Room 1
East Mauritius holidays
It’s the sheer variety in eastern Mauritius that has us hooked. Market towns with turbulent pasts, sprawling eco-parks and resorts so luxurious they’re spoken of in hushed tones, all connected by beaches it feels no man has walked before.
- Flight time
- 12h
- From London
- Currency
- MUR
- Mauritian Rupee
- Time zone
- GMT + 4h
Getting to East Mauritius
The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU), Mauritius’ main major airport, sits on the Eastern shore below Mahebourg, meaning if you’re staying in an eastern hotel, then the transfer to your digs is the glorious Coastal Road. Not a bad way to begin. Even better, this heavenly highway is generally traffic-free, so if you’re based up top at Belle Mare, it won’t be more than an hour till you’re settling in for the first of many massages.
Lots of resorts in these parts offer shuttle buses or transfers in your package, and if not, the taxis are cheap and abundant. Be sure to agree on a price with your driver before you begin - Mauritian cabs don’t do meters. If this seems daunting fresh off the plane, there are several professional airport transfers you can book in advance.
Average weather in East
- Temperature (°C)*
- Rainfall (Inches)*
Holidays in East Mauritius
When the resorts, and the resort bars, are as good as the ones in east Mauritius, it’s little wonder few venture forth after sundown. And provided expert cocktails and dinners that run long into the night are your priorities, lack of nightlife needn’t be a problem. Even if you aren’t a resident, most hotels open their doors to the public, so the fruits of a well-tipped mixologist can be yours for the tasting. Options have ranged from pop-up beach bars and rum cabins (Lux Belle Mare) to smoked-at-your-table cocktails (the Tousserok’s Sega Bar, a hotel that has made a name for putting cocktail waiters on segways…).
For residents, beach cinemas and sunset cruises offer more after-dark fun. Scuba divers will also want to check out the thrilling nighttime explorations in the Belle Mare area. Just don’t overdo it, you’ll want to rise early with the east’s spectacular sunrise as often as possible.
There's no shortage of deliciousness being served up at the exclusive resorts along this coast, with a recommended restaurant on practically each of the beaches you’re likely to end up on. To name just a few, at Poste de Flacq, an old favourite is the Archipel restaurant at Constance Le Prince Maurice. In the same resort, the more recently opened Barachois merits a second trip, the island's only “floating” restaurant has a spectacular seafood menu and a resident shark, Johnny.... Heading south, La Maison d’Été is the “find” at the Poste Lafayette, serving seafood and devilish desserts like rum-soaked millefeuille from a pretty thatched seafront hotel.
To Trou D’Eau Douce and the special Café des Arts has enthusiasts happily driving two hours to spend an evening in an 1840s sugar mill stuffed with expressionist paintings and sculpture. Don’t be misled by the “café” in the name. Chefs here have five-star hotel experience and serve up plates of lobster and foie gras of a quality you’d find in a capital city.
The east hasn't gone in for the big shopping centres of the centre and the north, which means shopping is market-based and wonderfully authentic. At Central Flacq, the island's largest open-air market draws a crowd twice weekly, a great place to hone your bartering skills haggling over the region's speciality - vanilla pods and herbal teas, as well as tropical fruits, spices and chilli pastes hot enough to light fires with.
Check out if your resort offers cooking classes and you might find yourself accompanied to the market by a resort chef, who’ll scout out the freshest ingredients and help you whip up local recipes back at the hotel. If not, tucking into local street foods isn’t a bad second prize (and fried delights like dholl puri flatbreads and aubergine fritters cost less than 50p).
Once you’re hooked on markets, Mahebourg in the south has another cracking market (liveliest on a Monday) plus quaint boutiques, little Indian “pooja” shops and a biscuit factory. Celebrate your haul of Indian trinkets and sea shell souvenirs with lunch in La Colombe, serving Creole dishes on the waterfront.
Activities in East Mauritius
Whether you’re looking to sink your toes in satin-soft sands or indulge in turquoise-tinted skies as you’re paddleboarding through the smooth sea, East Mauritius has got you covered. Kayak through the mangrove jungle of foliage overhangs in Ile d’Ambre, or perhaps you desire to explore mystic caves of volcanic ashes in Pont Bon Dieu reaching up to 15 meters high and 20 meters wide! - Its surrounding village of sugar cane forests coalescing emerald pines will truly unwind and re-start your soul. Belle Mare beach is a beautiful, secluded paradise of crystal lagoons, be sure to not miss this lavish gem on the Eastern coast of Flacq.
East Mauritius oozes rustic beaches of powdery-white sands, endless watersports, land activities, and flawless scenery in the lap of luxury. Find out about some of our favourite excursions waiting for you in East Mauritius.
Watersports
Diving in East Mauritius
With good underwater circulation and fewer crowds, the lagoons in the east are prime reef real estate and home to some spectacular drift dives. Join eagle rays, barracuda, kingfish and their colourful cohorts living it up on dives which start inside the barrier reef and continue through into the open waters - the Passe de Belle Mare and the Passe du Puits are favourites.
Further south, Blue Bay is a perfect sheltered spot where the known population of Mauritius has learnt how to dive. 6m deep, crystal clear and crammed with clownfish and other marine to cheer you on. Once you’re up to scratch, Colorado is your next challenge, an underwater canyon full of nooks and crannies that sinks to 40m.
As the East coast saw Mauritius’ great naval battles, the wrecks here have real history and popping down to see the Sirius or Le Dalblair can be a great way to end a historical bike tour of the forts in Grand Vieux Port.
Just when you think you might’ve seen enough coral and clownfish, you discover the Belle Mare’s night diving expeditions. These include after dark dives down to the Little Aquarium (12m) for the kids and Ray Point or Coral Garden for the grownups, letting you see the reefs in a whole new light (the one strapped to your forehead).
If the seabed feels out of your depth, snorkeling is widely practiced around the island and a healthy medium that lets you come face to face with the fish without donning a wetsuit... The Blue Bay Marine Park is known for having some of the most sublime. Alternatively, tour operator, Totof Maurice runs trimaran tours to show you the best snorkeling in the south east Grand Riviere region, and out to the Ile aux Cerfs, followed by a lobster fry on this isle’s paradisiacal beach.
Surfing in East Mauritius
Facing the westerly Roaring Forties winds head on, the east coast is a little too windy and reefs don’t quite sit right for surfing. If you’re serious about this sport, a better bet’s to check out the hotels at Le Morne in the west or Bel Ombre in the south. Boards can be rented at these beaches and sometimes from hotels.
If stand up paddleboarding (SUP) is your game, the gentle green lagoons of the east are another matter entirely. This up-and-coming sport works out every last muscle in the body, but feels like a paddle in the park on excursions through the Blue Bay Marine Park ( Fil’a’lo Boat House is a good provider of boards), or longer routes with Kitezone Mauritius in the Grand Riviere gorge, the mangroves of the Ile aux Cerfs or a beginner’s course in the Trou d’Eau Douce bay... When you’re hooked, many of the hotels provide SUPs for you to check out local lagoons.
Windsurfing & kitesurfing in East Mauritius
Since the winds come from the east coast of Mauritius, there are no accelerating factors on the east, meaning less “kiteable” days throughout the year (compared to Le Morne or the north). However, during winter (June to November) the East coast definitely deserves your attention, when the winds are strong, stable and potent…
As with any activity, it’s a good idea to follow the locals. Poste Lafayette, a 2.5km, crescent-shaped bay buffeted by the East’s strong winds - is one of their first ports of call. At hide tide, the surf breaks on a sandbar in the middle of the bay, ideal for first jumps and rides. Just down the coast at Palmar, you’ll find a flat, often deserted lagoon that was practically made for practicing jumps. The kitesurf school at the Maritim Crystal here comes highly recommended and can show you how this is done.
There isn’t a watersport that’s not accommodated in the flat and wide Trou d’Eau Douce bay, and kite and windsurfing are no exceptions. You can launch from anywhere along the beach, though the East side has the most space. Take the ferry to the Ile Aux Cerfs and hunt out the “Joyride” downwind for a thrill. If you’re worried you’ll miss it, an IKO instructor from Kitesurf Paradise school in Trou d’Eau can point the way (and to all the rest of the east’s downwinders).
Sailing in East Mauritius
The island’s strongest winds play around the east coast come Mauritius’ wintertime, meaning from April to November, you can’t hold the boats back.
Catamaran cruise companies line the east shore, so you can pick and choose. But check closer to home first. Many hotels have their own crews who’ll take you on special sunset cruises or champagne lunches.
Being sailed around the east’s peaceful turquoise lagoons had plenty to float our boat, but the Grand Port Islets in the southeast also make a great day trip. The last vestiges of a submerged volcano, the Île de la Passe, was the site of a grueling battle between the Brits and the French in 1810.
Fishing in East Mauritius
Lack of crowds in the east of Mauritius is a joy in itself, but for the fish it makes all the difference. This and good circulation in the lagoons around Trou d’Eau Douce and Poste Lafayette mean these areas are teeming with a fishy bounty of snappers, barracudas, tuna and threadfins, plus a fair few dolphin and humpback whales.
Offering chances to check out Mauritius’ famed big-game fishing scene, several fishing outfits in Belle Mare and Trou d’eau Douce offer full and half day excursions. These are notoriously pricey throughout Mauritius, but with less competition for fish in the east, trips almost always pay off. Companies Big Mao and Royal Big Game Fishing come highly recommended and will pop by in the boat to pick you up at your hotel.
Canoeing & kayaking in East Mauritius
Mauritius’ eastern shore is covered in mangroves, “floating” trees that grow between land and sea, creating plenty of exotic pathways to explore in a kayak. Throw in the east’s azure lagoons and it’s no wonder kayaks are complimentary in many of the hotels here -- and up and down the coast you’ll find rental companies if not.
To circumnavigate the island, you’ll need to get through the coral reef, and prior knowledge of the narrow passes of deep water that let you through is a must. To get this right, look for a local kayaking guide. Yemaya Adventures are a highly rated operation who’ll take you on kayaking and snorkeling sessions in the mangroves of the Ile D’Ambre and explain all about their background, before providing lunch on the islet of Bernache. In the south east, Case Nautique is another rave-worthy outfit which has offered highly rated kayak outings to the Ils de Deux Cocos, fishing kayak trips and night kayaking.
Land activities
Golf in East Mauritius
The east of Mauritius is home to the island’s golfing big guns, and a golf course is par for the course at all the major hotels (the Constance Del Mare has two...). Guests at these resorts often enjoy free, unlimited green fees and those in the surrounding hotels are usually allowed access at certain hours by advance booking. Golf academies offer private and group classes, driving ranges, plus putting and chipping greens, and some will even talk you through video analysis of your swing.
Starting in the north, The Legend at Belle Mare first brought serious golfers to Mauritius’ shores in the 90s, and the Links Course kept them here in the millennium. Both are considered technical challenges with lots of tight, tree-lined fairways and treacherous watery channels. Test your mettle on the par 3 17th hole at Legend while green mountains and seas watch on.
The next course south was voted among the top 10 courses in the world by those in the know. We expect it helps that Le Tousserok is locates on its own island, the beatific Ile aux Cerfs, reached by ferry from Trou d’Eau Douce or private boat from the Shangri La or Anahita hotels. Bernard Langer designed this 18-hole garden of Eden with four sets of tee decks for every hole. This means the lines of attack vary in difficulty and both golfing pros and confirmed intermediates will enjoy themselves.
Immediately across the lagoon, in the middle of the Four Seasons’ private “wellness sanctuary”, is the second of the biggest names in Mauritian golf, the Anahita Course designed by Ernie Els. One of the most decorated South African golfers of all time, Els intended this 18-holer to blend with local scenery. He’s done a good job. Large, open fairways, ideal for a long hitters, pass ancient ruins and finish with 6 breathtaking coastal shots. The 18th hole is said to be a killer - but luckily sits alongside the clubhouse bar.
Cycling & mountain biking in East Mauritius
The number of cycling clubs on Mauritius' eastern shore should say something about the cycling opportunities here - which benefits from the lack of traffic and the long, flat Coastal Road (B28). This can often be completely carless, letting cyclists enjoy sweeping views and the crisp island air without interruption. Follow the road from Grand Riviere Sud Est down to Mahebourg and you'll pass small agricultural and fishing villages, the Grand Port mountains on your right and turquoise lagoons on your left. Make a day of this with pit stops at the GRSE bridge for pictures and the Frederick Hendrik Museum to learn about the island’s early inhabitants.
For a more challenging excursion (i.e. to undo the effects of a week of rum cocktails), the fantastic guides at Yemaya Adventures offer spiralling mountain bike tours through the forests of the Bras d'Eau National Park near northern Poste Lafayette. As you pass an abandoned sugar mill and ancient railway, try to distinguish between the call of the canaries and the Macarene Paradise Flycatcher (this is one of two places the latter lives).
For more rides on the wild side, there are plenty of challenging excursions between the national parks further south and the Grand Port district. Bikemap.net is a great resource to steer you in the right direction and make sure you don’t end up on private property...
If that sounds like a lot of hard work for a holiday, Electro Bike Discovery Tours’ motor-powered bikes can take care of the leg work. Though based in southern Bel Ombre, they offer historical tours of eastern Grand Port, on which you'll learn about this town’s epic naval battle, visit Dutch forts and meet local craftsmen - without breaking a sweat.
Walking & hiking in East Mauritius
While Mauritius’ beaches hog the holiday brochure limelight, the island’s lush nature reserves have just as many charms and the southeast is full of them.
Not far north of Mahebourg, the Domaine du Chasseur is the newest eco-park and offers thrilling treks in over 2,000 hectares of wilderness just below Curepipe. A little further north, the Domaine de L’Etoile is the island’s largest park, offering daily guided 2hr hikes or letting you freestyle for a small fee. This was the location of French film Paul et Virginie, and watching the film of an evening then checking out the sets can be a great way to spend a morning. Alternatively, simply climb ( quad bike or horse ride) high in the hills for views all the way to the Moka mountain ranges and - at the right time of year - the workers in the sugar fields.
A five-minute boat ride from the Preskil Hotel, on the southeast coast, the Isle aux Aigrettes (Egret Island) is said to be the last resting place of the dodo and the closest you’ll get to a Mauritius of 400 years ago. Paths lead past aldabra tortoises rummaging under the last remaining coastal ebony forest and pink pigeons fly over the seven-metre-high canopy that once protected the dodo from cyclones. Testament to Mauritius’ conservation efforts, both have been saved from extinction.
