Things to do in the South of Mauritius

Spectacular cliffs where the ocean pounds the coast with no lagoon to shield it. The wild beach below and the clifftop lawn offer one of the island's most dramatic panoramas.

A legendary hairpin bend cut into the basalt, where a small lookout overhangs waves crashing on the rocks. Splendid view over the bay and the coastal road below.

Mauritius's largest tea plantation: factory tour, tea museum and a tasting in a hilltop pavilion with an unbeatable view down to the sea.

A 450-hectare nature park famous for its 23-coloured earth, waterfalls and south-coast viewpoints. Also a thrill hub: giant ziplines (including a 1.5 km one, among the world's longest), Nepalese bridge and mountain luge.

A reserve in a lush tropical valley, known for its hundreds of approachable Aldabra giant tortoises, Nile crocodiles and one of the world's richest insectariums. Ideal for families.

A protected marine park in fifty shades of blue, rated the island's best snorkeling spot for its corals and multicoloured fish. The public beach, lined with casuarinas, gets lively at weekends.

A history-laden former port capital, facing the bay of the 1810 Battle of Grand Port. Its national history museum, waterfront and Monday market make it the south-east's most endearing town.

A coral islet and nature reserve, open-air laboratory of the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation: pink pigeons, kestrels, day geckos and giant tortoises in Mauritius's last intact coastal dry forest.

The sacred crater lake of Mauritian Hindus, watched over by a 33-metre Shiva statue, the island's tallest. Colourful temples, playful monkeys and highland mists create a uniquely mystical atmosphere.

The island's most spectacular viewpoint: an amphitheatre of primary forest plunging towards the west coast, with endemic birds and fruit bats soaring below. Unmissable on the Plaine Champagne road.

Mauritius's largest national park: 6,750 hectares of primary forest, 60 km of marked trails and the last refuges of the pink pigeon and kestrel. The 10 km Macchabée trail from Pétrin to the visitor centre is a classic.

A few hundred metres from Gris Gris, this rocky headland seems to weep as waves break and stream down it. Some see in it the profile of Mauritian poet Robert-Edward Hart.

A small coastal village in the wild south, far from the tourist zones. Its wave-battered seafront, shady Telfair garden and fishing harbour make it an authentic stop on the southern road.

A one-of-a-kind waterfall: the water drops over rectangular basalt columns carved by erosion, in the middle of the cane fields. The bravest dive from the rocks.

A former sugar estate turned chic but unspoiled hotel coast, between calm lagoon and mountains. The public beach is superb and the Château de Bel Ombre recalls the colonial past.

One of the south's wildest, most photogenic beaches, lined with casuarinas, with a turquoise lagoon and very few people on weekdays. The vibe remains deeply local.

A long pale-sand beach on a shallow lagoon, stretching into kilometres of near-deserted coast. Also famed for its 'energy corridors' that draw meditation enthusiasts.

A fishing village on a superb bay, along the island's most scenic coastal road between Le Morne and the wild south. The Matthew Flinders monument recalls the explorer's forced stopover in 1803.

A fine 1819 colonial house at the heart of a sugar estate, gourmet stop on the Tea Route: agricole rum distillery, vanilla plantation and spice garden, then a Creole lunch on the veranda.

Between Mahebourg and Blue Bay, an unreally clear lagoon lined with charming villas. One of Mauritius's most beautiful shores, facing Ile aux Aigrettes.

A 200-hectare forest reserve at the foot of the Grand Port range, sanctuary of endemic ebony trees and Mauritius kestrels. Hiking trails, 4x4 safari and a forest table d'hôte.

The cradle of Mauritian history: the Dutch landed here in 1598 and introduced sugar cane. The ruins of Fort Frederik Hendrik and its museum tell four centuries of history.

A 700 m highland plateau crossed by Mauritius's highest scenic road, between Chinese-guava moors and native forest. Cool air, frequent mists and a string of viewpoints.

From a walkway at 700 m, the view takes in the waterfall tumbling down the wooded cliff and the whole southern plain to the ocean. A short but memorable national-park stop.

Eastern gateway to the Black River Gorges National Park and trailhead of the big hikes (Macchabée, Mare Longue). Its fenced garden protects a rare sample of endemic flora.