Must-sees in Mauritius Island

Port Louis city tour with botanic garden and oceanarium visit

The bold and bright island of Mauritius is as colourful as it is compact, making it easy to explore its northern highlights on this full-day tour. Your day begins among giant water lilies the size of dinner tables and rare, ancient palms at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, known locally as ‘Pamplemousses' – after the grapefruit trees that thrive there.Next, you'll see the urban side of the country with a drive to the capital, Port Louis. Amid a mix of modern and colonial buildings, the landmarks you'll get a look at show off the French, British, Chinese, Indian, African and Creole influences that've shaped Mauritius over the centuries. Look out for St Louis Cathedral, the hilltop fortress and Chinatown.You'll then head to the Central Market, the heart of the city, with around three hours to browse spice-laden stalls, wander to Caudan Harbour, or sit down for lunch at one of the waterfront cafes and restaurants. Finally, you'll spend a couple of hours at the Odysseo Oceanarium. This state-of-the-art aquarium introduces you to different ecosystems, like inland forests, coral reefs and Mauritius' coastal waters. For a final thrill before you head back to your hotel, you'll see sharks and rays gliding overhead as you stroll through the glass tunnels their tanks are built around.

Mauritius private south tour with Chamarel Geopark & Grand Bassin

Book this experience that includes Mauritius South Island private full-day tour where you can discover the most famous pilgrimage sites in Mauritius!

Mauritius half-day tour with Pamplemousse Botanical Garden and Port Louis

Mauritius may be a small island, but there's plenty to discover. One minute you're walking beneath palms, the next you're looking down over Port Louis from a hillside. This half-day tour takes you from the gardens of Pamplemousse to the streets and waterfront of the capital, with free time to explore on your own. Your morning begins at Pamplemousse Botanical Garden, where shady paths wind between towering palms and giant water lilies floating across the garden's pools. Created by French naturalist Pierre Poivre in 1767, the garden is home to around 650 plant varieties, including 80 types of palm. Take your time looking up into the canopy, then down at the huge Virginia Regina leaves floating on the water. Then it's on to Port Louis and La Citadelle, for a completely different view. From this old hilltop fortress, Port Louis stretches out below you, with the Champ de Mars racecourse, busy streets and mountains all in the same frame. Back in the city, you'll pass Place d'Armes, Saint Louis Cathedral, the Supreme Court, Municipal Theatre and Government House as you drive through the capital, rounding off your visit with a look at some of Port Louis's most recognisable sights. You'll finish at Caudan Waterfront with free time to make the afternoon your own. Pick up something from the local market, browse the craft bazaar and boutiques, or simply wander along the waterfront and watch the city go by. With gardens, history, city views and a taste of everyday Mauritian life, this tour brings several sides of the island together.

Northern Mauritius tour with Sugar World and botanical garden

The north of Mauritius is awash with history, culture and nature – this trip dips into all three in the photogenic north of the island. Visiting Cap Malheureux village and Pamplemousse Gardens, you'll stop for lunch and a rum tasting experience before free time to shop in the Caudan city craft market. Jean, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Pamplemousse is a unique botanical garden, famous for its big pond full of giant water lilies, the largest leaves of which can support a weight of around 50 kilos.'The morning begins with a photo stop at the pretty village of Cap Malheureux, home to the iconic, red-roofed church of Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice, a bright contrast to the colours of the Indian Ocean beyond. Next, we'll take a trip to Pamplemousse Gardens – the oldest botanical gardens in the southern hemisphere. Explore more than 500 rare plant species sprouting among the shady palm avenues and spice plantations here, then head on to Sugarworld for lunch.This factory and museum won't just see you fed, it's also the place to be schooled in the sugar trade, its history and to sample some sugarcane. There's some special Mauritian rum to wash it all down with too. You'll also visit the Blue Penny Museum, where displays include the famous postage stamps of 1847. Rounding off, we'll head to the city of Port Louis for free time to shop the modern boutiques down at Caudan Waterfront or hit the historic quarter's old craft bazaar.

Mauritius South Island Tour with Chamarel Geopark & Grand Bassin

Wild beauty abounds in Mauritius. But the island's colourful south is absolutely bursting with it. This tour takes you to a roll call of must-sees. Trou aux Cerfs volcano, a sacred lake, the seven-coloured earth of Chamarel and much more await. Sandya, one of our local guides, says, ‘The south is how I imagine my island was 400 years ago. I try to imagine how our animals lived, such as the giant tortoises and extinct dodo, and the now-protected luxuriant forests.'The fun kicks off at Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcano with a 90-metre-deep pine-studded crater. Next, we'll visit Voiliers de l'Océan, where artisans handcraft teak models of 18th century galleons. Laurna, another of our local guides, says, ‘It takes about 300 hours to complete a small boat of 70cm, while for larger boats about 1 to 3 months, depending on the size.' At the Takamaka winery, sample lychee wines and find out how discarded skins are used. This visit supports the employment of locals in a traditional business.Then, at Grand Bassin, a lake sacred to Hindus, you'll visit a temple and maybe offer prayers. A drive through Black River Gorges National Park takes you to a restaurant in Chamarel for a lunch made from locally sourced ingredients. Highlights in the park include the 100-metre drop Chamarel waterfalls and the seven-coloured earth of Chamarel. These barren volcanic dunes are surrounded by greenery.