Mauritius has worn many flags—the Dutch, the French, and the British—all leaving footprints that shaped a modern island nation famous for the extinct dodo, sugarcane, rum, and Sega music. Today, you’ll find a multicultural society where Creole, Indian, Chinese, and European traditions mingle in markets and beachside grills.

Nature steals the show: reef-protected lagoons, the UNESCO-listed Le Morne Brabant, ebony forests in Black River Gorges, and the surreal Seven Colored Earth in Chamarel. Offshore, emerald islets lure you onto catamarans, while dolphins patrol the west coast at dawn.

Practical notes: the Mauritian Rupee (MUR) is king; cards work widely at hotels and resorts, cash helps at markets. Drive on the left; roads are good but narrow. Best time is May–December (dry season); January–March can be hot with occasional cyclones—watch advisories. Seafood, Creole curries, gateaux piments, and dholl puri are “musts.”

Grand Baie

Northern Mauritius is your soft landing: Grand Baie brims with calm beaches, lively bars, craft markets, and easy boat access to the northern islets. Base here for swimming at Pereybere and Mont Choisy, sunset sails, and a food crawl that runs from beach shacks to white-linen seafood.

Arrive at SSR International Airport (MRU). Typical flight times: 6–7 hours from Dubai, ~11–12 hours from Paris, ~4 hours from Johannesburg. Compare flights on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. Airport to Grand Baie is ~1 hr 15 min by taxi (MUR 2,000–2,800 / $45–60) or rental car.

Days 1–5: Beaches, Northern Isles, and Port Louis Day Trip

• Beach-hop: Swim the lagoon at Pereybere (clear water, easy entry) and unwind on the photogenic, casuarina-framed arc of Mont Choisy. Snorkel the reef edge at Trou aux Biches on calm mornings.
• Catamaran to the Northern Isles: Spend a day at Coin de Mire, Flat Island, and Gabriel Island—think snorkeling gardens and sandbar picnics.
  Catamaran Full-Day 3 island Northern Isles Cruise in Grand Baie

  

• Port Louis day trip: 30–40 minutes by car from Grand Baie. Browse the Central Market (try an alouda—a sweet, milky basil-seed drink), explore Aapravasi Ghat (UNESCO—indentured labor history), and climb to Fort Adelaide for harbor views. Chinatown noodles make an easy lunch.
• Shopping + sundowners: Hit La Croisette mall for local design, then watch the sky ignite at Sunset Boulevard before dinner.

Eat & drink (Grand Baie):

• Chelsea’s Cup n Cake: Brunch favorite—fluffy pancakes, eggs Benedict, and good flat whites.
• La Rougaille Creole: Home-style octopus curry, rougaille sauced fish, and vindaye with pickled punch—excellent intro to Creole flavors.
• Le Capitaine: Longstanding seafood spot—order grilled lobster or catch-of-the-day with vanilla butter; book for seaside tables.
• Cocoloko: Tropical-leaning menu with fresh juices by day and lively cocktails by night; easy for mixed groups.
• Street bites: Gateaux piments (fried split-pea fritters) and hot-roti stalls around Sunset Boulevard in the evenings.
• Coffee breaks: Vida e Caffè at La Croisette for dependable espresso; gelato carts near the beach for a hot-afternoon cooldown.

Where to stay (Grand Baie): Browse entire stays on VRBO Grand Baie or compare hotels via Hotels.com Grand Baie. Top picks: Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury (flagship elegance on a postcard beach), Mauricia Beachcomber Resort & Spa (family-friendly, right in the action), Ocean Villas (villa-style privacy on the lagoon), and budget-friendly Ocean Lake Tourist Residence.

Move on: Depart Grand Baie to Le Morne in the morning: ~1 hr 30 min by car along the west coast (taxi MUR 2,500–3,200 / $55–70). Self-drive gives flexibility for scenic stops at Tamarin Bay.

Le Morne

Le Morne is dramatic: a mountain rising from a turquoise peninsula, wind carving kites across the lagoon, and the famed “underwater waterfall” optical illusion offshore. This is your base for hiking, kitesurfing, dolphin encounters, and the lush highlands of Chamarel and Black River Gorges.

Days 6–10: Le Morne Brabant, Dolphins & Rum, Chamarel Colors

• Hike Le Morne Brabant (UNESCO): Start at dawn for cooler temps and the clearest views. The final section is steep and rocky—go with a guide if unsure. The mountain is a memorial to runaway slaves; your guide’s storytelling adds vital context.
• Dolphins at dawn + Île aux Bénitiers BBQ: From Black River/Tamarin, slip out at sunrise to meet spinner and bottlenose dolphins, snorkel reefs, then grill fish on Bénitiers’ sandbar.
  Mauritius : Dolphins Swim and Ile Aux Bénitiers with BBQ

  

• Chamarel & the South-West: See the Seven Colored Earth dunes, rum tasting at Rhumerie de Chamarel, and the viewpoints over Black River Gorges. A curated day with lunch keeps logistics smooth.
  Private Southwest Tour with Local Lunch & Rum Tasting

  

• Adventure options: Abseil Tamarind Falls for canyon views, or spend a day at Casela Nature Parks (safari drive, zip lines, walk-through aviary). Surf Tamarin Bay when the swell’s up; kite Le Morne’s “One Eye” if experienced (lessons available in the lagoon for beginners).

Eat & drink (Le Morne, Tamarin & Flic en Flac):

• Wapalapam – Island Eatery (Le Morne village): Spice-forward island dishes—try the octopus salad with local lime and chilies, and creole curries with homemade pickles.
• The Bay (La Preneuse Beach): Oceanfront lunches; carpaccio, grilled catch, and sunset cocktails a few steps from the sand.
• Domaine Anna (near Flic en Flac): Atmospheric Chinese–Mauritian dining set amid sugarcane and lotus ponds; book for evenings.
• Ah Youn (Flic en Flac): Beloved for dim sum and Sino-Mauritian staples; quick service, great for groups.
• Zub Express (Flic en Flac): Casual Indian-Mauritian spot with generous portions—paneer tikka and butter chicken are crowd-pleasers.
• Coffee: Vanilla Village Café in Black River for superb bakes and flat whites; Café LUX* at LUX* Le Morne pulls excellent espresso.

Where to stay (Le Morne): Compare stays with VRBO Le Morne and Hotels.com Le Morne. Top beachfront resorts: The St. Regis Mauritius Resort (grand suites, superb views) and LUX* Le Morne (boutique feel, dreamy sunsets).

Move on: Morning transfer Le Morne → Trou d’Eau Douce (east coast gateway for Île aux Cerfs): ~1 hr 45 min by car across the island (taxi MUR 3,000–3,800 / $65–80). Stop at viewpoints over the Midlands for mountain panoramas.

Trou d’Eau Douce & Île aux Cerfs

The east coast is all about bright lagoons and long sandbars. Trou d’Eau Douce is a low-key fishing village facing Île aux Cerfs—your springboard to catamaran days, GRSE waterfall runs, and dreamy Belle Mare beaches.

Days 11–15: Catamarans, Sandbars, and East-Coast Markets

• Île aux Cerfs by catamaran: Sail the calm eastern lagoon with stops to snorkel coral gardens, visit the GRSE waterfall by tender, and enjoy a BBQ lunch on board. Unlimited drinks keep the vibe festive on the return cruise.
  Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Tour with Lunch and Drinks

  

• Lagoon days: Kayak or SUP over glassy shallows, laze on Belle Mare’s long white sands, and snorkel the outer bommies on guided trips when the sea is calm.
• Markets & local life: Pop to Centre de Flacq market (morning) for spices and tropical fruit; pick up artisanal rums and vanilla for gifts.
• Optional bonus cruise: If you love boats, add a second lagoon day to reach farther islets or opt for a speedboat that hits multiple stops.

Eat & drink (Trou d’Eau Douce & Belle Mare):

• Chez Tino (Trou d’Eau Douce): Local institution with upstairs terrace—order garlic butter prawns, octopus salad, and a Phoenix beer with lagoon views.
• Green Island Beach Restaurant (Île aux Cerfs): Barefoot lunches—grilled fish, salads, cold rosé under filao trees.
• Safran (Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok): Refined Indian classics—lamb rogan josh and tandoor prawns—ideal for a special night.
• Kushi (Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok): Sushi and robata with a thoughtful sake list; book the teppan counter if available.
• Origine (Anahita Golf & Spa Resort): Modern plates with a Mauritian accent; great breakfast buffets and seafood evenings.
• Coffee & pastries: Resort cafés excel; for a local hit, grab coconut cakes and napolitaines from village bakeries.

Where to stay (East Coast): For an island-luxe finale, check these standouts: Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spa (legendary setting opposite Île aux Cerfs), Anahita Golf & Spa Resort (spacious suites and villas on the lagoon), and adults-friendly Tropical Attitude (boutique vibe on Trou d’Eau Douce Bay). Browse more on VRBO Trou d’Eau Douce or Hotels.com Trou d’Eau Douce. Prefer to stay on the islet? Also browse VRBO Île aux Cerfs and Hotels.com Île aux Cerfs for nearby options.

Optional extra excursion while based in the east: If you missed Chamarel earlier or want a different angle, consider this scenic southwest loop with volcano viewpoints and waterfalls:
Chamarel 7 Colours and Waterfalls - Exclusive South West Tour

Departure: Trou d’Eau Douce to SSR International Airport (MRU) takes ~45–60 minutes by car via the east coast road (taxi MUR 1,500–2,200 / $35–50). Check flight options on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Practical Tips to Use Across All Three Bases

• Transport: No trains. Taxis are reliable; negotiate or use metered trips. Car rentals are ~US$35–60/day; drive on the left. Inter-base morning transfers avoid traffic.
• Money: ATMs are common in towns and malls; keep small cash for markets and beach snacks.
• Reef etiquette: Don’t stand on coral; use reef-safe sunscreen. Watch for currents outside the lagoons.
• Weather: Light layers for breezy evenings; pack a rain shell in summer (Dec–Mar). Kitesurfers: best winds Jun–Sep.

Optional hotel swaps if you pivot bases: West coast alternatives in Flic en Flac: La Pirogue Mauritius, Sugar Beach Mauritius, Sofitel Mauritius L'Imperial Resort & Spa, or value-friendly Aanari Hotel & Spa. Rustic forest hideaways near Chamarel for a night in nature: Lakaz Chamarel Exclusive Lodge, Les Jardins de Chamarel Lodge, and La Vieille Cheminee.

One more boat day if you can’t get enough

If you want to double down on the east-lagoon magic or your first date gets winded out, this full-day sail is a tried-and-true crowd favorite:

Full-Day Catamaran Cruise to Île aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch

Fifteen days in Mauritius lets you savor the north’s lively bays, the southwest’s wild panoramas, and the east’s mirror-still lagoons without rushing. Between catamarans, Creole feasts, and hikes above the reef, this itinerary balances adventure and downtime beautifully.

Expect to leave with sandy shoes, a few bottles of island rum, and a strong desire to return—next time for whale season or a week chasing the trade winds.