Mauritius is definitely one of those bucket-list type of places, and if you know anything about this stunning island just off of the coast of Africa, then you have probably already fallen in love with its azure waters, pristine beaches, and striking landscapes just from looking at photographs! We knew our trip to Mauritius was going to be pretty epic, but what we found and experienced in Mauritius was so much deeper than just its gorgeous looks: We found an island rich in culture, diverse in every way, and full of life and intrigue! We spent 2 incredible, packed full weeks exploring all sides of the island (did you see our recent post highlighting 9 Amazing Places to Stay in Mauritius?), and realized that there are so many things to do and experience here, so we couldn’t wait to share with you our top 14 Epic Things To Do in Mauritius broken down by adventures, tastings, and culture!

PIN ME:

for the ADVENTURERS:

Mauritius isn’t just a beautiful beach island with nothing to do but relax and enjoy the sun… although you can definitely spend a lot of time doing just that with its 105+ mile long coastline, but there are some really fun adventures to enjoy that we discovered while on the island!

1. Ille Aux Cerfs for snorkeling and golfing—

This privately owned island is home to some of the most stunning beaches you will ever see and is great for swimming and snorkeling. It’s also home to the famous Ille Aux Cerfs Golf Club!

2. Domain de Letolle for ziplining and quad biking —

Get a bird’s eye view of the island by ziplining your way through the mountainous forests of Mauritius (yes, FORESTS!). You are guaranteed to see herds of deer along the way. If heights aren’t your thing, you can also book a quad biking tour— or BOTH for a full day of adventure on the island!

3. Balise Marina for swimming with dolphins—

If you’re anything like me and have always dreamed of swimming with dolphins in an authentic way, now is your chance! You can start your day watching sunrise from the boat and then jumping into the glassy, clear waters of Mauritius to join in with pods of dolphins… there is truly nothing more magical than this!

4. Le Morne for hiking—

Le Morne Brabant holds a ton of historical and cultural significance to Mauritius! It’s hard to google ‘Mauritius’ and find a photo of the island that doesn’t include this UNESCO World Heritage site because of it’s striking appearance and significance. You can book a guided hike to the top at 1,824 ft above sea level for one of the most stunning views you can image and to learn more about the history behind this unique mountain.

for the TASTINGS:

Rum and tea are both commonly produced in Mauritius. Make it a priority on your visit to do at least one if not both of these amazing tours! Not only will you get to enjoy locally grown goods, but you’ll be able to learn more about Mauritius in general and the important role the production of these goods play in its economy.

5. Bois Cheri tea factory, tasting, and lunch—

Bois Cheri was the first tea plantation dating back to 1892 and is packed full of history! Take a guided tour of the tea factory, visit the museum, and finish with a tasting of the many flavors of tea that are now produced here. Oh, and don’t forget to book a table for lunch as well with some pretty incredible panoramic views of the plantation. **Hint: make sure to book your tour in the morning during winter season because the tea factory closes early!

6. Rhumerie de Chamarel Distillery for rum tasting and lunch—

Thanks to the massive amounts of sugar cane that are produced on the island, rum has become a very important part of the Mauritian economy. Tour the beautiful distillery that looks like some kind of european castle, take part in the tasting, and then hang around for lunch. But seriously, who doesn’t want join in on a rum tasting on their holiday?!

for the culture:

There is an endless amount of to-do and to-see spots in Mauritius, but here are some of our top favorites that gave us more insight into the beautiful and diverse culture of this interesting island. Mauritians are known to be multiethnic, multilingual, and multi-religious, and multicultural— so there is so much that can you can experience from this special place. See how many of these you can fit into your trip, and I promise you will want to come back for more!

7. Black River—

Located on the western side of the island and home to Black River Gorges National Park, you could easily spend a day or more seeing all there is to see here. If you’re not into hiking or short on time, you can also drive up to lookout spots to have a quick view of just how vast and impressive the landscapes of this area truly are.

8. Grand Bassin—

The Grand Bassin is actually a crater lake about 550 meters above sea level, and is one of the most significant Hindu religious sites on the island. This impressive concentration of temples and monuments is a must see for a cultural experience! Don’t miss Lord Shiva Temple, a quick drive over from the lake to have a look at this massive statue.

9. The Sega Dance—

Sega is a traditional song + dance usually performed at sunset on the beach around a fire. It is the most commonly performed dance on the island, sung in Creole, with roots back to the early days of slavery in Mauritius.

10. Seven Colored Earth—

This natural phenomenon is one of the most popular tourist attractions on the island! The broken down elements from volcanic rock have separated and formed these amazingly colorful mounds! The 7 colors represented here are easy to distinguish and people travel from all over the world to experience this unique place.

11. Port Louis—

Live life like a local and wander the streets of Downtown Port Louis— Mauritius’ capital city! Experience the hustle + bustle of the markets, order a sugar cane juice, and walk over to the waterfront for a gorgeous view of the city against the turquoise blue waters!

12. Sockalingum Meenatchee Ammen Kovil—

Hinduism is the most popular religion in Mauritius— giving the country the highest percentage of Hindus in all of Africa. The bright, bold colors, ornate details, and rich cultural significance of this temple makes it a must-see to better understand Mauritian culture and appreciate the faith and dedication of Hindus on the island.

13. Red Roof Chapel—

Another beautiful religious site— completely different from the numerous temples in Mauritius— is the infamous Notre Dame Auxiliatrice Chuch (aka: the Red Roof Chapel) located on the northern tip of the island. The Roman Catholic church is located right by to ocean, and the contrast of the red roof and blue waters make for a very picturesque spot to visit.

14. Pampelmoussee Garden—

And last but not least, Mauritius’ National Botanical Garden! The garden itself is acres and acres long making it impossible to see it all in once visit, however we recommend making sure to see the giant water lilies, find as many palm trees as possible (there are 85 different palm tree species in the garden!), and definitely say hello to the turtles on your way out. The beauty of the garden in undeniable, but try to go earlier in the day so you don’t get too hot!

We hope we have inspired you to add this gorgeous island to your bucket-list! These are our top 14 things to do in Mauritius, but the list is never ending and there is so much to explore! Let us know what you think and leave a comment below!

Until next time! Xx