This guide to the best places to visit in North Mauritius is perfect for first-time visitors and includes all the top attractions and things to do in the North of Mauritius.
From white sand beaches surrounded by a calm turquoise lagoon to beautiful botanical gardens, a vibrant and colorful capital city, there’s plenty to see and do in North Mauritius.
In this guide, I’ll show you 11 best places to visit in North Mauritius, the top activities to do as well as my recommendations on where to stay.
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Read more about Mauritius:
- Top places to visit in the south of Mauritius
- Top places to visit in East Mauritius
- Best places to stay in Mauritius – A local guide
- Best family-friendly resorts on Mauritius Island
- 8 Awesome boat trips to take in Mauritius
- Things to know before traveling to Mauritius
Top Places to Visit in North Mauritius
If you want to visit this region as part of a private guided tour, I recommend this North Mauritius tour which includes visits to Port Louis, Pamplemousses Garden, and Notre Dame Auxiliatrice Church, hotel transfers, and an English or French-speaking guide/driver.
Without further ado, here are the best places in North Mauritius.
Grand Bay
The coastal village of Grand Bay (or Grand Baie) is one of the most popular places to visit in North Mauritius thanks to its white-sand beaches, a wide variety of accommodations, restaurants, shopping malls, and nightlife.
One of the most popular things to do in Grand Bay is to go on a catamaran cruise to visit the neighboring islets, such as Coin de Mire (Gunner’s Quoin), Flat Island, and Gabriel Island.
Snorkeling equipment and lunch are included in the tour price and it’s a great way to soak up the sun and enjoy some beach time.
CHECK PRICE FOR A NORTHERN ISLANDS CATAMARAN CRUISE
You can also try out scuba diving or go on a beach-hopping tour to either La Cuvette (my personal favorite), Pereybere, or Bain Boeuf.
Another thing to do is to take a food tour of Grand Bay which is an excellent way to taste some of the best local cuisines.
Related post: What to do in Grand Baie Mauritius
Port Louis
The capital city of Port Louis is a must-see when visiting North Mauritius. The charm of the city lies within the mixture of the old and new.
One minute you’ll be wandering around small alleyways flanked by historical buildings and the next, you’ll find yourself in the middle of skyscrapers.
Head out to the colorful Chinatown to get a glimpse into the Sino-Mauritian cultural heritage, hunt for street art, visit the Central market, shop at the Caudan Waterfront, learn about Mauritius’ past at the Aapravasi Ghat, or admire the panoramic view from Citadel Fort.
For foodies looking for the best street food in Mauritius, you’ll find an abundance of food stalls and markets in Port Louis.
You can also go on a street food tour of the city to uncover the best food spots with the help of a local guide.
CHECK PRICE FOR A PORT LOUIS FOOD TOUR
Related post: Port Louis travel guide: Top things to see and do
Roche Noires Lava Tubes
One of the most unique places to visit in North Mauritius has to be the Roche Noires Lava Tubes.
Although they are commonly known as Roche Noires Caves, they are in fact underground tunnels that were formed during a volcanic eruption.
The lava tubes are found in the village of Roches Noires and are a great place to visit if you’re looking for an alternative thing to do in Mauritius.
They look pretty cool and you can easily visit the smaller ones on your own.
Make sure to bring a powerful flashlight and watch out where you step. If you want to visit the bigger lava tubes, I recommend hiring a guide.
Note that there isn’t a lot of parking space – I left my car at this spot (exact location) which can only fit two cars.
Read more: Top-rated excursions in Mauritius
Mont Choisy Beach
One place you have to visit in North Mauritius is Mont Choisy, one of the longest beaches on the island!
Since it’s also one of the most popular beaches in Mauritius, it’s best to visit early in the morning or on weekdays. Mont Choisy is also a great spot to visit at sunset.
Related post: 29 Most beautiful beaches on Mauritius Island
SSR Botanical Garden
Located in the village of Pamplemousses, the SSR Botanical Garden (also known as Pamplemousses Garden) is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the north of Mauritius.
The garden houses a variety of plants and flowers, including Baobabs and giant water lilies.
Visiting the Pamplemousses Garden is a great way to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the north and reconnect with nature. I recommend spending at least 2-3 hours there.
You can take a stroll around the palm-fringed alleyways or have a little picnic by the giant water lily pond.
Tip: If you want to visit some of the best Instagrammable places in Mauritius, I recommend this Instagram tour which includes a guide/driver and entrance ticket to Pamplemousses Garden.
CHECK PRICE FOR A PRIVATE INSTAGRAM TOUR OF MAURITIUS
The garden is open every day from 8.30 a.m to 5.30 p.m and the entrance fee is Rs 300 for tourists, Rs 25 for Mauritians, and free for children under 5 years old. A large parking space is available near the entrance.
Read more: Top places to see in South Mauritius
Bassin Lavé and Trou Diable
Two of the most unique spots to visit in the north are Bassin Lavé and Trou Diable. Both are located in Roches Noires not too far from the lava tubes.
These natural cold water springs feature crystal-clear water, perfect for a refreshing dip. On your way to the springs, you’ll also come across an old lime kiln (Four à Chaux).
Notre Dame D’Auxiliatrice Church
One of the most popular places to visit in Mauritius North is without a doubt the Notre Dame D’Auxiliatrice Church in the village of Cap Malheureux.
The small red-roof church is situated just a few meters from the beach and a popular photography spot.
Related post: What you should know about driving in Mauritius
Ile D’Ambre
For those looking for a great hike in Mauritius, I highly recommend visiting Ile D’Ambre. The island was declared a National park in 2004 and can be accessed by a 5-minute boat ride from the mainland.
You can spend the day walking along the different hiking trails where you’ll come across endemic plants, wetlands, old ruins dating back to the 1700s, and even a cave filled with water and fish.
The Amber trail which is the main trail is well-marked and stretches out for nearly 2 km before ending at Amber Bay. Unfortunately, due to the shallow water, the beach isn’t ideal for swimming.
You’ll also find a few secondary trails but those aren’t well-marked and at times, the path will be completely blocked off by the dense vegetation.
You can get to Ile D’Ambre by charting a private boat from Bain du Rosnay or booking a kayaking tour, which includes a guided tour of the island.
CHECK PRICE FOR A KAYAKING TOUR OF ILE D’AMBRE
Related post: How to find the best car rental deals in Mauritius
La Cuvette Beach
If you don’t want to go too far to see some colorful fish, then make sure to visit La Cuvette Beach.
Although the beach is quite small and there isn’t a lot of shade to escape from the sun, it’s still worth visiting for its crystal clear water and abundance of fish.
Chateau de Labourdonnais
Located about a 10-minute drive from the Pamplemousses Garden, Chateau de Labourdonnais is another great place to visit in North Mauritius.
This colonial mansion was built in the 1800s and has now been converted into a museum that you can visit for a small fee.
The entrance fee includes a visit of the mansion and its surrounding gardens and a free tasting of locally-made rums and juices.
Ilot Bernache
Ilot Bernache is a small uninhabited island located off the northeast coast of Mauritius, not too far from Ile D’Ambre.
The island boasts small quiet bays surrounded by calm waters, perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Due to its small size, you can easily walk around the whole island in less than 30 minutes.
Another reason why you should visit is the lack of crowds compared to the more popular islands in the north of Mauritius.
So, if you’re looking for a quiet place to relax, make sure to add Ilot Bernache to your Mauritius itinerary.
Related post: Top attractions to visit in East Mauritius
Suggested Tours in the North
- Private guided tour of the north
- Northern Islands catamaran cruise
- Port Louis street food tour
- Grand Baie street food tour
- Mauritius Instagram tour
- Kayaking tour of Ile D’Ambre
Where to Stay in North Mauritius?
Trou aux Biches Beachcomber – Luxury
Trou aux Biches Beachcomber is a luxury resort situated on the island’s most beautiful beach. Take advantage of its numerous swimming pools, restaurants and free water activities like snorkeling, water-skiing and glass-bottom boat trips.
It’s great for couples and newlyweds as the honeymoon suite is located in a quiet section and even has a private pool. The hotel is also ideal for families and has both a kids and teen clubs.
CHECK LATEST RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE
Coin de Mire Attitude – Mid-Range
For a more affordable option, look no further than Coin de Mire Attitude, situated across Bain Boeuf beach. Complimentary breakfast is included in the room rate or you can book their all-inclusive package.
The rooms are spacious and the balcony offers a nice view of the ocean. In addition to a double bed, rooms are equipped with a sofa bed that can accommodate one child.
CHECK LATEST RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE
Azure Beach Boutique Hotel – Budget
Located in Grand Baie, Azure Beach Boutique Hotel features modern and spacious rooms with an incredible ocean view. The location is very convenient – within walking distance of all the tourist attractions, restaurants, and supermarkets. Breakfast is also included in the room rate.
CHECK LATEST RATES AND AVAILABILITY HERE
CLICK HERE FOR MORE HOTELS IN NORTH MAURITIUS
Best time to visit
The weather in Mauritius varies slightly from region to region. The north coast is the hottest and driest, so you can visit pretty much any time of the year, although you might want to avoid the cyclone season (January to March).
Make sure to read my guide to Mauritius weather by month for more details.
Related post: Best time to go to Mauritius Island
Did you find this guide to the best places to visit in North Mauritius helpful? If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below.
Read more about Mauritius:
- Guide to the best Grand Baie restaurants
- 7-day, 10-day or 2-week Mauritius itinerary
- 44 Best and unique things to do in Mauritius
- A local’s guide to the best time to visit Mauritius
- Guide to the most beautiful beaches in Mauritius
- What are the best tours to take in Mauritius
- Top hikes to do in Mauritius
- Top waterfalls to visit in Mauritius
- The ultimate Mauritius street food guide
- Rodrigues Island travel guide: Top places to visit and things to do
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