Mauritius is an emerald drop in the Indian Ocean where volcanic peaks meet reefs as clear as glass. Once a key stop on spice and sugar routes, it’s woven from African, Indian, Chinese, and French influences—felt in sega rhythms, Tamil temples, and Creole kitchens serving octopus curry and dholl puri.

Beyond the beaches, history runs deep: the UNESCO-listed Aapravasi Ghat chronicles indentured labor migration; the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (Pamplemousses) Botanical Garden shelters giant water lilies and spice trees; and Le Morne Brabant commemorates Maroon communities who sought freedom on its slopes. Nature lovers find canyons, waterfalls, and dolphin-rich bays within an hour’s drive.

Practical notes: the Mauritian rupee (MUR) is king, driving is on the left, and cyclone season peaks January–March (check forecasts). Book snorkeling and catamaran cruises early in high season (June–November). For flights to Mauritius (MRU), compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Grand Baie

Set on the island’s north coast, Grand Baie is a lively bay of yachts, beach bars, and easy snorkeling—your springboard to the Northern Islands. By day, swim at La Cuvette or Mont Choisy; by night, live bands and rum punch take over Banana Beach Club.

Top nearby draws include Pereybere’s shallow lagoon, Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, and Caudan’s markets in Port Louis. Food runs the gamut: Creole, Indian, fresh-caught seafood, and wood-fired pizza within a stroll.

• Where to stay (Grand Baie): Browse vacation homes on VRBO Grand Baie or hotels on Hotels.com Grand Baie. Standout picks: Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury (ultra-refined, quiet bay), Mauricia Beachcomber Resort & Spa (great for families), Ocean Villas (good value on the water), or Ocean Lake Tourist Residence (budget-friendly).
• Getting in: From MRU airport to Grand Baie takes ~1 h 15 min by taxi (MUR 1,800–2,400). Car rentals run ~MUR 1,500–2,200/day. Compare flights to Mauritius on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Great activities from Grand Baie

Luxury Catamaran Cruise: The Northern Islands

Underwater Sea Walk & Beaches In The North With Transportation

All inclusive Full-Day North of Mauritius Private Tour with lunch

Day 1: Arrival in Mauritius → Grand Baie

Morning: In transit. Compare last‑minute fares and schedules on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Afternoon: Land at MRU and transfer to Grand Baie (~1 h 15 min). Check in, then stretch your legs with a dip at calm La Cuvette Beach and a walk to Sunset Boulevard for boutique browsing.

Evening: Welcome dinner at Le Capitaine (grilled marlin, octopus salad, breezy terrace) or La Rougaille Creole (homey rougaille, vindaye, and farata). Nightcap at Banana Beach Club, a local institution with live music and a rum list that reads like a novel.

Day 2: Northern Islands Catamaran (Ilot Gabriel & Flat Island)

Full-day catamaran cruise — Sail past Gunners Coin to snorkel bright reef shelves before beach time on Ilot Gabriel or Flat Island. A BBQ lunch and drinks are typically included; bring reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard.

Dinner: Back in Grand Baie, try Happy Rajah for North Indian classics (butter chicken, crisp dosas) or Botteghita for wood‑fired pizza and Italian comfort plates.

Day 3: Port Louis Markets, Street Food, and Pamplemousses

Morning: Coffee and a brioche at Chelsea’s Cup N Cake, then head to the capital. Walk Caudan Waterfront’s craft market and the photogenic umbrella lane before riding up to Fort Adelaide (La Citadelle) for harbor views.

Afternoon: Join the Port-Louis Street Food Tour for 2.5–3 hours of dholl puri hot off the tawa, gato pima (split-pea fritters), alouda, and Creole rougaille in hidden canteens you’d walk past alone.

Evening: Swing by Pamplemousses Botanical Garden for giant lilies and spice trees (allow ~60–90 minutes), then return north for sunset at Mont Choisy Beach. Dine at The Beach House (grilled reef fish, toes-in-sand vibe) or low-key Grill & Chill in Pereybere for smoky ribs and kebabs.

Le Morne

Le Morne is Mauritius’ spectacular southwest: a turquoise lagoon under the basalt monolith of Le Morne Brabant (UNESCO). This coast is famed for kitesurfing, dolphin sightings, and the island’s best sunsets.

Inland, Chamarel’s 7-Colored Earth ripples like a painter’s palette, Black River Gorges cradle rare ebony trees and pink pigeons, and waterfalls carve the volcanic heartland. Foodwise, expect beach grills, refined resort dining, and road-side snacks after a surf.

• Where to stay (Le Morne): Search stays on VRBO Le Morne or Hotels.com Le Morne. Resort standouts: The St. Regis Mauritius Resort (grand beachfront) and LUX* Le Morne (romantic, superb sunrise walks).
• Rainforest alternative (Chamarel): Boutique lodges in the hills: Lakaz Chamarel Exclusive Lodge, Les Jardins de Chamarel Lodge, or La Vieille Cheminee.
• Getting from Grand Baie to Le Morne: 1 h 30–1 h 45 by taxi (MUR 2,200–3,000). Consider timing your transfer with a private southwest tour that ends at your new hotel.

Great activities from Le Morne/Chamarel

Chamarel 7 Colours and Waterfalls - Exclusive South West Tour

Casela World of Adventures, West of Mauritius

Whale watching

Half Day Hike to Seven Waterfalls in Mauritius

Day 4: Grand Baie → (Touring the Southwest) → Le Morne

Full-day private tour — Have the guide pick you up in Grand Baie and drop you at your Le Morne hotel. Stops typically include Trou aux Cerfs crater, Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao), viewpoints over Black River Gorges, and Chamarel’s 7-Colored Earth and waterfall; many itineraries add a rum tasting at Rhumerie de Chamarel. Pack a swimsuit and light rain jacket for the highlands.

Dinner: Settle in at Wapalapam, Chef Willi’s near Le Morne (market-fresh fish, Mauritian spices, and garden herbs) or dine beachside at your resort—St. Regis’ venues excel at seafood and island produce.

Day 5: Le Morne Brabant and Lagoon Time

Morning: Tackle the Le Morne Brabant hike (guide strongly recommended; the upper section is steep but the vistas over the lagoon and reef “underwater waterfall” illusion are astonishing). If hiking isn’t for you, opt for a gentle coastal walk or a SUP session on glassy water.

Afternoon: Beach and lagoon. This is one of the world’s kitesurfing capitals—ask your hotel about beginner lessons in the sheltered Le Morne lagoon. Non-kiters can book a reef snorkel or a glass-bottom boat ride straight off the beach.

Evening: Sunset cocktails on the sand, then dinner at Le Chamarel Restaurant (go before dusk for sweeping ridge-top views and Creole classics) or at Vanilla Village Café in Black River for casual bowls and pastries if you want something light.

Day 6: Catamaran to Île aux Cerfs (East Coast)

Full-day catamaran to Île aux Cerfs — Sail from Trou d’Eau Douce across calm lagoon water to sandbar-blue Île aux Cerfs. Expect snorkel stops, a BBQ lunch, and time to laze on sugar-white beaches. It’s ~1 h 30–1 h 45 by road from Le Morne; many operators offer hotel pickup.

Alternative (for speedboat lovers): Full Day Tour 5 Island to Ile Aux Cerfs Incl. Lunch and Transfer for more time snorkeling and a stop at the Grande Rivière Sud-Est waterfall.

Dinner: Back west, refuel at your resort or try The Bay in Tamarin for seafood by the tide (book ahead for a terrace table).

Day 7: Waterfalls or Wildlife → Departure

Morning (choose one): - Half Day Hike to Seven Waterfalls (Tamarind Falls) for jungle pools and basalt amphitheaters (3–4 hours). - Family-friendly: Casela World of Adventures for safari trucks, aviaries, and zip-lines. - Ocean lovers (seasonal): early whale watching from Black River (sperm whales year‑round offshore, humpbacks best ~June–October).

Afternoon: Shower, pack, and depart for MRU (~1 hour from Le Morne; allow 3 hours before an international flight). If time allows, a last beachside lunch at your hotel keeps it easy and on schedule.

Evening: Fly home with salt in your hair and Creole spice still on the palate. For airport transfers, taxis are reliable; confirm cash or card. Check departures on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Where to eat and drink (quick picks to bookmark)

• Grand Baie: La Rougaille Creole (Creole staples), Le Capitaine (seafood), Happy Rajah (Indian), The Beach House (grill/seafood), Banana Beach Club (cocktails, bands), Chelsea’s Cup N Cake (coffee/pastries), Le Fournil Pereybere (fresh bakes).
• Southwest: Wapalapam (island produce, spice-driven plates), Le Chamarel Restaurant (view dining, Creole menu), The Bay (seafront in Tamarin), Vanilla Village Café (breakfast, salads, sweets).

Optional hotel swaps for different vibes

• West-coast resort strip (Flic en Flac): Sugar Beach Mauritius, La Pirogue Mauritius, Sofitel Mauritius L'Imperial Resort & Spa, or Aanari Hotel & Spa.
• East-coast lagoon (for Île aux Cerfs access): Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spa, Anahita Golf & Spa Resort, or Tropical Attitude.
• Capital overnight (for early flights): Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel, Le Suffren Hotel & Marina, or Champ de Mars Hotel.

Getting around: Mauritius has no trains or domestic flights. Taxis and private drivers are efficient for day tours; buses are inexpensive but slow and indirect for visitors. Renting a car gives the most flexibility—remember to drive on the left and watch for speed cameras.

This 7-day Mauritius itinerary balances lagoon time with cultural depth: catamaran days in Grand Baie, street food in Port Louis, and southwest rainforests and reefs under Le Morne’s storied cliffs. You’ll leave with sun-kissed skin, a taste for Creole spice, and a shortlist of reasons to return.