Mauritius is a lot of things, but it is not dull! You'll always find something interesting to do, whether by the seaside or at sea, out in the mountains, at the gym, or trying new activities. Here are some popular options.
Hobbies in Mauritius
Moving to Mauritius is not the end of your interests and hobbies. During the week and on weekends, you will easily find a club, a group, or a school offering whatever you had been practicing before your move, whether language or dance lessons, public speaking, sailing, scuba diving, etc. Social media or a search engine will help you with your search.
Facebook is the best place to find schools, groups and businesses that offer different activities. If, for example, you are looking for a ballet class, simply type "ballet classes Mauritius" in the search bar. You can do the same thing on a regular search engine.
Don't forget the Expat.com leisure directory.
Leisure activities in Mauritius
Mauritius is a nature lover's paradise. Whether you like the sea, the beach, mountains or forests, there is something for everyone.
Land activities
Quad biking, zip lining, hiking, parks, gardens, forests, museums, waterfalls, etc. - The choice is wide when it comes to land activities. Here are some ideas for planning outings in the wild or in more traditional places.
La Vanille Nature Park: Located in Rivière des Anguilles, it is entirely dedicated to nature conservation and animal welfare. The setting of this zoological park allows you to dive into the heart of nature with or without a guide, interspersed with many activities: feeding the giant Aldabra tortoises, crocodile feeding, interactive farm, photo sessions with a baby crocodile, meeting Octar the iguana, pony rides, visiting the nursery, hatching of baby turtles, feeding baby crocodiles or lemurs and more.
Casela Nature Park: This is undoubtedly the most visited and popular amusement park in Mauritius. A very wide range of activities is available, enough to spend a memorable day in this park of more than 350 hectares. Casela has undergone numerous developments and improvements in recent years. Today, visitors can enjoy 5 zones, named Thrill Mountain, Predator Kingdom, African Safari, Pangia Birds and Rides, and World of Events. Each zone has its own atmosphere.
Odysséo - Oceanarium: The first public oceanarium in Mauritius, located in Port-Louis, is dedicated to learning and wondering. Of course, it is also suitable for children. The place is home to 45 habitats that protect 200 marine species of the Indian Ocean. All of them live in 2,000 m³ of water, including 1,500 m³ for the main aquarium.
Gros Cailloux: The leisure park is located in Petite Rivière. It covers an area of 1,000 acres and is composed of 5 zones dedicated to agriculture, fruits and vegetables, nursery, maintenance and landscaping, and recreation.
Curious Corner of Chamarel: Located, as its name suggests, in Chamarel, and more exactly, in front of the Chamarel Seven Colored Earth Geopark, the Curious Corner is the first gallery entirely dedicated to interactive illusions and art in Mauritius.
House of Digital Art: Located in Port Louis, it's a place where art transforms into an open window to endless possibilities, a way to question our existence, and a means to dream of a different future. Featuring a dozen original digital works that are kinetic, sonorous, immersive, and in augmented reality, this season offers an interactive journey through four stages: the foyer, corridor, immersive room, and educational hallway.
Le Domaine Bel Ombre: Situated in a 2,500-hectare setting, the Bel Ombre Nature Reserve covers 1,300 hectares. With picnics, quad or buggy rides, and even hiking, it's the perfect place to reconnect with nature.
Museums
Allow yourself to be immersed in the history of Mauritius through its museums:
- The Frederik Hendrik Museum in Old Grand Port;
- The Chateau de Labourdonnais in Mapou;
- L'Aventure du Sucre in Pamplemousses;
- The Bois Chéri Tea Factory and Tea Museum in Bois Chéri;
- Blue Penny Museum in Port-Louis;
- World of Seashells Museum in Bel Ombre.
Beaches
These are the most popular beaches in Mauritius, but that doesn't mean all of them are constantly crowded.
Grand Baie: Located in the north of Mauritius, at Rivière du Rempart, it is ideally close to the tourist area.
Mont Choisy: It is one of the longest beaches in Mauritius. It is located in the Northwest of the island and is perfect for a long walk or a jog.
Flic en Flac: Also one of the longest beaches on the island, it is located on the Western coast of Mauritius along a very busy beach village.
Tamarin: Located in the Black River district, Tamarin Beach is known to be one of the best surfing spots on the island.
Trou aux Biches: A postcard beach located on the north coast of Mauritius, it is over a kilometer long.
Poste Lafayette: A windy beach, it is a paradise for kite surfers and water sports enthusiasts.
La Cambuse: One of the best-preserved beaches in Mauritius. It is located in the Southeast of the island and is close to the airport.
Pereybère: Extremely popular, although quite small, Pereybère is perfect for a beach day with your family.
Île aux Cerfs: This island, accessible by boat, is home to some of the most beautiful beaches on the island.
La Cuvette: Located near Grand Bay, La Cuvette is a beautiful, quiet, and fairly popular beach.
Rivière des Galets: This beach, located in the south of Mauritius, is, as its name suggests, lined with pebbles and sparkling rocks.
Anse la Raie: Located in the north, this quiet beach is lined with exclusive luxury hotels.
Blue Bay: Located a few kilometers from Mahébourg, in the South East of the island, Blue Bay is one of the best places to observe underwater life.
Le Morne: Located in the Southwest of the island, more precisely at the foot of the Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is the perfect spot for kitesurfing, snorkeling and scuba diving.
Belle-Mare: Located on the East coast, Belle Mare is a popular beach in Mauritius.
Poudre d'Or: Located in the Rivière du Rempart district, this beach is lined with golden sand and rocks.
La Preneuse: This historic beach in Black River on the West Coast is famous for its Martello tower and the ancient cannons lining it.
Water activities in Mauritius
Stand-up paddle (SUP), windsurfing, undersea walking, laser sailing, wakeboarding, glass-bottom boat, sea kayaking, sea bob, water skiing, swimming with turtles/dolphins, river trekking, and kitesurfing, are all available in Mauritius if you're into water activities.
Swim with dolphins
Head to Tamarin Bay and Black River to discover one of the most popular activities in Mauritius, perfect for the whole family. Browse through the businesses that offer this activity by searching "swim with dolphins Mauritius" on your search engine, book an outing and get your snorkeling gear ready!
Catamaran cruises
Catamaran cruises are also a must during your time in Mauritius, even with children. Take advantage of a day at sea to discover Gabriel Island in the North or sail around Île aux Bénitiers in the South West. Find the numerous possibilities by typing "Catamaran cruise Mauritius" on your search engine.
Water park
Another must-see is the Splash N Fun Leisure Park, located on the East coast of Mauritius, near the public beach of Belle Mare. This unique water park in Mauritius covers 12 hectares of land and offers both water and land attractions, as well as several pools and a waterfall. There is also a restaurant area.
Read also: Sports in Mauritius
Air activities in Mauritius
Many specialized service providers now offer activities that allow you to discover Mauritius from a unique angle: from the air! You can enjoy helicopter or seaplane flights, parachute jumping, tandem skydiving or paragliding.
Music in Mauritius
Sega is the pillar of the local music scene. The sega features a ravanne (a traditional goat skin drum), a rattle box and a triangle. Sega is the result of Malagasy ritual music mixed with African music, while the lyrics are mainly sung in Mauritian Creole. Over time, sega has also fused with reggae to give the seggae.
Mauritians do listen to everything, however, from R&B, hip hop, soul to dubstep, club, techno, afrobeats, and rap music.
Finally, Indian music, through the Bollywood culture very anchored in the country, also occupies a special place in the local musical culture, as well as the songs in Bhojpuri - a local language adapted from Hindi.
Concerts, live music and music festivals
The country regularly hosts many international artists (Groundation, Calogero, Kendji Girac, etc.), including renowned Western and Asian DJs.
Live music lovers have several meeting points on the island:
- N'Joy in Mont Choisy;
- Le Bar & Vous in Grand Bay;
- Backstage Lounge Bar, Hennessy Park Hotel, in Ébène;
- Shotz Night Club in Flic-enFlac;
- Lakaz Cascavelle at the Cascavelle Shopping Mall;
- The Irish in Trianon;
- No Stress by Julie's Club, in Pereybère;
- R Beach Club, in Mont Choisy;
- The Piano Club, at the Address Boutique Hotel in Port Chambly;
- The Beach House Restaurant & Beach Bar, in Grand Bay;
- Jam Inn, in Petite Rivière.
Finally, music festivals are also becoming very popular and offer various styles. To keep up with upcoming events, check out Otayo's online ticketing service.
Language classes in Mauritius
Mauritius is located at a strategic geographical crossroads but also at the crossroads of languages.
Young Mauritian school children learn English and French and can also learn Creole, Hindi, Bhojpuri, Urdu, Tamil, Telugu, Mandarin and Marathi.
Nevertheless, the market for language courses is gradually developing, with private individual or group courses provided by specialized companies or institutions. For example, Polytechnics Mauritius offers courses in German, Mandarin, Italian and Spanish.
There's also:
- GoAcademy! Mauritius in Beau Bassin-Rose Hill - German courses;
- Arabic Language Solutions, Mauritius, registered with the MQA in Vacoas-Phœnix;
- StudyWays Ltd in Ébène - German courses;
- IELTS Foundation, Castel - English courses;
- British Council in Rose Hill - English courses.
Arts in Mauritius
If you are looking for courses in singing, painting, acting, writing, etc., here are some suggestions which you can supplement with Internet research:
Lyrical arts
There are several musical and singing schools in Mauritius. Some of the most popular ones are:
- Frédéric Chopin - Conservatoire de Musique - Quatre Bornes - 427 6456;
- Artvia - School of Music - Calebasses - 5252 6224;
- VOXMUSIC LAB - Vocal Instructor - Holy Cross - 5895 1400;
- Ebanez Music - Music School - Quatre Bornes - 5947 1365;
- Elevate Music School - Music School - Curepipe - 5775 6435;
- Music Coaching Centre - Triolet - 261 0000;
- Vivaldi Talents - Beau Bassin - 5898 8602.
Find out more here.
Plastic arts
ARTSPACE MAURITIUS is located in Calodyne, in the North of the island. It offers courses in:
- Watercolor level 1 (10 weeks);
- Oil painting level 1 (10 weeks);
- Watercolor level 2 (5 weeks alternating);
- Oil painting level 2 (5 weeks alternating);
- Beginner/intermediate level (10 weeks);
- Charcoal level 1 (10 weeks);
- Pastel level 1 (10 weeks);
- Charcoal level 2 (5 weeks alternating);
- Pastel level 2 (5 weeks alternating);
- Drawing/painting of daily life (10 weeks);
- Portrait (10 weeks);
- Sculpture courses.
Tamarin Arts Center is located in Tamarin. It offers:
- Yoga classes;
- Painting on ceramics;
- Contemporary dance;
- Pottery / handmade clay;
- Painting classes.
Theater
If you are interested in taking theater or acting classes in Mauritius, you may contact:
- Helen O'Grady Drama - Several locations;
- La Comédie Mauricienne - School of Theatre, Film and Communications - Curepipe - 5252 2442;
- International Film School Mauritius - Media Plaza, Royal Road Mont Mascal, Petit Raffray, 30704, Mauritius;
- Caudan Arts Centre - Caudan Waterfront - Port-Louis - 260 0592;
- Komiko Comedy Art Club - Beau Bassin-Rose Hill - 5449 1616.
Reading in Mauritius
Bookworms will find happiness in many stores, including the Bookcourt chain or the Éditions Le Printemps and Le Cygne.
Find more information here.
Gaming in Mauritius
Board game lovers are more and more numerous in Mauritius, where game nights are regularly organized.
To buy board games, let's mention the online service Meeple Mauritius, the Mozouzou chain, Lotus d'Or Trianon and Lotus d'Or Port-Louis, 101 Multimedia (offers a delivery service) and King Jouet. Find out more here.
Regarding board game clubs and other gatherings, Board Gamers Mauritius remains the most consistent organizer of game nights.
Shopping in Mauritius
Mauritius is a shopper's paradise, as the island is known for producing quality textiles, jewelry, diamonds and handicrafts, such as model ships and wooden artworks, to name a few.
The major international brands have certainly not missed an opportunity to delight serial shoppers, who can count on Woolworths, Adopt, Alain Afflelou, Café Coton, Calvin Klein, Celio, Decathlon, Esprit, Etam, Fila, Gap, Kiabi, MAC, Mango, Lacoste, Adidas, Hugo Boss, Ralph Lauren, and many more.
Shopping malls
Ascencia shopping malls
The Ascencia Group has a list of strategically placed shopping malls throughout the island:
- Bagatelle Mall - Moka;
- Phoenix Mall - Phoenix ;
- Riche Terre Mall - Riche Terre;
- Bo'Valon Mall - Mahébourg;
- So'flo - Floréal;
- Kendra - Saint Pierre;
- Les Allées - Moka.
All of them are, in fact, real entertainment centers with a long list of stores, greengrocers, food courts, a super- or hypermarket, etc., and some of them are even home to movie theaters, video games, futsal, bowling, etc.
Coeur de Ville shopping malls
Grand-Baie Cœur De Ville, Goodlands Cœur De Ville, Flacq Cœur De Ville and Tamarin Cœur de Ville each offer not only a French hypermarket (Super U), but also dozens of fashion, home decoration, art and craft stores, a food court and several restaurants.
Other shopping malls
The following shopping malls are not part of the groups mentioned above:
La City Trianon: stores, bookstore, supermarket, restaurants, cafes, and children's playground;
Cascavelle Shopping Village: local and international retail stores, clothing, jewelry, fashion accessories, bookstore, supermarket, delicatessens, cafes and restaurants as well as other services;
Plaisance Shopping Village: located in Rose Belle, it has dozens of clothing stores, a supermarket, a food court, etc.;
Le Caudan Waterfront: in Port-Louis, is popular for its duty-free, souvenir and craft stores. There is also a movie theater, a food court and restaurants facing the sea.
Popular areas for shopping
Some towns and villages are more famous than others among shopaholics.
In the center:
- Curepipe – Take time to explore the large arcades as well as the town's market;
- Floréal – A craft lover's paradise;
- Phoenix – The city is famous for its glass gallery, the Mauritius Glass Gallery;
- Quatre-Bornes – Visit its downtown, St. Jean Street and the market, open on Wednesdays and Saturdays (Sundays for clothing and other products);
- Rose-Hill – Visit the market and the various stores in town to buy your household items, clothing, crafts and food.
North:
- Grand-Baie – Outside the major shopping malls, there are many high-end textile stores, jewelry, handicrafts and imports, and a traditional bazaar;
- Goodlands – Located Northeast of Grand Bay, Goodlands is a small village ideal for everyday shopping;
- Arsenal – Located between Triolet and Terre Rouge, Arsenal is home to designer boutiques, cashmere stores and handicrafts;
- Port-Louis – The island's capital is full of stores selling clothes, furniture, tools, Asian products, home decor, china, etc., and the Grand Bazaar, closer to the harbor.
West:
- Flic-en-Flac – For clothes, the main road is home to many shops;
- Black River – Located along the west coast of southwest Mauritius, Black River is home to many local and international stores.
East:
- Flacq – Flacq has countless food and non-food stores and boutiques, not to mention its market.
Eating in Mauritius
Eating is part of the Mauritian culture, at home, but especially outside. Between the "snacks" (editor's note: small restaurants), the restaurants of different ranges, and the street food, there is plenty to do and eat.
On the street, the must-haves are rotis and dal puris! One is made of flour and clarified butter, and the other is made of ground split peas and flour. Both are usually filled with vegetables cooked in a sauce and condiments, but you can sometimes be offered other options (be careful, it can sometimes be spicy, so make sure to ask the seller).
The must-try on the island is AKA for rotis, an institution among Mauritians, located in Résidence Vallijee. For dholl puri, head to Chez Bye in Rose Hill. Otherwise, there are appetizers, generally made from flour or pulses or filled with vegetables (“gato pima”, samosas, “patés”, “gato arouille”, etc.), but also dumplings (made of chicken, fish, prawns, calamari, beef or lamb and/or vegetables), accompanied by broth and chili, not to mention curries and biryani.
If you have a sweet tooth, don't miss the "confits", pickled fruits with an acidic, sweet and salty mixture. Topped with sweet and sour tamarind sauce, spicy salt and an additional spicy sauce, they are a favorite of Mauritians in winter and summer alike. You can buy fresh fruit too, of course.
Let's add to the list the artisanal ice creams, of which Vona Corona is a worthy representative, often almond, rose water or vanilla-flavored and topped with jams and grated coconut.
For a more classic setting, the establishments range from the very basic "snacks" and their fried rice and noodles, boiled noodles, etc., to higher-end restaurants offering gourmets. The most posh restaurants are:
- The Deer Hunter at the Constance Belle Mare Hotel (local cuisine and barbecues - East of the island);
- L'Escale Créole, Bois Chéri Road in Moka (local cuisine - Center);
- Beach Rouge, Coastal Road, Grand Gaube (seafood - North of the island);
- Beach Rouge, Lux Belle Mare (Italian - East of the island);
- Amari By Vineet, Lux Resorts and Hotels Belle Mare (Indian and Asian cuisines - East of the island);
- La Spiaggia, B59, Constance Belle Mare Plage Hotel, Poste de Flacq, Pointe de Flacq (local, Italian, Mediterranean, and European cuisines - East of the island);
- Inti, Coastal Road, Lux Grand Gaube Hotel (Peruvian, Argentinean, Latin cuisines - North of the island);
- Duck Laundry, Coastal Road, Quatre Cocos, Belle Mare (Chinese, Asian cuisines - East of the island);
- Hasu, Coastal Road, Long Beach Mauritius, Belle Mare (sushi - East of the island).
Good to know:
There are now mobile apps, such as Maribon, entirely dedicated to Mauritian cuisine.
Things to do with your friends in Mauritius
It is not uncommon to meet up with friends in one of the many shopping malls on the island.
In addition, there are pubs or restaurants in all the localities where you can meet.
If you want to share an activity with your friends, why not go bowling or karaoke in Bagatelle, Cascavelle, or Flacq, or on a quad bike ride or a hike.
Good to know:
The discount websites Marideal.mu, Deals.mu or Defideals.mu offer discounted deals on hotels, villas, a plethora of activities, massages, and spas.
Nightlife in Mauritius
Mauritius may be a small island, but it does have a bit of nightlife! In addition to the street vendors who set the mood on Saturday nights in the big cities, if you are more into bars, clubs and casinos, here are a few to keep in mind:
Bars and nightclubs in the North:
- Avant Garde Cocktail Bar, Grand Bay;
- Banana Beach Club, Grand Bay;
- Beach House, Grand Bay;
- Buddha Bar, Grand Bay;
- Insomnia, Grand Bay;
- Barrel and Bay, Caudan, Port-Louis;
- Les Enfants Terribles, Pointe aux Cannoniers;
- OMG Nightclub, Grand Bay;
- On The Rocks Lounge Bar, Caudan, Port-Louis.
Bars and nightclubs in the Center:
- Backstage Lounge Bar, Ébène;
- Flying Dodo, Bagatelle, Moka;
- The Irish, Trianon.
Bars and nightclubs in the West:
- Big Willy's, Tamarin;
- Kenzi Bar, Flic en Flac;
- Shotz Night Club, Flic en Flac;
- Shout, Flic en Flac.
For amateurs of casinos:
- Le Grand Casino de Domaine Les Pailles, Pailles;
- Flic en Flac Casino, Flic en Flac;
- Casino de Maurice, Curepipe;
- Le Caudan Waterfront Casino, Caudan Waterfront, Port-Louis.
We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.
