Mauritius is more than just captivating beaches, turquoise lagoons and brilliant cultures colliding together. The island’s nature is incredible, so come and explore soaring peaks covered with forest, National Parks and astounding landscapes.
We caught up with vlogger Will Tevs to reveal the top 5 best hikes in Mauritius for adventure, waterfalls and, of course, amazing views.
Wellness is a big part of life in Mauritius. Lots of our hotels offer group and one-to-one yoga sessions with friendly yoga teachers, in settings from overwater jetties to pavilions perched above lush hillside.
Come and find your perfect yoga spot.
Chamarel Waterfall is fed by three streams that filter into Saint Denis River and it looks – and flows – at its best between December and April. Our tip? Pull on your hiking boots and make the three-hour trek to the base for a rewarding swim in the pool and the chance to experience the spray of the waterfalls up close. Hire an expert guide to lead you through the tropical rainforest and enlighten you on the birdlife, ‘falls and geology of the area en route.
You can watch the twin waterfalls tumble over the basalt cliff and drop around 100 metres into the oval pool below. While the water is what draws your eye, the volcanic rock shouldn’t be overlooked. These layers date back 8-10 million years!
This small islet is surrounded by a ring of coral and ebony forest covers its landscape.
In 1965, Île aux Aigrettes was declared a nature reserve and incredible conservation work has helped create a habitat for rare species that had long disappeared from the island.
You can enjoy a guided tour, keeping a lookout for rare plants, reptiles, tortoises and beautiful birds, including the pink pigeon, Mauritius fody and Mauritius olive white-eye.
Would you like to visit later this year?
Wake up before dawn and slide out of bed, pulling on your hiking boots and checking you have all the essentials for this morning’s adventure.
You’re about to climb Le Morne Brabant, a three-hour hike with an expert guide as the soft morning sunlight casts its rays over the ocean. The last stage feels more like a rocky climb to the summit and, as you make that final push, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of reefs and lagoons from the top of the mountain.
Le Morne Brabant is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its poignant history. As you gaze down at the sea’s swirling shades of turquoise from way up high, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how the mountain provided shelter for escaped slaves during the 18th and early 19th Century. The mountain is a symbol of suffering, sacrifice and freedom; and a great guide will bring the story to life during your climb.
Back on terra firma, spend the afternoon on the beach doing very little or, if you still have some energy, book a kite-surfing session. This windy peninsula is one of the best spots on the island to catch a wave.
Who else gets good vibes walking through the forest?
When the sunlight streams through the branches and you can hear the birds in the treetops, it can lift your mood and give you a sense of calm.
Endemic birds – including the Mauritius Paradise-flycatcher – reward hikers and mountain bikers in Bras d’Eau National Park. This wild place of beaches, lakes and native trees lies on the rocky remnants of a lava flow on our north-east coast.
They were sighted off the west coast of the island and we caught them on camera, gracefully rising from the water, playfully intertwining, the youngster keen to stick by mum.
The ocean surrounding Mauritius is key whale-spotting territory, especially along the west coast. Sperm whales can be seen year-round, and humpback whales migrate through from July to November.
Who is loving the whale wellbeing today?
This pod of dolphins is regularly seen off the coastline of Mauritius and swimming with them in the wild is one of life’s most special moments. Just don’t forget to respect their underwater world and let them come to you if they choose.
The west coast is their favourite playground and you can see both bottlenose and spinner dolphins here, often travelling in pods of 20. Sometimes we are lucky enough to spot over 100 sliding through the water to the deeper ocean off Le Morne peninsula!
Would you like to glide through the water among these graceful and intelligent creatures?
Mauritius is paradise for stand-up paddleboarding – or SUP, for those in the know. 😉
The lagoons are as clear as glass and it’s one of the best ways (and most eco-friendly) to explore the island’s coastline.
But there’s more to explore inland, too. Push your paddle in the water to navigate a labyrinth of thick, green mangroves unreachable by foot; or glide down rivers to discover hidden waterfalls.
She has a passion for the ocean and gets to swim with wild dolphins every day. The pods have got to know her and she has got to know the most playful characters under the waves.
There is nothing like the freedom you feel when gliding through the water among these graceful and intelligent creatures, so come and experience it for yourself. All we ask is that you respect their environment and let them come to you – a wild dolphin encounter is one of life’s most special moments.
Bart started kitesurfing when he was 12 and has spent his whole life by (and in) the ocean. Mauritius is one of the best destinations in the world for kitesurfing and Bart can tell you which lagoons are great for beginners and where to catch that perfect barrel.
There are fantastic kitesurfing spots all around the island, and the south is renowned for those strong and consistent tradewinds, especially between April and November. One Eye at Pointe du Morne or Cap Dal in Tamarin are the island’s most famous kitesurfing areas, where you’ll find a great choice of surf and kite schools.
So come and meet instructors like Bart. Book a one-off lesson or dedicate your whole stay to mastering the sport. It’s time to live your best life by the ocean.
Jean knows that Mauritius is so much more than its beaches and lagoons. If you’re prepared to hike rugged trails and explore deeper, you’ll find the island’s hidden jewels. Emerald-green forests, astounding look-out points and tumbling waterfalls that cascade into freshwater pools.
You get to find these special places when you’re not in a rush. So embrace slow travel in Mauritius, become a local like Jean and give the island more of your time. It’s only then that you’ll be rewarded with a more authentic travel experience.
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