated meeting point through a private estate in which RESA deer, wild pigs, and numerous bird species including pheasant, quail, and guinea-foul reside. Begin the hike and traverse along the North-Western base of the mountain, allowing for two panoramic perspectives of the mountain to be appreciated of the North Western and South Eastern flanks. The initial hike follows an undulating path that is designed to warm up your muscles and elevate your heart-rate before the scrambling and climbing sections begin. At 340 meters above sea level, you will have a safety and mountain security briefing prior to the first of the four scrambling and climbing sections. There is a 70-meter, 25-meter, 15-meter, and 10-meter section. They provide the most spectacular views of the lush mountain ranges of Chamarel as well as stunningly beautiful lagoon views of both the North-Western and South-Eastern coasts that extend in front of you to the horizon. Various rest points provide a unique opportunity for the team to take memorable photographs of you and your family so that the once-in-a-lifetime experience can never be forgotten. Arrive at the summit of the V with a just reward for all of your efforts and hard work as the views are well worth it. The team will provide you with additional information, whilst taking photographs and allowing you the opportunity to have a break and appreciate the location and its amazing surroundings. The descent down the mountain will begin under the watchful eye of the highly experienced and professional team. Return to the meeting point and then depart to your accommodation. 

Mauritius: Private Tour of the South West with Lunch

10. Mauritius: Private Tour of the South West with Lunch

After the hotel pickup, you will be visiting the town of Curepipe and Floreal. You will visit the crater of Trou aux Cerfs and the Indu temple of Grand Bassin. Here you will have the chance to learn about the Indu culture and traditions and how they persist in modern Mauritius society. From here, you will then drive to Black River, where you will be able to admire fantastic landscapes and views of the mountains. Finally you will be travelling to Chamarel, where you will visit the Waterfalls, the park of Seven coloured Earths, and pay a visit to the Giant turtles in the park. From here you will be driving back to your hotel, where you will be dropped off.

Frequently asked questions about Mauritius

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Other Sightseeing Options in Mauritius

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What people are saying about Mauritius

Overall rating

4.7 / 5

based on 5,469 reviews

We had a great time during this full-day on a speedboat. We had the chance to see so many beautiful landscapes ! The team is absolutely great, friendly, ready to talk about their island and to make everything so you can spend an unique moment. Thank you again for your kindness, and everything, if we go back to Mauritius we will certainly book another tour !

Many thanks again to our visit our wonderful guide Babou aka “the sun follower”. He changed the whole itinerary to make sure we had sun and avoided the crowd. He took time to explain us everything at each stop. The tour is great to see as much as possible of the island over a day. The car was also great and spacious. And the lunch was delicious

Beautiful scenery, snorkelling was excellent. The swim in the waterfalls was amazing. Lovely lunch and Coco explained the history of the island really well. Highly recommend.

Our Guide was really nice. Took is to all places and told us on the way a lot about places, people and the Culture.

Perfect tour to see the main sights of the south-west.