Mauritius Gem

West Mauritius

The west has the calmest sea and the biggest mountains on the same road. Le Morne at the bottom, Flic en Flac in the middle, and behind them the plateau with Chamarel, the waterfall and Black River Gorges. Dolphins rest in Tamarin Bay most mornings. Every evening the sun goes down into the sea in front of you.

Le Morne Brabant, Mauritius
Photo: Máth Dávid - Mdavid89, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The places

  1. Le Morne Brabant, Mauritius

    01 · West

    Le Morne Brabant

    The UNESCO-listed mountain at the island's south-west tip: a three-hour hike, a maroon-slavery memorial and the best beach on the west coast at its foot.

    When
    May to October for the hike; any month for the beach, with the best light late afternoon
    Time
    Half a day for the hike; an hour for the beach

    HikesViewpointsBeachesCulture & historyFreeSunsets

  2. Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth, Mauritius

    02 · West

    Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth

    Dunes of volcanic sand in seven distinct colours that never mix, inside a geopark with a waterfall viewpoint and giant tortoises on the same ticket.

    When
    Any month; best colour in low morning or evening light
    Time
    One to two hours including the waterfall viewpoint

    NatureWith childrenRainy days

  3. Chamarel Waterfall, Mauritius

    03 · 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

  4. Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius

    04 · West

    Black River Gorges National Park

    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.

    When
    May to October, cooler and drier underfoot
    Time
    Fifteen minutes for the viewpoint; three to five hours for a trail

    HikesNatureViewpointsWildlifeFreeHidden gems

  5. Tamarind Falls (Sept Cascades), Mauritius

    05 · 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

  6. Flic en Flac, Mauritius

    06 · West

    Flic en Flac

    The long public beach of the west coast: calm lagoon, filao shade, food stalls at weekends and the island's most reliable sunsets.

    When
    Any month; October to April for warmest water
    Time
    Half a day

    BeachesSnorkellingSunsetsWith childrenFree

  7. Tamarin Bay, Mauritius

    07 · West

    Tamarin Bay

    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.

    When
    May to October for calmer seas and better dolphin viewing
    Time
    A morning for dolphins; an hour for the bay

    WildlifeBeachesSunsetsHidden gems

  8. Casela Nature Park, Mauritius

    08 · West

    Casela Nature Park

    A large safari-style park under Rempart mountain: zebras, giraffes and rhinos on a drive, ziplines over the gorge, and a good rainy-day option for families.

    When
    Any month
    Time
    Half to full day

    With childrenWildlifeRainy days

Questions people ask

Where do you see dolphins in Mauritius?
Tamarin Bay and Black River, on the west coast, early morning. Trips leave around 6am. Pick an operator that keeps its distance; the pods are resting and the small boats that chase them are the problem.