With so much to see and do, it’s not always easy to create the perfect itinerary for just 1 week in Mauritius.
As a local who has spent a considerable amount of time exploring Mauritius inside out, I can confidently say that I’ve created the perfect itinerary for first-time visitors.
Do you want to relax on the most gorgeous beaches? Witness natural wonders like the underwater waterfall or colorful sand dunes?
Immerse yourself in Mauritius’ cultural melting pot through its food, museums, and historic sites?
Hike through lush forests, mountains, and waterfalls? Or even venture off the beaten path in search of hidden gems?
If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then keep reading to find out how to plan a memorable 7 days in Mauritius itinerary!
P.S: If you prefer a more personalized itinerary, click here to book a Mauritius trip planning consultation with me.
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Read more about Mauritius:
- Top beaches in Mauritius for swimming
- Mauritius travel tips from a local
- Tips for hiring a car in Mauritius
- 44 Best things to see and do in Mauritius
- 8 Fun boat trips to take in Mauritius
How to Spend One Week in Mauritius?
Day 1: Check into your hotel and relax at the beach
As soon as you arrive in Mauritius, I recommend heading straight to your hotel.
You can either hire a car (starting at Rs 1,000/USD 21 per day) or book an airport transfer (about USD 50).
If you need help deciding where to stay, you can read my comprehensive guide to the best areas to stay in Mauritius.
For those visiting Mauritius in winter, particularly between July and September, you might want to steer clear of the east and southeast coasts if you get cold easily.
This is because these regions are affected by the southeast trade winds and thus feel slightly colder compared to other parts of the island.
If you’re visiting between November and April, you can choose to stay anywhere in Mauritius as the weather is usually consistent during this time.
For more details, check out my guide to the best (and worst) time to go to Mauritius.
Since it’s your first visit, I recommend staying in the tourist hub of Grand Baie in the north.
Grand Baie has pretty much everything you need – a wide selection of hotels for every budget, beautiful beaches, pristine offshore islets, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, shopping malls, supermarkets, and a local market where you can buy fresh fruits and souvenirs.
Here are some recommendations for hotels in Grand Baie: Paradise Cove ($$$), Veranda Grand Baie Hotel and Spa ($$), and Grand Baie Suites ($)
Alternatively, if you prefer a quieter area, you can stay in Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy, or Bain Boeuf, which are all within a 5-10-minute drive from Grand Baie.
Depending on the time you arrive at your hotel, you can take a quick nap before heading to the beach to watch the sunset.
Day 2: Northern Islands Tour or Beach Hopping around Grand Baie
For the second day of your one week Mauritius itinerary, you have two options – a catamaran cruise to the Northern Islands or beach hopping around Grand Baie.
The Northern Islands tour by catamaran takes you to three islands, Coin de Mire Island, Gabriel Island, and Flat Island.
I’ve done this trip twice and although I got a little bit seasick the second time as the weather wasn’t in our favor, I still had a great time swimming and snorkeling in crystal-clear water.
Note that you’ll be sailing on high seas, so if you get seasick easily, I recommend taking some motion sickness pills.
The tour begins with a light breakfast of tea, coffee, and pastries. You’ll then set off to Flat Island where you can spend your time by swimming and walking along the beach.
If you’re feeling up to it, you can even hike up to the lighthouse for a panoramic view of the surroundings.
A BBQ lunch will then be served on the catamaran. When I did the tour, we had fish, chicken, and fresh fruits for dessert. No worries if you don’t eat meat as they also cater to vegetarians.
You’ll then visited Gabriel Island, which boasts a stunning sandbar surrounded by crystal clear water!
The final stop will be Coin de Mire Island for more swimming and snorkeling. Note that you can’t actually go on the island as it’s a protected nature reserve.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to take a boat tour, you can instead explore some of the beaches around Grand Baie.
My absolute favorite beach for swimming in Mauritius is La Cuvette, a small sandy cove surrounded by the clearest water. There are a couple of food stalls on the beach if you get hungry.
Once you’re done at La Cuvette, head to Pereybere Beach. Featuring soft white sand and turquoise water, Pereybere is a must-visit and is lined with beach bars and restaurants.
If you’d like, you can also check out Cap Malheureux Beach. Although not the best for swimming, it’s worth a visit as this is where you’ll find the iconic red-roof church, which is one of the most famous Instagram spots in Mauritius.
Tip: Right across the church is a small restaurant called Helena’s Café that serves some of the best local food like fried rice/noodles, seafood, etc at affordable prices.
If you have time, you can also check out Mont Choisy Beach. It’s one of the longest beaches on the island and is great for swimming.
Finally, end the day by watching the sunset at Mont Choisy or Trou aux Biches.
Day 3: Explore Port Louis and other attractions in the north
While you could easily spend an entire week in Mauritius at the beach, I highly recommend visiting Port Louis, the capital city, to learn about Mauritius’ history and culture, and at the same time, to sample some amazingly delicious food.
Start your exploration in Chinatown, the most vibrant part of the city. Here you’ll find numerous Chinese shops, hole-in-the-wall eateries, loads of colorful murals, pagodas, and even a mosque.
Next make your way to the Central Market, the largest covered market in Mauritius, which sells everything from fresh produce to traditional medicines and souvenirs.
It’s also the perfect place to sample some of the best Mauritian street food like dholl puri, faratha, and gateaux piments.
Tip: If you want to uncover all the best street food spots in Port Louis, I recommend this 3-hour guided street food tour.
Nearby is the Place D’Armes, the city’s main thoroughfare flanked by huge palm trees. The Bank of Mauritius Coin Museum, Government House, and the Natural History Museum which features the skeleton of the now extinct Dodo bird, are also located in this area.
Also nearby is Les Jardins de La Compagnie with its banyan trees that provide the perfect respite from the scorching heat that Port Louis is notorious for.
For stunning views of the city, head to Citadelle, also known as Fort Adelaide, which was built by the British to protect the city from invaders.
If you’d like to do some shopping or simply take a stroll around the waterfront area, then I recommend visiting the Caudan Waterfront.
Built on reclaimed land, the Caudan Waterfront is the oldest shopping mall on the island and features high-end stores, a craft/souvenir market, a casino, two movie theaters, a museum, and a food court overlooking the ocean.
Don’t forget to snap some photos at the Insta-famous Umbrella Street!
For even more places to visit in the city, make sure to read my Port Louis travel guide.
If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of Port Louis, I recommend checking out the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden in the afternoon.
The garden is located about 14 km from Port Louis and has a variety of plants and flowers, including Baobabs and giant water lilies.
It’s open daily from 8.30 a.m to 5.30 p.m and costs Rs 300 for tourists (free for children under 5 years old).
Also located nearby is L’Aventure du Sucre, a former sugarcane factory that has been converted into a museum showcasing the history of Mauritius’ sugarcane industry through interactive exhibits. It’s a great place to visit if you’re traveling with kids.
There are so many places to see in the north so if you have time to squeeze in a couple more attractions, you can find other recommendations in my travel guide to North Mauritius.
Day 4: Ile aux Cerfs or 5 Islands Tour
It’s now time for another fun boat trip! You’re on an island after all so it goes without saying that you’ll be spending the majority of your 7 days in Mauritius by the ocean.
A must-visit destination is the beautiful Ile aux Cerfs, one of the most popular islands in Mauritius located off the east coast.
Perfect for an adventure-packed day, a trip to Ile aux Cerfs is a must for those wishing to swim and snorkel in crystalline water in search of stunning corals and fish.
There’s a lot to do on the island from parasailing to water skiing, undersea walk, tube ride, and more.
The island also features a 19 holes golf course, two restaurants, and a small market selling clothes and souvenirs.
The best way to visit Ile aux Cerfs is to through a speedboat tour or catamaran cruise, both of which include a BBQ lunch, drinks, and a visit to GRSE Waterfall.
I did both and personally prefer the catamaran cruise as it’s less bumpy. One thing to note is that the catamaran is slower so you’ll be spending more time on the water and less time sightseeing.
If you’re interested in visiting more islands, you can do the 5 Islands tour, where you’ll visit Ile aux Cerfs, Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Phares, Ile de La Passe, Ile aux Flamants, and GRSE Waterfall.
Alternatively, if you don’t want to join a tour, you can take a boat taxi from Trou D’Eau Douce or Pointe Maurice Jetty.
Tip: Ile aux Cerfs is very popular so I highly recommend visiting on a weekday to avoid the crowds. Tours sell out fast, especially during the peak season, so it’s best to book in advance.
After the tour, I recommend switching hotels as you’ll be exploring the west and south regions for the next few days of your itinerary.
You can choose to stay in Flic en Flac (west), another lively coastal village also great for first-time visitors, or Le Morne (southwest) if you prefer somewhere quieter.
Here are some recommendations for hotels in Flic en Flac: Sugar Beach ($$$), Le Tribord ($).
Here are some recommendations for hotels in Le Morne: LUX Le Morne ($$$), Ma Vie La ($)
Day 5: Go hiking or take a boat trip to Ile aux Benitiers
Today you have two options – you can either go on a hike or take another boat trip to Ile aux Benitiers and Crystal Rock.
If you need help deciding which hike to choose, I recommend reading my detailed guide to the best hiking trails in Mauritius.
One of the most popular hikes is Le Morne Brabant Mountain, a 3 to 5-hour hike offering the best panoramic view on the island.
The first half of the trail is relatively easy but the second half requires some rock climbing. I highly recommend hiring a guide if you’re not confident hiking on your own.
Another beautiful hike is 7 Cascades (Tamarind Falls) which consists of 12 waterfalls cascading across a lush valley. This hike also requires a moderate level of fitness, so hiring a guide is highly recommended.
But don’t worry if you’re not very fit as there are plenty of other easy hikes to choose from.
My personal favorite is the Macchabee Viewpoint trail in the Black River Gorges National Park. The trail is easy and relatively flat and takes around 2-3 hours to complete.
Other easy hikes include Ebony Forest, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, and Le Pouce Mountain.
Depending on which hike you choose, I recommend spending the afternoon at the closest beach.
For example, if you’ve hiked Le Morne Brabant, you can then go to Le Morne Beach since it’s located about a 15-minute drive from the trailhead.
Alternatively, you can visit either Flic en Flac Beach or La Preneuse Beach, both of which are located on the west coast.
Now for those who don’t want to go hiking, I recommend taking a boat trip to Ile aux Benitiers.
This small island is located off the west coast of Mauritius and boasts one of the best views of Le Morne Mountain.
Hop onboard a catamaran and be sure to keep your eyes peeled for wild dolphins as cruise across the ocean.
You’ll also have the opportunity to snorkel in the crystal clear waters around Crystal Rock before heading to Ile aux Benitiers for a BBQ lunch.
Day 6: South Mauritius Tour
Day 6 of your Mauritius itinerary is a great opportunity to explore some of the most unique and picturesque natural attractions in the south of Mauritius.
If you’re renting a car, you can do a road trip starting at Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcano offering a panoramic view of the island.
The next stop is Grand Bassin, also known as Ganga Talao, which is an important religious site for the Hindus. It features a crater lake surrounded by temples and statues of Hindu deities.
Nearby are the Bois Cheri Tea Plantations with rows of tea fields as far as the eyes can see. You can take a tour of the tea factory and do a tea tasting if you’re interested.
You can then make a stop at Alexandra Falls Viewpoint and if you have time, hike to Cascade 500 Pieds (it takes about 30-45 minutes one way).
Next, keep driving along the B103 Plaine Champagne Road. There are several viewpoints along this road but the best one is by far Gorges Viewpoint.
After visiting Gorges Viewpoint, you have two options: drive south to the village of Souillac or continue along the B103 road to Chamarel.
Option 1: Head to Rochester Falls to enjoy a refreshing swim and end the day at Gris Gris Beach and La Roche Qui Pleure just in time for sunset.
Tip: If you don’t plan on renting a car, you can instead book this private guided tour of South Mauritius which will take you to most of the attractions mentioned above. The tour includes hotel transfers and a licensed guide.
Option 2: Continue driving toward the village of Chamarel, famous for its attractions like Chamarel Waterfall, Seven Colored Earth Geopark (colorful sand dunes formed several thousand years ago by the weathering and decomposition of lava and mineral deposits, buy your entrance tickets here), Chamarel Viewpoint, Ebony Forest, and Curious Corner (a trick-eye museum great for kids).
You can find more details about each attraction mentioned above and more in my Chamarel travel guide.
If you need to stop for lunch, you’ll find many local restaurants in Chamarel, with the most popular (albeit expensive) being Le Chamarel, which also has a nice viewpoint.
Finally, end the day at Macondé Viewpoint before heading back to your hotel.
Day 7: Helicopter tour, hiking, or chilling at the beach
Today marks the end of your 1 week itinerary for Mauritius. If you have the budget, I recommend booking a helicopter flight for your last day.
You’ll have the opportunity to see the stunning underwater waterfall at the edge of Le Morne Brabant, the colorful sand dunes of Chamarel Seven Colored Earth Geopark, and fly over Port Louis, Tamarin Bay, Le Pouce Mountain, and more.
If you have time before your flight back home, you might also be able to squeeze in another hike.
For something less touristy, I recommend hiking from La Cambuse Beach or Le Bouchon Beach to Pont Naturel, a natural rock arch located by the sea on the south coast of Mauritius.
Another great place to escape the crowds is Le Souffleur and Savinia Beach. You can read this guide for more details on how to get there.
Alternatively, for those too tired to go on a hike, you can simply spend the day relaxing at any beach of your choice (here are 29 beaches to choose from!).
There you go! This is how to spend one week on Mauritius Island! If you have any questions about planning your trip, feel free to ask in the comments below.
Read more about Mauritius:
- 11 Best excursions to take in Mauritius
- 13 things to see and do in Belle Mare
- 10 Best adults only resorts on Mauritius Island
- The best family-friendly resorts on Mauritius Island
- Best ways for getting around Mauritius for any budget
- 18 Must-visit waterfalls in Mauritius
- 8 Scenic road trips to take in Mauritius