What to Do and Where to Stay in Mauritius

Located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is a true paradise for travelers with its white sandy beaches, its turquoise lagoon and its green nature. However, beyond its landscapes, Mauritius is also rich in a historical and cultural heritage resulting from its successive waves of immigration. Lartisien details here the numerous attractions of this dream destination, for an exceptional stay.

Table of Contents

• A Magnificent Lagoon for All Nautical Activities
• Island Hopping in Mauritius
• Water Sports in Mauritius
• An Abundance of Nature for Hiking and Plant Lovers
• A Historical Heritage and a Great Cultural Mix
• A Culinary Heritage for All Tastes
• Picturesque Villages

Where to Stay:

• One&Only Le Saint Géran: An Exceptional Hotel on the East Coast

A Magnificent Lagoon for All Nautical Activities

Mauritius is known for its fine sandy beaches and its turquoise lagoon offering the possibility to combine relaxation and water sports whatever the season may be. Big game fishing, kite-surfing, water-skiing, snorkeling, scuba diving… All activities are accessible to amateurs and beginners alike.

Island Hopping in Mauritius

Mauritius is surrounded by islands and islets where visitors can go during the day by catamaran or with a private boat. In the north, visitors will find the majestic Coin de Mire, and a little further on the Plate Island and the Gabriel Islet; real havens of peace cut off from the world. In the eastern lagoon, Ile aux Cerfs is a popular destination for tourists, while Ile aux Flamants is a small sandbar lost in the middle of the ocean. In the sublime lagoon of Pointe d’Esny, to the southeast, Ile aux Aigrettes contains protected endemic fauna and flora. To the west, it is the Crystal Rock, a small rock set like a diamond on the turquoise blue of the ocean, which fascinates travelers.

Water Sports in Mauritius

Mauritius is also a haven for water sports enthusiasts. The Blue Bay Marine Park is a popular spot for snorkeling, offering a chance to see an abundance of colorful fish and corals. Visitors can also go diving to explore the diverse marine life of Mauritius. To observe dolphins, tourists can head to Tamarin in the west. A seaplane ride is another exciting way to enjoy an exceptional aerial view of the southwestern coast and take in the famous underwater waterfall of Le Morne that is often featured on many postcards.

An Abundance of Nature for Hiking and Plant Lovers

Beyond its beaches and its lagoon, Mauritius has an exceptional nature with endless fields of cane, majestic mountains, large waterfalls and protected nature reserves that are home to endemic fauna and flora.

The south of Mauritius is known to be still preserved, with breathtaking cliffs, its natural bridge overlooking the ocean and the famous beach of Gris Gris. The coast contrasts with the rest of the island, as it is not sheltered by a coral reef; it is absolutely beautiful, but swimming is not recommended.

Le Morne Mountain will thrill any hiking enthusiast and is located in the southwest of the island. It is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this 550-meter-high mountain offers an exceptional panoramic view of the southwest region.

Spread over more than 6500 hectares, the Black River Gorges National Park is also a real paradise for hikers, with an abundance of nature and a river. The 7 waterfalls, also known as the Tamarin Waterfalls, are an easily accessible excursion for travelers. Whether hiking or rappelling with a guide, one discovers an remarkable panorama with seven waterfalls that follow one another, surrounded by a lush forest.

Located in the mountains of the southwest, the village of Chamarel is surrounded by natural beauty. Beyond the authentic charm of this small and remote village, there is a huge waterfall whose 83 meters waterfall can be admired, as well as a natural curiosity that fascinates travelers: the land of the 7 colors and its sand dunes of various shades that contrast with the green forest.

The less adventurous can visit the Garden of Pamplemousses: a botanical garden that extends over 37 hectares, known worldwide, and visited in the past by great personalities who planted their own tree like Nelson Mandela, French President François Mitterrand or Indira Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India.

A Historical Heritage and a Great Cultural Mix

Mauritius has experienced successive waves of colonization and immigration which have left it a rich historical heritage, as well as a multicultural people who live in perfect harmony.

There are beautiful colonial style houses, such as the Château de Labourdonnais in the north of the island, accessible to visitors who wish to experience the art of living of yesteryear. The Tea Route is also a journey back in time in three stages, through the visit of beautiful colonial houses: the Domaine des Aubineaux, the Domaine de Bois Chéri and the Domaine de Saint Aubin.

These historical places invite travelers to immerse themselves in the richness of Mauritius through its flagship products such as sugar, essential oils and rum, not to mention its magnificent tea plantations.

A Culinary Heritage for All Tastes

Mauritius is at the crossroads of cultures and religions. This harmony fascinates travelers who discover temples, churches, mosques and pagodas only a few meters away, while tasting culinary delights with diverse influences at every corner. Port-Louis, the capital of Mauritius, is known worldwide as a great street-food destination where the diverse flavors and cultures of the island meet.

The central market of Port-Louis, where Mauritians buy fruits and vegetables at low cost, remains a picturesque attraction for travelers. The capital is also a historical place as there are museums telling the history of the island as well as the Citadel, also called Fort Adelaide, which for decades protected Mauritius from enemy attacks, and today offers a panoramic view of the capital.

The cultural mix of Mauritius is reflected in its gastronomy that can be tasted through street food but also at the table of Mauritian chefs. In Moka, in the center of the island, l’Escale Créole is a restaurant run by a mother and her daughter and offers authentic Creole cuisine. In the north, in Trou aux Biches, Le Pescatore is a Mauritian gastronomic reference with a sea view. Perched on the heights of its authentic village, Le Chamarel is a restaurant offering an incomparable panoramic view of the west coast of the island.

Picturesque Villages

In the north of the island, Grand Baie is the seaside village par excellence, particularly lively at night during weekends. You can find beautiful handicrafts, Mauritian specialties and exotic fruits to taste on the beach. Known for its charming little church with a red roof that offers a sublime view of the northern islands and the bay crowded with pirogues, Cap Malheureux is a charming little village to visit. On the east coast, Trou D’Eau Douce is a fishing village that stands out for its authentic charm and its particularly calm pace of life.

Coastal city in the southeast, Mahébourg is a landmark of the island, witnessing various waves of colonization and some historical conflicts. There, visitors can find the vestiges of the past, whether in the old Creole houses or at the Pointe Canon, which bears its name well, since one can discover old cannons pointing to the horizon.

Where to Stay in Mauritius

One&Only Le Saint Géran: An Exceptional Hotel on the East Coast

Located on the unspoiled east coast, One&Only Le Saint Géran is one of the most prestigious hotels in Mauritius. This 5-star hotel is set in a paradisiacal setting, on a private peninsula between the lagoon and the ocean, and guarantees total disconnection and immersion in Mauritian tropical life.

It brings together a selection of offers and experiences for an ideal stay, whether as a couple or as a family. Excursions in the mangroves by kayak or standup paddle, hikes (to Morne Brabant, Tamarin Falls, Black River Gorges…), scuba diving, yacht cruises, deep-sea fishing (barracudas, marlin, giant trevally), cooking classes with market products, tennis matches.

One&Only Le Saint Géran offers 143 rooms, suites and villa. It has a contemporary and relatively uncluttered residential style, with the main décor being the views of the lagoon or the ocean highlighted by large windows. The cream tones associated with natural wood, only enhanced by touches of blue and green, create a most soothing setting. The hotel features Villa One, a two-bedroom villa with a terrace and a 40 m2 private pool.

One&Only Le Saint Géran’s 6 restaurants invite guests to discover gourmet cuisine prepared by top international chefs in a warm Mauritian atmosphere.

Tapasake is a pan-Asian tapas restaurant – from Japanese specialties to Iberian touches – where the show is as much about the choreography of the preparation of the dishes by the chefs observable from the open kitchen, as it is about the sublime view of the lagoon.

La Terrasse offers Creole cuisine with French influences. Spices, garlic notes and local sugar are the order of the day. While the Prime is the hotel’s grill and offers Angus and Wagyu beef as well as seafood in an elegant, wooded hacienda-bistro setting.

La Pointe is the hotel’s casual beach restaurant and offers seafood and Mauritian fish barbecues to be enjoyed between the palm trees and the pool on ultra-cosy sofa seats.

Facing the beach, under a badamier, a tropical almond tree, which gives it its name, Le Badamier is also a beach restaurant but more sophisticated than La Pointe, with its small white tablecloths for a romantic dinner. Italian and southern French cuisine is served here.

Finally, L’Artisan is the hipster café at One&Only Le Saint Géran with its casual setting and half-timbered counter, offers a wide range of pastries.

The beautiful spa at One&Only Le Saint Géran offers a multitude of treatments created from local ingredients, cultural traditions, in partnership with the brands Biologique Recherche and ESPA, created from local ingredients, cultural traditions as well as cutting-edge scientific techniques, delivered by excellent therapists in 12 treatment rooms.

Book with Lartisien

Are you ready to book your luxury holiday with Lartisien? Visit Mauritius and its glorious landscapes soon. We provide a full turnkey service to enable you to explore the breathtaking island and its white sandy beaches.