5-Day Mauritius Island Loop: Beaches, Botanical Gardens, Chamarel & Ile aux Cerfs

Viewed by 144 travelers

Day 1: Arrival & North

Grand Baie / Bain Boeuf, Mauritius on September 27, 2025

9:00am

Arrival & transfer to hotel

Clear customs at SSR Airport and take a pre-booked transfer or rental car to your hotel in Grand Baie to drop bags and freshen up; Grand Baie is a great base for northern beaches and nightlife.
MUR1200, 1h0m

11:00am

Grand Baie / Bain Boeuf Beach time

Relax, swim, or snorkel in shallow clear water at Grand Baie and nearby Bain Boeuf — an easy first-day beach to adjust to island time.
MUR0, 2h0m

1:00pm

Lunch — La Rougaille Creole (Grand Baie)

Casual Creole restaurant serving local dishes like rougaille, fish curry and fresh seafood; great to taste authentic island flavours close to the beach.
MUR800, 1h0m

3:00pm

Grand Baie Bazaar & shops

Browse boutiques and duty-free stores at the bazaar and Caudan-style shopping zone for souvenirs, beachwear and local rum — shops usually open until evening.
MUR0, 1h30m

5:00pm

Sunset catamaran cruise (optional)

Enjoy a 2-hour sunset catamaran departing from Grand Baie with swimming/snorkel stops and sunset views — check daily departure times and availability.
MUR2500, 2h0m

8:00pm

Dinner — Le Capitaine or similar seafood restaurant

Fresh seafood and Mauritian specialties near the harbour — finish your first evening with beachfront views and Creole flavours.
MUR1200, 1h30m

Day 2: Markets & Gardens

Port Louis / Pamplemousses, Mauritius on September 28, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast — Port Louis boulangerie or hotel

Grab fresh pastries or try a local dholl puri from a street vendor for an authentic Mauritian morning; Port Louis bakeries open early.
MUR150, 45m

9:00am

Port Louis Central Market & Chinatown

Explore the lively central market (open ~6:00am–3:00pm) for spices, tropical fruit, street food and textiles — ideal for photography and local snacks.
MUR0, 1h30m

11:00am

Caudan Waterfront & Blue Penny Museum (optional)

Walk the waterfront, visit the Blue Penny or maritime exhibits, and enjoy harbour views; museums generally open late morning—check exact hours before visiting.
MUR300, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch — waterfront restaurant

Eat at a waterfront bistro serving fish, curries and fusion dishes — a good break before heading to the botanical garden.
MUR600, 1h0m

2:30pm

Pamplemousses Botanical Garden (Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden)

Stroll among giant water lilies, spice trees and rare palms in one of the island's highlights; garden hours are typically around 8:30am–5:00pm so visit mid-afternoon for cooler light.
MUR200, 2h0m

5:00pm

L'Aventure du Sucre (Sugar Museum)

Learn Mauritius' sugar and colonial history with tastings; museum open roughly 9:00am–6:00pm — check seasonal hours before you go.
MUR350, 1h30m

8:00pm

Dinner — The Beach House / Grand Baie

Return to the north for dinner at a popular beachfront or harbour-side restaurant offering seafood and international dishes.
MUR1200, 1h30m

Day 3: Ile aux Cerfs Day

Trou d'Eau Douce / Ile aux Cerfs, Mauritius on September 29, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast & depart east

Early hotel breakfast, then drive to Trou d'Eau Douce (allow ~1h–1h15 from north/central hotels) to meet boats for Ile aux Cerfs trips.
MUR250, 1h0m

9:00am

Boat to Ile aux Cerfs & watersports

Take the public or private boat to Ile aux Cerfs for snorkeling, parasailing, or just beach time; boats typically run from ~9:00am to mid-afternoon — book in advance during high season.
MUR600, 4h0m

1:00pm

Lunch — La Chaumière or on-island restaurant

Enjoy seafood or Creole dishes at a beachside restaurant on Ile aux Cerfs or back in Trou d'Eau Douce; island restaurants usually serve midday to mid-afternoon.
MUR900, 1h0m

3:30pm

Belle Mare / Palmar Beach relax

Drive along the east coast to Belle Mare or Palmar for a long sandy beach stroll and calmer waters—perfect for late afternoon swimming.
MUR0, 2h0m

7:30pm

Dinner — beachside seafood at Trou d'Eau Douce

Sample freshly grilled fish and Creole sides at a local seaside restaurant; ask about catch-of-the-day specials.
MUR900, 1h30m

Day 4: Chamarel & SW Parks

Chamarel / Black River Gorges, Mauritius on September 30, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast & depart for Chamarel

Early breakfast and drive across the island to the southwest highlands; journey time ~1h–1h30 depending on start point.
MUR0, 1h30m

10:15am

Chamarel Seven Colored Earth & viewpoint

See the famous multi-hued sand dunes and Chamarel waterfall viewpoint; the attraction generally opens around 9:00am–5:00pm, so morning is ideal for good light and fewer crowds.
MUR250, 1h30m

12:00pm

Lunch — Chamarel restaurant (local specialties)

Enjoy Creole and continental dishes with views over the highlands — a relaxed stop before an afternoon hike.
MUR800, 1h0m

1:30pm

Black River Gorges National Park short hike

Do a 1–2 hour trail for waterfalls, endemic forest and birdwatching; the park is open sunrise to sunset, take water and good shoes.
MUR50, 2h0m

4:00pm

Casela Nature Parks (safari/activities)

Option for quad biking, zipline or wildlife safari; Casela typically operates ~9:00am–5:30pm but close times vary so confirm activity slots in advance.
MUR1200, 2h30m

7:30pm

Dinner — Le Morne beachfront restaurant

Head to the Le Morne peninsula for a seaside dinner with sunset views; many resorts offer excellent dining—reserve ahead if you want a specific spot.
MUR1500, 1h30m

Day 5: Le Morne & Departure

Le Morne / Flic en Flac / SSR Airport, Mauritius on October 1, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast & short beach walk

Morning breakfast and a relaxed walk along Le Morne beach to enjoy views of the basalt mountain and reef; great time for photos in calm morning light.
MUR150, 45m

9:00am

Le Morne Brabant viewpoint or kitesurfing taster

Option A: short guided climb/walk on Le Morne (allow 2–3 hours for a guided ascent). Option B: book a 1–2 hour kitesurfing lesson at Le Morne — both activities need advance booking and operate during daylight hours.
MUR800, 2h0m

12:30pm

Lunch — Le Morne beach club / local restaurant

Enjoy a leisurely beachfront lunch sampling grilled fish or Creole tapas before heading north toward the airport area if you have an evening flight.
MUR1200, 1h0m

2:30pm

Flic en Flac beach & final swim

Stop at Flic en Flac for a last long sandy beach, snorkeling on the reef or a relaxed café visit; beaches are open all day but swim with caution around reefs.
MUR0, 3h0m

6:30pm

Early dinner & transfer to SSR Airport

Enjoy a final dinner near Flic en Flac or the airport; plan to arrive at SSR Airport at least 2 hours before your international flight and allow time for traffic.
MUR1000, 1h30m
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