Things to Do in Mauritius: 12 Picks with Costs

Quick answer

The top things to do in Mauritius are a catamaran day to Île aux Cerfs, the south-west circuit of Ganga Talao, Black River Gorges and Chamarel's Seven Coloured Earth, a Le Morne hike, Port Louis and Aapravasi Ghat, and the Pamplemousses botanical garden. Add an undersea walk, a dolphin or whale trip and the north-coast beaches. Paid excursions cost about ₹4,000–9,000 per person.

12 things worth your time in Mauritius

01
Île aux Cerfs catamaran day
Day trip
Sail through the east-coast lagoon to an island ringed by shallow turquoise water, with a stop at the Grand River South East waterfall. The barbecue lunch on board is the classic Mauritius day out.
Full dayAbout ₹4,500–8,000 (EUR 45–80) per person with lunch
Ask for a vegetarian lunch when booking — standard menus are fish and chicken. Parasailing and water sports on the island cost extra.
02
Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth and waterfall
Nature
Dunes of red, violet and ochre volcanic soil that stay in separate bands, plus the roughly 100 m Chamarel Falls a short walk away.
1–2 hoursAbout ₹700–1,000 (MUR 350–550) per adult
Arrive before 11 am to beat the tour coaches, and combine with the Black River Gorges viewpoint on the same road.
03
Ganga Talao (Grand Bassin)
Landmark
A crater lake sacred to Mauritian Hindus, with the 33 m Mangal Mahadev statue of Shiva near the entrance and temples around the shore. For many Indian travellers, the most moving stop on the island.
1 hourFree
Dress modestly and remove footwear at the shrines. Monkeys snatch food and prasad.
04
Black River Gorges National Park
Nature
Forested gorges, the Alexandra Falls viewpoint and marked trails through native forest, home to the once nearly extinct pink pigeon and Mauritius kestrel.
2–4 hoursFree
Trails turn muddy after rain; carry water and start before noon.
05
Le Morne Brabant hike
Nature
A UNESCO-listed mountain that sheltered escaped slaves in the 18th and 19th centuries. The summit view takes in the lagoon and the famous 'underwater waterfall' illusion offshore.
3–4 hoursGuided about ₹4,000–6,000 (EUR 40–60); free on your own to the lower viewpoint
The upper section is a steep scramble that needs a guide — skip it with young children or seniors.
06
Port Louis and Aapravasi Ghat
Landmark
Aapravasi Ghat, a UNESCO site, is where about half a million indentured labourers, many from present-day Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, landed between 1849 and 1923. Add the Central Market and the Caudan Waterfront.
Half dayFree
Go on a weekday — many Port Louis shops close early on Saturday and stay shut on Sunday.
07
SSR Botanical Garden, Pamplemousses
Nature
Giant Victoria water lilies, talipot palms and spice trees in an 18th-century garden named after Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, the country's first prime minister.
1.5–2 hoursAbout ₹500–600 (MUR 250–300)
Hire one of the licensed guides at the gate; the garden makes far more sense with one.
08
Undersea walk, Grand Baie
Experience
A helmet supplies air so non-swimmers can walk on the seabed at 3–4 m and feed fish. Popular with parents and children aged about seven and up.
2 hours (about 25 minutes underwater)About ₹5,000–7,000 (EUR 50–70)
Not suitable if you have ear, sinus or heart problems.
09
Dolphin and whale trip, Tamarin
Nature
Spinner and bottlenose dolphins visit Tamarin Bay in the early morning, and humpback whales pass from about July to October.
Half dayAbout ₹5,000–9,000 (EUR 50–90)
Choose operators that limit boats and do not chase dolphins; a watching-only trip is the gentler option.
10
Casela Nature Park
Experience
Safari drives, zip lines and a large aviary near Flic en Flac — an easy half day with children.
Half dayEntry about ₹1,900–3,000; safaris and zip lines extra
Close-contact big-cat encounters raise welfare concerns; the safari drive is a better choice.
11
L'Aventure du Sucre
Landmark
A museum in an old sugar mill that tells the story of sugar, slavery and indenture — useful context after Aapravasi Ghat — with a tasting of unrefined sugars.
1.5–2 hoursAbout ₹1,000–1,500 (MUR 550–800)
It is next to the Pamplemousses garden, so do both together.
12
Trou aux Cerfs crater, Curepipe
Landmark
A dormant volcanic crater with a ring road and views across the island's interior. Cooler and often misty — a quick stop on the way south.
1 hourFree
Go in the morning; cloud usually rolls in by afternoon.

How to plan sightseeing in Mauritius

Mauritius is small — about 65 km from north to south — but roads are slow and many sights sit inland. Most travellers base themselves on one coast and take three day tours: north (Port Louis, Pamplemousses), south (Ganga Talao, Black River Gorges, Chamarel) and an east-coast catamaran day. Add at least one free beach day.

Which experiences suit Indian families?

Ganga Talao and its temples are a highlight for many Indian travellers, and the island's Indian heritage runs through Aapravasi Ghat, the Port Louis market and roadside dholl puri stalls. Undersea walks, catamaran days and Casela suit children. For parents, the south tour is long but mostly by car with short walks.

Paid excursions at a glance

Tour	Typical cost per person
Île aux Cerfs catamaran	₹4,500–8,000
Private south tour by car (shared by four)	₹2,500–3,500
Undersea walk	₹5,000–7,000
Dolphin trip	₹5,000–9,000

A car with driver for a full day costs about ₹9,000–14,000 (MUR 4,700–7,400) for the vehicle, which usually works out cheaper than shared coach tours for a family of four.

Book the catamaran day early in your stay. If the wind picks up, operators usually reschedule rather than refund, and you will want spare days to fall back on.

Plan the rest of your trip

Weather decides which coast is best — see the best time to visit Mauritius. Choose a base with where to stay in Mauritius, follow the 6-day Mauritius itinerary and check the Mauritius trip cost guide. Vegetarians should read the Mauritius food guide.

Frequently asked questions

How many days are enough for Mauritius?

Six nights covers the north, south and east tours plus two free beach days without rushing. Four nights is enough for two tours and a catamaran day. Honeymooners often split seven nights between two hotels — one on the north or west coast and one on the east coast.

Is Mauritius good for vegetarian Indian families?

Yes, it is one of the easiest destinations abroad. About two-thirds of Mauritians are of Indian descent, so dholl puri, farata, vegetable curries and Indian restaurants are everywhere. Resorts handle Jain requests if told before arrival. Ask for vegetarian lunches when booking catamaran trips.

Do I need to hire a car in Mauritius?

Not necessarily. Driving is on the left, as in India, and self-drive is easy for confident drivers, but most families book a car with driver for tour days at about ₹9,000–14,000 a day. Taxis between beaches add up quickly, so agree the fare before you get in.

How we checked this page

Last reviewed 28 October 2026

Written and fact-checked by the Elitech Travels editorial desk in New Delhi, drawing on our consultants' day-to-day booking work and the official sources below. Rules, fares and fees change — always confirm anything critical with the issuing authority before you travel. Our editorial policy.