Located in the north of Mauritius, Grand Baie (also spelled as Grand Bay) is one of the most popular tourist destinations on the island and the perfect base for first-time visitors.
It’s famous for its beautiful white-sand beaches with crystal-clear water, pristine islands, shopping opportunities, and vibrant nightlife.
Grand Baie is also one of the hottest and sunniest regions of the island, even during winter, making it the ideal location for a beach vacation.
So if you’re wondering what to do in Grand Baie, here’s my ultimate guide to visiting Grand Baie and its surroundings, including the best things to do and practical tips on how to get there, where to stay, and the best places to eat.
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Read more about Mauritius:
- Guide to visiting Flic en Flac + things to do
- What to do in Le Morne Mauritius?
- Guide to spending 7 days on Mauritius Island
- Mauritius FAQs and travel tips
How to get Grand Baie?
If you’re traveling from the airport to Grand Baie, I recommend booking your airport transfer in advance by clicking here.
It costs around USD 50, which is cheaper than the rate you get at the airport. The total journey takes around 1.5 hours.
If you’re coming from other parts of Mauritius, you can get to Grand Bay by car (find the best car rental deals here) or by bus (find can see all the bus routes here but keep in mind that this is the slowest option).
Where to Stay in Grand Baie?
As a tourist hotspot, there is an abundance of places to stay in Grand Baie, from luxury hotels to budget guesthouses and self-catering apartments.
If you want to be close to the tourist attractions, shops, and restaurants, I recommend staying in Grand Baie center, in proximity to the coastal road B13 and Super U.
If you prefer somewhere quieter but still within a short drive from Grand Baie, you can stay in Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy, Pereybere, or Bain Boeuf.
Below are some of the best hotels in Grand Baie:
Luxury: Mauricia Beachcomber is one of the best beachfront resorts in Grand Baie featuring two swimming pools, two restaurants, and a kids club. It’s great for families and their 2-bedroom apartment/villa can accommodate up to 2 adults and 3 children.
Mid-range: Coin de Mire Attitude is a more affordable hotel located slightly outside of the center but still easily accessible by bus or car. 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 which can accommodate a child. Complimentary breakfast is included in the room rate.
Budget: Azure Beach Boutique Hotel is a great choice for budget travelers costing only about USD 100 per night. The location is very convenient since it’s within walking distance of all the tourist attractions, restaurants, and supermarkets. Breakfast is also included in the room rate.
FIND MORE HOTELS IN GRAND BAIE
Things to do in Grand Baie
Northern Islands Boat Trip
One of the best things to do in Grand Baie is to go on a Northern Islands boat trip to visit three beautiful islands – Coin de Mire, Gabriel, and Flat Islands.
The boat departs from Grand Baie public beach and you’ll be served a light breakfast of tea, coffee, and pastries as soon as you jump onboard.
The first stop is Flat Island where you’ll be spending some time swimming and snorkeling.
If you’re feeling up to it, you can even hike up to the lighthouse for a panoramic view of the turquoise lagoon.
A delicious BBQ lunch of chicken and fish (vegetarian options are available as well) will be served onboard and then you’ll make your way to 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 go on the island as it’s a protected nature reserve but the coral reefs around the island are worth the stop.
Find out more about the Northern Islands boat trip here.
Beach Hopping
There are several beaches to explore in and around Grand Baie, most of which are perfect for swimming and snorkeling.
Below is a list of all the beaches in Grand Baie:
Grand Baie public beach: This is the most famous beach in Grand Baie but I much prefer it for watching the sunset rather than swimming due to the amount of boat traffic that it gets. It’s still a nice spot for a walk, plus you’ll find a few stalls selling local food and fresh fruits here.
La Cuvette: My favorite beach in Mauritius for swimming, this small sandy beach is surrounded by crystal-clear water and is filled with colorful fish. There are also a couple of food stalls here.
Pereybere: Featuring soft white sand and clear blue water, Pereybere is lined with beach bars and restaurants. It’s quite small though and can get busy during the weekend, so come early!
Mont Choisy Beach: This is one of the longest beaches on the island and is great for swimming but not that much for snorkeling. It also gets busy during the weekends so plan your visit on a weekday if you want to avoid crowds. There are several food trucks here selling seafood and other local dishes.
Trou aux Biches: With rows of palm trees, white sand, and calm shallow water, this is the perfect beach for those traveling with kids. The water is crystal-clear with beautiful corals and fish. If you’re lucky enough you might even spot turtles.
Anse La Raie: A white-sand beach popular among kitesurfers.
Cap Malheureux: A small rocky beach with shallow water overlooking Coin de Mire. This is where you’ll find the iconic red-roof church (mentioned below).
Bain Boeuf: This secluded beach boasts a stunning view of Coin de Mire Island and is ideal for kids due to the calm shallow water.
Grand Baie Food Tour
One of my favorite things to do is to sample the local cuisine and the best way to do that is to go on a food tour.
Meander through the streets of Grand Baie with a local guide who will take you to the best food spots in Grand Baie serving authentic Mauritian dishes including curries, fresh seafood, and seasonal fruits.
It’s the perfect way to explore Grand Baie beyond the tourist hotspots and at the same time learn more about Grand Baie’s past, for instance how it evolved from a small fishing village to the most popular tourist destination in Mauritius.
Find out more about the Grand Baie food tour here.
Explore the Underwater World
Being surrounded by beautiful coral reefs and crystal-clear water, you should definitely take advantage of all the water activities in Grand Baie.
One of the best snorkeling and diving spots in Grand Baie is Trou aux Biches where you can sometimes spot sea turtles.
La Cuvette Beach and Point D’Azure are also great for snorkeling but be sure to wear water shoes when snorkeling at the latter to avoid getting hurt by the sharp corals.
For those who don’t know how to swim, you can instead opt for an undersea walk, subscooter, or submarine excursion.
This submarine excursion by Blue Safari Mauritius takes you off the coast of Trou aux Biches where you’ll be able to explore an old shipwreck and admire the coral reefs home to several species of fish and turtles.
Find out more about the submarine excursion here.
Grand Baie Bazar
If you’re wondering what to do in Grand Baie, be sure to check out Grand Baie Bazar.
This small tourist market is packed with stalls selling clothes, accessories, souvenirs, and local handicrafts.
There isn’t a lot of parking space here so it’s best to visit early in the morning or park somewhere else along the beach or at Super U.
The road leading to the bazar is lined with tourist shops and local cafés and restaurants serving crepes and fresh juices, so be sure to check those out on your way there.
Cap Malheureux Red Rood Church
Sitting at the edge of a small beach overlooking Coin de Mire Island, Cap Malheureux Church, also known as Notre Dame D’Auxiliatrice is one of the most beautiful churches in Mauritius.
You can take a stroll along the beach or snap a few photos with the red-roof church in the backdrop. If you’d like you can even buy some fresh fish from the local fishermen here.
Visit the Shopping Malls
Apart from the Grand Baie Bazar, there are several other places to go shopping in Grand Baie like La Croisette which features both local and international retailers, a supermarket, and a food court.
La Croisette regularly hosts pop-up events like The Food Festival where you’ll have the opportunity to sample all sorts of food for under Rs 225 per dish.
Right in the middle of Grand Baie, you’ll find Coeur de Ville which has more affordable shops, a Super U supermarket as well as a food court with several restaurants and a bowling alley.
Other places to shop include Sunset Boulevard, an open-air shopping complex that looks like little bungalows by the sea, Grand Bay Store, and Mont Choisy Mall.
Experience the Nightlife
Grand Baie is one of the most happening places on the island with several bars and nightclubs dotting the streets.
One of the best places to grab a drink and watch live music is Banana Beach Club. Other places I recommend are Cocoloko and B52.
Things to do near Grand Baie
Day trip to Port Louis
The capital city of Port Louis is one of the best attractions near Grand Baie.
The charm of the city lies within the mixture of the old and new. One minute you’ll be wandering around small alleyways lined with historical buildings and the next, you’ll find yourself surrounded by modern skyscrapers.
For a glimpse into the Sino-Mauritian heritage, head out to Chinatown, which is packed with traditional Chinese shops, restaurants, and pagodas.
If you’re a foodie, be sure to check out the Central Market, the largest covered market in Mauritius selling everything from fresh produce to souvenirs and mouth-watering food.
You can even go on a 3-hour street food tour of the city to scout out the best food spots with the help of a local guide who will also tell you some fun facts about Port Louis historical landmarks.
Other places I recommend visiting in Port Louis include the Caudan Waterfront, Aapravasi Ghat, and Citadel Fort.
Ile D’Ambre
For those looking for a place to go hiking in Mauritius, I recommend Ile D’Ambre.
The island was declared a National park in 2004 and is home to endemic plants, wetlands, ruins dating back to the 1700s, and even a cave filled with water and fish.
There are several hiking trails on the island but only one is well-marked. The Amber Trail is almost 2 km long and leads to a small beach with shallow water.
To get to Ile D’Ambre, you’ll have to charter a boat from Bain du Rosnay or book a kayaking tour, which also includes a guided tour of the island.
Find out more about the Ile D’Ambre kayaking tour here.
Ilot Bernache
Ilot Bernache is a small uninhabited island located beside Ile D’Ambre. The island features a couple of secluded beaches with white sand and calm shallow waters.
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 near Grand Baie.
Roche Noire Caves
The Roche Noire Lava Tubes, commonly referred to as Roche Noire Caves, are underground tunnels that were formed several thousand years ago during a volcanic eruption.
One of them (called La Cave Madame) is filled with water while the rest are completely dry.
It’s a cool place to visit, especially with kids and you can easily explore the main caves on your own within an hour or two. Just be sure to bring a powerful flashlight and watch out where you step.
If you want to visit the bigger caves, it’s best to hire a guide to avoid getting lost.
Bassin Laver and Trou Diable
Not too far from the Roche Noire Caves are two natural cold water springs with crystal-clear water, known as Bassin Laver and Trou Diable.
Set amid a lush vegetation, they are the perfect spot for a refreshing dip away from the crowds. Just be careful when swimming there as some sections are quite deep.
Pamplemousses Botanical Garden
For a respite from the hustle and bustle of Grand Baie, I recommend visiting the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, also known as SSR Garden.
It’s located less than a 20-minute drive from Grand Baie and is famous for its giant water lily pond.
The garden is very picturesque and houses a variety of plants and flowers and the Chateau de Mon Plaisir, which was the former residence of Governor Mahe de Labourdonnais.
Tip: Check out this guided Mauritius photo tour which includes the Pamplemousses Garden and several other photogenic places like Umbrella Street in Port Louis and Chamarel Seven Colored Earth. The tour price also includes a French or English-speaking guide/driver and all entrance fees.
Pamplemousses Botanical Garden is open daily from 8.30 a.m to 5.30 p.m and the entrance fee is Rs 300 for tourists (free for children under 5 years old). A large parking lot is available near the entrance.
L’Aventure du Sucre
Not too far from the botanical garden 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 for those traveling with kids. The entrance fee also includes a tasting of different types of sugars, rums, and honey.
Chateau de Labourdonnais
Located in the village of Mapou, about a 15-minute drive from Grand Baie, Chateau de Labourdonnais is another great place to visit near Grand Baie.
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.
After your visit to Chateau de Labourdonnais, I also recommend checking out the nearby Quartier des Serres, a small open-air shopping complex set amid a lush garden.
Restaurants in Grand Baie
From local eateries serving authentic Mauritian dishes to Western or Indian restaurants, there is no shortage of places to eat in Grand Baie.
Below are some of the best restaurants in Grand Baie:
Ti Kouloir: A small hole-in-the-wall eatery serving boulettes (Chinese dumplings) and noodle dishes. It’s very small so it’s best to go as soon as it opens.
Cocoloko: A restaurant/bar serving both local and Western dishes with live music in the evening.
Karai Kreol: A small restaurant not too far from Super U serving Mauritian curries with chicken, deer, octopus, etc.
La Rougaille Creole: A great place to go for grilled food and Creole dishes with live music in the evening.
Kogi Kogi: For authentic Korean food.
Botteghita: Italian restaurant serving delicious pizza and pasta dishes.
The Trojan Horse: Perfect for those craving Greek food.
Happy Rajah: For Indian food.
Paradise Corner: A small café serving English breakfast and delicious coffee.
Maison des Crepes: For vegan and gluten-free crepes.
I hope you found this guide to the best things to do in and around Grand Bay helpful. If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment section below.