I’ve long been drawn to Mauritius. Aside from the dreamy white sandy beaches, crystal clear blue water and lush, relaxing vibes, the small island nation in the Indian Ocean off the East Coast of Africa has plenty else going for it. I made it my first priority to plan a true once-of-a-lifetime trip to Mauritius. And I did it. My flights were ticketed and my hotel stay was confirmed.
And then the coronavirus happened.

What to do in Mauritius?

1. Hike up Le Morne
Le Morne is a mountain on the SouthWestern tip of Mauritius. On top is a big cross as a memorial for the history of this mountain. Slaves throwing themselves off a 550+ meter cliff to escape from their masters. In 2008 UNESCO named Le Morne as World Heritage Site.
A hike up Le Morne takes about 2-hours and it’s recommended to have a guide to be able to reach the top. Make sure to start climbing just after sunrise to prevent the heat.

2. Visit the Chamarel 7-colored earth
Another impressive sight and thing to do in Mauritius is the Chamarel 7-colored earth. Many years ago, Mauritius had active volcanoes and because of the eruption that part of the earth is not fertile. All the different colors really pop up when it doesn’t rain.

3. Visit the Chamarel Waterfalls
Chamarel is a private property where you can buy a ticket to visit the waterfalls and 7-colored earth. The waterfall can (sadly enough) only be seen from the top and the hike is super easy! Entrance to the park is around $6 per person.

4. Pamplemousse park
Pamplemousse is a park that includes an incredible collection of plants from all over the world. You can easily wander around in here for an hour or two and also a great place to cool down in the shadow from the burning sun.Go there to see the truly impressive ponds full of water lilies and specimens from all over the world that thrive in the warm climate of the island. It’s one of the most amazing places to see in Mauritius’s North.

5 Go snorkeling in Mauritius
Watersports are an obvious thing to do in Mauritius, but I have to put in on the list anyway. Mauritius is truly unique when it comes to snorkeling – and not only because of its turquoise waters!The whole island is surrounded by one big coral reef!
So when you go into the water directly from the beach it will be very, very warm. The reason: roughly 500 meters further outside will start the coral reefs. It protects the whole island from storms and from big waves in general – not unlike a big cushion. So the water close to the shore will be very calm and thus very warm. But back to snorkeling! The reef is mostly intact and since there never was any heavy industry on Mauritius there is no pollution either.


6.Get up high in the air (Helicopter ride)
My personal recommendation: The helicopter can pick you up directly at the airport. Most luxury hotels will have their own helipad. Since travel on the island is rather slow, this will combine a view to remember with fast access to your hotel.
Okay, I guess I couldn’t convince you to go hiking. But Mauritius certainly is an island with quite a spectacular landscape: high mountains, green plains, white beaches, and blue water. If you can afford it, you should definitely consider getting up in the air for an overview! Your other alternative would be a helicopter tour around the island. The view from above will be truly breathtaking!! Expect prices in the range of 500 US-Dollar per half an hour.

7. Go see an old crater
.Like most islands in the middle of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is a product of an ancient volcanic eruption. None of them is active anymore. However, you can still see a lot of old craters around the islands. If you got the chance – make sure to drop by!
Oh, and before you leave Mauritius, make sure to see at least one sunset. The tropical flora and the pristine beaches will create a truly romantic setting. Either for having a private dinner or just for taking the usual pictures for your photo album
I’m still hoping to make this dream trip of mine work out. As frustrating as it is to see a trip fall through, it’s made me even more excited to visit Mauritius and to actually make this happen.
For now, I’ll have to get back to planning and finding dates that work best for me. Soon enough, you’ll find me on the beach soaking up the sun.

8.Try to eat like a local.

Mauritian food is a unique mix of African, Indian, and Chinese cuisines. Stop along the road where local people are having lunch and try their great food.

9.Grand Bassin, Mauritius

Grand Bassin is an inactive volcano crater lake. A priest from India once brought sacred water and poured holy water into the lake. It now is a sacred place for a large number of Hindu people on Mauritius.


10.Explore the beaches
Mauritius is completely surrounded by beaches and a beautiful coastline. It offers beaches to relax, snorkel, do boat tours and has world-famous spots for wind and kite-surf.
Trou aux Biches offers a white sand beach with beautiful clear water and the reef close to shore to snorkel.

Le Morne is the go-to back for a quiet laid back beach experience. Few boats and crystal clear waters with a backdrop of Le Morne mountain.