Mauritius Gem

Waterfalls in Mauritius

The island's mountains catch the trade wind and turn it into rain, which comes down the south and west as waterfalls. The famous one, Chamarel, is a viewpoint. The good ones, Tamarind Falls and Rochester, are swims. The one on every boat trip, GRSE, is reached from the sea.

The thing nobody tells you: flow depends on the month. January to April they roar; by October some are a trickle. We say which is which.

Chamarel Waterfall, Mauritius
Photo: Mauritiustrip, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The places

  1. Chamarel Waterfall, Mauritius

    01 · West

    Chamarel Waterfall

    The tallest single-drop waterfall on the island, around 100 metres, seen from a viewing platform inside the Seven Coloured Earth geopark.

    When
    January to April for the most water; any month for the view
    Time
    Twenty minutes at the viewpoint

    WaterfallsViewpointsWith children

  2. Tamarind Falls (Sept Cascades), Mauritius

    02 · West

    Tamarind Falls (Sept Cascades)

    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.

    When
    April to November; never during or after heavy rain
    Time
    Two hours for the upper pools; a full day for all seven

    WaterfallsHikesNatureHidden gems

  3. Rochester Falls, Mauritius

    03 · South

    Rochester Falls

    A wide, low waterfall over columns of basalt near Souillac, reached through the cane fields. Swimmable at the bottom, and usually empty on weekdays.

    When
    March to June after the rains, while there is still flow
    Time
    One hour

    WaterfallsHidden gemsFree

  4. Grand River South East waterfall, Mauritius

    04 · East

    Grand River South East waterfall

    A wide waterfall where the island's longest river meets the sea, visited by boat from the river mouth and included in most Île aux Cerfs day trips.

    When
    January to April for most water; any month by boat
    Time
    Forty minutes, usually inside a longer boat day

    WaterfallsWith children

Questions people ask

Which waterfalls in Mauritius can you swim in?
Rochester Falls, the Tamarind Falls pools, and under GRSE from the boat. Chamarel is view-only from the platform. Never swim in or below a waterfall during or after heavy rain; rivers rise in minutes.
Do I need a guide for Tamarind Falls?
For the upper pools, no. For the full descent past all seven falls, yes: the route is unmarked, the rock is slick, and the guides know where the river is safe on the day.