Exploring the Natural Wonders of Mauritius by Land, Sea and Air

Mauritius is a place most of us have heard of by now. It conjures up images of palm trees, remote beaches and turquoise waters perfect for swimming. All of that is true, obviously, but there’s arguably more to do here than other destinations like the Seychelles or the Maldives. There’s a lot to be said for the relaxing holidays we all want from time to time, but if you are travelling to this quiet corner of the Indian Ocean, here are some of the other things you should consider doing.

This trip was something of a homecoming for me. As a travel writer and journalist I’ve flown to many places in the last few years, and felt welcome in every continent I’ve been to, but there’s a special place in my heart for Mauritius. I grew up here, and still have family on the island, so it was unsurprising that as soon as I landed from my flight from London I was speaking fluent(ish) creole to the friendly immigration staff at the airport.

Other airlines travel direct from Europe via Germany and France with many alternatives available through Africa and Dubai.

You’ll arrive at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in the southeast corner of the country. This is roughly 50 km from the capital Port Louis and the island as a whole is about the size of Greater London. There are about 1.3 million permanent residents of Mauritius, so only a tenth of the amount of people you’ll find in the British capital. Travelling by road is relatively easy and you can book taxis everywhere. There are buses to many parts of the island including popular areas like Grand Baie, Flic en Flak, Blue Bay and Mahebourg.

Most people who plan on exploring the many different areas of Mauritius will either hire a car or even better hire a driver with their own vehicle for the duration of their stay. The roads are safe but getting around on your own can be tricky as narrow country lanes and twisty ascents to some of the quieter destinations are unavoidable. Some journeys can look short on a map but can take hours in reality, so be prepared for some lengthy travel times and factor that into your schedules.

The Residence Mauritius is situated on the east coast in Belle Mare. Inspired by the island’s turn-of-the-century plantation houses, this luxury resort blends modern elegance with classic, colonial inspired style that envelops you in an endearing sense of nostalgia. The spa and wellness offerings onsite at The Sanctuary are a particular highlight, with several zen rooms and treatments available.

For an entirely different experience and one even many locals tend to want themselves, head to Le Morne Brabant. This area has only recently been developed and hotels are opening here at a rapid pace. Le Morne itself is a large basaltic monolith with a haunting past. The roads approaching it are of the difficult to traverse type I previously mentioned but the unnerving beauty of the region is undeniable. It has both UNESCO and UNTWO recognition for natural and cultural significance.

Paradis Beachcomber is a spectacular golf resort on the peninsula which is just as welcoming to non-golfers as it to those who have picked up the sport. Mauritius has embraced golf in recent years with many courses opening across the island, and this is regarded as one of the best. The food is outstanding with new restaurants like Zest joining favourites like Blue Marlin. You will notice a very different vibe in this part of Mauritius as it feels almost Caribbean at times, and this relaxed atmosphere is carried throughout the property too. Beach bars, water activities and hundreds of beachfront rooms are all part of the experience.

Port Louis is the central hub of the island. Many malls, markets and entertainment centres can be found here although expect some of these to add a tourist premium if you look out of place. Essentially some friendly haggling is expected, but prices in general are significantly lower in Mauritius than elsewhere. Le Caudan Waterfront is on the harbour and is a great spot to meet friends, shop for souvenirs and start your adventure.

The quality of local products is exceptional and you can find high end craft stores or locally distilled rum everywhere. Get a local to take you to one of the tax free shops that can be found off some of the main roads and you might need to book extra luggage space for your return flight!

Street food stalls and vendors serve a mix of Indian, Creole and Chinese cuisine, and that’s the general influence on everything on the island. Mauritian delicacies you have to try are Dhal Puri (a dhal roti served with kidney beans and a tomato sauce), Gateaux Pimet (fried chilli cakes) and every type of rice dish imaginable. Food is generally served with a mild spiciness with extra pickles and chillis as a condiment. Don’t be surprised to get chai served here with every meal, and the combination of flavours works really well.

If you do end up in Port Louis you can also take a ride on the Metro Express, a new rail system which can take you from the capital to Curepipe. The initial resistance to such a transport network has quickly disappeared and there are (very early) plans to extend this across Mauritius in the coming years.

Let’s be honest, no one is coming to Mauritius to ride the public transport system, so let’s dive back into the food scene. Amari by Vineet is located at LUX* Belle Mare that serves award-winning Indian cuisine in spectacular surroundings. The food is exceptional, but the whole set up throughout the property is so relaxed that you will want to enjoy a few drinks here too.

To get a better insight into Mauritian history take a trip to L’adventure du Sucre, where you can learn about the formation of the nation through its most important export. The sugar industry was the main export for centuries and this former refining factory is a fun excursion where you can also try some rum and honey.

Initially I thought the idea of exploring a country I knew relatively well via different modes of transport would be a little gimmicky, but thankfully I was proven wrong. We had planned a few hikes as part of our itinerary but instead we traversed the terrain on four wheels, and that was a winning combination!

Les Vallée des Couleurs Nature Park is a 23-coloured earth area that was discovered on the 4th of July 1998. It has become one of the most famous and unique attractions of the island, which fascinates Mauritians as well as tourists. Cascade Vacoas, Cascade Bois de Natte, Cascade Cheveux d’Ange and Cascade Chamouzé are the four waterfalls here and they offer a great chance to be at one with nature. We were lucky enough to be able to take a quad bike tour and you can follow a guide at your own pace. If you want to take to the air, there is a chance to zip line through the forests and even into one of the waterfalls.

Also on terra firma was our trip to the Ebony Forrest in Chamarel. Taking a jeep up, you feel like you’re entering Jurassic Park as the ancient trees and endemic plant species begin to drown out all sounds and absorb ambient light.

The sea element of this trip is pretty easy to achieve on an island. The waters everywhere are incredible and thanks to a natural coral reef that surrounds the majority of Mauritius its very safe and clean. Beachside hotels have their own pools but the sea is just so enticing you’ll want to spend your time swimming, snorkelling and taking part in other waters based activities in the Indian Ocean. Ile aux Bénitiers is a remote island and rocky outcrop which is only accessible by small boats. There are bookable day trips which will also take you to Crystal Rock and if you leave early enough you can also swim with pods of dolphins! Treat the mammals as a bonus as obviously they won’t be abiding by your schedules.

The highlight of this trip, and one of the best things any traveller can experience first hand, is the Underwater Waterfall off the coast of Le Morne. This natural phenomenon is essentially a trick of the light as sediment drifts off the beaches and converges in a deceptive formation that looks like a waterfall. Don’t let the technical explanation put you off, however, it literally looks like a deep waterfall in the ocean.

We took a helicopter from Paradis Beachcomber for a 20 minute trip around Le Morne, over the ‘waterfall’ and also got a glimpse at Chamarel’s 7 Coloured Earth from the air. This is the other must-see natural phenomenon the island has to offer, and having seen it from the ground before I can thoroughly recommend the ariel option if you can take it.

Mauritius has so many facets to it that a short trip will only give you a flavour of the many incredible things you can do here. What was surprising, however, was that even with a packed five day itinerary I was able to enjoy the relaxing beaches and time in the calming ocean. A smart plan, walking shoes and a little insider knowledge are all you need to explore this paradise island and its unmatched treasures.