Mauritius Online Project
Mauritius
Attractions in Mauritius
Port Louis is a cosmopolitan capital city steeped in history. Colonial buildings and markets stand side by side modern shops and restaurants. The Natural History Museum houses rare dodo and blue pigeon remains, there are also unique flora and fauna specimens. Birds, reptiles, fish, corals and mammals are on display and the library contains over 50,000 books.
The Caudan Waterfront is a modern development with a marina, souvenir, craft, clothes and jewellery shops. There is also a food court, restaurants and a cinema.
Domain les Pailles is a colonial sugar estate just outside Port Louis. Attractions include a working replica of an ox-driven sugar mill, a rum distillery, restaurants, a pool and a riding club. You can also take jeep excursions into the mountains where you will be greeted by adorable monkeys.
The Champ-de-Mars racecourse in Port Louis attracts thousands of people every Saturday afternoon from May to November. It’s a perfect place to mix with the locals, sample traditional food and have a little flutter.
The beaches in Mauritius are some of the most beautiful in the world. The coral reef, which surrounds much of the island, creates calm turquoise waters perfect for bathing in some parts and awesome crashing waves in others.
Pereybere in the north is a small cove with white sand, clear waters and shady palm trees. Five minutes drive south is Grand Baie – a popular tourist site because of its lively atmosphere. It offers great shopping, fresh fish markets and an abundant supply of watersports, including parasailing, water-skiing, windsurfing, undersea walks and sailing and fishing trips. Helicopter trips around the island also depart from here.
The Waterpark Leisure Village combines adrenaline rush fun with relaxation. Slide down the numerous giant shoots or relax by the pool or in the jacuzzi. Wave pools, a lazy river and separate adult pools are also available. It is located in BelleMare in the east of the island.
Chamarel in the west of the island is an awe-inspiring landscape of contrasting shades of coloured sand. Mounds of blues, purples, yellows, greens and many more colours create this impressive wonder rarely seen anywhere else in the world. Nearby is Chamarel Waterfall, its series of cascades and clear pools make this a perfect spot to relax.
Casela Bird Sanctuary has over 140 bird species from all five continents as well as fishponds, tigers, giant tortoises, monkeys, deer and beautiful flora and fauna. It is home to one of the rarest birds in the world, the pink pigeon. The sanctuary also charts the history of the dodo. The island was the only know habitat of this large waddling bird, which sadly became extinct in 1681.
Vanille Crocodile and Tortoise Park is located in Riviere des Arguilles in the south. The park breeds Nile crocodiles and giant tortoises in the midst of the lush tropical palm and banana trees. There is even a restaurant in the park where you can sample crocodile meat.
Il aux Cerf: Despite its name – Island of Stags – you will have to head back to the main island to see these majestic animals. This island, owned by Le Touessrok Sun Hotel in the east, is open to anyone. A regular boat service runs throughout the day. The island’s waters are calm, the beaches are sandy and sunbathing, eating, drinking and watersports are the order of the day here.
Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens in Port Louis has numerous indigenous plant species. The main attractions are the giant Victoria Regia water lilies, which are at their largest during the island’s summer months. The garden also boasts the talipot palm, which only flowers every sixty years.
Deep-sea fishing: Mauritius is a fantastic place for deep-sea fishing, whether you consider yourself an expert or a novice. Regular trips operate from all around the island and you can catch anything from huge blue and black marlin, to sharks, yellow tuna, bonitos and barracuda. Sportfisher in Grand Baie, Le Coco Beach Hotel and Le Touessrok Hotel in BelleMare are just a few places that offer game fishing trips.