Mauritius
9 Nights · 10 Days

Land at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU). Immigration and customs (~30 min). Buy local SIM card in arrivals hall — tourist SIM with 200GB data: ~1,000–1,100 MUR (~USD 22). Transfer to Grand Baie. Evening: Dinner at Grand Baie Bazaar — try dholl puri and gâteaux piment (lentil fritters). Walk along the bay.

Full-day catamaran cruise from Grand Baie to Gabriel Island, Flat Island, and Coin de Mire. Crystal-clear lagoon swimming, snorkeling over coral gardens, and BBQ lunch on board (request vegetarian in advance — most operators accommodate). Optional: dolphin watching en route from Tamarin Bay (~2 hr roundtrip). Book in advance — most popular activity in Mauritius.

Morning: SSR Botanical Garden, Pamplemousses — 25 km from Grand Baie. Giant Amazon water lilies, palm alley, giant tortoises (free or nominal entry). Midday: Drive 10 km to Port Louis capital. Central Market — fresh produce, street food, Indian spice stalls, Creole crafts. Waterfront Caudan shopping mall. Cap Malheureux red-roofed church (free, iconic photo). Evening: Grand Baie restaurants.

1 hr drive south. En route: Casela Nature Parks — Africa-style wildlife park (lions, giraffes, zipline, segway safari). One of the most popular family activities in Mauritius. Afternoon: Check in at Flic en Flac. Long white beach walk. Sunset at the beach — best sunsets in Mauritius happen here as the sun drops into the sea on the western coast.

Morning: Drive 20 min inland to Black River Gorges National Park — the largest nature reserve in Mauritius, 6,700 hectares of tropical forest. Free entry. Hiking trails: Vallée de Ferney (easy 2 km), Alexandra Falls viewpoint, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire (highest peak, challenging). Spot endemic birds including pink pigeon and Mauritius parakeet. Afternoon: return to Flic en Flac, snorkeling at beach (free — excellent coral from shore).

45 min drive south. En route: Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths — a geological marvel where rolling sand dunes display 7 distinct shades of mineral-rich soil (red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, yellow). Plus Chamarel Waterfall (highest in Mauritius, 100m) and Chamarel Rhumerie rum distillery. Check in to Le Morne. Late afternoon: first view of Le Morne Brabant UNESCO mountain reflected in the turquoise lagoon — one of the most breathtaking vistas in Africa.

Early morning: Guided sunrise hike up Le Morne Brabant (UNESCO, 556m). 4-hour guided hike, dramatic rock scramble at the summit, 360° views of the Indian Ocean. A guide is required (safety + heritage access). Afternoon: recover with a lagoon swim. Le Morne has a shallow turquoise lagoon extending hundreds of metres — snorkel among tropical fish. Optional: kite surfing lesson — Le Morne is rated one of the world's top 5 kite surfing spots.

1 hr drive east. Wednesday: Mahebourg Waterfront Market (weekly, early morning) — local produce, fresh fish, spices, handicrafts, best Creole street food on the island. Check in to Blue Bay. Afternoon: Blue Bay Marine Park — UNESCO protected coral lagoon, snorkel from the beach (free) among sea turtles, parrotfish, and moray eels. Glass-bottom boat tours available (~MUR 1,000 pp). Evening: sunset from the beachfront.

Full-day boat trip to Ile aux Cerfs — a pristine private island off the east coast, accessible only by boat (15 min from Trou d'Eau Douce). White sand beaches, clear turquoise waters, water sports (kayak, pedalo, parasailing, underwater walking). Snorkeling around the island (coral and tropical fish). BBQ lunch available on the island (request vegetarian). Alternatively: private speedboat to 5 islands tour including snorkeling and sea turtle spotting.

Check out. Final swim at Pointe d'Esny Beach (10 min from Blue Bay) — one of Mauritius's most beautiful quiet beaches. Airport transfer. MRU Airport is 45 min from Blue Bay. Depart with MUR notes (no coin export restrictions). Mauritian Rupees are not easily exchangeable abroad — spend remaining currency at airport duty-free.