2 weeks : the island in depth, unhurried
The exhaustive tour from three bases (5 nights North, 4 nights East, 5 nights South-West): every must-see, the big activities and real free beach days. No day exceeds 90 km of driving.
5 nights North + 4 nights East + 5 nights South-West (Le Morne).
Arrival : settling in the North
~65 km depuis l'aéroport (1h15)Google Maps
Get used to the car and left-hand driving on the motorway, the easiest road on the island. North base for 5 nights.
The northern tip
~25 kmGoogle Maps- 1
Grand Baydemi-journée · free - 2
Pereybere Beach2-3h · free - 3
Cap Malheureux Red-Roofed Church30min · free
Easy loop of the northern tip, swims and a first grilled-fish dinner in Grand Baie.
Pamplemousses and sugar heritage
~30 kmGoogle Maps
Botanical garden day + the neighbouring L'Aventure du Sucre museum (rum and sugar tasting). Back to the beach late afternoon.
Port Louis, the capital
~40 kmGoogle Maps
Central market, Chinatown, Aapravasi Ghat, Caudan Waterfront. Park at the Caudan and do it all on foot; leave before rush hour.
Northern islands catamaran or free beach day
~10 kmGoogle MapsCatamaran cruise to Coin de Mire / Flat Island, or a simple lazy day. The car stays at the jetty car park.
East transfer along the wild coast
~55 km (changement de base)Google Maps
North→East shoreline road, the island's most beautiful undeveloped stretch of coast. Walk in the Bras d'Eau forest. East base (Belle Mare / Trou d'Eau Douce) for 4 nights.
Ile aux Cerfs
~30 kmGoogle Maps
Boat from Trou d'Eau Douce, a lagoon day with a detour to the Grande Rivière Sud-Est waterfall. Book a private taxi-boat to dodge the 11am crowd.
Free beach day in the East
0-10 kmGoogle MapsA real no-car day: Belle Mare beach runs for kilometres : walk south to have it to yourself. Golf or spa option.
The historic South-East
~60 km A/RGoogle Maps
Mahebourg (naval museum, biryani at the market : big market on Monday), Ile aux Aigrettes reserve (booking required), snorkeling at Blue Bay. Back to sleep in the East.
South-West transfer through the wild South
~90 km (changement de base)Google Maps- 1
Gris Gris Cliffs1h · free - 2
La Vanille Nature Parkdemi-journée · Rs 975 - 3
Bois Chéri Tea Estate2-3h · Rs 500 - 4La Vallée des Couleurs Nature Parkdemi-journée · Rs 550
The big driving day, but the most beautiful: Gris Gris cliffs, La Vanille's crocodiles and tortoises, a tea break at Bois Chéri, the Vallée des Couleurs ziplines. South-West base (Le Morne) for 5 nights.
Chamarel, Grand Bassin and the gorges
~70 km en boucleGoogle Maps- 1
Ganga Talao Sacred Lake1h · free - 2
Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark1h · Rs 400 - 3
Chamarel Waterfall30min · Rs 400 (included with Seven Coloured Earth) - 4
Black River Gorges Viewpoint30min · free
The highland loop in the Grand Bassin → Chamarel → gorges direction: you finish at the viewpoints in the evening light. Fill up before climbing.
Morne Brabant
~50 kmGoogle Maps
Morne hike at dawn (3-4h), beach afternoon or a detour via Rochester Falls and the Maconde bend. The Morne kitesurf spot is superb even as a spectator.
Dolphins, Tamarin and Casela
~45 kmGoogle Maps- 1
Tamarin Bay2-3h · free - 2
Casela World of Adventuresjournée · Rs 1100 - 3
Flic en Flac Beachdemi-journée · free
Dolphin trip at Tamarin at dawn, then either Casela (families) or a beach afternoon at Flic en Flac. Last west-coast sunset.
Creole mansion and departure
~75 km dont l'aéroportGoogle Maps
Depending on your flight time: a free beach morning then the Eureka Creole mansion in Moka on the way to the airport (Creole lunch available). Return the car with a full tank : petrol stations 10 min from the airport.