Aapravasi Ghat World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this immigration depot processed half a million Indian indentured labourers between 1849 and 1923. A founding memorial of Mauritian identity.
Tip: Open Mon-Fri 9am-4pm and Sat 9am-12pm, closed Sundays and public holidays; free guided tour on booking, allow about 1h.
360° view
Drag to look around. Google Maps imagery, loaded only if you click.
Why Aapravasi Ghat matters
In 1834 the British chose Mauritius for what they called the "great experiment": replacing enslaved labour with contracted, indentured workers. The first arrived on 2 November 1834 aboard the Atlas, a date that is now a national public holiday.
The immigration depot on the Port Louis quay became the gateway to that system. The listed site is tiny (about 1,640 m²), yet the remains of kitchens, dormitories and the steps each newcomer climbed bring that first day vividly to life. Most Mauritians descend from these workers, which is why many local visitors find it deeply moving.
The Beekrumsing Ramlallah Interpretation Centre
Your visit starts at the Beekrumsing Ramlallah Interpretation Centre (BRIC), opened in November 2014 inside a restored mid-19th-century warehouse. It is named after the journalist and MP (1915-2000) who campaigned for the site to be recognised.
Allow 30 to 40 minutes for the galleries (archive documents, models, personal stories of the workers and their journeys), then around 20 minutes on the heritage site itself. One hour is enough for most people.
Opening hours, price and guided tours
Entry is free. Open Monday to Friday 9am-4pm and Saturday 9am-12pm; closed on Sundays, public holidays and from noon on 24 and 31 December (checked October 2026).
Guided visits are available if booked in advance, subject to availability: call +230 217 7770. Mauritius has many public holidays, so check the calendar before you go.
Getting there
The site is on Quay Street by the harbour, right next to the Immigration bus station used by buses from the north (Grand Baie, Pamplemousses). From the central plateau, the easiest option is the Metro Express to its current terminus, Place d'Armes, then a few minutes on foot.
If you drive, note that the centre has no visitor parking. The official advice is to use the Granary car park or the Caudan Waterfront car park nearby. Avoid the morning and late-afternoon rush, when roads into the capital clog up.
Practical tips and what to combine it with
The site and all galleries are wheelchair accessible, with accessible toilets. Weekday mornings work best; on Saturdays the noon closing leaves little time.
Everything nearby is walkable: Port Louis Central Market and Chinatown are a few streets away, Caudan Waterfront and the Blue Penny Museum sit just across the motorway, and the Intercontinental Slavery Museum completes this chapter of history. For a view over the whole harbour, finish at Fort Adelaide.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit Aapravasi Ghat?
Nothing, entry is free, including the Beekrumsing Ramlallah Interpretation Centre. Guided visits can be booked on +230 217 7770, subject to availability.
Is Aapravasi Ghat open on Sundays?
No. It opens Monday to Friday 9am-4pm and Saturday 9am-12pm, and is closed on Sundays and public holidays.
How long do you need at Aapravasi Ghat?
About an hour: 30 to 40 minutes in the interpretation centre, then around 20 minutes exploring the listed remains.
Why is Aapravasi Ghat a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Inscribed in 2006, it was the first site chosen by the British for the indenture experiment that later involved millions of migrants worldwide. Almost half a million indentured workers passed through it between 1849 and 1923.
