Souillac: Best Things to Do
Souillac is a small seaside village on the southernmost point of Mauritius, and here is the list of the best things do in Souillac. Visit Gris Gris, La Roche Qui Pleure, Rochester Falls, vanilla plantation, and much more. Our travel guide to Souillac has got you covered!
Souillac is a perfect place to visit on a day trip while exploring Mauritius, as it offers stunning scenery you won't find anywhere else on this tropical island.
Even though the village itself is not very interesting and there is not much to do, the area around Souillac is a wonderful place worth a visit.
The rugged landscape and severe weather conditions make this area very different from mostly idyllic places in other parts of Mauritius. From a stunning waterfall with volcanic origin to high cliffs and weeping rocks, Souillac offers some excellent stops on your trip to the south of Mauritius.
We've rounded up the list of best things to do in Souillac to help you get the most of your trip there.
GRIS GRIS
Mauritius is a tropical paradise surrounded by a coral reef that creates a physical barrier from the severe weather that brings the Indian Ocean. In the area around Souillac, this barrier is missing, and you can experience the harsh weather conditions at Gris Gris viewpoint.
This is a popular stop on a round trip around Mauritius' southern coastline, and when you reach the viewpoint, you will quickly understand why.
Strong winds, huge waves, black cliffs, and a beautiful golden sand beach. This place is so photogenic!
Unfortunately, it's not allowed to swim there, as it can be very dangerous due to strong currents and big waves, but it does not matter.
The views are perfect, and you can swim elsewhere as Mauritius offers plenty of spots suitable for sunbathing and swimming.
The viewpoint is only a short ride from the main road and easily accessible by car.
Mauritius' countryside and local plantations are accesibble even without a car. You can always take a Take a guided tour and explore South Coast with a local guide.
LA ROCHE QUI PLEURE
One of the most fascinating areas near Gris Gris is only a few hundred meters away.
It's called La Roche Qui Pleure, and you can easily walk there from the Gris Gris viewpoint.
One of the rocks there resembles a human face, and when a massive wave hits it, the water is running down the rocks, and it looks like the face is weeping. You need some imagination and luck for a big wave, but it's fun just to stay there and wait for the perfect moment.
If you don't want to walk back and forth or when short on time, you can drive to a parking lot closer to this superb viewpoint.
ROCHESTER FALLS
Mauritius is home to many beautiful waterfalls. It's not easy to decide which one is the most beautiful, but we must say, that Rochester Falls is high on our list.
Rochester Falls lacks the height or water volume of other waterfalls on the island such as Chamarel Waterfall or Tamarind Waterfalls, but has something that others don't have.
Vertical volcanic columns created by a lava flow thousands of years ago shaped this waterfall into a stunning natural attraction that you shouldn't miss. You can take a dip in the refreshing water, and watch the locals who know the waterfall very well and you can even jump from the top of it to refreshing water.
There are two ways to get to Rochester Falls. We took the way that starts in the east of Savanne River, which eventually brought us to the base of the waterfall.
Drive from the village for two kilometers to the Rochester Falls parking lot (use google maps), and from there, walk a few hundred meters further on the dirt trail (which can get muddy and slippery after rain).
The road is unpaved and full of holes, so drive slowly. Some of the locals who sell the coconut or pineapple juice there will try to charge you a lot of money, so haggle the price down before you buy anything.
They might even offer you guide services, but it's not necessary. Politely say NO. It’s a really short walk.
LA PLANTATION DE SAINT AUBIN
Do you like vanilla and rum?
Le Plantation de Saint Aubin is a beautiful colonial house from 1819 near Souillac where you can learn more about growing vanilla and taste some delicious local rum.
There is one catch.
It sounds really cool and interesting, the recently renovated mansion and the garden are pretty, however, the tour is way overpriced for what it offers.
We would probably leave it just for a rainy day, or if you really running out of ideas of what to do.
LE SOUFFLEUR
You are going to need a 4x4 car to get to this point of interest, but it's totally worth it.
In fact, we liked Le Souffleur viewpoint even more than Gris Gris. In L'Escalier, follow the turn-off to the right, and continue on a rural road full of potholes along with the sugar can fields. Standing on the top of the high cliff and watching the giant waves crashing in the rocks was breathtaking, and we spent there quite some time.
After we took some pictures, our camera was completely covered in a sea spray, so make sure you have at least a basic cleaning kit for your lens with you and don't forget to clean your camera properly once you get back to the hotel room, as the saltwater could damage it.
You should also visit Pont Naturel, which is way more popular than Le Souffleur, and as well as beautiful.
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!
WHERE TO GO NEXT
Mauritius has a lot to offer to all kinds of travelers, and you can spend your days as actively (or as slowly) as you want.
After visiting the Souillac area, drive to the west along the coast to Le Morne, which is a table mountain on a small Peninsula.
On the north, there is Chamarel 7-Colored Earth, which is another must-visit place in Mauritius.
WHERE TO STAY
The accommodation in Souillac is surprisingly limited, and you will find more hotels along the southern coastline than in the village itself.
Some of the hotels are very basic and cheap (perfect for backpackers), some of them are super expensive 5-star luxury resorts.
You might also stay in places such as Flic en Flac, Le Morne, or Mahebourg.
We've selected the best hotel in each destination to make your booking process as easy as possible.
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).
Flic en Flac | Sands Suites Resort & Spa - Spacious rooms with balconies or terraces feature air-condition, comfortable beds, and likable decoration. The beach location is excellent, and there are three restaurants on-site.
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.
