If you are searching for ‘What are the things to do in Mauritius’, then Mauritius must have swept away your heart by now. We are guessing that you might be heading towards the planning phase for your Mauritius trip. Well, congratulations, because you have selected one of the beautiful places on earth.
As rightly said by Mark Twain in his travelogue, ‘Mauritius was made first, and then heaven; and that heaven was copied after Mauritius’, this place is beautiful even when you are not doing anything. But, visiting Mauritius and not doing anything is something that we do not suggest. Because of the sheer variety of things to do in Mauritius, if you are simply at your resort, then you must be missing out on something interesting!
That’s why this blog gives you 10 things to do whenever you are in Mauritius.
Sugar Museum (L’Aventure du Sucre)
This is consciously put at place 1, because of the importance it holds in the lives of Mauritian people. Situated at L’Aventure du Sucre, the museum is a place that reminds people that during the 1960s, sugarcane accounted for one-third of the country’s GDP.
You can still see the machinery here that made Mauritius the global leader in the sugar industry. After a 2-hour journey through how sugar is made, the experience ends with a rum tasting at the museum. This is one kind of experience, where you connect with the history of locals and end up with something amazing.
Vallée des Couleurs Nature Park (The 23 Colored Earth)
We know that you have heard about the Seven Colored Earth at Chamarel, and that is an amazing place to be. However, if you want to see the beauty of colored earth while also indulging in some adrenaline activities, then we’d suggest you visit Vallée des Couleurs in the south of Mauritius. This place has 23 different shades of earth that have existed for millions of years due to the deposition of minerals. You can actually see the colors shift due to the sunlight, and the contrast is often more vivid here.
Now, for the adventure part. This nature park is not just a lookout spot. You can zipline through the canopy with views of the colored earth below, quad bike through jungle trails that wind through lush vegetation, cross the suspended Nepalese bridge for that adrenaline rush, or try the mountain luge kart if you want something less intense. The park also has a small geology museum and a restaurant on-site. Spend a full day here and you will understand why it’s worth the detour.
Note: Activity pricing and availability may vary; check directly with the park for current rates or connect with JustWravel who can make a customised holiday trip to Mauritius for you.
Île aux Cerfs
Located off the east coast, Île aux Cerfs is a private island that is a favorite among travelers visiting Mauritius. The journey itself is part of the charm. You have the choice to either take a public ferry from Trou d’Eau Douce or a catamaran cruise that includes snorkeling stops along the way. Once you reach the island, you will find white sandy beaches with shallow, turquoise lagoons that invite you to simply sit and do nothing, or do everything.
If relaxation is your goal, grab a sunbed, order a drink from one of the beach bars, and let the afternoon drift by. If you want more, the island offers parasailing, water skiing, wakeboarding, and glass-bottom boat rides to see the coral reefs below.
There’s also an 18-hole championship golf course designed by Bernhard Langer if you want to swing with ocean views. The catamaran tours often include lunch and unlimited drinks, making it a full day without much planning needed.
Suggested Read: Best Time to Reach Mauritius
Pamplemousses Botanical Garden
Located near Port Louis, this 37-hectare garden was established in the 18th century by botanist Pierre Poivre and is often compared to Kew Gardens in London. The difference is that here, tropical plants grow in outdoor settings that resemble their natural habitats. You will walk past giant baobab trees, countless varieties of palms and bamboos, and the famous giant water lily pond where the leaves are large enough to hold a small child (not that you should test this).
The real experience here is the quiet wandering. Fruit bats hang upside down from trees, tropical birds flit through the canopy, and endemic geckos and chameleons move slowly through the undergrowth. If you book a guided tour, your guide will point out the tree that locals believe helps with digestion, or tell you about the Amazonica water lilies that open white and close red the next day. This will make you more curious about nature.
Black River Gorges National Park
We understand not everyone likes to see beaches all the time. And if you are a mountain over beach person, then you must come here. The largest and most beautiful national park on the island covers 6,700 hectares of dense rainforest, rolling mountains, and hidden waterfalls. You can drive to several viewpoints, but the park truly opens up on foot.
There are over 60 kilometers of hiking trails ranging from easy walks to challenging treks. The Black River Peak trail offers views over the entire west coast. The Gorges Viewpoint is a shorter walk that still rewards you with expansive vistas. Along the way, you might spot endemic bird species like the pink pigeon or the echo parakeet. The park has two information centers and picnic areas, so you can make this as relaxed or as active as you want. Many people visit for just a morning hike and leave feeling like they have seen a completely different island.
Aapravasi Ghat (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
Located in Port Louis, Aapravasi Ghat is a UNESCO World Heritage Site documenting indentured labor and global migration. Between 1849 and 1923, over 462,000 laborers, mostly from India, arrived here to work on sugar plantations. Today, more than 70 percent of Mauritius’s population has ancestors who passed through these gates.
The sixteen stone steps are a symbol of the moment these workers first set foot on Mauritian soil. The Beekrumsing Ramlallah Interpretation Centre (BRIC), housed in a restored warehouse, displays immigration records, artifacts, and a ship replica. Walking through connects you with the stories of millions whose resilience shaped this island.
Located a 5-minute walk from Port Louis’s Caudan mall, it’s open Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, and Saturday mornings. Admission is free; guided tours in English, French, and Hindi are available.
Snorkeling in the Lagoons
Mauritius is surrounded by coral reefs, and some of the best snorkeling is just a few meters offshore. Popular snorkeling spots include Blue Bay (known for marine reserves and fish variety), Trou aux Biches on the north coast (shallow and calm), and Flic en Flac on the west coast (accessible and colorful reefs).
Many resorts offer free or low-cost snorkeling trips, and if your hotel is near one of these beaches, you can snorkel on your own with rented gear. The lagoon water is warm, visibility is usually good, and you will see parrotfish, groupers, snappers, and if you are lucky, reef sharks (which are generally harmless and keep their distance). This is something you can do in a single morning and feel like you have touched the real Mauritius.
Local Food Experience
Mauritian food is a blend of French, Indian, Chinese, and African influences, and tasting it is as much a part of the island as the beaches. Head to Port Louis market for street food, or book a table at a local restaurant like Chez Tante Athalie, which serves authentic Mauritian dishes surrounded by brightly colored birds and vintage cars. Try the dholl puri (flatbread with lentils), fresh fish curries, and the local street snack called gato (savory or sweet fritters).
Food tours are available, but honestly, the best meals happen when you follow your nose to a small restaurant where locals are eating. A simple lunch of grilled fish and a cold beer overlooking the lagoon costs a fraction of what resort dining would, and tastes infinitely better.
Staying in a Luxury Resort
Mauritius is famous for its luxury resorts, which are destinations in their own right. These resorts have private beaches with lagoons so clear you can see 30 meters out. A usual day includes breakfast on a terrace, spa treatments, fine dining, and sunset cocktails. You may also indulge in some water sports and island excursions, which can be arranged by the resort.
Even on a budget trip, splurging on one or two nights in a luxury resort creates memories worth the cost. The attention to detail and service let you experience Mauritius with ease that’s hard to find elsewhere.
If you are searching for a good resort in Mauritius and exploring these places as well, check out this package: Le Meridien Maurice – Mauritius Tour Package (6N/7D)
Shopping at Caudan Waterfront
We know that you would require a souvenir. For that, go to Caudan waterfront and do some shopping there. Located in Port Louis on the old docks facing the harbor, Caudan Waterfront is where locals and visitors go to shop, eat, and move between different parts of the island.
The Craft Market is where you actually connect with Mauritian craftsmanship. Thirty-six stalls sell model ships (a world-famous specialty of the island), carved wooden objects, wicker baskets, spices, locally made jewelry, and paintings by local artists.
Walk along the pedestrian alley under hanging colorful umbrellas, watch container ships come in and out of the harbor, then grab food at one of the restaurants or the food court. The Blue Penny Museum is also here if you want to see some of the world’s rarest stamps. It is not a conventional tourist attraction, but it is the real Port Louis.
That’s it. Those are the 12 things that will make your Mauritius trip worth talking about for years. If you want to weave these experiences into a proper itinerary without the stress of planning it yourself, check out our Mauritius tour packages at JustWravel.
Or if you have something specific in mind just reach out to us. We know this island inside out, and we will help you build a trip that feels like it was made just for you.
FAQ’s
To experience all 10 activities mentioned in this guide, you would ideally need 5 to 8 days in Mauritius.
The best time to visit Mauritius is May to December (the Southern Hemisphere winter), when temperatures range from 20-25°C and humidity is lower.
Costs vary depending on how you travel.
Budget travelers can experience most activities for ₹2,500-4,000 per day ($30-50 USD).
Mid-range travelers spending ₹5,000-8,000 per day ($60-100 USD) can add catamaran cruises to Île aux Cerfs (₹2,500-4,000) and guided tours at Pamplemousses or Black River Gorges.
Luxury resort stays range from ₹12,000-25,000 per night depending on the property.
Yes, Mauritius is one of the safest islands in the Indian Ocean for travelers. The crime rate is low, and the activities mentioned in this guide are well-established and regulated. Snorkeling and dolphin swimming operate under strict marine safety protocols. Check travel advisories before your trip, but Mauritius is generally very welcoming to tourists.
Most activities in this blog are accessible to families and older travelers with minor adjustments. Sugar Museum and Aapravasi Ghat are walking-based with little physical demand. Île aux Cerfs offers relaxation on beaches alongside water sports options. Snorkeling can be done at shallow lagoons suitable for beginners.
However, some activities have limitations: Vallée des Couleurs’ quad biking and ziplining require reasonable fitness; Black River Gorges hiking ranges from easy to challenging depending on the trail. Luxury resorts offer age-appropriate services and childcare, making family stays easier.
