Best Things To Do in East Mauritius

Located in the Poste Lafayette region and covering an area of around 500 hectares, Bras d’Eau is one of the island's two national parks. It is home to many species of birds, including sparrows, Mauritius fodys, canaries, Mauritius kestrels, Mauritius white-tailed eagles and the particularly rare tropical white-tailed deer, to name but a few, making Bras d’Eau an ideal place for birdwatching. Wild boar and monkeys also roam the park.

If you have time for tea or coffee in Mauritius, you will probably receive a small square biscuit with an old-fashioned flavour, which seems to go perfectly with your drink. These traditional sweets, called Biscuit Manioc or Biscuits de Manioc, have been accompanying the island's hot drinks for over 150 years.

To find out more about the history and manufacture of manioc biscuits, visit the Rault biscuit factory. Virtually unchanged since 1870, the Rault-Seneque family business produces biscuits using a recipe based on locally-grown cassava plants and ground into flour. The recipe has been handed down from generation to generation and has remained virtually unchanged, ensuring that the product is free from preservatives, colourings and gluten.

The entire process, from weighing to baking, can be observed during informative guided tours that will take you back in time. Once the tour is over, don't forget to buy your own biscuits to take home and enjoy. We're sure you'll find something to your liking among the eight flavours on offer.

Ile aux Cerfs offers white sandy beaches, lush green forests and turquoise lagoons, as well as a wide range of activities and facilities, making it a prime destination and a 'wild and chic' paradise for visitors to Mauritius. Its pristine white beaches sparkle in the reflection of the warm azure waters, making it an idyllic place to clean up and soak up the sun. The island is also home to one of the world's finest golf courses. To create unforgettable memories, Adventure Land offers a multitude of land and water-based activities for young and old to enjoy! The locals call it "the chic and wild island".

Most visitors prefer to sunbathe on this veritable paradise, but take the opportunity to explore the rich and varied marine life that abounds in and around the surrounding coral reef; grab your snorkelling gear or take a glass-bottom boat trip to be truly amazed. Other water activities are available and can be booked at one of the many water sports kiosks on the beach. If these activities don't appeal to you, why not try the island's eighteen-hole golf course, often voted one of the finest in the world.

There are hotels on Ile aux Cerfs, but many people come for the day. The island is open to the public from 9am to 6pm every day and a shuttle boat service runs every 30 minutes from Port Maurice on the mainland to Ile aux Cerfs at Masala Jetty.

Local favourite, Blue Bay is surprisingly quiet during the week. Surprising, we suppose, only if you’ve been here on a weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, half of Mauritius seems to descend on the island’s only Marine Park. This is where you’ll find the island’s brightest, best-preserved coral, some over 800 years old, which 32 species of fish call home. The snorkeling opportunities are endless – but best saved for a day between Monday and Friday.

This untouched fishing village offers a glimpse into the traditional Mauritian lifestyle that draws many travellers seeking an authentic cultural encounter. Located in the southernmost region of the east coast, in the huge Grand Port Bay, Mahebourg is one of the nation’s main fishing villages. Head to this market for a sense of the true Mauritian way of life, shopping and snacking tasting fresh fish and gazing out at the briny deep where the wrecks of French and British ships still lie.

Belle Mare Beach on the Mauritius south east coast is a little gem. Meaning ‘Beautiful Sea’ in French this tranquil location is a perfect place to enjoy warm, luxurious sand and swim in clear blue seas. The region is not overly developed with only a small handful of hotels and expensive villas, making it a popular destination for nature lovers as the miles of beaches and surrounding tree lines offer great opportunities for exploration. If you want to experience some peace and tranquillity in a delightfully unspoilt setting then head to Belle Mare Beach, you will not be disappointed.