Most of the island sits behind a coral reef and most visitors sit behind a hotel wall. Both are fine. But a few kilometres from every resort there is something that is not on the coach itinerary, costs nothing, and is where people who live here actually go on a Sunday.
None of these need a ticket. Most need a car and a willingness to drive down a cane-field track. Ordered so you can string neighbours together in a day.
01 · West
The island's last big native forest: 60 km of free trails, a gorge viewpoint from the road, and the best chance of seeing a Mauritius kestrel or echo parakeet.
HikesNatureViewpointsWildlifeFreeHidden gems
02 · West
Seven waterfalls stepping down a gorge near Henrietta, with natural pools you can swim in. The island's best half-day canyon walk, and best done with a local guide.
WaterfallsHikesNatureHidden gems
03 · West
A river-mouth bay below Rempart mountain: dolphins most mornings offshore, the island's only surf, and salt pans and a dark-sand beach that few visitors bother with.
WildlifeBeachesSunsetsHidden gems
04 · South
The one stretch of coast with no reef, so the Indian Ocean hits the cliffs at full strength. A cliff walk, a wild beach and the 'weeping rock' outside Souillac.
ViewpointsBeachesFreeHidden gems
05 · South
A wide, low waterfall over columns of basalt near Souillac, reached through the cane fields. Swimmable at the bottom, and usually empty on weekdays.
WaterfallsHidden gemsFree
06 · South
A natural basalt arch over the open sea on the south coast, reached by a cane-field track from Le Bouchon. No railings, no shop, almost no one there.
ViewpointsHidden gemsFree
07 · East
The old Dutch and French port in the south-east: a Monday market on the waterfront, the Naval Museum, street food and a lagoon with Lion Mountain behind it.
Culture & historyMarketsFoodFreeHidden gems
08 · East
A coral islet off Mahébourg where the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation has rebuilt the island's ebony forest and returned pink pigeons, giant tortoises and skinks to it.
WildlifeNatureHidden gems
09 · East
The north-east coast as it was before resorts: a wind-blown public beach under casuarina trees, a fishing village, and a coast road with almost no traffic.
BeachesHidden gemsFree
10 · East
A flat, quiet forest on the north-east coast with easy trails, the ruins of a sugar mill, and the endemic paradise flycatcher. You will likely have it to yourself.
HikesNatureWildlifeFreeHidden gems
11 · Centre
The thumb-shaped peak above Moka: a two-hour walk up a clear path to a summit with Port Louis, the north coast and Pieter Both in one turn of the head.
HikesViewpointsFreeHidden gems