After arriving in Flic en Flac, allow time for the airport transfer, check-in and unpacking before planning anything substantial. A private taxi from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport usually takes around 50–70 minutes, depending on traffic; a pre-arranged transfer is easiest with luggage, while a shared transfer may take longer because of other hotel drop-offs.
Once settled, walk down to Flic en Flac Beach for your first look at the west coast. The broad beach is ideal for an unhurried stroll, and the sunset is often beautiful from the shore, though cloud cover can change quickly. Keep swimming to daylight hours and follow local advice about sea conditions.
Stay around Flic en Flac for dinner rather than adding another transfer. You will find casual Mauritian, Indian, Chinese and seafood options along the village and beachfront area; allow approximately MUR 500–1,200 per person for a simple meal, more for seafood or a full restaurant dinner. This is best kept as a low-key evening so you are rested for the southwest sightseeing day that follows.
Arrange cash, water and any rental-car or excursion details tonight. If you are using taxis for the next day, confirm the full return fare in advance; otherwise, a rental car gives much more flexibility for the inland viewpoints and southwest coast.
Allow the morning for your transfer from Flic en Flac to the southwest, check-in or luggage arrangements, and the winding drive into the highlands; do not try to fit the first viewpoint into an early departure schedule. With a rental car or pre-arranged driver, aim to reach Black River Gorges Viewpoint around late morning. Spend about 45 minutes enjoying the broad panoramas, and carry water and shoes with good grip. December weather can bring cloud or short rain showers, so keep expectations flexible and avoid adding a longer hike unless conditions are clear.
Continue to Chamarel Waterfall, allowing roughly an hour for the viewing platforms and forest scenery. Then visit Seven Coloured Earths, where an hour is sufficient for the walk around the protected formations. Allow extra time for parking and entry queues, and check current opening times and admission arrangements before setting out; access and combined tickets can change. Public transport between these sights is impractical, so a car or driver is strongly recommended.
Have a leisurely lunch at Le Chamarel Restaurant around early afternoon. Reserve if possible, particularly during the December holiday period, and budget approximately MUR 1,000–2,000 per person. Allow about 1½ hours so the meal does not turn the rest of the day into a rush.
Finish at Rhumerie de Chamarel, a short drive away, with a distillery visit and tasting if a suitable tour is running. Confirm the timetable and availability in advance rather than relying on walk-in access, and ensure your driver remains alcohol-free. Return to Flic en Flac before dark if that is your base; the mountain roads are slow, and the late afternoon is best kept unhurried for weather, traffic and a possible sunset stop along the southwest coast.
Leave plenty of time for your journey in from Southwest Mauritius, then check in and keep the rest of the day deliberately light. Once settled, walk down to Flic en Flac Beach for a swim, a stroll beneath the casuarina trees, or simply a drink overlooking the lagoon. The beach is especially pleasant toward sunset, and this avoids repeating the longer Chamarel and Black River sightseeing from the previous day.
Stay around Flic en Flac for dinner rather than adding another drive. You will find casual beachside and village restaurants serving Mauritian, Indian, Chinese and seafood dishes; allow roughly MUR 400–800 per person for a simple meal, or MUR 1,000–2,000 for a fuller seafood dinner. Taxis can be limited later in the evening, so arrange a return ride through your accommodation if you are staying outside the village centre. Keep the night flexible and rest well for the longer northbound sightseeing days ahead.
Keep the first part of the day flexible for the journey from Flic en Flac and Le Morne, including traffic, luggage, check-in and a short rest. Once settled in Grand Baie, do not try to fit in a full north-coast sightseeing circuit; this is best treated as an easy introduction to the area. A taxi or hotel-arranged transfer is usually simplest for the final local connection, while a rental car gives more freedom but can be awkward around the busy waterfront.
Start at Grand Baie Beach for an unhurried swim and views across the sheltered lagoon, allowing about 1½ hours. Continue on foot to Grand Baie Public Beach for a stroll and, if you are interested, a quick comparison of boat-trip options for another day. Ask about the total duration, pickup arrangements, weather cancellation policy and whether life jackets are provided; do not book a rushed excursion for this arrival afternoon.
If the heat or fatigue catches up with you, use La Croisette Grand Baie as an air-conditioned break rather than adding more driving. Allow about an hour to browse, collect groceries or essentials and withdraw cash. For dinner, stay around the Grand Baie waterfront and choose a casual seafood, Mauritian or international restaurant; budget roughly MUR 600–1,500 per person for a main meal, more for cocktails or premium seafood. Service can be leisurely, so leave room to wander rather than scheduling another major attraction.
If you still have daylight and energy, take a taxi or drive roughly 15 minutes to Pereybere Beach for a short sunset visit. Keep it optional: the beach is better saved for a proper swimming morning if the transfer has run late, and tomorrow’s north itinerary should start without fatigue. Confirm taxi return arrangements through your accommodation, keep valuables out of sight and check local sea conditions before swimming.
After allowing for your arrival from Grand Baie, begin at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden in Pamplemousses. Set aside around two hours for the shaded paths, giant Victoria water lilies, palms, and old colonial garden landscape. December is warm, so an early start is preferable; allow extra time for the transfer, parking, and entrance queue rather than trying to rush through the garden.
Continue towards Port Louis for Aapravasi Ghat, where a compact museum and preserved immigration depot explain the arrival of indentured workers in Mauritius. Allow about an hour, including the exhibits and waterfront setting. Entry and museum hours can change, so check the current same-day schedule; if it is closed or you arrive late, use the extra time around the waterfront rather than forcing the visit.
Have lunch around Le Caudan Waterfront or in central Port Louis. A casual Mauritian meal or street-food lunch generally costs about MUR 250–600 per person, while a sit-down waterfront meal is more likely to be MUR 600–1,200 per person. Visit Blue Penny Museum afterward for roughly 1–1½ hours, then leave time to browse the shops, craft stalls, and harbour promenade at Le Caudan Waterfront. The museum’s opening schedule and any timed-entry requirement should be checked before travelling; do not rely on same-day admission if a booking is required.
Finish at Fort Adelaide (Citadel), reached by a short taxi ride from the waterfront or by a steep uphill walk of roughly 20–25 minutes. Allow about an hour for the ramparts and views towards Champ de Mars, the harbour, and the mountains. Taxis are the most practical way to connect Pamplemousses, Port Louis, and your accommodation, and a private car with driver is worthwhile for this day; expect a full sightseeing day once transfer time, traffic, and hotel arrival are included. Keep the evening unhurried after the journey from the north, and carry water and sun protection throughout.
Keep the morning flexible for arrival from the north, luggage, and check-in or bag storage. The main plan is a pre-booked underwater scooter or sea-walk-style experience marketed as an “underwater flight” in the west-coast lagoon around Wolmar. Confirm the exact activity, launch beach, age and swimming requirements, weather policy, and meeting time directly with the operator before committing; these experiences are not a walk-in attraction and may be moved or cancelled in rough sea conditions.
Allow roughly 1.5–2 hours on site, including safety briefing, equipment fitting, waiting time, and the underwater session itself. Wear swimwear and bring reef-safe sunscreen, a towel, dry clothes, and waterproof protection for valuables. A taxi from your accommodation is the easiest way to reach the launch point; agree the return fare in advance, or ask the operator whether transfers are included. Budget approximately MUR 3,000–6,000 per person for this type of pre-booked underwater activity, depending on the equipment and package.
After the activity, stay around Wolmar for lunch and a little unstructured time. Casual cafés and beachside eateries generally run about MUR 500–1,200 per person for lunch. Avoid planning a second water excursion: the underwater experience, changing, and transfer time make a relaxed afternoon more enjoyable and leave room for weather-related delays.
Return by taxi to the Flic en Flac coastal area for a final dinner or drink. Keep the evening free rather than booking anything with a strict start time, since lagoon operators can adjust the schedule on the day.
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