Plan Your Travel To Mauritius
Places To Visit In Mauritius
Ile du Phare
For those who think Mauritius is just one big island with an abundance of beaches and lagoons, you might not be entirely correct. In fact, you would be surprised to learn about the numerous nearby islets close to the mainland of the paradise island. The one we are talking about here is the Ile du Phare, located in Mahebourg.
Also known by the name of Ile aux Fouquets, Ile du Phare is indeed one of the first islets to be discovered by the Dutch back in 1598. It is situated towards the southeastern corner of Mauritius and is closest to the Vacoas Island. It is also reputed as one of the national parks of the island nation.
This rocky island sits between the calm sea towards the side of the lagoon and the high sea, which can be discovered on walking across the island. It is right beside the Ile aux Vacoas and Ile de la Passe and is the second island of the chain. In comparison to the other islands, Ile du Phare is relatively hilly. A ruined lighthouse sits on its topmost point, from which the island derives its name.
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Ilot Gabriel Beach
While it is common knowledge that when it comes to tropical tourist destinations, Mauritius is, by far, one of the first options. However, unbeknownst to many people. The island of Mauritius is comprised not just of its mainland alone, but of many other tiny islands and islets surrounding the region, which are as beautiful as the main island of Mauritius. One such island is the Ile aux Gabriel, an island off the northern coast of Mauritius, which is very famous for its catamaran cruises, and its watersports activities such as snorkelling and scuba diving.
Unlike some of the other islands around Mauritius, Ile aux Gabriel is not a very large island, and it would be more fitting to call it an islet than an island. The main highlight of the island is the Ilot Gabriel beach, which is one of the most pristine beaches you will find across the whole of Mauritius, which explains why it's such a favourite tourist destination, and why a visit to the islet makes for a perfect day trip!
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International Slave Route Monument
Slavery is deeply embedded in the history of Mauritius, as it was once a part of the far-reaching and complex network of the international slave trade. The dark tale of hundreds of slaves throwing themselves off the mountain cliff to escape the horrors of dehumanisation gives us gist about the prevailing monstrosity of slavery on the island. The International Slave Route Monument at the foot of Le Morne Brabant commemorates this former practice of slavery in Mauritius.
The International Slave Route Monument was inaugurated on 1st February 2009 to mark the 174th anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery in Mauritius. This monument is a reminder of the importance of freedom in people's lives and the objective behind its construction was to promote peace through cultural dialogue.
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Island Wings
Based at the Mon Loisir Sugar Estate adjacent to the Riviere du Rempart in the splendidly beautiful north-eastern region of Mauritius is a life-altering attraction called Island Wings. The operational facilities of Island Wings are located at the Skydive Austral Mauritius, that is a tandem parachute skydiving company where a private airstrip is allocated for them on Mon Loisir. Island Wings is owned and operated by Bruno and Gaetan.
About the OwnersBruno is passionate about aviation and mechanics and has a lot of experience in microlight flying. Quite interestingly, he is one of the first persons in Mauritius to fly a microlight plane. With more than 2000 hours of flying time, he is an expert in piloting many amphibious microlights planes.Gaetan along with being an aviation fan is also one of Skydive Austral Mauritius’ founders. It was his dream to fly a small aircraft over Mauritius and he has successfully accomplished it by having an experience of microlight flying for over three years now.About the Microlight PlanesIsland Wings offers its services with the help of two of the most popular 3-axle microlight models in the world. All the planes run on Rotax 912 engines, are equipped with VHF radios and aircraft emergency parachutes to ensure more safety. Here are the four microlight planes you’ll find at Island Wings.
Savannah S
It is one of the world’s most sold microlight planes, with over 2000 units all over the globe. Generally, it is used for purposes like flight training and other flying operations, most commonly being used for aerial photography, thanks to its large flight spectrum both at high and low speeds.
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Skyranger
It is reputed as one of the first 3-axle microlight planes to be operated in Mauritius by Bruno. Another interesting fact about the Skyranger is that it has been a world champion many times. Primarily, it is used for training purposes.
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Ekolot Junior
This Poland-based aircraft is built with vinester resin and carbon fibre. It’s a very modern aircraft with a sleek design and is ideally suited for sightseeing. It only flies out of Lox Grand Gaube.
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X-Air
The Island Wings have this amphibian seaplane for the past 10 years and it has been a real success. It is the most preferable aircraft for water and has ventured over 2800 flying hours in the last 10 years. The aircraft is manufactured in Randkar, France. It flies out both from the airfield and the Lux Grand Gaube.
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Island Wings offer two types of tours - Runway tours and Seaplane tours. Let’s have an elaborate overview about them:
Runway Tours
Cardinal: After taking off from the runaway at Mon Loisir Estate, the plane heads towards the Haute Rive – Roches Noires Lagoon and takes you to Ile D’Ambre island and returns to Mon Loisir, flying over the sugarcane fields of Piton.Duration: 20 minutesPrice: INR 3500
Cateau Vert
The plane takes off from Mon Loisir Estate and heads towards La Baie de Belle Mare, flying over the lagoons of Poste Lafayette and Roches Noires and takes you to Ile D’Ambre island and returns to Mon Loisir, flying over the sugarcane fields of Piton.Duration: 30 minutesPrice: INR 4500
Kestrel
The plane takes off from Mon Loisir Estate and heads towards Belle Mare flying over the lagoons of Poste Lafayette and Roches Noires and takes you to Ile D’Ambre island, Grand Baie and all the way to the Balaclava Turtle Bay on the north-western coast of Mauritius and returns to Mon Loisir flying over Pamplemousses and PitonDuration: 1 hourPrice: INR 8000
Paille En Queue
Depending upon the air traffic regulations and meteorological conditions, you can fulfil your wish with the advice of the operators.Duration: Your Personal Choice
Seaplane Tours
Albatross: The plane takes off from the turquoise blue sea-base located in front of the Lux Grand Gaube, flying over both the land and sea of the north-eastern coast.Duration: 25 or 30 minutesPrice: INR 5500 for 25 minutes and INR 6500 for 30 minutes
Corbijeau
The plane takes off from the turquoise blue sea-base located in front of Lux Grand Gaube, flying over both the land and sea and lets you discover some of the breathtaking lagoons of the island heading through Roches Noires and all the way to Ile aux Cerfs.Duration: 1 hourPrice: INR 10500
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It’s always an amazing feeling to enjoy the mesmerizing views paradise island of Mauritius from the skies and Island Wings is at your service to fulfil your wish perfectly. So what are you waiting for? Fly on!
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Jardins de la Compagnie
Today, Mauritius is one of the foremost tropical tourist destinations in the world, and is known for its stellar beaches and its crystal-clear water; but unbeknownst to many, the island has a lot more to offer to tourists that just its white sand and its pretty lagoons. With a long history of colonial rule up its sleeve, the Mauritius of today is home to many a remnant of the colonial era, which now double up as tourist attractions as well.
While a lot of these remaining vestiges of colonialism will appeal to history aficionados, there are plenty of other colonial-era structures and buildings that are in use today as a standard tourist attraction you might find anywhere else in the world. One such attraction in Mauritius that stands out for its beauty and simplicity is the Jardins de la Compagnie.
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Jummah Masjid
The Jummah Masjid, located on Royal Road in Port Louis, is one of the most stunning religious buildings in Mauritius. It dates back to the 1850s and highlights the skills of Tamil artisans. The mosque is open to the public where you can tour the grounds and admire the intricate mix of Islam, Creole and Indian architectural design. Jummah Masjid houses the remains of Jamal Shah in a marble tomb nearby.
The Jummah Mosque is relevant for the locals for broadcasting the Jummah prayers live every Friday and Taraweeh prayers during the month of Ramadan. Eid prayers are also aired from the mosque. There is an Indian almond or Badamia Tree in the mosque's courtyard which is present there since before 1852.
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La Cambuse Beach
Located in the south-eastern part of Mauritius, close by Port Louis, the La Cambuse beach is one the least visited beaches in Mauritius, because it is a beach well off the beaten tourist track, and is comparatively a lot lesser known than other beaches on this side of the island. One of the main reasons that the beach gets so few visitors despite being so close to the international airport is the fact that the beach is not marked on any of the tourist maps that are available on the island, and there are no signposted roads directing travellers how to get to the beach either.
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The only way you can get to the beach is if you know the way you should take to reach it. There have been plenty of instances of tourists mistaking the ‘private territory’ boards posted around the airport grounds as road signs prohibiting them from travelling ahead of any further, thus preventing them from getting to the beach. However, despite its lack of publicity, the La Cambuse beach is a designated public beach, replete with restrooms, benches, beach huts, and allotted parking spots. Don’t let the signboards and the dirt road you need to take to the beach deter you from getting to the beach – it is entirely worth the hassle once you get to it.
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The La Cambuse beach is a large beach, and it seems even more significant due to the absence of people, which, if you’re looking for some peace, actually works out in your favour. The entire beach is lined with rows of casuarina trees, and the area around the trees is grassy, making it the perfect spot for a full-day picnic by the beach.The beach is quite close by to a partially open reef, and while the beach is lovely and is perfect for a dip into the cold water, it is not exactly ideal for swimming, especially for children. The beach is very windy, and currents around the area can be powerful, due to which going for a long swim in the waters of the lagoon is not recommended.
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There is a shallow pool surrounded by rocks at the far-right end of the beach, which has almost few to no currents, and it is entirely okay for children to swim within the confines of that pool. Despite being relatively less crowded, you can still spot the occasional snack vendor and a few eateries lined along the beach, from where you can savour local Mauritian delicacies and sip on a refreshing beverage while laying on the soft white sand and feeling the breeze in your hair.
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La Cuvette Beach
Situated on the north-west coast of Mauritius, the La Cuvette beach is close to the famous tourist town of Grand Baie, and plenty of tourists who stay in Grand Baie pop over to the La Cuvette beach to spend a lazy day soaking in the sun. More often than not, you will find locals of the area gathered on the beach, either for picnics or to spend a while by the ocean. The absence of coral reefs coupled with its clear waters adds an aesthetic touch to its beauty. Although there aren't any underwater activities that take place here, tourists are allowed to swim.
The lagoon of La Cuvette is sheltered from the bay, making the beach a must-visit place for photography enthusiasts. The beach is fringed with rows of palm and coconut trees, and there are quite a few local eateries selling snacks and beverages in different parts of the beach. In case you're up for adventure sports, La Cuvette beach has options for activities such as undersea scooter ride, underwater sea walk, deep-sea diving, as well as a submarine excursion.
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Till even recently, there were hardly any proper signposts marking the road to the La Cuvette beach from the main road, thus making it incredibly difficult to find. The signposts and road markers have recently been increased in an effort by the Government of Mauritius to help tourists enjoy the facilities of the public beaches, so the La Cuvette beach might get a little more crowded in the years to come. Nevertheless, at present, it is still a secluded small piece of heaven and is one of the best beaches in all of Mauritius.
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La Vallee des Couleurs Nature Park
Chamarel, a town that's home one of the unique geological formations all over the world, is a tiny hamlet nestled amidst the western hills of Mauritius. Chamarel's main tourist attraction is the La Vallee des Couleurs, which is one of the biggest tourist draws on this side of the island. Being the most intriguing tourist attraction on the island, the nature park is home to a variety of different natural attractions, the most famous of them being the 23 coloured earth.
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23 Coloured Earth of La Vallee des Couleurs Nature Park
The 23 coloured earth was discovered as late as 1998, but its actual origin goes all the way back to when the Bassin Blanc volcanic eruption took place, millions of year ago. This magnificent spot is primarily a result of magma and lava from the volcanic eruption cooling and solidifying over the years. With the process of weathering of molten rock due to surface conditions altering the chemical as well as the mineral composition of the molten rock; thus giving birth to the myriad of colours one would be able to see today. At first glance, the 23 coloured earth looks artificial; however, not even a single inch of the landscape has been artificially enhanced in any way, and the colours that you would be able to see today have stood witness to climatic changes over thousands of years, and still retained the same appearance.
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The 23 coloured earth is a unique phenomenon that is unlike anything else you will find anywhere in the world, making it the main highlight of the La Vallee des Couleurs nature park. Exhibition RoomIf you’re interested in knowing more about the scientific process behind the formation of the coloured earth, there is an exhibition room near the entrance to the park where you can test the various soil samples and see their composition for yourself.Biodiversity at La Vallee Des CouleursApart from the 23 Coloured Earth, the La Vallee des Couleurs is also home to a variety of fern gardens, which house a stellar collection of different plants and wild orchids, including the rare Banana Bouquet and the Trochetia. The La Vallee des Couleurs comprises not just of flora, but fauna as well, with the park being the habitat of various animals such as turtles and monkeys, along with rare Mauritian birds like the Pink pigeon and the Cateau Vert.Other activities that tourists can enjoy at the La Vallee des Couleurs nature park include quad biking and ziplining, both of which are done under the supervision of trained professionals.
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La Vanille Nature Park
La Vanille Nature Park, also known as La Vanille Crocodile Park, is a conservation park in Mauritius, located close to the Riviere des Anguilles village in the south. It is home to the largest captive herd of Aldabra tortoises in the world and the main attraction here is the crocodile farm. The nature park is also home to giant tortoises, iguanas, wild pigs, deer and many more. A free guided tour is available every 30 minutes.
The La Vanille Nature Park also has a crocodile feeding show along with giant Aldabra tortoise feeding and lemur feeding for the visitors. There are pony rides on the interactive farm for children for INR 75. One of the last locomotives to be used in Mauritius, the Ruston & Hornsby diesel engine is also on display here.
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