Located in the Indian Ocean to the east of Madagascar, Mauritius is the main island of the Republic of Mauritius. With its crystal clear waters, white sand beaches and breathtaking landscapes, this paradise island offers an idyllic setting for an unforgettable family vacation.
During our 10-day stay on the island, we tested and approved the coolest activities for young and old. Whether you are looking for adventure, relaxation or discovery, you will find what you are looking for in Mauritius. So without further ado, here is our list of 10 activities to do absolutely during your next family holiday in Mauritius!
To easily prepare your discovery of Mauritius, follow the summary:
Preparing for your trip to Mauritius: practical information
Passport: valid for more than 1 day after the date of the return ticket,
Currency: the Mauritian Rupee (1€ = 46 MUR),
Time difference: + 2 hours in summer / + 3 hours in winter,
Language: Mauritian Creole but also English and French,
Transportation: the rental car is the best option to get around the island freely, but the local bus or a day taxi can be a solution too,
When to go: the best time is from November to March,
How long: 7 days is the minimum, 10 days seems to be a good compromise,
Essential in the suitcase: sunscreen, water shoes, cap/hat, anti-UV swimsuit,
Health: no particular problem.
Good to know:
Most outlets are 3-prong and require an adapter,
The Dodo is the emblematic animal of the island, although this bird has unfortunately been exterminated,
Mauritian gastronomy is influenced by French, Creole and Indian cuisine. Enjoy a fusion of flavors unique in the world,
The school is free until university and to validate their diploma Mauritians must be fluent in English and French.
The ideal solution for booking your flights and rental cars
We always go through Kayak to book our flights and our rental car: a simple, practical and very affordable solution. With their search filters, we easily find what we are looking for according to our criteria and our budget. If you are looking for a quick and efficient solution to book your flights or a rental car, we advise you to go through Kayak.com.
What to do in Mauritius: 10 days, 10 activities
1 - Visit Port Louis
Port Louis is the Capital of Mauritius. Here, more than anywhere else in the country, you will be able to experience the mixture of cultures. For example, the Jummah Mosque stands a few meters from the pagoda that marks the entrance to Chinatown. The city can celebrate Hindu Holi as well as Chinese New Year. Renowned for its street food, do not hesitate to book a guided tour to soak up the history of Port Louis and sample Mauritian delicacies.
What to visit in Port Louis:
The central market,
Street art,
Museums: Blue Penny, photography or the Natural History Museum,
Cult places: St Louis Cathedral, Jummah Mosque, Kwan Tee Pagoda, Kaylasson Temple.
2 - Stroll through the Pamplemouse Garden
Really named Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, the Pamplemouse Garden is one of the most visited sites in Mauritius. Spread over 37 hectares, it is pleasant to walk there to discover the 600 species of plants. For those like me who have a real passion for palm trees, you will be in paradise here with the 80 species present. Amid fruit trees, spice trees and bamboo, don't miss the giant Victoria amazonica water lily. The walk ends with the turtle enclosure, much to Mattéo's delight.
3 - Swimming with dolphins
It is often a dream, swimming with dolphins is the excursion that most tourists do not want to miss during a stay in Mauritius. It must be said that living for a moment in the presence of these marine mammals is truly magical, both for Mattéo (3 years old) and me, who stayed on the boat, and for Nico who was able to swim with them. A dream that could become a reality thanks to Carine and her skipper Videsh, from Dream Dolphin.
4 - Spend a day on Ile aux Cerfs
Located in the lagoon of Trou d'Eau Douce, to the east of the island, Ile aux Cerfs is a very touristic site that should not be overlooked. This uninhabited islet invites you to rest and snorkel. To get there, if you are staying at Tropical Attitude Hotel you will have a free shuttle otherwise you can book a day cruise aboard a catamaran .
Despite a heavy sky during our day at Ile aux Cerfs, the shades of color of the turquoise lagoon were magnificent. Mattéo and the children of our friends Laureen & Ridouane spent the day looking for crabs, collecting shells and organizing hermit crab races before enjoying a swim at the end of the day when the sun came out.
5 - Discover Chamarel
Located between Le Morne and the Black River National Park, the Chamarel region presents one of the main natural curiosities of Mauritius. To get there, you will take a winding road in the middle of the forest on which we have met some monkeys and you will also be able to enjoy a splendid view of the Morne lagoon and the Ile aux Bénitiers. After paying the entrance fee to the Lands of Chamarel, we make a first stop at the Waterfall before going to the Seven Colored Lands to observe this clearing dotted with small dunes of earth whose color changes from brown to blue, purple, red or ochre. This is due to the presence of mineral oxides, if we mix all the colors they will still end up separating.
Chamarel also houses a rum distillery still in operation and a panoramic restaurant where you can taste the refined Mauritian cuisine.
6 - Rest in Gran Zil
Located in Calodyne, Gran Zil is the private island of Zilwa Attitude. A private boat makes round trips only for hotel guests. We spent the day on this desert island and on the program: punch, barbecue, paddle, pedal boat and rest in one of the many hammocks. Sam, Rose, Elie (the children of @happycheriskids) and Mattéo went on a treasure hunt, organized by the hotel's mini club. A day in paradise that is one of our favorite moments in Mauritius.
7 - Fly over the underwater waterfall
At the foot of Le Morne Brabant, you will find the underwater waterfall which is one of the most extraordinary geological formations in the world. To be able to observe it, you have to fly over it in a helicopter or seaplane. We could not do it during our stay in Mauritius because we got there too late for the reservation. We didn't see the famous "Underwater waterfall" with our own eyes but the drone was able to capture some wonderful shots.
To read: Seaplane flight at the Mauritius, the experience of Marion and Cris.
8 - Take a catamaran cruise
Leaving from Bain-Bœuf beach, we board the Catamaran Attitude. We first sailed in tropical rain, before dropping anchor near the cliffs of Coin de Mire. We then left to greet the many fish that live in this nature reserve. When we got back on board, we barely had time to take a little punch when our plates were ready. And to digest the BBQ, we danced the Sega. Mauritians have music in their skin and share their good mood. We end this day with a sunset before joining the Coin de Mire Attitude hotel.
If you are not staying at this hotel, you can book with another service provider a catamaran cruise to the northern islands or a catamaran cruise at Trou d'Eau Douce to Ile aux Cerfs.
9 - Enjoying the sunset
Mauritius has an ideal geographical position to admire the sunsets. It was on the beach of Trou aux Biches, which is among our Top 6 of the most beautiful beaches in Mauritius, that we were able to take full advantage of an orange sky on a Sunday evening with many locals.
10 - Homestay dinner
Another experience that we had thanks to Attitude hotels. It was Manuella, a member of the Coin de Mire Attitude team, who welcomed us to her home and we enjoyed a very simple evening. A warm evening that is one of our fondest memories. We simmered curry and fried chilli cakes while drinking rum and chatting about our lives. After having dinner, we sang and danced the famous Mauritian Sega. It was a real Otentik dinner!
How to get around the island to join these activities?
There are several means of transport to get around Mauritius, including bus, taxi, car or scooter rental. Buses are affordable and connect major towns and tourist attractions. If you prefer more flexibility, renting a car or scooter might be a good option. Taxis are also available but can be more expensive.
Are there off-the-beaten-path activities to discover?
Yes, there are many lesser-known activities to discover in Mauritius. For example, you can hike to Black River Gorges National Park, where you can admire panoramic views of the rainforest. You can also visit the village of Mahébourg to discover Mauritian history and culture, or take a boat trip on the Bénarès River to see the wild nature of the island. Finally, it is also possible to do volunteer activities to contribute to the preservation of nature and the protection of endangered species.
Where to sleep in Mauritius?
We slept at Ravenala Attitude ****, one of the 8 hotels of the Attitude group.
I fell in love as soon as we arrived: the place is magnificent, with large spaces and lovely vegetation, but above all for the extremely kind staff. After a few hours in the establishment, they all already knew the first name of our little Mattéo and paid him very special attention.
Chic but authentic, it feels like home (and even better than home!).
The Ravenala has 10 restaurants offering a world tour of flavors. It's the journey within the journey and that's great!
Also, Attitude hotels are committed to positive impact tourism. They want to protect the environment, support the local economy and support the local community. The staff is 100% Mauritian for example, nothing better to be immersed in the Mauritian culture.
Did you like this article? Share/Save it on Pinterest!
