Mauritius is a volcanic island ringed by coral reefs, sugarcane fields, and turquoise lagoons—an Indian Ocean classic shaped by Dutch, French, and British chapters before independence in 1968. English is official, French is widely spoken, and Mauritian Creole sings through daily life. The beloved (and extinct) dodo still graces souvenirs; rum, tea, and vanilla scent the hills.

Expect soft-sand beaches, kite-surf lagoons, and inland rainforests where waterfalls tumble into ravines. Highlights include the capital Port Louis, the garden heritage of Pamplemousses, Chamarel’s Seven Colored Earth, and the east coast’s dreamy sandbar at Île aux Cerfs. Snorkeling and diving are excellent thanks to the protective reef.

Practical notes: Drive on the left; distances are short (coast-to-coast in 1–2 hours). The Mauritian Rupee (MUR) is standard, and cards are widely accepted. Best weather for a classic beach holiday is May–November; December–March brings warmer seas and occasional tropical showers—great for lush landscapes.

Grand Baie

Base yourself first in Grand Baie, the lively north-coast hub with calm swimming coves, boutique shopping, sunsets over bobbing catamarans, and easy access to the islands off the coast. Nightlife runs late, and nearby beaches like Pereybere and Mont Choisy are among Mauritius’s best for a relaxed swim.

• Top sights and activities: Pereybere Beach, Mont Choisy Beach, SSR Botanical Garden (Pamplemousses), La Table du Château (Domaine de Labourdonnais) for a refined Creole lunch, Port Louis’s Caudan Waterfront and Central Market.
• Where to stay (Grand Baie): For a treat, Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury. Friendly and central: Mauricia Beachcomber Resort & Spa or Ocean Villas. Budget-friendly: Ocean Lake Tourist Residence. Browse more stays on Hotels.com (Grand Baie) or book villas via VRBO (Grand Baie).
• Getting there: Fly into MRU (Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International). Compare fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights. Airport to Grand Baie is ~1h15 by taxi.

Day 1: Arrival, Pereybere Swim, and Creole Welcome

Afternoon: Arrive at MRU and transfer to Grand Baie. Check in, then stretch your legs at Pereybere Beach—clear, sheltered water ideal after a long flight. For a light pick-me-up, grab a coffee and pastry at a local bakery-café (try a classic napolitaine cookie).

Evening: Dinner at La Rougaille Creole for homestyle Mauritian staples: octopus curry, rougaille saucisse, or vindaye fish with faratas. For a nightcap and local sega vibes, swing by Banana Beach Club—good music, friendly crowd, and a long island history.

Day 2: North Heritage, Garden Trails, and Port Louis

Morning: Head to SSR Botanical Garden (Pamplemousses), one of the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere—giant water lilies and spice trees tell the island’s botanical story. Late breakfast nearby: fresh fruit, croissants, and Mauritian tea.

Afternoon: Lunch at La Table du Château in the historic Domaine de Labourdonnais—think palm-fringed verandas and refined Creole plates. Continue to Port Louis: browse the Central Market for spices, pick up a sundowner at the Caudan Waterfront, and, if you like craft brews, sample a Mauritian IPA at The Lambic.

Evening: Return to Grand Baie. Seafood dinner at Le Capitaine—grilled prawns, oyster platters, and views across the bay. Post-dinner stroll along the waterfront gelato stands.

Day 3: Full-Day Île aux Cerfs Catamaran Cruise (East Coast)

Get an early pick-up to Trou d’Eau Douce for a classic lagoon day. Sail past turquoise flats, snorkel in gin-clear shallows, and pause at the Grande Rivière Sud-Est waterfall. Onboard BBQ and open bar keep spirits high. Expect 9:00–16:00 on the water; transfers add ~1.5 hours each way from Grand Baie.

Book: Mauritius: Ile Aux Cerfs Catamaran Tour with Lunch and Drinks

Tip: Pack reef-safe sunscreen and a rash guard. After docking, unwind back in Grand Baie; casual dinner at a beachfront grill or grab spicy dholl puri at a local stand if you spot one.

Flic en Flac

Shift bases to Flic en Flac on the west coast, where a long, casuarina-shaded beach faces fiery sunsets and the lagoon teems with snorkel spots. It’s a perfect springboard for Chamarel, Black River Gorges, and the whale-and-dolphin grounds off Tamarin/Le Morne.

• Top sights and activities: Flic en Flac Beach, Tamarin Bay, Le Morne Brabant (UNESCO), Black River Gorges National Park, Chamarel Waterfall and Seven Colored Earth, Casela Nature Park.
• Where to stay (Flic en Flac): Beachfront classics La Pirogue Mauritius and Sugar Beach Mauritius; elegant Sofitel Mauritius L'Imperial Resort & Spa; value-friendly Aanari Hotel & Spa. See more on Hotels.com (Flic en Flac) or browse villas on VRBO (Flic en Flac).
• Optional splurge in Le Morne (great for kite lagoon access): The St. Regis Mauritius Resort or LUX* Le Morne.

Day 4: Transfer to the West, Sunset on Flic en Flac

Morning: Depart Grand Baie for Flic en Flac (~1h15 by taxi; budget 2,000–3,000 MUR / ~$45–70). No trains on the island; if you’re self-driving, the M2/A3 is straightforward. If you’re adjusting flights, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Afternoon: Check in and ease into beach mode. Snorkel just off-shore where sandy patches meet coral heads; water is typically calm. For a late lunch, try Ah Youn (Sino-Mauritian favorites like bol renversé and black-bean beef) or Zub Express for fragrant biryanis and tikka.

Evening: Golden-hour walk along Flic en Flac’s casuarina-lined promenade. Casual seafood dinner at a beachfront grill, then live music at Kenzi Bar, a local institution with a laid-back, barefoot crowd.

Day 5: Full-Day Southwest Icons—Chamarel, Gorges, and Rum

Today is about Mauritius’s wild heart: crater lakes, gorges, and the famous mineral dunes of Chamarel. A guided circuit streamlines the winding mountain roads, adds context, and includes tastings.

Book: Chamarel 7 Colours and Waterfalls - Exclusive South West Tour

Typical stops include Trou aux Cerfs (dormant volcano), Black River Gorges lookouts for macaques and tropicbirds, Grand Bassin’s lakeside temples, the thundering Chamarel Waterfall, and the Seven Colored Earth geopark. Lunch suggestions: the Rhumerie de Chamarel restaurant (taste local sugarcane rum and order palm-heart salad) or Le Chamarel Restaurant for cliff-edge views to the sea.

Day 6: Dawn Whale Watching, Le Morne Lagoon, and Beach Time

Early morning seas are best for marine encounters off the west coast. Operators scan for spinner and bottlenose dolphins and, seasonally, humpbacks (roughly July–October); sperm whales can be sighted offshore year-round. Choose ethical crews that keep respectful distances and limit swimmers near dolphins.

Book: Whale Dream ltd - Whales watching and swim with dolphins

After the cruise, head to Le Morne for a lazy lagoon afternoon—knee-deep, aquamarine water perfect for a wade. Lunch at Wapalapam (island spices meet modern plates). If you’re keen, arrange a guided hike of Le Morne Brabant (start very early; moderate–challenging) next time you visit, and keep today for the beach. Dinner back on the west coast at The Boathouse Grill & Bar at Le Morne or seaside grills nearer Flic en Flac.

Day 7: Casela Nature Park and Departure

Morning: Spend a final morning at Casela World of Adventures—take the safari bus to see zebras and antelope, zipline over canyons, and wander the walk-through aviary. It’s a fun, family-friendly way to round out the week.

Book: Casela World of Adventures, West of Mauritius

Afternoon: Freshen up at your hotel before transfer to MRU (~60–70 minutes). If time allows, enjoy a farewell seafood lunch at Pakbo in nearby Tamarin—grilled catch of the day with ocean breezes. Depart in the afternoon, sandy and satisfied.

Optional/Alternate Day Tours You Can Swap In

• Whale watching (West Coast) — dedicated whale-spotting by speedboat.

  

• Full Day Tour 5 Island to Île aux Cerfs Incl. Lunch and Transfer — for a faster-paced day of multiple east-coast islets.

  

Where to eat and drink—extra picks to pepper through the week:

• Grand Baie: La Rougaille Creole (Creole classics), Le Capitaine (seafood), La Table du Château (elegant lunch in a historic estate), Banana Beach Club (nightlife).
• Port Louis: Central Market street food (gateaux piments, roti), The Lambic (craft beer and brasserie plates).
• Flic en Flac/Tamarin/Le Morne: Ah Youn (Sino-Mauritian), Zub Express (Indian), Wapalapam (spice-forward island cuisine), Pakbo (seafood grill), Kenzi Bar (live music).

Good to know: Most transfers are 30–90 minutes. Taxis are easy to hire; negotiating a day rate is common. If you drive, watch for narrow rural roads and sudden rain showers in the highlands. Bring reef shoes for rocky entries and use reef-safe sunscreen to protect the lagoon.

How this 7-day Mauritius itinerary flows

• Days 1–3: Grand Baie base for north coast, Port Louis, and an Île aux Cerfs catamaran day.
• Days 4–7: Flic en Flac base for Chamarel, Le Morne marine life, Casela, and west-coast sunsets.

This week marries Mauritius’s greatest hits—beaches, lagoons, volcanic highlands, and Creole flavors—without rushing. You’ll leave with salt in your hair, spice on your palate, and a clear map for your next island return.