Chamarel Waterfall
Mauritius's highest waterfall: a nearly 100 m curtain plunging from a basalt plateau into a lush green cirque. The viewing platform offers a striking panorama.
Tip: Spectacular flow in the rainy season (January-March).
360° view
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Mauritius's tallest waterfall
Chamarel Waterfall plunges almost 100 m off a cliff into a forested gorge, the highest drop in Mauritius. It is fed by three streams that flow into the Saint Denis and Viande Salée rivers, so its volume changes a lot with the rain.
You look at it from built viewpoints above the gorge. On a clear day the cliff face shows its stacked layers of volcanic rock, one lava flow on top of another.
One ticket, two sights
There is no separate ticket for the waterfall: it sits inside the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark, and the geopark entry covers both the waterfall viewpoints and the coloured dunes.
Non-resident adult: Rs 800; child aged 5 to 11: Rs 400; under-5s free; residents Rs 400 and Rs 200 (checked October 2026). Open from 8.30am; closing is 5.30pm from October to May (last tickets 5pm) and 5pm from June to September. Check the official site in case hours change.
Getting there
From the geopark gate south of Chamarel village, the internal road reaches the waterfall car park after about 1.5 km and then carries on to the dunes. As a rough guide, allow 40 minutes by car from Flic en Flac and about 1 hour 15 from Port Louis on winding hill roads.
Without a car, a taxi or a south-west day tour is the practical option, as public transport up to the Chamarel plateau is limited.
When to go
The falls are at their best during and just after the rainy season, roughly January to March, when the flow peaks. In the southern winter, June to September, they can look much thinner.
Mornings tend to be clearer; by afternoon cloud often settles over the Chamarel hills. If mist hides the cliff, waiting a few minutes sometimes does the trick.
Safety, swimming and what to combine
The geopark strictly forbids heading down to the bottom of the falls on your own: the slope is steep and slippery. Stay on the viewpoints and behind the railings, particularly with children.
In the same visit, see the coloured dunes and the giant tortoises. Ebony Forest and the Chamarel Rum Distillery are a few minutes away, and Black River Peak is reached via the Plaine Champagne road.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to pay to see Chamarel Waterfall?
Yes, it is inside the Seven Coloured Earth Geopark. The ticket (Rs 800 for a non-resident adult) covers both the waterfall and the dunes.
How high is Chamarel Waterfall?
Almost 100 m according to the geopark, making it the tallest waterfall in Mauritius.
Can you swim at Chamarel Waterfall?
Not from the geopark: going down to the base on your own is strictly prohibited there. The falls are seen from the viewpoints.
When is the best time to see Chamarel Waterfall?
During and right after the rainy season, roughly January to March, when the flow is strongest. Go in the morning, when cloud cover is usually lighter.
