Known for its breathtaking beaches and gorgeous scenery, Mauritius is an island located in the Indian Ocean, off the South East Coast of Africa. Due to its vast history, Mauritius became a melting pot. Rich in culture and home to a multi-ethnic population, it offers unique experiences, top attractions, and blended delicious cuisine. With its amazing nature and scenery, Mauritius boasts an array of outdoor activities, and is an ideal destination for travelers who want to relax, adventure, or do both!

I recently spent 7 days on the island, split between the South West and the North West. This was done intentionally as Mauritius is large and vast, making it challenging to fully absorb the island in a short amount of time, especially when staying in one area. Staying in different regions of the island helped provide insight into unique aspects and the various cultures across the island. Curious about what activities there are to do in the north west Mauritius? Check out these 5 top things to do in north west Mauritius.

Top Activities for the North West:

1. Take a Catamaran Cruise

I cannot put into words how amazing this experience was. From taking in the Ocean blues, to making new friends and dancing on the boat, taking a Catamaran to Ilot Gabriel was my favorite activity and highlight of the north. While visiting Mauritius, getting on the water and being inn the ocean, whether you’re on a Catamaran, boat, yacht, etc is an unforgettable experience.

There are a variety of routes and options to choose from. Most boats and catamarans depart from Grand Baie, a waterside village in the north. The boats take trips to visit smaller islands that surround Mauritius, such as Ilot Gabriel. The boats carry a variety of tourists, from solo travelers to families to couples, visiting from countries across the world. Therefore its a good activity to do for different types of travelers, but particularly helpful if you’re solo and want to be in a social setting.

In our experience, we left Grand Baie around 9 am and sailed to IIlot Gabriel, where we relaxed for 1-1.5 hours on the island before lunch. After relaxing on the island, we had lunch on the boat and... that’s when it got really really fun. The following 2 hours were spent making new friends, playing in the water, and of course dancing with these new friends. After lunch and all the dancing, we sailed back to Grand Baie. The excursion was a whole day but the boat ride itself was around 3 hours round trip.

What made this trip amazing was the atmosphere. It was lively, fun, and we met people who had traveled from all over. Most of all, the Coral Belle team did an amazing job of making everyone feel welcome, safe, and at home.

2. Enjoy the Beaches

When you speak to locals, they'll tell you that the Northern part of the island is their favorite because of its beautiful beaches. This is not an exaggeration..the white sand beaches are scenic and gorgeous. While in the north we explored Pereybere, Bain Boeuf, Grand Baie, and Mont Choisy. But there’s a lot more to see, such as Trou aux Biches, Pointe aux Biches, etc. One thing I noticed is that the beaches in the north are smaller and divided by village centers (e.g. Pereybere, followed by Grand Baie), while the beaches in the South West, such as Flic en Flac are long and endless.

MY recommendation? Each beach offers something unique and is best for a particular thing, for example, swimming, water activities, fine dining, etc. Depending on your priorities and interests research what beach works best for you. Don’t limit yourself and explore as many as possible!

3. Visit L’Aventure du Sucre

As both a history and rum lover, visiting this museum was informative and fun. Driving throughout the island you'll notice an endless amount of sugar cane fields and visiting the museum helps provide context. L'Aventure du Sucre provides an overview of Mauritian history and the importance of sugar for the island. The museum is hosted in a former sugar factory and introduces visitors to the sugar production process. Although there is an entrance fee, the museum offers a free guided tour and a sugar and rum tasting, both of which did not disappoint.

4. Explore Port Louis (the capital city)

Caudan Waterfront, Port Louis, Mauritius

Port Louis, the capital city, is bustling, full of life, and provides a great opportunity to view locals going about their daily activities. The Caudan Waterfront is especially beautiful. The waterfront is surrounded by a tropical mountainous terrain and a harbor that runs alongside it. The main building is modern and grand, filled with shops, restaurants, and cinemas. Close to the Waterfront is the central market, a market where you can buy locally produced goods. Although you’re probably visiting Mauritius for the beaches and to escape city life, take an afternoon to wander Port Louis and enjoy lunch at the harbor.

5. Visit the Botanical Garden

Beautiful, scenic, and a must for nature lovers, SSR Botanical Garden is home to a variety of tropical and indigenous plants. Stop by the botanical garden to stroll the massive and impressive grounds, learn about different plant species, and enjoy the giant water lilies pond.

Bonus: Take an Island Tour

Interested in visiting the various cultural and historical sites in the North Western part of the island, but don’t want to deal with logistics, figuring out transportation, or driving? Take an Island Tour instead! A guided tour provides a great way to visit the locations with guidance and insights from a local and without having to worry about logistics.

From my experience this tour is a full day excursion from 9am-4pm, which takes you to visit a variety of sites (you can choose the routes you would prefer). Similarly to the tours offered in the South West of the island, this tour is booked through a local vendor, who provides a car and driver that serves as your guide. You will be moving to and from locations by car but walking to see the sights.

Here are the sites visited during our tour: