Mahébourg is a quaint, historical town on the southeastern coast of Mauritius, known for its deep connections to the island’s colonial past. Once the capital during the French rule, it now offers a quieter, more laid-back and authentic atmosphere compared to the bustling cities and the tourist hubs of the island’s west and north. It is also considerably cheaper. Hence we chose … [Read more...]
What to See in Port Louis, Mauritius
While not the place you would choose to stay during a holiday in Mauritius—there are many paradisal beaches for that—Port Louis is a charming little city squeezed between the ocean and the steep, lush Moka Mountains. During our two-month stay in Mauritius, we visited Port Louis on numerous day trips usually for shopping combined with some exploration while we were at it. Here … [Read more...]
What to See during a Day Trip to Curepipe, Mauritius
Curepipe is a town in the central plateau of Mauritius, located at the southern end of the Port Louis-Curepipe urban corridor and the Metro Express line that runs through it. It is also called the City of Light, as it was the first Mauritian town to adopt electricity. Curepipe is known for its cool climate and vibrant, diverse culture.While we drove through Curepipe several … [Read more...]
Swimming & Snorkeling in Blue Bay, Mauritius
With its impressive palette of blues, ranging from deep cerulean to bright turquoise, Blue Bay is one of the most popular attractions on the island of Mauritius. Designated as a protected marine park, its extensive reef hosts over 50 species of coral and a wide range of tropical fish, sea turtles, and other marine creatures. While we stayed in the nearby city of Mahebourg for … [Read more...]
Kayaking from Mahebourg to Snorkel in Blue Bay, Mauritius
The view of the turquoise lagoon and its lush shore greeted us every morning as we drew the curtains of our seafront room in Mahebourg, never failing to captivate us. Since day one of our two-month stay in Mauritius, we ruled that we ought to do at least one kayaking trip before leaving. Although there were plenty of options for guided sea or river kayaking tours throughout the … [Read more...]
Climbing to Pieter Both Mountain Summit
I remember the first time we drove to northern Mauritius. We’d pulled over in the middle of the motorway and stared incredulously at this most astounding natural spectacle. Resembling a colossal cairn assembled by some skillful ancient giant, there towered Mauritius’s second-highest peak: Pieter Both.Pieter Both Mountain is part of the Moka Range that rises above Port Louis in … [Read more...]
Mont Choisy Beach, Mauritius on a Sunday
Mont Choisy Beach, situated on the island’s north coast, 5 km from Grand Baie and 20 km from Port Louis, is the longest and one of the most popular beaches in Mauritius. It is relatively undeveloped compared to other popular Mauritian beaches. Resorts are found only to its north and south, while the entire beachfront is bordered by broad untouched woodland. Besides its natural … [Read more...]
Black River Peak Trail: a Hike to the Highest Point of Mauritius
The Black River Peak (more commonly referred to in French as Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire) is the highest mountain in Mauritius, at 828 meters AMSL. It lies within the homonymous range of the Black River Gorges National Park in the island’s southwest. After climbing the lower but more difficult and rewarding peaks of Pieter Both, Le Morne, and the Lion Mountain, I reserved … [Read more...]
A Day Trip to Grand Baie, Mauritius
Grand Baie (or Grand Bay) is an upscale resort village on the north coast of Mauritius, 25 km from Port Louis. Besides its high-end tourism, Grand Baie is renowned for its stunning coastal scenery and, above all, its vibrant nightlife. Since we aren’t quite rich, we didn’t consider spending a single night there. Instead, we settled in Mahébourg, in the cheaper south, for our … [Read more...]
Balaclava Marine Park (Turtle Bay) Snorkeling Trip in Mauritius
As we were settled in Mahebourg, Blue Bay was our standard snorkeling spot during our two months in Mauritius. Looking into alternatives for variety, we kept hearing about Balaclava Marine Park, aka Turtle Bay. Established in 1997, this is the first and still one of few national marine reserves in Mauritius. Its warm, sheltered waters harbor as many as 200 coral species and … [Read more...]
