Things to Do in Mauritius in 2026 — 25 Activities & Experiences

1. Water Activities

The lagoon that surrounds most of Mauritius is protected by one of the world's longest fringing reefs, making conditions calm enough for beginners while offering experienced divers more than 40 certified dive sites. The range of water-based activities is among the widest of any Indian Ocean island.

Snorkelling

Blue Bay Marine Park, in the southeast near Mahebourg, is the island's most biodiverse snorkelling site — coral gardens start within 50 metres of the beach and visibility routinely exceeds 15 metres. Île aux Cerfs, the lagoon island off Trou d'Eau Douce, is excellent for shore snorkelling with calm, chest-deep water over sandy reef. On the west coast, the submerged wreck of the SS Thistlegorm replica, the Cathedral, and Flic en Flac's wall offer sites for intermediate snorkellers.

Scuba Diving

CADI- and PADI-certified dive centres operate from most large resorts. Notable sites include the Cathedral (an underwater cave system at Flic en Flac), the wreck of the Stella Maru off the west coast, and the pass at Blue Bay. Water temperatures stay between 24°C and 29°C year-round — a 3mm wetsuit is comfortable from May to September. The dry season (May–November) brings the clearest visibility.

Catamaran Sailing & Dolphin Watching

Half-day and full-day catamaran excursions depart from Grand Baie, Trou d'Eau Douce, and Blue Bay daily during calm weather. Most include snorkelling, an on-board Creole seafood lunch, and a stop at a sandbank. The northwest coast near Tamarin Bay is home to a resident pod of spinner dolphins — early morning boat trips (before 9 am) have the highest encounter rate. Sightings are not guaranteed; ethical operators observe the dolphins without chasing or entering the water with them.

Kitesurfing & Windsurfing

Le Morne, at the southwestern tip, is one of the world's top kitesurfing destinations. The consistent trade winds from May to November and a wide, flat lagoon make conditions predictable. The IKO Kiteboarding World Cup has been held here twice. Beginners should stick to Grand Baie or Pointe d'Esny, where the wind is lighter and the lagoon more forgiving. Most luxury resorts on the west and north coasts provide windsurf equipment as part of their non-motorised watersports package.

• Deep-sea fishing: Black marlin, yellowfin tuna, and wahoo are caught year-round. The season peaks November–May. Full-day sport-fishing charters depart from Mahébourg, Grand Baie, and Flic en Flac.
• Submarine rides: The Mauritius Submarine departs from Grand Baie and descends to 35 metres, passing coral, wrecks, and pelagic fish. No swimming required — ideal for non-swimmers.
• Glass-bottom boat: Operates on all coasts. Best visibility in the morning before afternoon clouds build on the east coast.
• Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) & kayaking: Included free at most 5-star resorts. The calm lagoon north of Grand Baie is the best location for flat-water paddling.

2. Golf

Mauritius has eight championship courses — a remarkable density for an island of 2,040 km². Most are designed by internationally recognised architects and set against mountain or ocean backdrops that make them among the most scenic in the Indian Ocean. Green fees at top courses range from €80 to €220 per round for non-guests.

• Four Seasons Golf Club at Anahita (Ernie Els design, par 71, ocean views, ranked in world's top 100 resort courses)
• Heritage Golf Club, Bel Ombre (Peter Matkovich design, 18 holes through sugar cane fields and coastal wetlands — widely considered the island's most scenic course)
• Anahita Golf & Spa Resort Course (adjacent to the Four Seasons course; open to resort guests; different layout, 18 holes, flatter terrain)
• Constance Belle Mare Plage (two 18-hole courses — Legend and Links — both with Indian Ocean views)
• Tamarina Golf Club, Tamarin (Rodney Wright design, 18 holes following the Tamarin River valley with mountain panoramas)

3. Hiking & Land Adventures

Black River Gorges National Park

Covering 67 km² of the island's southwest interior, Black River Gorges is Mauritius's only national park. It protects rare endemic species including the Mauritius kestrel, the pink pigeon, and the echo parakeet — all brought back from the brink of extinction. The Gorges Viewpoint trail (2 km return from the visitor centre) is accessible to all fitness levels. The Macabé Ridge trail (7 km loop) passes through native ebony forest and reaches 550 metres above sea level. A guide is recommended for trails beyond the viewpoint.

Le Pouce & Trois Mamelles

Le Pouce (812 m) near Port Louis is one of Mauritius's most popular hikes — the three-hour summit trail offers a panorama covering both the north coast and Port Louis harbour. Trois Mamelles (643 m) near Curepipe is steeper and more challenging but offers 360-degree island views from the summit ridge. Both require a guide and a moderate fitness level.

• Quad biking: 1–3 hour off-road tours through sugar cane fields and dirt trails. Departures from most tour operators in Flic en Flac and Grand Baie.
• Zip-lining: Casela World of Adventures (Cascavelle) has the longest zip-line network in Mauritius — 6 lines, up to 400 metres per run, over a wildlife reserve.
• Horse riding: Galop Moka (central highlands) and La Vielle Cheminée (Chamarel) offer beach and countryside trail rides. Early morning rides avoid the midday heat.
• Cycling: Mountain bike trails in the central highlands are increasingly well-marked. Most 5-star resorts offer e-bikes for exploring adjacent countryside.

4. Cultural & Historical Sightseeing

Port Louis

The capital is best explored on foot. The Caudan Waterfront combines marina restaurants, craft shops, and the National History Museum. The Central Market (Bazaar) is the island's best showcase of local produce, street food, and Mauritian textiles — arrive before 11 am when it's least crowded. The Aapravasi Ghat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the waterfront, marks the first landing site of indentured labourers brought to Mauritius in the 19th century; the museum is compact but historically significant.

Chamarel

The Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths — a geological curiosity of volcanic ash dunes in seven distinct colours — are a 20-minute walk from the adjacent Chamarel Rum Distillery. The distillery produces Mauritius's most celebrated agricultural rum from local sugar cane and runs guided tastings lasting 45 minutes. The Chamarel Waterfall (100 metres) is a 10-minute walk from the car park and can be combined into a half-day excursion from any west coast or south coast resort.

• Sega evenings: The Sega is Mauritius's national dance — born from the music of enslaved Africans and characterised by hip movements and improvised song. Most 5-star resorts host a Sega evening 1–2 times per week with live musicians and dancers.
• Mahebourg Waterfront Museum: Chronicles the French and British naval battle of Grand Port (1810) using original artefacts from both wrecked fleets. Free entry.
• Hindu temples: The Grand Bassin lake crater temple, 551 metres above sea level, is considered the holiest Hindu site outside India by the island's Hindu community. Open to respectful visitors year-round; most visited during the Maha Shivaratree festival (February/March).

5. Wildlife & Nature

• Casela World of Adventures (Cascavelle): The island's largest wildlife park offers lion walks (with sub-adults, not cubs), cheetah interactions, zip-lining, and buggy safaris through a savannah habitat. Half-day visits are sufficient. Non-swimmers and children from age 4 can participate in most activities.
• Île aux Aigrettes: A small coral island off Mahébourg that has been restored to its pre-human ecology by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. Native giant tortoises, pink pigeons, and Mauritius fodies have been reintroduced. Visits are by guided boat tour only; book in advance during peak season.
• Whale watching (seasonal): Sperm whales pass through Mauritius's deep offshore waters from June to October. Dedicated whale-watching excursions depart from Tamarin Bay on the west coast — sightings are not guaranteed but average 70–80% success rates in July–August.
• Sea turtles: Green and hawksbill turtles nest occasionally on remote beaches in the south and nest more reliably on Rodrigues. Several resort beaches on the east coast have resident turtles feeding in the lagoon — ask your dive centre or resort activities desk for current sighting locations.

6. Day Trips

Île aux Cerfs

This lagoon island off Trou d'Eau Douce is Mauritius's most-visited day trip. Accessed by a 5-minute water taxi from the Trou d'Eau Douce jetty, it offers a crescent beach, calm shallow water, water sports rental, restaurants, and a Greg Norman-designed golf course. It becomes crowded between 11 am and 2 pm; arrive before 10 am for the quietest experience. Many east coast resorts can arrange private water taxi and lunch packages.

Blue Bay Marine Park

A protected marine area in the southeast corner of the island. The park boundary is enforced — anchoring on coral is prohibited — and the reef is noticeably healthier than unprotected sites. Full-day boat excursions from Grand Baie, Flic en Flac, and Mahébourg visit Blue Bay as one of 2–3 snorkelling stops. Reef-safe mineral sunscreen is strongly encouraged by park operators.

• Rodrigues Island: A 90-minute Air Mauritius flight from Port Louis. The island has a lagoon twice the size of Mauritius, almost zero crowds, and some of the western Indian Ocean's most untouched reefs. Budget 2–3 nights minimum.
• Flat Island & Gabriel Island: An uninhabited island pair off the north coast. Full-day catamaran excursions include snorkelling, beach BBQ, and shallow reef exploration. Visibility is exceptional in the May–November dry season.

7. Activities by Region

Best Hotels for Activities in Mauritius

The best resort for activities depends on what you want to do. Below are three properties covering the widest activity ranges — each with on-site facilities rather than just excursion desks.