South Mauritius Road Trip Itinerary: Must-Visit Places
Mauritius is a tropical paradise, and the South Coast is a perfect place for a road trip break. With so many incredible attractions to see and things to do, this is a top place in Mauritius you simply must visit. Read our in-depth guide that will help you to plan your own South Coast itinerary and have fun on your adventure!
The south of Mauritius was definitely one of our favorite parts of the island. There is just so much to do and see that you will need at least a couple of days to visit all the top attractions. Mauritius wild south coast is a perfect place for a road trip and to enjoy the untamed beauty of this small tropical island.
With its dark black looming cliffs, crashing waves, amazing waterfalls, colored dunes, native forests, and golden beaches, Mauritius south coast is the ideal getaway from the crowded north.
These are our favorite places we've visited in South Mauritius, but we know for sure that there are far more amazing places to explore that didn't make it to our list.
And as we do not want to spoil all the fun for you, we are pretty sure you will find your own hidden gems. And after you return from your holiday in Mauritius, you can let us know your favorite places in the South Mauritius in the comments!
TOP PLACES IN MAURITIUS' SOUTH COAST
To make everything super simple for you, we’ve created a list of best places in South Mauritius and a road trip itinerary, and then put everything together. So it’s not just a bunch of random cool places, but you can actually use it as itinerary and follow our steps.
We start our incredible journey in the south-westernmost tip of Mauritius on the Le Morne Brabant peninsula with the epic same-name 556 meters high basaltic monolith mountain that dominates the coastline.
Then we continue our journey along the coastline to the east and visit incredible places such as Baie du Cap, Souillac, here, we will feel the strong winds at Gris Gris, take a refreshing dip at Rochester Falls or watch giant waves at Le Souffler.
After we reach and fully explore Mahebourg, we shouldn't forget to sample local cookies, and then we are going to make u-turn and head inland to taste some fine quality tea at Bois Cheri, get stunning vistas in Black River Gorges National Park and finally arrive at the highlight of our trip, the incredible Seven Colored Earth in Chamarel.
In other words, the South Coast has something for everyone.
This is the plan for our day, and you are more than welcome to join us on the road!
Let's explore must-visit places in South Mauritius together!
LE MORNE
The southwestern tip of Mauritius is dominated by a stunning mountain that literally rises from the sea. With its 556 meters, Le Morne is not the highest mountain in the world, but don't be fooled by this fact.
The tip of the mountain is pretty flat and offers a hospitable environment for endemic plants and bushes, something you might learn from your guides if you decide to hike to the top of the mountain. A moderate fitness level is required, and there is a sketchy part at the top that requires a little bit of climbing and steady hands.
However, the views from the top are absolutely breathtaking and will reward your effort.
In the 19th century, revolutionary Mauritius abolished slavery, and a police group went to inform local slaves about this fact. Unfortunately, the slaves misinterpreted the intentions of the police and ran away to the top of the mountain, where they jumped off the cliff to face a certain death rather than return to slavery.
However, it's just a myth, a story, that has no support in hard evidence.
Nevertheless, because of this story, Le Morne Brabant has not only natural but also historical and cultural significance for locals.
Nowadays, Le Morne has many luxury hotels and resorts to accommodate tourists from all over the world. For many visitors, this is one of the best places to stay on Mauritius.
MACONDE VIEWPOINT
The scenically beautiful coastal drive along the coastline will take you to one of the most fascinating places in Mauritius.
After you cross the bridge across the Black River flowing into the sea, you will shortly reach a small parking lot.
U-shaped bend that slithers around a huge rock features an excellent viewpoint of the beautiful landscape and a coastal road stretching out on both sides. Climb a set of narrow stairs to the top and enjoy breathtaking views of the bay and the Indian Ocean.
A great way to stretch your legs before you continue to Souillac.
ROCHESTER FALLS
Souillac is a must-visit place on our itinerary, even though there is not much to do in the village itself.
How is that possible?
Drive 10 minutes northwest, and you will arrive at the most beautiful waterfalls on Mauritius. Later on, you will visit epic cliffs, but we will cover these attractions in the next paragraphs. But back to the falls. A hot lava flow created Rochester Falls thousands of years ago, and the Savanne River took care of the rest. The result of these natural forces is incredible, and as the waterfalls are easily accessible by car, you certainly don't want to miss them out.
Depending on a place where you park your car, it's either a short or a very very short walk. You sure don't need a guide to reach the waterfalls, and if you get thirsty and want to buy something from locals there, haggle the price down first.
Follow the western road, and you will arrive at the top of the waterfalls.
GRIS GRIS
A short drive from the main road in the opposite direction will take you to the edge of the Mauritius, where the land meets the Indian Ocean. Gris Gris is for sure one of the most memorable places to visit on this road trip, and it's a classic stop on every Mauritius itinerary.
Once you cross the grassy patch, you'll be rewarded with dramatic views over the cliffs from the lookout.
Without a coral reef that protects most of Mauritius' coastline, Gris Gris shows the true nature and potential of the Indian Ocean. Strong winds are rulers in this natural kingdom, and once you step outside of the car, you will quickly understand why.
A golden Gris Gris beach with sand that stretches between Gris Gris lookout and La Roche Qui Pleure is one of the most beautiful places on the island, and we really enjoyed this place. Watching the waves is a very calming experience, and we spent here quite some time, something you might want to do as well.
Swimming is not allowed here, as the strong currents and enormous waves are very dangerous.
LA ROCHE QUI PLEURE
Wander along a golden sand beach towards its eastern end, and you will arrive at a small viewpoint.
Also known as Weeping Rock, La Roche Qui Pleure is a top attraction on the South Coast of Mauritius, which is totally worth visit.
The South Coast hides many surprises, and one of the cliffs there has been sculpted by waves into a face shape-like rock. Luck out for a huge wave to create the famous weeping effect and enjoy this spectacular show of pure nature.
You can walk back and forth from Gris Gris, or drive to a different parking lot, that's closer to the La Roche Qui Pleure lookout.
LE SOUFLLER
Before you continue your travels towards Le Souffler, you might want to make a quick stop at Le Plantation de Saint Aubin, which is a really charming colonial house surrounded by vanilla plantations. It's not an essential stop, so if you are not a vanilla fan or it doesn't sound exciting to you, drive directly to L'Escalier.
Back on the road, make your way towards L'Escalier, a small rural village surrounded only by sugar cane fields.
Drive through the big sugar cane factory and then follow the unpaved Le Souffler Acces Road all the way to the coast. The road had seen better days, and we were glad, that we rented a car with a four-wheel drive.
Before you know it, you will stand on the top of the jet black cliffs while watching the raw power of giant waves crashing into them.
Unlike popular Gris Gris, Le Souffler feels more secluded and untouched.
The waves break with a terrible roar that echoes all around the place and will leave you in awe. If you have a camera with you, pack a cleaning kit for lens, the sea spray goes everywhere.
Leave Le Souffler via Pont Naturel. This place is a bit north off Le Souffler and features a natural rock arch and once again, crashing waves. The huge volcanic rock is definitely worth the detour as it's not far away from Le Souffler.
The Point Naturel Road will take you back to the main road to Mahebourg.
MAHEBOURG
Next, you want to head about 30minutes east to Mahebourg.
This is a small coastal fishing town in the south-eastern part of Mauritius where you should take a break.
Walk along the cobblestone waterfront and watch local fishermen, visit Mahebourg Naval Museum and see the yellow painted Notre Dame Des Agnes.
Mahebourg is a very laid back town compared to other typical tourist cities in Mauritius, and it's a great place to have lunch. No matter how stuffed you are, you should still have some room for a dessert.
Is a cup of tea with biscuits your favorite combination?
Head to Biscuiterie Rault, which is a small family-run factory that produces manioc biscuits. Honestly, we didn't like them that much, and the cup of tea really helped with the taste and structure, but we loved the guided tour, and the lady who showed us how to properly pack the biscuits had the fastest hands we've ever seen.
It's time to get back on the road though.
Your next stop is Bois Cheri, which is about 30-minutes' drive west from Mahebourg.
Mahebourg is also a great place from where you can take a tour and explore the area with local guides. One of the most popular tours is South Mauritius Quad Tour or you can enojoy a sightseeing tour and visit in one day Bois Cheri, Saint Aubin and La Vanille Nature Park.
BOIS CHERI
Mauritius is not all about sugar cane and rum.
Tea plays an important role in Mauritius' culture and is very popular among locals who like to add milk and sugar in their cups with black tea.
There is no surprise that a tour around the Bois Cheri tea plantation is a must while visiting the South Coast of Mauritius. Highlights of the tour include a visit to the factory and tea tasting.
In other words, enjoying the incredible views of the tea plantations while sipping the local tea is an activity not to be missed.
GRAND BASSIN - GANGA TALAO
About a 550 meters above sea level, lies a sacred crater lake that is home to many beautiful Hindu temples, shrines and statues.
One of the official names is Grand Bassin, however, the name Ganga Talao pops up quite often too when looking up information about this place.
Many people were brought to Mauritius from Africa, Asia, and India during the colonial era (first as slaves, later on, after a promise of a better life), so it comes without a surprise, that Mauritius is a religiously diverse country. Nowadays, more than 48 percent of the population is Hindu, and this is the most sacred place for them on the whole island.
The highlight of the trip to Ganga Talao for us was 33 meters tall statue of Shiva, The Destroyer. This impressive statue is also known as Mangal Mahadev Monument, and it's a perfect replica of a statue in Vadodara in India.
Just across the road, a newer statue was erected in 2017. Durga Maa has the same height as Lord Shiva and depicts a warrior with a lion that symbolizes strength and courage.
There are at least four big parking lots around the lake, so don't worry about finding an empty spot. Put differently, Ganga Talao is a great place to visit for people short on time.
But if time allows, you might want to stretch your legs a bit. It takes about 15 minutes to get from the southernmost parking lot to the giant Durga Maa statue in the north parking lot on foot (plus 15 minutes to get back to your car, of course), and the walk is well worth the effort.
BLACK RIVER GORGES NATIONAL PARK
It's time to hike through lush forests, explore waterfalls, and spot some wildlife.
Black River Gorges National Park covers between 2 and 3 percent of the islands, and it's a perfect place to reconnect with nature.
For the adventurous travelers, Black River Gorges National Park features many short or day hikes.
Exploring the national park with a knowledgeable local guide is one of the best ways to learn more about local fauna and flora. And if you are lucky, you might spot Mauritian flying fox or Mauritius kestrel.
Later on, we suggest splitting the road trip into a few days, which might pay off in the Black River Gorges NP, as you will have more time to explore the park.
There are several entry points to the national park, and even though some hikes start at the main road that cuts through the park, the main entrance is well hidden in the north-western part. There is a Visitors Center, but in order to get there, you have to drive to Chamarel first, then continue to Case Noyale, head north to Grande Riviere Noire, and from there, follow the Les Gorges Road to Black River Gorges National Park Entrance Gate.
CHAMAREL
Wind up your day by exploring the incredible Seven Colored Earth and Chamarel Waterfall.
From the Gorges viewpoint, which offers one of the best vistas of the Black River Gorges NP, drive about ten kilometers to Chamarel Waterfall. The road zig-zags along the forest, and as you head towards Chamarel, the landscape starts to change. Pass by Rhumeria de Chamarel and drive to Chamarel Waterfall first.
Fed by two rivers, the highest single-drop waterfall plunges from the sheer volcanic cliff into a freshwater pool. There are a couple of viewpoints that offer incredible views, and this place is really cool to visit.
A very short drive from here is the real natural gem of Mauritius, Seven Colored Earth, one of the most beautiful places in Mauritius. A few million years ago, volcanic activity together with other natural processes formed these incredible sand dunes, and today this place attracts visitors from all around the world.
There are still plenty of things to do in Chamarel such as Ebony Forest, Curious Corner, or the aforementioned Rhumeria de Chamarel, which you can enjoy when not on a strict schedule.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
SOUTH COAST ROAD TRIP
Here are some useful travel tips to enjoy your trip to the South Coast of the island.
First off, start early.
Like really early. You have a lot of things to see and do today, and you can get plenty of sleep tomorrow. Climbing to the top of Le Morne mountain for sunrise might be one of the most epic hikes you've ever done. Visiting Gris Gris early in the morning will allow you to beat the crowds and enjoy the tranquility of this place.
Secondly, as this is probably your vacation after a year of hard work, take your time, travel slowly, and enjoy the beauty of Mauritius.
You might even consider splitting up the road trip into two or three days and stay in towns and villages along the way.
The whole loop including detours is approximately 150 kilometers long, and the driving itself should take about three and a half to four hours. It's perfectly doable in one day, however, you might feel rushed and probably won't have time to do all the activities South Coast has to offer.
Do you want to climb to the top of Le Morne mountain? Explore Chamarel? Hike in Black Gorges National Park? Well, you need to add an extra day (or two).
If you base yourself in the other part of Mauritius and don't want to leave your hotel for a night or two, you might create a southwestern and southeastern loop and visit the South Coast in two days, and still stay overnight at your hotel.
Or if budget allows, why not treat yourself to a few nights in one of the luxury resorts in the Le Morne area?
Third, drive responsibly and carefully.
If you visit Rhumeria near Chamarel or any other place to taste some delicious local rum, let someone else from the group to drive after the tasting tour. It's not worth it to ruin your vacation.
And lastly, it's a road trip, so you need to rent a car.
Obviously.
What's not so obvious, however, is the condition of some roads, and you might consider renting a four-wheel drive to get to more secluded places such as Le Souffleur or even Rochester Falls.
The dirt road might be full of potholes and really muddy, especially after heavy rain.
Said that a small two-wheel drive car will allow you to visit most of the places on the list without any problems. And in the worst-case scenario, you can walk to Rochester Falls from Souillac.
We know that not every traveler is confident to rent a car (or do not want to take care about it) in a foreign country, so we have a good news. You can for a day (or more) hire a driver with a car from a reputable company, who will take you around and show you the beauty of the island.
WHERE TO STAY
South Coast offers plenty of hotels and other accommodations and you shouldn't have a problem to find a place to stay here.
Book your stay in advance, and you might even save some money. The budget hostels usually don't have the best reviews, and the luxury hotels are super expensive, so there is a high demand for mid-range accommodation.
We've handpicked the best hotels in the South Coast varying from ultra-luxurious resorts to budget-friendly hostels for backpackers.
Bois Cheri | Bubble Lodge Bois Cheri - One of the most unique hotels in Mauritius, Bubble Lodge offers accommodation in a futuristic-looking glass capsules. Let nature surround you and enjoy unbeatable views of the sky while staying dry and warm. This is going to be a completely different experience from your typical hotel room. Sleeping under the stars has never been more comfortable.
Souillac | Andrea Lodges - Only a short ride from Souillac, Andrea Lodges offers an outdoor swimming pool, a nice garden, private parking, and a quiet location away from the crowds. Staff will make sure you have everything you need, and there is an on-site restaurant. As the bungalows sit on the cliff, book the room with ocean views. One of the best values you can find in Souillac.
Le Morne | LUX Le Morne - The whole area around Le Morne mountain features many luxury resorts, and LUX Le Morne is one of the best hotels you can find there. The hotel has a perfect location as it sits on a private stunning white sand beach surrounded by palm trees. The rooms are immaculately clean, the staff is super-helpful, and you can choose from many activities and water sports to fill your day with fun things to do.
Mahebourg | Orient Guesthouse Auberge - A budget hotel with a terrace, free Wi-Fi, and private parking for guests. The rooms are basic, but clean, and the staff is friendly and helpful. The hotel has an excellent location in the middle between the bus terminal and the waterfront, and it's easy to walk everywhere (shops, restaurants).
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
