Mauritius - the pearl of the Indian Ocean has everything necessary to guarantee holidays full of diversity and excitement. Discover the various terrains including mountains that are almost 1,000 metres high, volcanoes, sugarcane plantations, bleach white sandy beaches and picturesque lagoons. When that's not enough - there's a whole world under the water just waiting to be discovered as well.

Our top ten:

Port Louis

The capital of Mauritius lies on the west coast nestled between the Moka-Port Louis range and the Indian Ocean. Today, Port Louis is a modern island centre with an important harbour. One has but to look at the skyline with its many high rises to see that the city means business. Port Louis has a number of interesting sights including the Jummah Mosque which the Ministry of Tourism calls the most beautiful religious building in the country, the Le chateau de Reduit which was built for French governors and is now the official home of the President, the ‘Le Caudan Waterfront' fairytale amusement park and the ‘Blue Penny Museum' - home to every philatelists dream: genuine examples of the ‘Red Penny' and the ‘Blue Two Pence' stamps.

Cascade Chamarel and Terres des Couleurs

The road with the most curves on the island - 70 according to local sources - winds its way from Grande Case Noyale along the coast to the hilly heights of the Black River Gorges National Park and onto the Plaine Champagne. At 127 metres high (around 400 ft), the Cascade Chamarel is the island's highest waterfall. The Rivière St. Denis flows over the edge and into a jungle basin - a truly magnificent natural spectacle. The Terres des Couleurs - or coloured earth - is another. Depending on the light, the ground can be ochre or yellow, red, brown and even shades of blue and purple. Scientists say the phenomenon traces its roots back the volcanic source of the earth and the lava/mineral content within.
The best time to visit the Terres des Couleurs is in the morning on a sunny day. Opening times: daily from 7 am to 5.30 pm.

Black River Gorges National Park (Gorges de la Rivière Noire)

Originally a primeval forest with deep gorges and rushing waterfalls, the national park has been likened to the Garden of Eden. The park has a number of picnic areas and over 60 kilometres of trails - some of which can be quite exhausting for those not used to hiking. At a height of around 740 metres above sea level lies the Plaine Champagne - a landscape formed by a long extinct volcano. The best time to visit is during the anthesis which takes place between September and January. Because it often rains in the south - mostly in the afternoons - visitors are advised to wear suitable shoes and take a poncho with them.

Grand Bay

Grand Bay - the shopping and entertainment paradise. Numerous shopping and leisure facilities, as well as an exciting night life with bars, restaurants and discotheques.

Blue Bay, Ile des Deux Cocos

A little private island with one of the most beautiful beaches of the south, which arises only a few meters from the cristal clear water of Blue Bay Marine Park. It is the most beautiful marine park of the island and is ideal for swimming, snorkelling and diving.

Île aux Cerfs

Île aux Cerfs is one of the most breathteaking lagunes in the Indian Ocean. Cristal clear water, wonderful white beaches, ideal for swimming and for watersports like Parasailing, canoe, catamaran, speed boat and many more.

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden

Around 12 km north-east of the capital lies what is commonly called the ‘Pamplemousses Botanical Garden'. Considered a must for anyone visiting the island, the botanical garden has earned a worldwide reputation for its incredible number of plant species and exotic flowers. 600 plant types from around the world flourish within the 37 hectare property and one fifth of them can only be found on Mauritius. The gardens are also home to a colonial villa with shady ground floor and first floor verandas adorned with decorative balusters and eaves. A reproduction of the original Labourdonnais estate manor built in 1850, the villa is home to the park's director. Its chambers are used to receive important guests of state. The best time to visit the botanical gardens is between December and April. Opening times: daily from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.

Grand Bassin

For the hindu people in Mauritius the water of the lake „Grand Bassin“ is as sacred as the water of the river “Ganges” in India. According to a legend, the hindu God ‘Lord Shiva’ happened to visit Mauritius island. With him he took the holy water of the river “Ganges”, to prevent India from floods and lost some drops of this holy water, which landed in an extinct volcano which is called “Grand Bassin. There is a temple dedicated to ‘Lord Shiva’ and other Gods incuding Hanuman, Lakshim and others along the Gradn Bassin. During Shivaratri, many pilgrims in Mauritius walk bare feet from their home to the lake to scoop the sacred ater of the lake for ritual washings. As a gift for their god they bring food and fruits.

Maheswarnath Shiv Mandir Hindu temple

One of Mauritius' 125 Hindu temples, Maheswarnath Shiv Mandir was built in 1891 and represents the island's largest Hindu place of worship. Its gleaming white façade is accented by ornamental decorations that include various flowers, symbols and Hindu gods.

Souillac and Rochester Falls

Souillac is a picturesque port village in the island's south that is home to a number of historic colonial buildings. Around two centuries ago, the town was the south's main port and an important centre of trade. Today, the freight ships laden with wood, arrack, indigo and sugar cane have been replaced by fishing boats and pleasure yachts. 3 km north of Souillac are the famous Rochester Falls. The waters of the ‘Rivière Savanne' wind their way through forests and cane fields before racing through volcanic stone and plunging around 10 metres (approx 35 feet) into a natural pool below. Pretty to say the least, the spot is also a popular place to cool off.

Domaine Les Pailles

5 km south of the capital is the ‘Domaine Les Pailles' open-air museum. A reconstruction of an 18th century sugar estate, examples of Mauritian culture and historical artefacts take visitors on an informative journey through the island's past. While many of the attractions can be reached by walking, the museum covers an incredible 1,500 hectares so many opt for one of the many horse-drawn carriages or the sightseeing trains. One of the main attractions is the 18th century sugar mill where visitors can experience the zebu-powered extraction process. This is only possible during the harvest season that lasts from the middle of June till the middle of December. The property also boasts beautiful gardens that are home to various types of hibiscus, royal poinciana (flame trees that blossom between November and May) and spices. Opening times: daily from 9 am to 4.30 pm.