Mauritius is a melting pot. A lush tropical isle located in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is home to a vibrant mix of cultural groups and boasts an abundance of natural riches. Driving along sugar cane fields, stopping at paradisiacal beaches, and treating yourself to fresh fruits, tuna, and blue marlin are only a few options to spend relaxed days under the tropical sun.
But – isn't Mauritius primarily a honeymoon destination, you ask? While the island may certainly provide for unforgettable days at the onset of married life, Mauritius is also open for business for travelers who haven't yet found their soulmate. No offense, lovebirds! There’s something for all tastes here.
For 10 days, we toured the island in October, which is spring in the Southern Hemisphere. What we found? A very accessible island and approachable locals, who conduct daily life in both English and French. Let me help you plan an equally relaxed road trip across Mauritius.
10 Day Mauritius Itinerary
day 1-2 | En Route to Paradise
Likely, your trip to Mauritius will involve a few thousand miles of air travel. For travelers from Europe, direct flights with Air Mauritius (ex CDG) or with Condor (ex FRA) operate several times a week. If you don’t mind a short layover, a couple flights on board of excellent Emirates Airlines also make for a very comfortable journey. We opted for the latter and touched down in Mauritius on a warm afternoon.
Customs was a brief affair and about an hour later we reached our first hotel in the East, close to the small town of Trou d’Eau Douce. Friday Attitude Hotel boasts huge rooms, very hospitable staff, and an impressive palm tree garden. To the sound of waves slowly rolling onto the wide beach, we enjoyed our first dinner and recharged with a good night’s sleep.
In the mood for exploration, the next morning we set course on the first sight: Ile aux Cerfs. Situated a couple miles off the main coast, Ile aux Cerfs comprises turquoise lagoons and white sandy bays, juxtaposed with mangrove trees and coral reefs. And the only thing that stood between us and this hidden Mauritius paradise was a quick 10-minute boat ride from Trou d’Eau Douce.
READ MORE | Check out the best boat tours in Mauritius.
In the afternoon, we departed Ile aux Cerfs feeling extremely relaxed. As we walked along the winding coastal road towards our hotel, I remember wondering whether the joy I felt in that moment was an emotion felt by Mauritians all year round.
day 3-5 | Beach-Hopping in the North
After a good breakfast, it was finally time to get this road trip started. All we needed was our rental car, which was conveniently delivered to our hotel that morning. Two days into our trip, we felt ready to take on the Mauritian roads.
Don’t worry! The island nation has a relatively well-maintained infrastructure – most of the streets are in good shape. And our first ride towards the North didn’t lead to any unforeseen troubles. Driving along the scenic coastal road, we couldn’t resist stopping at several bays along the way.
We set up our camp at Tarisa Resort & Spa, situated right at beautiful Mont Choisy Beach. Here, the calm water of the Indian Ocean create a laid back and authentic atmosphere. On the weekends, Mont Choisy is a local‘s favorite for family and friends gatherings, which entails music, dancing, and a very special vibe.
Just south of Mont Choisy lies another stunning beach – yet with a very different feel: Trou aux Biches, which impressed us with its sheer size and a comfortable infrastructure.
Always in the mood for further beach-hopping, the northbound scenic route led us to charming Cap Malheureux. Don’t let that name scare you. The Cape of Misfortune forms the northernmost tip of the island and likely got its name from the strong currents beyond its shores – and the many ships that feel victim to them over the years.
On a more positive note, Cap Malheureux offers stunning views of Coin de Mire, a rocky island a few miles off the coast. The laidback town also features a few food huts as well as a Notre Dame Auxiliatrice, a small red-roofed Catholic Church which draws a lot of visitors.
If you have some additional time to spare in the North, head over to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden for an impressive collection of local flora and fauna. The park can be covered in a couple hours and entrance will cost you 250 MUR (6 €). For the price, you will not only get to marvel at impressive greenery but also at a few gigantic tortoises that call the botanical garden their home.
day 6 | Grand Baie and Beyond
The town of Grand Baie is the center of Northern Mauritius and serves as an entertainment hub for locals and tourists alike. An outdoor mall, a large harbor as well as a couple casinos easily kept us busy for a few hours away from the beach.
Plus, Grand Baie is the home of Banana Beach Club – a national institution. Open 7 days a week, Banana Beach Club is the place to go for a good night out in Mauritius. The live music and DJ sessions under the Mauritian sky didn’t disappoint.
When we heard that Grand Baie is the starting point for excursions to Mauritius’ Northern islands, we didn’t have to think twice. The trip to beautiful Îlot Gabrielbecame one of the most memorable experiences of our time in Mauritius.
day 7 | The Capital
At this point, we had already fallen in love with Mauritius’ many laidback beach towns. But what about city life in the colorful island nation? On our southbound drive to our last hotel, we couldn’t resist and stopped in the capital: Port Louis.
Disregarding the advice of several tour guides as well as fellow travelers, we headed into Mauritius largest city with our own rental car instead of a hired driver. Yes, traffic will at times feel a bit crazy – but, and that is our personal experience, is manageable.
Here, you will be able to observe the lively Central Market, where vendors from all over the country sell their fresh produce. The separate halls for fish and meat are equally stunning, yet not for the sensible nose. But you can’t go wrong with a cup of freshly squeezed sugar cane juice, which was surprisingly refreshing.
For the traveler craving a more western experience, head over to the outdoor shopping mall of Caudan Waterfront. Compared to the Central Market, this will obviously be a less authentic experience. Yet, strolling along the shopping streets made for a couple relaxed hours in the big city. Personally, I liked the organized chaos of downtown Port Louis more.
day 8-10 | The Wild South-West
Our last days in the tropical paradise were spent in Mauritius’ South-West. The small town of Tamarin Bay is a favorite for local fishers and surfers alike. Recently renovated Veranda Tamarin Resort blends seamlessly into its calm surroundings.
The region hosts one of the island’s most favorite destinations: Flic en Flac, just north of Tamarin. The laidback beach town caters to all types of travelers and the pristine white beach that runs along the shore for miles is a remarkable piece of tropical nature.
Looking for more seaside adventures? Several boat excursions depart Tamarin daily. There are not many places where you get to share the Indian Ocean with herds of wild dolphins. Luckily, Tamarin Bay is one of them. Don’t be scared. Swimming with the wild mammals was an unbelievable experience.
The next day, we embarked on what was to become the most strenuous part of our tropical road trip: climbing Le Morne Brabant. Once inhabited by escaped slaves who used the rough rock formation as refuge, Le Morne has recently been named a UNESCO world heritage site. When we planned the trip to Mauritius, climbing this distinct mountain quickly became a top priority.
A word of caution: Climbing Le Morne should only be undertaken in the morning with adequate shoes and enough water in a bag-pack – you’ll need both your hands during certain sections of the climb. Further, the trail heats up very quickly once the sun is up. It took us about 1.5 hours to reach the top. On the way, we saw people tripping and one person even sliding down a couple meters before catching the balance again. This hike is not for everyone.
However, once we reached the much anticipated summit cross, the views made up for every drop of sweat we lost on the way.
On our final day, there were two more things on our list. A short drive from Tamarin, Chamarel Geopark awaits explorers with several individual sights. Admission to the park is 250 MUR (6 €) per adult. In return, you will get to embark on a self-guided tour across the well-signed premises.
The first stop boasts impressive views of beautiful Chamarel Waterfall. From the high viewpoint located directly opposite, you will get to observe the water dramatically falling 100 meters deep. A mile further into the park, Mauritius’ Seven-Colored Earth is another stunning natural phenomenon. The mix of volcanic rock and different types of iron and metal has created a special geological formation.
From Chamarel Geopark, it was a short drive to our very last stop for the day. Black River Gorges National Park is the biggest of the three protected parks on the island. Once we mastered the winding road leading up to the entrance gate, we stopped at several viewpoints along the sole street running through the park. Black River Gorges National Park can be accessed very easily and without a charge.
The next morning, it was time to say goodbye to this very special island. This time, the view from my window seat made this a particularly painful departure.
Expenses for a 10 Day Road Trip in Mauritius
The assumption that a trip to Mauritius is a pricey endeavor clings tenaciously to the island’s image. We agree that the financial resources needed for spending a few days on this distant isle cannot be compared to a vacation, let’s say, on a Mediterranean island, yet, you can save a lot of money by planning and booking ahead.
Getting There: Our flights with Emirates Airlines from Düsseldorf (DUS) to Mauritius (MRU) added up to 850 € per person. Considering that October is shoulder season as well as the fact that we only booked about 5 weeks in advance, we considered this (not a cheap but) an adequate price for our ticket to this tropical isle.
Getting Around: Though the number of rental cars is limited in Mauritius, we scored a good deal by booking ahead online prior to our arrival. Including all sorts of insurances and the delivery to our first hotel, we paid 320 € for a small and functional car for 10 days. We found the price for gas to be relatively stable and with 1 € per liter rather inexpensive.
Accommodation: Though Mauritius is not a huge island, we opted for three different hotels. We found that each region had a very different feel.
The Grand Total: In total, the fixed expenses for our tropical road trip across Mauritius amounted to 1,688 € per person. While this is unarguably a fair bit of money, we found this to be an adequate price for residing 10 days on a paradisiacal island and in upscale accommodation. Beyond our specific choices, Mauritius offers a wide variety of hotels and guest houses in all price ranges. After all, this island is not solely for honeymooners.