Eco tourism

Choose eco-aware accommodation

There is an incredible choice of hotels, lodges, guesthouses and villas on the island. Over 40 hotels have been awarded labels such as Green Globe, Travelife, Green Key, Blue Oasis or Earth Check, certification that the property has reached high standards set by the Global Sustainability Tourism Council. These forward-thinking hotels and accommodation providers are making a positive difference in the tourism sector.

Buy local

We are an arty and creative community, so buying beautiful products made right here on the island is highly recommended. Look out for the Made in Moris label during your stay. It means a product or service has been created in Mauritius using traditional skills, knowledge and local ingredients! Made in Moris certified products have been made with love by the islanders. The items have a lower environmental impact than imported souvenirs, support local makers and contribute to our local economy. A little tip for your shopping trip: buy a reusable shopping bag on the island, as plastic bags were banned on the island in 2020.

• Made in Moris 
• Port Louis market
• Find a shopping mall

Eat local

Dine in local restaurants or try our street food. Your tastebuds will thank you! We also recommend a meal at a table d’hote. Warm hospitality and good food with new friends around a communal table – homemade flavours and a genuine welcome are the real taste of Mauritius!

Try these dishes in Mauritius

Support local skills

We like to grow, make and create in Mauritius! During your stay, you can support the skills of the islanders by visiting local manufacturers. Go rum tasting at a distillery, try lychee wine at a local boutique vineyard or visit a vanilla plantation. You should also make time for a cup of tea at one of the island’s tea plantations, such as Bois Cheri. It’s a great place to learn about the history of tea and taste the different flavours. There is also a biscuiterie on the island, where they use traditional methods and flavours to make the most delicious biscuits.

• Rhumerie de Chamarel
• Bois Cheri Tea Factory and Tea Museum
• Takamaka Boutique Winery 
• Biscuiterie H.Rault

Improve our eco-system

Come and learn about our ecosystem during your stay and get involved! You can plant a tree at Ebony Forest or take part in mangrove planting. You can also hop over to Ile aux Aigrettes and take a guided tour. This small islet is a nature reserve and incredible conservation work has helped create a habitat for rare species. And don’t forget our marine life! Pop into the Marine Discovery Centre in Anse La Raie to chat with marine biologists and find out what research projects are underway.

• Plant a tree at Ebony Forest
• Visit the Marine Discovery Centre
• Take a guided tour of Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve
• Try mangrove planting
• Explore your surroundings! Look, snorkel, dive and enjoy the underwater scenery.
• Take photos and learn about coral reefs and their inhabitants. Coral reefs support many species of fish and other organisms
• Pick up rubbish if you spot any in the sea or on the beach. Beach litter poses a threat to the health and survival of marine organisms, which can swallow or get tangled in plastic and other debris.
• Research and take part in beach and lagoon cleaning events. You can enjoy the marine life while helping to preserve it!
• Support local associations protecting the environment. They are always in need of volunteers and support.

Choose eco-friendly activities

Think about how you can explore the island in an eco-friendly way. Stand-up paddleboarding, kayaking, hiking and biking – taking it slowly gives you more time to soak up the view!

• Kayaking
• Stand-up paddleboarding
• Hiking
• Kite-surfing

Be aware of local rules and guidelines

It’s wise to read up about local rules and regulations, so you don’t endanger the local wildlife, marine life or environment.
 

Dolphin and whale watching

There are a few things to know if dolphin and whale watching is top of your wishlist. Wild whales and dolphins can be found in the waters surrounding Mauritius and there are certain rules to keep both you and the marine life safe. The Tourism Authority (Dolphin and Whale Watching) Regulations 2012 state:

1. It is prohibited to swim, dive or snorkel with whales in Mauritius 
2. You cannot feed a dolphin or whale, or throw food or any other object, substance or matter near or around a dolphin or whale
3. You must travel with a licenced whale and dolphin-watching provider
4. Pleasure crafts can only approach whales and dolphins from the side, must follow a parallel course to the whale or dolphin, and operate the pleasure craft at a no-wake speed
5. You cannot touch, or attempt to touch, a dolphin or whale
6. You cannot make noise to attract their attention or circle around them
7. If swimming with dolphins, you must be briefed on sound techniques related to calm and silent swimming. No more than three swimmers (including a designated life saver) to enter, dive or snorkel simultaneously in the sea

Find full details of the Tourism Authority (Dolphin and Whale Watching) Regulations 2012.

Be aware of the marine environment

Our marine environment is very delicate. Here are some tips to help ensure you help preserve it for future generations.

DON’T

• Don’t touch marine organisms. Touching coral will kill it and other organisms can be venomous. 
• Don’t walk on corals. One footstep can break coral that has taken over 10 to 50 years to grow only a few centimetres.
• Don’t take any marine organisms away with you (such as shells and corals). All organisms have a role to play in the ecosystem, whether they are dead or alive. When molluscs die, their shells break down to become sand or provide homes for hermit crabs.
• Don’t drop anchor on live coral or seagrass habitats. Anchors can break decades of coral growth in a matter of seconds. They can also scrape the sea floor and remove everything in their path, including seagrasses.
• Don’t feed fish. Many fish feed on algae or detritus and keep the reef clean. If you feed them, they may no longer graze on the harmful algae that can kill coral.
• Don’t leave your rubbish behind. Beach litter usually ends up in the ocean and covers and kills marine habitats and organisms. 
• Avoid snorkelling on your own, if possible. It is safer to snorkel as a buddy pair and stay close together. As an extra precaution, tell someone (such as boathouse staff) where you are going.

Respect our culture and heritage

Mauritius is one of the most multi-cultural countries in the world, with multiple communities making up the unique tapestry of the island. We recommend learning about the island’s history during your stay, visiting our two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Le Morne Cultural Landscape

Le Morne Brabant is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its poignant history. Hiking up Le Morne mountain is the perfect time to reflect on how the mountain provided shelter for escaped slaves during the 18th and early 19th Century. Go with a guide to learn about what happened to the slaves on the mountain when the abolition of slavery was announced. Le Morne is a symbol of suffering, sacrifice and freedom; and a great guide will bring the story to life during your climb.

Aapravasi Ghat

If you want to learn about the history of Mauritius, then visiting Aapravasi Ghat is a must. Located in Port Louis, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is among the oldest surviving immigration depots associated with indenture.

Aapravasi Ghat was part of the ‘Great Experiment’ initiated by the British Government after the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834. The ‘Great Experiment’ demonstrated the superiority of ‘free’ labour over slave labour in its plantation colonies. Aapravasi Ghat depicts the story of more than 462,000 indentured labourers recruited to work on sugar plantations in Mauritius for a period of five years.

Today, you can visit the partial remains of three stone buildings from the original Aapravasi Ghat, peruse documentation and artefacts including pipes and medicine, as well as watch a ten-minute film featuring the testimonials of the workers’ descendants.

So, come and make a difference and support our beautiful island! Learn, enjoy and explore everything it has to offer. We look forward to seeing you soon in Mauritius.