Top places to visit in the South of Mauritius island
Savanne, the southern coast of Mauritius, is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and wild places on the island. Sandy coves, basalt cliffs, hidden falls, and hundreds of miles of sugar cane fields and dense forests make this a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. There is a lot to explore in the South of Mauritius. We offer a private South Tour Mauritius, which will take you to some of these places in the magnificent south of Mauritius.
1. Le Morne
The Morne Peninsula is one of the best places to visit in Mauritius! It’s got an underwater waterfall that’s world-renowned! There’s a helicopter ride you can take to see the “waterfall” and other nearby landmarks if you’re feeling flush. Alternately, you can just lay on the beach or grab a mask and snorkel and go swimming. Hiking Le Morne Brabant mountain is another thing you shouldn’t miss. The mountain was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008 and you can see some breathtaking views from the top! You will need a moderate level of fitness as you will need to scramble over rocks and cliffs. Therefore, if you’re not too confident hiking on your own, hire a guide.
2. Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao)
Grand Bassin is a major tourist attraction in Mauritius, drawing crowds of visitors who pray, meditate, or simply enjoy the scenic surrounding view. This includes the colossal statue of Shiva.
As an impressive piece of sculpture, the Mangal Mahadev statue is quite gorgeous. When visiting this sacred site, you will inevitably be awestruck by Shiva’s gigantic statue.
There is no higher statue in Mauritius than this one at 108 feet (33 meters). An exact replica of the Shiva statue is located near Sursagar Lake in Vadodara, Gujarat, India. In 2007, it was completed and the “Sthapan” (the ritual) took place during the 2008 Maha Shivratri festival.
3. Chamarel Waterfall
Chamarel’s waterfall (Cascade Chamarel) is formed by the St.Denis River and reaches 83m (272ft) in height. Located in the Black River Gorges, the waterfalls are surrounded by lush vegetation.
There are two viewpoints from which you can see the waterfalls at the Black River National Park: the lower viewpoint and the upper viewpoint. As the river flows through fields, gorges, and green spaces, it makes for an impressive sight. Chamarel Seven Colored Earth reserves offer visitors the option of viewing the waterfalls from the upper deck. In addition, they offer visitors the option of swimming in shallow water at the bottom of Chamarel falls.
This is definitely one of the most popular and recognized waterfalls in Mauritius, and as such has always been the main attraction for tourists.
4. Chamarel's 7 Coloured Earth
It is, without a doubt, a unique place to visit in Mauritius South, located in the same area as the Chamarel waterfall! A natural phenomenon, Chamarel’s 7 Coloured Earth is a popular tourist destination. As basaltic lava turned into clay minerals, the colors evolved accordingly.
Approximately seven different colors of sand are found in this relatively small area of sand dunes (red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple, and yellow).
Several thousand years ago, Mauritius was a volcanic island, which is why these colorful dunes developed from weathering and decomposition of lava and minerals. Be sure to visit Tortoise Park after visiting the sand dunes to see the Aldabra tortoises! A children’s playground and giant tortoises can also be found on the property.
5. Benitiers Island & Crystal Rock
Mauritius’ second most popular island, after Ile aux Cerfs, is Ile aux Benitiers, a small uninhabited island located on the southwest coast.
You can spot dolphins at Tamarin Beach before heading to Crystal Rock for snorkeling if you take a catamaran cruise to Ile aux Benitiers. There will also be a BBQ lunch with unlimited drinks on Ile aux Benitiers before you head home.
Benitiers island is located about 500 meters off the coast of La Gaulette (in the southwest of Mauritius). There are approximately two kilometers of coral sand on this island and it is at its widest point 55 meters wide. Since it is heavily vegetated and used for coconut plantations, the island itself has little biodiversity value. There is a small colony of seabirds on the northern tip of the island.
6. Gris Gris Beach
Mauritius is most famous for its calm turquoise waters and soft white sand beaches. However, deep in the south of Mauritius are rugged beaches that provide the most scenic views!
That’s exactly what you’ll find at Gris Gris Beach! Despite its lack of coral reefs, it is one of Mauritius’ most popular spots for experiencing the wild side!
You’re going to love the crashing waves, tide pools with crystal-clear water, viewpoints, caves, and hidden waterfalls! The Gris Gris Beach area is definitely worth a visit!
The Gris Gris Beach can be found in the village of Souillac, about an hour by car from Port Louis, 40 minutes from Mahebourg, and 45 minutes from Le Morne.
7. Rhumerie de Chamarel (Rum Factory)
Discover the Rhumerie de Chamarel. Located in a charming chalet, with both tropical and traditional vibes, you will learn all about Rum making in Mauritius at The Rhumerie de Chamarel Distillery. Discover the different flavors of rum made by the distillery during a boozy rum tasting session.
You can enjoy a tour of the Rhumerie de Chamarel with one of the experienced guides at Taxi Service Mauritius, who will provide a detailed explanation of the rum-making process during your visit. This activity offers two options. The first option gives you the opportunity to experience a quaint visit and rum tasting, while the second option would allow a delicious lunch in addition to a rum tasting and a visit.
8. La Vanille Crocodile Park
In addition to its verdant vegetation, adorable animals, and insectarium, the La Vanille Crocodile Park is a pleasant place to spend some time in nature.
You can see plenty of crocodiles, turtles, and iguanas on the banks of the river, as well as the iguanas relaxing in the sun.
There are 1000 tortoises from Madagascar and Seychelles, as well as 2000 Nile crocodiles plus the largest Aldabra tortoise group in the world. Other animals include monkeys, iguanas, bats, deer, geckos, eels, and wild boars, as well as an impressive collection of butterflies.
Discover this one-of-a-kind animal park with Taxi Service Mauritius.
9. Maconde Viewpoint
With unparalleled views over the turquoise waters of Mauritius’ southwest coast and Le Morne Brabant, Macondé’s viewpoint is the most popular viewpoint on the island.
The viewpoint can be reached from the main road through a narrow set of stairs located in the village of Baie du Cap.
On the south coast of Mauritius, at Baie du Cap, Macondé’s viewpoint is situated along a hairpin bend. It is about a 15-minute drive from Le Morne Beach.
Due to the lack of a parking lot nearby, you will have to park your car along the road. Be sure to arrive early if you’re planning to visit during the weekend.
10. Blue Bay Marine Park
A pure and pristine experience! Located in the Grand Port district in Mauritius’ eastern part, Blue Bay Beach Marine Park is an ideal swimming and sea-bathing spot. Filao trees surround this beach in a semicircle, and it has deep, azure waters, sparkling sandy shores, and a lively and vibrant atmosphere. Swim, dive, snorkel, row, and fish if you are looking for some adventure and fun. A spectacular view of turquoise waters combined with lush greenery is created.
