Mauritius: An Indian Ocean Family Adventure
I was lucky enough to travel to this beautiful rainbow nation with my Tribe in June 2022 and was taken aback by what it has to offer. With just a small amount of effort, you can explore the islands rugged interior, geological quirks, unique wildlife and rich history in a relatively short space of time.
I’ve listed some of the many highlights below, have a read and get in touch if you’d like me to help make Mauritius the next adventure for your Tribe.
Our highlights:
- L’Aventure du Sucre, Pamplemousses If you visit just one museum in Mauritius, make sure it’s this one! In its glory days, this plantation was one of the biggest producers of sugar on the island, but today the factory has been transformed into an informative museum and visitor centre. Through a series of interactive zones, you’ll learn the fascinating history of the islands colonisation, slavery, indentured labourers, its rum trade and the overall importance of the sugar industry to Mauritius. The experience ends with a series of sugar and rum tasting. Cocktail masterclasses are optional. My children had a great time exploring the sprawling site and loved how the old factory had been transformed .
- Dolphin watching off Flic-en-Flac beach Whilst we didn’t feel comfortable swimming with dolphins, we decided to join a small boat trip from Flic-en-Flac beach off the islands west coast, to try and catch site of these beautiful creatures in the wild. The choppy ride was somewhat nail-biting, but it was well worth the wait when a small pod of dolphins appeared beside our boat and played around for a few minutes before heading off to find their next audience. There are plenty of dolphin watching operators along the west coast – just try to ensure you pick one with sustainable and animal-friendly credentials (something that I would be happy to advise on).
- Le Morne Brabant and the Slavery Monument For some of the best views of Mauritius, hike the UNESCO protected site of Le Morne Brabant , which has a fascinating history as a former sanctuary for runaway slaves. Piercing the sky line of Mauritius south-west corner, this karst-like mountain makes a spectacular backdrop to the soft sands of Le Morne beach. There is a poignant Slavery Monument (a collection of excellent sculpturers) at the foot of the mountain, opposite the beach. Reward yourself after an early morning climb with a fresh coconut to drink while sitting on the sand.
- Seven Coloured Earth of Chamarel – Geo Park This geological wonder, surrounded by tropical vegetation and waterfalls, is a must see attraction in the south west of the island. Undulating strips of multi-coloured sand have spontaneously settled in different layers creating a geological oddity. There’s also a giant tortoise enclosure to visit here – a big hit with younger adventurers!
- Walking in Black River Gorges National Park The islands biggest and best national park is hugely important to the island, as it’s the last protected area for many native species on the island, including giant fruit bats. There are numerous walking trails marked out, from family-friendly to hard-core hikers. It’s a refreshing tonic from lazy beach days and well worth a trip. We meandered past a local running club, a gaggle of school children and countless amphibians on our morning trek, which was beautifully shaded by the forest canopy.
- Ile aux Aigrettes This nature reserve island off Mauritius’ SE corner is managed by the Mauritius Wildlife Trust, which offers guided tours explaining the islands varied flora and fauna. The trust has rejuvenated the island, restoring some endemic species after it was destroyed by colonial military activity and industrialisation. Although the Dodo will sadly never return, we spotted pink pigeons, fruit bats, giant tortoises and skinks in our 2 hour wander. A real highlight of our trip to Mauritius.
- Snorkelling in the Blue Bay Marine Park Off the SE coast, very close to the international airport, this accessible marine park is a fabulous place to dive, snorkel or enjoy a glass bottom boat trip. It has a rare and diverse array of coral, which attracts shoals of tropical fish. This is particularly great for those with young children, as less confident swimmers can stay on-board and see fish swimming under their feet, whilst older children can jump in the crystal clear waters and snorkelling around.
Trip Details:
- We travelled as a family of five (two adults, three children – aged 9,7,3) on a self-drive trip. - We stayed at Anantara Iko, Marguery Exclusive Villas and The Oberoi Mauritius. All fabulous properties on an island packed with incredible resorts!
Mauritius truly was our little slice of heaven for two weeks and I would love to help plan a trip for your Tribe. Please do get in touch!
