Cap Malheureux is the unfortunate name given to the northernmost tip of the main island of Mauritius. It literally means the unfortunate cape, a designation assigned to it by the French to express their grudge about it being the site of the successful landing that allowed the British to seize the island in 1810. We visited it briefly during a day trip to northern Mauritius together with Balaclava, Grand Baie, and Mont Choisy.
The area’s most iconic sight is the church of Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice de Cap Malheureux: a picturesque, white Roman Catholic chapel with a characteristic, bright-red roof contrasting the bay’s turquoise. It held a funeral during our visit, creating an emotional contrast against the sunkissed morning in addition to the chromatic contrast.
The church stands right behind the beach of Cap Malheureux: a short stretch of fine sand before the bay’s clear waters and a stunning view of the ocean’s immensity. The precipitous islet of Gunner’s Quoin stuck out from the horizon, adding a dramatic component to the otherwise serene vista. Tour operators offered boat rides to it, as well as the Flat and Gabriel’s islands that lie further away.
Being a Sunday, tourists and picnicking locals crowded the beach. A makeshift restaurant had sprung up. All the plastic tables were occupied under the thick foliage of an enormous banyan tree. The cooks bustled about an array of smoking barbecues. Merry chattering and tantalizing whiffs of grilled meat and seafood permeated the setting.
Away from the beach, Cap Malhheureux was a typically upscale village of northern Mauritius. The entire coastline, including the northernmost extremity itself, featured villas, hotels, boutiques, and fancy restaurants. However, it was still more relaxed than Grand Baie. It offers a fine option for those seeking a plush yet laid-back holiday.
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Accommodation and activities in Mauritius
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