Around Mauritius in 3 weeks – tips and experiences
In this post, we take you on our 3-week trip around Mauritius. We introduce our individual stops and show you what there is to discover. You will also find out where we stayed and which restaurants particularly impressed us. Our stay was a mix of nature, beaches, small towns, and culinary highlights and is intended to serve as inspiration and practical guidance for your own trip. For some especially remarkable activities, we have created and linked separate posts. There, you will find more about the process, planning, and costs.
Trou D’eau Douce
After we touched down in Mahébourg, we picked up the rental car right away and headed toward our first stop in Trou d’Eau Douce. The small seaside town is ideal for a trip to Île aux Cerfs as well as a few relaxed beach days. We spent 2 nights here right at the start. The first kilometers on Mauritius were simply breathtaking. We couldn’t stop marveling at the landscape, the turquoise sea, and the endless palm trees along the road.
Pointe Quatre Cocos 🏖️: Our first stop on Mauritius was Pointe Quatre Cocos, a quiet and almost untouched beach on the southeast coast of the island. The water was crystal clear and ideal for a first dip after the long flight. Only a few locals were around, and it almost felt as if we had the beach all to ourselves. Practically the perfect place to arrive relaxed on Mauritius and gather our first impressions of the island.
Catamaran Day Trip / Île aux Cerfs ⛵: The next morning, we started right away with one of the highly promoted catamaran tours. The excursion began with a trip to the Grand River South East Waterfall, which is hidden in the middle of lush greenery. With a bit of luck, you can even spot a few monkeys along the riverbank. Afterward, a freshly prepared lunch with fish, chicken, salads, and fruit was served on the catamaran. In between, we stopped several times for a quick dip in the crystal-clear water. For us, this was the perfect way to discover the island from the sea for the first time. The next stop was the island of Île aux Cerfs. Since many tourists come here, it can seem very crowded right at the harbor. However, after a few minutes of walking to the other side of the island, you will find numerous more secluded bays as well as quiet beach access points and turquoise water. We still wouldn’t recommend a full day trip just to this place. After 2 to 3 hours, you’ve seen everything and start to get bored. Within the framework of the catamaran tour, however, this short stopover was just right.
In Trou d’Eau Douce, we can particularly recommend La Case Poisson and Chez Tino. Both restaurants are located directly across the street from our accommodation. There is a great selection of fresh fish, prawns, and lobster here, which are presented at the table by the waiter in advance. Since both restaurants are very popular and there aren’t many alternatives in this small town anyway, you should definitely reserve a table.
We stayed at La Koquillishe, which is located just a few meters from the beach in the heart of the small village. The absolute highlight is the rooftop terrace. From there, you have a great view of the sea and the sunset. Additionally, breakfast is included in the price, the rooms are air-conditioned, and there is a private parking lot where you can park your car safely. One thing you should know about Mauritius, which we noticed especially here, is the large number of stray dogs. At times, there can be a real “barking concert” at night. This has nothing to do with the accommodation itself, but is common all over the island.
Roches Noires
Our next stop was Roches Noires on the east coast. The area is mainly known for its cliffs and volcanic underground caves and is still pretty much under the radar for most tourists. The drive from Trou d’Eau Douce takes about 35 minutes. Halfway there, you’ll find Belle Mare Beach, which isn’t as crowded as the more famous beaches on Mauritius. If you have some time, it’s worth checking out the Sagar Shiv Mandir Hindu Temple or Poste La Fayette Public Beach along the way. We stayed here for one night.
Belle Mare Beach🏖️: Belle Mare Beach is located right on the way to Roches Noires. With crystal-clear water, white sand, and very few tourists, this beach is a little hidden gem. It’s perfect for a quick stop to cool off, take some photos, and just enjoy the moment under a palm tree.
Cliffs & Snorkeling 🌊: Along the cliffs, the water is exceptionally clear, making it perfect for exploring the underwater world. There are several small bays that are easily accessible on foot, so you can almost always find a quiet spot off the beaten path. If you happen to forget your snorkeling gear, you can just stop by the nearby Decathlon to stock up, which is exactly what we did.
Since there are only a few restaurants in Roches Noires, we just threw some meat and vegetables on the grill in the evening with a few other guests from our accommodation. The next morning, we picked up coffee and fresh pastries from Patisserie Le Fournil and had breakfast right by the sea.
Because of its size, there are very few places to stay in Roches Noires. For our one-night stay, we booked a waterfront apartment at Canari Waterfront Villas. The property has its own pool and a large garden where you can escape the midday heat in the shade of the palm trees. Since you are on the east coast of the island, you get a beautiful view of the sunrise. The view from Poste Lafayette Beach View is truly stunning.
Pereybere
Our next stop was Pereybere. This small town on the north coast of Mauritius is especially famous for its beach and the red-roofed church, Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice. Pereybere is located right by the sea and, compared to our previous stops, finally offers a bit more infrastructure again. You’ll find a great selection of cafes, supermarkets, and little shops here that are perfect for a stroll.
Pereybere Beach🏖️: As one of the most famous beaches around, Pereybere Beach is quite lively, but still offers enough space to relax in the sun for a few hours. The water here is particularly calm and clear, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling. There are sun loungers, a few small bars, and street food stalls right on the beach where you can grab a bite to eat without spending much.
Notre Dame Auxiliatrice⛪: This small red-roofed church is located right by the sea and is one of the most famous landmarks on Mauritius. From there, you have a beautiful view of the bay and the offshore islands. The church is a great spot for photos and you can also watch the fishermen cleaning their catch, browse the small jewelry stalls, and just soak in the atmosphere.
Bain Boeuf Public Beach🌴: Just a few minutes further along lies the public beach of Bain Boeuf. The water is calm, and the view of the island Coin de Mire is truly beautiful. While it’s not your typical all-day swimming spot, it is great for a short stroll or a relaxing break by the water.
The food scene in Pereybere has a bit more of a Western touch. You’ll find plenty of restaurants offering everything from sushi and pizza to simple international dishes. For lunch, we usually just grabbed a quick snack from the supermarket or picked up some fresh fruit from the roadside stalls.
We stayed at Pereybere Studio, a sea-view apartment located right across from the beach. The place is a bit dated, but the location is very practical. You’re just a few steps from the water and have a few shops and restaurants right around the corner. We spent a total of 3 nights here, which gave us enough time to check out the beaches and highlights in the north.
Mont Choisy
Our next stop was Mont Choisy on the northwest coast of Mauritius. There’s definitely more going on here than in Pereybere, but there’s also more to see in the area, and the tourists are more spread out. This makes it the perfect base to explore the local sights while still getting in some beach time. Unfortunately, we caught a few rainy days here, but looking back, we definitely made the most of it.
Pamplemousses Botanical Garden🌿: The botanical garden is one of the classic tourist spots. You’ll find giant water lilies, plants from all over the world, and a good sense of just how green Mauritius really is. To be honest, the park wasn’t a real highlight for us. However, for a quick 2-hour visit to pass the time, it’s not too bad.
Mont Choisy Beach🏖️: A seemingly endless, wide sandy beach with calm water, located just 3 minutes from our accommodation. It’s perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Even though the beach is quite popular, it’s so incredibly spacious that you never feel crowded. We loved coming here in the late afternoon after our excursions to wind down and relax.
Le Pouce Wanderung⛰️: Actually, we did not have Le Pouce on our plan at all, but because of the bad weather, we squeezed the hike in spontaneously. In retrospect, this turned out to be our absolute highlight. Depending on which side you come from, the ascent is a bit more difficult, but the wide view over the island is really worth it.
Maheswarnath Mandir🌴: In this small temple complex, you can visit various shrines dedicated to different Hindu deities. Admission is free, making the temple perfect for a quick stop.
La Cuvette & Trou aux Biches Beach🌴: Both beaches are just a few minutes’ drive away and offer a great variety. La Cuvette is rather small and quiet, while Trou aux Biches is much wider and perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
In and around Mont Choisy the food options are pretty laid back. It is quite international. You can find pizza, pasta, fish or grilled dishes on every corner. For lunch we usually grabbed some Mine Frit or samosas from the street stalls or just got supplies from the supermarket and fruit stands.
We stayed at the Choisy Beach Resort. With direct beach access and several restaurants nearby that are within walking distance the accommodation is very practically located. If you want to explore the northwest coast in peace and watch the sunset from the pool in the evening this is a great starting point. Price wise we paid 50 Euros per night and person.
Port Louis
After a few days in the north we headed to Port Louis the capital of Mauritius. The contrast to the relaxed coastal towns is immediately noticeable. It is louder, more hectic and full of bustle. However it is also exactly the place where you can experience daily life on the island firsthand. Everywhere there are streets full of markets and crafts as well as diverse smells and languages from people of different cultures. Port Louis is definitely not a place for lounging by the sea but for experiencing the real Mauritius.
Food Tour🍽️: In Port Louis we took a guided street food tour through the city which we can highly recommend. The route leads around the Central Market and through Chinatown. In addition to local dishes like Dholl Puri, Roti or Gateaux Piment you also learn a lot of exciting things about the history of the island. For us it was the perfect way to explore the city and discover the culinary diversity at the same time.
Central Market🛍️: The central market is pretty much the heart of the city. Here you can find fresh fruit, local spices, tea and snacks. It is loud and crowded but that is exactly what makes the atmosphere. We sampled our way through the fruit stalls and picked up a few spices.
Caudan Waterfront⛲: The Waterfront is the modern face of Port Louis with restaurants and cafes as well as boutiques and a promenade right by the sea. It is the perfect place for a short break to escape the bustle of the city for a few minutes.
Sunset🌅: Another highlight is the Falaise de Montagne Jacquot. This spot is mainly known for cliff jumping but also offers a vast view over the city and the harbor. A short detour here is especially worth it at sunset.
In Port Louis we mainly sampled the street food. You can find Dholl Puri, Roti or fried noodles everywhere at small stalls. These are the perfect dishes when you want something quick, affordable and good. The Le Caudan Waterfront shopping center also offers a few simple restaurants with a view of the water. Since we stayed a bit outside of Port Louis we do not have any detailed recommendations here. However in the capital it should be easiest to find something decent to eat.
We stayed a bit outside of Port Louis in a small designer studio with its own pool. The Sand Yacht is completely glazed and offers a wonderful view of the sunrise. It is best to just leave the curtains open overnight. You can park your rental car directly in the driveway.
Black River und Tamarin
In Black River the sea meets the mountains directly which makes the area quite diverse. The region around Tamarin and Flic en Flac is perfect for boat tours on the water or hikes in nature. The atmosphere here is very relaxed and feels less touristy than in the north or south of the island. Especially Tamarin gave us chilly surfer town vibes.
Kayak dolphin tour🐬: The Bay of Tamarin is known for surfing and dolphin watching. We decided on a kayak tour which was really fun in itself. However since other tour operators with motorboats were also out in the bay it became really stressful in the end. The whole thing was more of a constant rushing around than a relaxed sunrise tour.
Surfing🏄♂️: The Tamarin Bay is one of the few and well known surf spots on Mauritius. The waves are moderate and ideal for beginners or intermediates. There are several small surf schools right on the beach that rent out boards and offer lessons.
Black River Gorges Nationalpark / 7 Cascades Waterfalls🌿: The national park is the green heart of the west coast and offers numerous hikes through dense forest past viewpoints and waterfalls. The perfect change from beach and sea. The well known 7 Cascades are also located in the national park.
Swimming with Whales🐋: Near Tamarin there are also tours offered where with a bit of luck you can experience sperm whales in the wild further out on the open sea. The excursions are accompanied by experienced guides who use sonar to try and locate the animals while ensuring that animal welfare is the top priority. An experience that you should definitely have taken part in.
Flic en Flac Beach🌅: Flic en Flac is one of the most famous beaches on Mauritius with shallow clear water and a very relaxed atmosphere. During the day the beach is ideal for swimming and in the evening it is one of the best places to watch the sunset over the sea.
In Tamarin we mainly ate at the street stalls in the bay. Especially good are the Mine Bouille, a simple noodle soup with vegetables or chicken, and Boulettes, small steamed dumplings. If you prefer to go out for dinner in the evening you will also find some good restaurants in the area. We can recommend the Medium Rare Steakhouse in Tamarin and the Beach Shack in Flic en Flac with a direct view of the sea. Since our accommodation had a small kitchen and a grill we also partly catered for ourselves.
We stayed at Ti Bout Paradi in Black River, a small quiet treehouse in the middle of town. The location was ideal as Tamarin, Flic en Flac and also the Black River National Park are only a few minutes away by car.
La Gaulette
After a few days on the west coast we continued to La Gaulette in the southwest. The place is quieter and less touristythan Flic en Flac but its location is perfect for exploring the most famous corners of the island. Between mountains and white beach this is scenically one of the most beautiful sections on Mauritius. In the southwest there is probably the most to see. A few things like the Bois Cheri Tea Factory, the Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, the Alexandra Falls or the La Prairie Beach were on our list but we did not manage to do them due to time.
Le Morne Brabant⛰️: The hike up Le Morne is one of the most impressive activities on the island. The ascent takes about 2 to 3 hours and is steep in places but manageable with a head for heights. Once at the top you are rewarded with a vast view over the lagoons the Indian Ocean and the green hinterland. Since you are completely exposed to the sun here you should start early in the morning before it gets too hot.
Le Morne Beach🏖️: Directly below the mountain lies one of the most beautiful beaches on Mauritius. White sand and clear water with the striking rock in the background make the beach an ideal place for swimming and relaxing after the hike.
Rochester Falls🌴: One of the most famous waterfalls in the south of the island which you reach via a short bumpy road. The waterfall is situated completely in the greenery and perfect for a quick refreshment in the cool water.
Chamarel & Seven Colored Earths🌈: The Seven Coloured Earth are colored sand dunes that glow in different tones depending on the light however you should not set your expectations too high. Most pictures online are completely edited and the whole place is geared towards tourism to the maximum.
Le aux Bénitiers & Crystal Rock🪸: From La Gaulette there are several tours to Île aux Bénitiers and the Crystal Rock which rises out of the sea in the middle of shallow water where you can snorkel well in front of the island or simply enjoy the view of Le Morne.
In La Gaulette there are several small local eateries and take-aways with simple Mauritian cuisine where you can find almost everything from fresh fish to grilled chicken and curry. If you prefer to cook for yourself there is also a small supermarket in town.
We stayed at Arkenstone Studio 01 where depending on the time of year you can watch the sun setting from the balcony. The apartment is located quite well overall and is the perfect base to reach all the places in the area relatively quickly.
Mahébourg
Mahébourg is located in the southeast of Mauritius and is the former capital of the island. In contrast to the tourist regions in the north and west it is much quieter and more authentic here. On the way from La Gaulette there are several highlights such as St. Felix Public Beach Gris Gris Beach the Rochester Falls as well as the restaurant Le Saint Aubin and the impressive rock formation Pont Naturel.
Pont Naturel🏝️: We discovered the volcanic cliffs more by chance when we turned onto a bumpy road towards the coast on the way to Mahébourg but the detour was definitely worth it.
Blue Bay Beach & Marine Park🏝️: Blue Bay offers a beautiful beach and with its protected Marine Bay it is probably the best place on the island for snorkeling as the water is extremely clear and you can see colorful fish right at the shore. Especially in the morning it is still nice and quiet so you can enjoy the underwater world in a very relaxed way.
In Mahébourg you will find small local eateries and street food stalls on every corner with really good Dholl Puri or Rotithat you can take directly in your hand. There are hardly any large restaurants here but instead authentic food at fair prices which is ideal if you just want to grab a small bite in the evening and end the day in a relaxed way.
We stayed at Auberge SeaFever a small well kept guesthouse in a central location. The rooms are simple clean and comfortable. The accommodation is close to the beach the market and the sights which made it the perfect base for our last stop on Mauritius.
