Île aux Cerfs day trip
Boat or catamaran across the lagoon from the Trou d'Eau Douce area to the most famous islet in Mauritius. Many trips add a stop at the Grande Rivière Sud-Est waterfall.
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Written by Valerie, born in Mauritius
Your local Mauritius & Rodrigues travel guide
Beaches, tours, food and festivals: a friendly guide to Mauritius and Rodrigues, written by a Mauritian.
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Plan your trip in 3 steps
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Lagoon days, the south, and a driver waiting at the airport.
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Weather and sea today
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Waves are measured in the open sea: inside the reef, the lagoon is usually much calmer. Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Live wind & waves map
Watch the trade winds and the swell around the island in real time. Handy before a boat trip or a kitesurf session.
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This week
2 – 8 November
- Mon 2 Public holiday: Arrival of Indentured Labourers
New week coming soon: check back on Monday.
See the whole weekTop things to do
Our favourite tours and excursions, from lagoon days to mountain hikes.
Full-day catamaran cruise
Sail, snorkel and eat a barbecue lunch on board. West coast cruises often head towards Île aux Bénitiers and Crystal Rock; east coast cruises go to Île aux Cerfs.
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South & Chamarel tour
Seven Coloured Earth, Chamarel waterfall, Black River Gorges viewpoints and the sacred lake of Grand Bassin, usually in one long day.
See tours & pricesWhere to stay
Each coast has its own mood and weather. Pick the area first, then the hotel.
North: Grand Baie, Pereybère, Trou aux Biches
First trip, nightlife, restaurants, budget to mid-range
West: Flic en Flac, Wolmar, Tamarin
Sunsets, families, drier weather
East: Belle Mare, Palmar, Trou d'Eau Douce
Honeymoons, quiet resorts, long white beaches
Southwest: Le Morne
Kitesurfing, hiking, nature, luxury
Southeast: Blue Bay, Mahébourg
Snorkelling, local life, close to the airport
Mauritius in numbers
2UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Aapravasi Ghat and Le Morne
828 mPiton de la Petite Rivière Noire, the highest peak
1968Independence, on 12 March
65 kmfrom north to south: you can cross the island in a morning
560 kmeast to Rodrigues, about 1h30 by plane
1600sthe dodo disappears, less than a century after the Dutch landed in 1598
Plan your trip
7-day itinerary
A week that mixes beaches, nature, food and culture.
Best time to visit
Weather, sea, crowds and prices, month by month.
Travel tips
Visas, money, driving on the left, plugs and safety.
Food
Dholl puri, gato piment, alouda and where to try them.
Festivals
Cavadee, Divali, Père Laval and more through the year.
Rodrigues
The quiet little sister island, 1h30 by plane.
Photo: Mip130916, CC BY-SA 3.0Stay connected
eSIM or local SIM card: how to get online on arrival.
Driving
Licence rules, driving on the left, roads and parking.
Beach clubs & nightlife
Beach bars, sunset spots and nightlife, area by area.
Photo: Lonelyplanet (German Wikipedia), CC BY-SA 3.0 DEEvents
What is on in Mauritius in the coming months.
Travel greener
Reef-safe sunscreen, marine parks and local businesses.
For Indian travellers
Visa basics, flights, vegetarian food and temples.
Getting around
Metro, buses, taxis and car hire.
Shopping & malls
Malls, markets and what to bring home.
Emergency numbers
Police, ambulance and hospitals: tap to call.
Find flights to Mauritius
Compare airlines and dates in one search. Fares are usually lowest outside school holidays.
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Plan smarter: free Mauritius cheat sheet
One printable page with everything you need on the island: emergency numbers, our top 10 places, money, plugs, driving tips and a few useful Kreol phrases.
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Renting a car?
A car is the easiest way to explore the south and west. Remember: Mauritius drives on the left. Driving in Mauritius
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