Places to visit
Ile aux Cerfs
The offshore island Ile aux Cerfs lies near the east coast of Mauritius and fulfils the dream of every tourist: crystal-clear turquoise water, white sand beaches and lush green palm trees make a day on the small island unforgettable. The “Deer Island” is no longer an insider tip: every day many tourists, as well as hotel guests, visit the beautiful Ile aux Cerfs. It is not a deserted island, but it comes very close to the island of your dreams, so a trip there is well worth it. It is a must-do.
After arriving at the jetty, follow the path on the left, past the toilets, showers and souvenir stands, to reach the lively part of the island. If you get hungry, the northern half of the island has three beachside restaurants, among them the “Sands Grill” with grilled fish and seafood, Mauritian dishes and pizzas, and the “Sands Bar” with its famous rum cocktails. Be aware of high prices, though.
If you do not mind having other tourists around, you can swim at the northern tip of the island, where the beach restaurants and bars are. The island is open every day from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.
It takes about 3 hours to walk around the island. The beaches in the south-west are not safe for swimming. If you take a short walk to the right of the main beach, you can discover some idyllic, secluded coves where you can relax and enjoy the beautiful landscape.
On the island is the Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club, an 18-hole championship golf course designed by the famous golfer Bernhard Langer and opened in 2003. It is known as an almost perfect place to play golf, and all green fees include the boat transfer. This exclusivity has its price: the green fee for international visitors is MUR 10,600 (rate 2026-2027). More information at www.ileauxcerfsgolfclub.com.
On Ile aux Cerfs you can also try water sports such as parasailing, speed boat rides, water skiing, wakeboarding and banana rides.
Getting there: Almost everywhere in Mauritius you can book tours to Ile aux Cerfs; the tour itself and its price depend on the travel agency. If you want to organise the trip yourself, you can use the public jetty at Pointe Maurice in Trou d’Eau Douce. A shuttle boat runs every 30 minutes from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm between Pointe Maurice and the Masala Jetty on the island, and there is a secured car park at the jetty.
Ile aux Cerfs Leisure Island
Tel: +230 402 7720
E-mail: reservations@iacgolf.mu
Website: www.ileauxcerfsleisureisland.com
Google Maps: Ile aux Cerfs
Trou aux Cerfs
The volcano Trou aux Cerfs, which last erupted several hundred thousand years ago, is located in the middle of the town of Curepipe in the centre of the island. The crater is approximately 300 to 350 metres wide and about 80 metres deep, and its rim lies 605 metres above sea level. Today the crater floor is covered with silt, water and vegetation. Trou aux Cerfs is one of the many tourist attractions of Mauritius.
You can drive to the top of the volcano, where you will find some parking spaces, little shops and public toilets. The road runs around the crater, but it is better to park at the entrance and walk around. Gorgeous views all over Mauritius open up in front of you. To the west you can look directly at the coast and the famous “Rempart Mountain”, which is just in front of Tamarin. Close by, your view falls directly on the three peaks of “Les Trois Mamelles”. To the northwest you can see “Mont St Pierre”. You also have a perfect overview of the towns in the centre of the island, such as Curepipe, Port Louis, Quatre Bornes, the Moka district, Réduit and Rose Hill, and you can even see some of the coastal resorts.
You can also scramble down the crater to the water level, but please be careful: the trail can be steep and slippery. To make the trip to the volcano perfect, visit the Curepipe Botanic Garden, which is close by.
Getting there: On the motorway between Port Louis and Quatre Bornes there is a roundabout where you take the road to Curepipe. This road first passes through the industrial centre of Phoenix. Follow it until you reach the centre of Curepipe. After a while you will reach a junction where you will see a green sign to Trou aux Cerfs on your right. After a few more metres you will see another sign before you finally reach the volcano.
Albion lighthouse
The small town of Albion, with a population of approximately 7,500, is located on the west coast of Mauritius between Flic en Flac and Port Louis. It is a very calm place with a sleepy charm. The residential area is mainly home to well-off Mauritians, as the magnificent villas that make up most of the houses show. Even though Albion is directly on the coast, tourism plays only a small part here. Apart from the big Club Med resort “La Plantation d’Albion” at the southern end of the town, there are only a few accommodations for tourists. The public beach of Albion is a small, calm bay of white sand with several trees and, of course, the turquoise-blue lagoon in front. You can see quite a lot of fishing boats off the beach, which gives it the typical Mauritian flair.
A nice attraction of Albion is the lighthouse, which stands on the northern edge of the town close to the sea cliff. The lighthouse, which opened in 1910, rises more than 30 metres (its light shines from 46 metres above sea level) and is still in use to control sea traffic. If you visit, there is a good chance that you will be the only visitor. The surroundings are very peaceful, a good place to take a break and listen to the rush of the Indian Ocean in solitude.
Climbing the lighthouse is only possible with the agreement of the lighthouse keeper on site, and the inside is not open to the general public every day, so do not count on it. Even without climbing it, the cliffs around the lighthouse give you a beautiful view over the west coast. Please keep a safe distance from the cliff edge; swimming at Pointe aux Caves is prohibited because of dangerous currents and rocks.
Getting there: Albion is on the road between Port Louis and Black River. You will find a sign to Albion on the way, and the lighthouse is signposted as well.
Domaine les Pailles
Domaine les Pailles lies in the centre of Mauritius between the capital Port Louis and the town of Quatre Bornes. For many years it was one of the best-known leisure parks of the island, with a guided tour through a sugar mill and a rum distillery, a spice garden, a little train, carriage rides and a jeep safari through the deer park.
The estate has changed hands. In 2015 the State Investment Corporation transferred land and several restaurant buildings to the investor Yihai, who planned a residential “smart city” there; the project stalled and is now the subject of court proceedings. Reports describe the former leisure park as neglected and largely closed, and the guided tour, the sugar mill, the train, the carriage rides and the safari no longer run. A casino and a few restaurants are still open; check beforehand if you plan to go there for a meal.
If you are looking for a heritage estate with a sugar and rum story, try the Domaine de Labourdonnais in the north of the island, with its château, an underground museum about Mauritius’ sugar heritage, an animal park, gardens and rum tastings (open 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, last admission 3:45 pm).
Domaine de Labourdonnais
Tel: +230 266 3007
E-mail: leisure@ddl.mu
Website: domainedelabourdonnais.com
Google Maps: Domaine de Labourdonnais
More details about the former Domaine les Pailles and the alternatives can be found on our page Domaine les Pailles.
Chamarel
Chamarel itself is a small village, but close to it you can find two famous sights, both inside the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark (one entrance ticket covers them).
First you are directed to the Chamarel Waterfall, an impressive fall. With a height of nearly 100 m, it is the highest single-drop waterfall in Mauritius.
After that you follow a road through sugar cane fields until you reach the Coloured Earth of Chamarel, a landscape of dunes in seven colours (red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow) that was formed by volcanic forces, minerals and erosion. It almost looks like a moonscape.
Getting there: Chamarel is in the southwest. Follow the main road through the village until you see a sign on the left that says “Terres des Couleurs”. Just follow that road; the waterfall is very well signposted.
Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark
Opening hours: October to May 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (last ticket 5:00 pm), June to September 8:30 am to 5:00 pm
Entrance: non-residents Rs 800 (children 5–11 years Rs 400), residents Rs 400 (children Rs 200)
Website: chamarel7colouredearth.com
Google Maps: Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark
Rochester Falls
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The Rochester Falls are located in the south of Mauritius between the two towns of St Félix and Souillac. The route to the falls, which crosses sugar cane fields, is well signposted from the main coastal road. The Rochester Falls are the widest waterfalls in Mauritius. Plenty of fresh water from the highlands of Mauritius crashes down the interestingly shaped lava rocks from a height of almost 10 metres. The surroundings are really nice and natural: the waterfall is surrounded by sugar cane fields, banana plantations and the amazing river bed in which it flows. There is an enjoyable silence around the falls, and you won’t hear any noise except the rush of the water. Close to the falls is a car park, from where it is only a five-minute walk to the waterfall. You can go to the top of the waterfall as well as to the bottom, by walking down a small track to the river. From the bottom you can also take a nice walk along the river bed.
For the adventurous: Some people jump from the top of the waterfall into the pool, and the water should indeed be deep enough for this. But ask a local before jumping, to make sure the water is still deep enough in case of low water levels. If you can’t see anybody around, don’t jump.
Attention: Some locals wait at the waterfall to act as guides for visitors, without being asked. They have made it their job to show tourists around and tell them something about the Rochester Falls. Sometimes they even jump down and afterwards collect money for the show. It is appropriate to give them a small tip, but some people said that the guides became really cheeky and asked for far too much, so don’t let them overcharge you.
Getting there: The Rochester Falls are located between the towns of Souillac and St Félix in the south of Mauritius. You will see a sign on the main coastal road, which you can follow. From the main road it is a 10-minute drive to the waterfall. A day tour of the south is a nice trip, and you can combine the Rochester Falls with other places there, such as Le Morne, Baie du Cap (Macondé), St Félix, Souillac, Gris-Gris, La Roche qui Pleure and La Vanille Nature Park …
Swimming with dolphins and watching whales
You shouldn’t miss this unique opportunity! Along the west coast of Mauritius you can watch wild dolphins. It takes just a few minutes by boat until the skipper shows you the place where the dolphins rest after their nightly hunt. Just take your snorkel, fins and mask and jump into the water to enjoy these great animals in their natural environment. If you’re lucky, a whole group of 20 to 30 dolphins will stay in one place and you’re right in the middle. It is especially impressive to watch the babies, who won’t leave their mothers’ sides. You can even hear their “singing” under water!
Of course there are some companies who want to earn money with the dolphins. Unfortunately their behaviour is quite disrespectful, because they chase the animals with their boats to get really close. That means a lot of stress, and sooner or later the dolphins will search for other places to rest.
Fortunately there are also operators who work in an environmentally friendly way. Dolphin and whale watching is regulated in Mauritius: boats need a licence from the Tourism Authority, they have to keep their distance from the animals and it is forbidden to touch or feed them. Swimming with dolphins is only allowed with a licensed operator, usually in the early morning. So choose an operator who is licensed and displays the licence on the boat.
Carried out responsibly, dolphin watching is an unforgettable experience! Whale watching is possible as well, but you have to be luckier to see these giants. Swimming with whales is prohibited; they may only be watched from the boat.
Tamarin Falls
The Tamarin Falls are probably the most famous falls in Mauritius. Unfortunately, many visitors just look at them from the viewpoint and leave. We recommend taking a local guide and climbing down the falls.
The path leads along the different steps of the waterfall (7 in total). Sturdy footwear is necessary to avoid injuries, and you should also bring insect repellent. Small paths lead down to the waterfalls. Just be careful and don’t rush, so you can enjoy the nature that surrounds you. The view of the falls and the huge valley is indeed breathtaking. When you reach the third step, you can have a bath in the basin and enjoy the refreshing water.
After this little break the ascent starts. It will take you less time than the descent, because you take a steep path at the edge of the valley. When you reach the top, it is just a short walk to the spot where you started the tour.
Getting there: Coming from the west to Quatre Bornes, just follow the main road. When you reach a bigger junction with a traffic light, turn right in the direction of “Vacoas”. Follow that road for approximately 10 to 15 minutes until you see a sign on your right that leads to “Henrietta”. Take that road and follow it until you reach a bus terminal. Here you will see some guides.
It is recommended to start the tour at 9 am, so you avoid the midday sun. A tour to the third basin takes around 2.5 hours. If you want to climb down all 7 steps, you should plan a whole day for it.
Le Souffleur
If you are exploring the south, you could make a detour to Le Souffleur. Here the Indian Ocean crashes heavily against the rocks and the waves pile up into high fountains. Over the years one rock has eroded and given the place its name: Le Souffleur, “the blower”. To enjoy the nature a little longer, you can take a walk along the seaside (sturdy shoes are recommended). Please don’t climb over the wooden fence – there have been bad accidents already.
Getting there: If you are in L’Escalier on the B8, you will find a road to the right at the end of the town, with a little sign. Make sure you turn right and just follow the signs. If you are not sure where to turn, just ask somebody in L’Escalier. Mauritians are usually happy to help. The road is quite bumpy and adventurous.
Baie du Cap and Macondé
Between Le Morne and Baie du Cap is the impressive hairpin bend called Macondé, which you have to pass if you drive along the coastal road in the south of Mauritius. It is worth stopping the car behind the bend and climbing up the rock, from where you will have a breathtaking view. The Macondé bend is one of the interesting, you could say frayed, features of the south coast of Mauritius, which was created by earlier volcanic eruptions. The peak of the rock ends in the Indian Ocean. The name Macondé is traditionally traced back to enslaved people from Africa who lived in this area in colonial times.
Historic Marine
Some things are instantly associated with Mauritius, like rum arrangé, the dodo and, not to forget, ship models. The ship model factory Historic Marine, which is based in Floreal near Curepipe, has contributed a lot to the fame of Mauritian ship models.
In 1982 three Mauritian friends launched Historic Marine together with craftsmen. One year later, tourists got to know their models. At that time the workforce of the factory numbered 35. One year later this number had already doubled, and the product range had grown to 20 different models. Their reputation began to cross the Indian Ocean to Europe. The year 1987 marked the beginning of a real boom period: at that time Historic Marine employed more than a hundred workers and reached the production target of 1,200 ship models annually. From then on it shipped its models to destinations all over the world.
Historic Marine is not only well known on the small island but popular worldwide for its high-quality replicas of historic ships. The King of Sweden, Phil Collins and François Mitterrand rank among its clients. In almost every five-star hotel the ships of Historic Marine are on display. Journalists and film teams regularly come to the factory to report on it. Historic Marine advertises free guided tours, also for tourists who do not want to buy a ship model. Do not miss out on visiting this interesting place!
In the showroom you can admire the masterpieces of Historic Marine. There you can see, for example, the famous Bounty or the three ships Santa Maria, Niña and Pinta, with which Columbus set sail. In the workshop you can watch the artisans at work. To build detailed and exact replicas of the historic ships, the talented craftsmen use museum plans, photographs and drawings. While they make the models out of teak, balsa or mahogany wood, the women do the most difficult job: the stringing of the sails and the painting of the ships. Between 100 and 1,500 hours of work are needed to complete one model, and it can take around seven months until a ship model is finished.
There are a lot of ship model factories in Mauritius, but Historic Marine is the biggest one and is famous for its professionalism. It is also said that this factory provides the best ship models in the country in terms of quality. Anyone who wants a detailed, high-quality ship should buy the model at Historic Marine. Nevertheless, the masterpieces have their price, which depends on the amount of work. Those who want a less expensive souvenir can look for a cross section of a ship or a typical Mauritian pirogue.
After you buy a model ship at Historic Marine, it goes through a quality control before it is brought safely packed to the airport. The product is “duty free”; you only need to pay duty on it in your home country. Small and medium ship models can be taken on the plane as hand luggage.
Opening hours
Monday to Friday: 9.00 to 16.00 h
Saturday: 9.00 to 12.30 h
Sunday and public holidays: closed
Historic Marine
Adamas, Mangalkhan, Floreal, Curepipe
Tel: (+230) 5259 9337
E-mail: info@historic-marine.com
Website: historic-marine.com
Google Maps: Historic Marine