10 REASONS WHY MAURITIUS SHOULD BE
ON YOUR BUCKET LIST
Mauritius is a beautiful island nation known for its beaches, palm trees and turquoise waters. Anyone looking for an island getaway would be crazy to pass up a chance to explore this beautiful island. Here are 10 reasons why Mauritius should be at the top of your holiday bucket list!
- Incredible White Beaches and Turquoise Seas
The beaches of Mauritius are some of the most picturesque in the world. Imagine clear blue water, palm trees, and a cocktail in your hand. Sound like heaven, right?
There are almost too many beaches here to choose from, but each one is equally beautiful. From secret beaches hidden in the coconut trees to long, impressive stretches of white sand, the beaches on the main island never disappoint.
2. Snorkel Warm Coral Reefs
As you would expect in any tropical paradise, snorkeling is a must do activity in Mauritius. There are vast expanses of coral reef just a meter from sea level where colorful fish can always be found.
Like their beaches, there are too many beautiful lagoons to list them all.
Some of the most popular places for snorkeling are Trou aux Biches in the North West, Belle Mare and Ile aux Cerfs in the East and Blue Bay Marine Park in the South.
3. Stand and wonder at the Seven Coloured Earths & its stunningly beautiful Waterfall
One of the most unusual natural wonders you’ll ever see is the Seven Coloured Earths found in Chamarel. These are sand dunes with different hues of reds, browns and blues due to different ore deposits in the earth. Randomly, despite the fact they’re classified as sand dunes, they never erode away despite Mauritius’ tropical rains.
Next door to the Seven Coloured Earths is Chamarel Waterfall. Standing at 95m, this is the tallest waterfall in Mauritius and it’s well worth visiting on any trip to the island.
4. History & Culture – Ganga Talao ‘Grand Bassin’
High above sea level in the highland plains of Mauritius, Ganga Talao is a serene and beautiful crater lake and pilgrimage site for the island’s Hindu population. The lake, also known as Grand Bassin, sits in the isolated mountains of the Savanne district, deep in the Mauritian hinterland.
Apart from the wonderful scenery, Ganga Talao consist of several temples dedicated to Hindu Gods and Goddesses, including a 33-m (108-ft) tall Shiva Statue. There is a little hike up to a peak where you can enjoy views of the lake and surroundings.
5. The Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens – SSR Gardens
After London's Kew Gardens, the SSR Gardens is one of the world's best botanical gardens. It's among the most popular tourist attractions in Mauritius and easily reached from almost anywhere on the island. The centrepiece of the gardens is a pond filled with giant Victoria amazonica water lilies, native to South America.
Palms constitute the most important part of the horticultural display, and they come in an astonishing variety of shapes and forms. Another highlight is the abundant birdlife – watch for the crimson hues of the Madagascar fody – while there are captive populations of deer and around a dozen giant Aldabra tortoises near the park's northern exit.
6. Eat like a Local – Port Louis Food Tour
Mauritian food is a unique mix of African, Indian, and Chinese cuisines. Stop along the road where local people are having lunch and try their great food. Experience Mauritius through a food tour to Port Louis, not only do you get to eat your way through the capital but you get to learn all about the history and culture of the country too!
7. Taste the Island’s Rums
Similar to the Caribbean islands, Mauritius also has a good reputation for its rum production. Tucked away on the south side of the island is the Saint Aubin Rum Distillery – one of the island’s best distilleries. They make high quality rums, with a mix of flavours, some incorporating the island’s abundant spices. As well as picking up a few bottles, you can tour the distillery and sample some of their collection.
8. A visit to Mahebourg Village
Mauritius travel will not be complete if you do not visit the relatively undeveloped south section of the island. Since the majority of this area has no beach it is visited less by tourists and therefore has less development. This leaves it as the most untouched portion of the Mauritius island and is the best place to see in Mauritius to get a glimpse of true Mauritian life.
It has magnificent scenery and some of the wildest landscapes in the country all along the coastal road from Souillac to Le Morne. You will also see the Mauritius attraction of Ile aux Aigrettes, the amazing Lion Mountain and the town of Mahebourg along the way that you will want to visit.
As one of the main fishing villages of the nation, Mahebourg is located in the southern section of the island and on the amazing Grand Port Bay. This is definitely one of the places to visit in Mauritius to get a real feel of the true Mauritians with less outside influence.
9. Experience the Underwater Waterfall Helicopter Tour
An Exclusive Helicopter Sightseeing Tour to the Underwater Waterfall of Mauritius - the best invitation to sublimate your holiday experience! The beautiful underwater waterfall, an optical illusion, is located near the shores of Le Morne Brabant in the South-West of Mauritius. The illusion is the result from the movement of sand and silt sediments under the influence of powerful underwater currents.
The view of the underwater waterfall is absolutely breathtaking when seen from a helicopter and by many it is considered a true wonder not to be missed.
10. Hike Le Morne Brabant
This UNESCO world heritage site offers everything you could want in a destination. A physically challenging and stress relieving hike to get your heart pumping, beautiful views of the country and a rich history. It is still a beautiful sanctuary for all who visit and a reminder of the struggle against slavery. It has become one of the most iconic hikes on the island, with easy to follow paths and unparalleled views of the South West Coast.