16 Best Non-touristy Things to do in Mauritius

Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, we earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.

The tropical paradise of Mauritius isn’t really that overcrowded with tourists, so chances are whatever place you decide to visit you won’t be packed like sardines in a tin can.

That said, it’s always great to find those deserted beaches, hidden waterfalls, and unique viewing points on your adventure.

However, don’t get me wrong you will find some tourists at most locations you go, that can’t be helped.

With that in mind, I’ve collated a list of some of the best non-touristy things to do in Mauritius, based on my previous trip to the island and lots of extension research!

Let’s get started…

Bois Cheri is the oldest tea plantation in Mauritius and offers breathtaking panoramic views of the plantation and a lake.

If you arrive early morning you’ll beat the small crowds that do come here and you’ll be able to walk around the plantation with no one in sight.

You can take a guided tour around the plantation where you get to learn about the plantation’s history, how it’s made and you get to see this process in action.

Oh, and did I forget to mention you get to taste all the different teas on offer as you overlook the beautiful views.

Take the trip to Maconde point along one of the most scenic routes you’re likely to see. You will witness its rugged and wild coastline as you drive past the ocean.

Maconde Point offers breathtaking views of the Indian ocean with le Morne mountain in the distance. It only requires a 10 minute stop off so it won’t take up too much of your time.

As the viewpoint is positioned on the corner of a winding road you won’t find is jam-packed with tourists as it’s hard to find parking and a little out the way.

When we went we only saw another couple at the viewpoint. People. Don’t stay too long because it’s so windy up there so be careful.

If you want to get a true taste of Mauritius then you should check out its capital Port Louis, where you’ll encounter its stunning French colonial architecture.

It’s very busy, as you’d expect from a capital, but you will be able to explore its charm, history, and culture.

There are two cathedrals, a mosque, a Supreme Court, 18th-century barracks and a natural history museum.

So there’s plenty to do and see here, and although it’s busy, personally a visit to the capital is a must while in Mauritius.

Why not take a private boat tour to Île aux Fouquets, where you’ll find an abandoned lighthouse and crystal clear waters which are great for snorkeling.

Once on the island, you will have amazing views looking back at mainland Mauritius and chances are you’ll have the island pretty much to yourself, especially if you go early morning.

You can also do group tours here if you’d like to save some money, but you’ll be sharing the island with more tourists.

With over 60km of hiking and nature trails you’ll be hard pushed to find many tourists in Black River Gorges National Park.

The never-ending lush green rainforests are home to exotic birds such as Mauritian parakeets, cuckoo-shrikes, kestrels and many more.

You’ll also encounter many beautiful waterfalls on your adventures, where you’ll be able to go for a swim and have the place to yourself.

With one of the most stunning backdrops to a beach, you’re probably ever going to see, visiting Le Morne beach is a must.

If you’re lucky enough to stay in one of the luxury hotels along the beach like The St. Regis (our hotel review) you’ll mostly have a deserted beach.

You can always visit the public beach at Le Morne where you can mingle with the friendly locals or take a stroll further down the beach where it becomes more deserted.

If you’re looking to do something a little different and avoid all the popular touristy attractions then you should add hiking up Le Pouce mountain to your list.

You won’t find many tourists on this hike and you’ll be rewarded with the most spectacular panoramic views when you get to the summit.

The hike lasts around 3 hours with some challenging parts, but overall the hike is relatively easy and most definitely worth it.

This place will blow your mind, we absolutely loved it here, it’s so gorgeous and we were the only ones there.

If you walk to the gardens at the back then look at the house you’ll be presented with the most amazing view with the mountain peaks towering above the mansion.

There are also paths to the waterfalls at the back of the house, which we also had all to ourselves.

Take time to explore the grounds, waterfalls and take a look around the inside of this stunning colonial house.

Another stunning colonial house you must visit. Our tour driver said we were only the second people on a tour to request to visit here. I think that tells you it’s not over touristy.

Although I don’t know why it’s not more popular as it’s one of the nicest places we visited in Mauritius.

We had the whole driveway and back gardens to ourselves and we only saw a handful of other tourists on our trip here.

Although this beautiful little church is a popular tourist attraction, chances are you’ll be able to explore it with little, if any tourists.

We only saw one couple taking pictures while we were there, soon after we were all alone.

The church is situated next to beautiful blue waters and it’s red roof makes for an incredible setting.

We had to visit here, it’s a great little stop off if you’re on a tour and well worth a visit, it’s gorgeous.

Make sure you visit this stunning temple on your travels around Mauritius. A must-see in my opinion.

Our tour driver recommended this stop on our tour and we were the only ones there so you probably won’t bump into any fellow tourists here.

The detailed colorful architecture is a sight to behold. Having seen my fair share of temples around Asia, from the likes of Bali, I can honestly this is up there with the best.

Slightly off the beaten track and down a bumpy dirt road you’ll get to this stunning waterfall.

You’ll then walk down a path surrounded by sugar canes. I think you can now see why this place isn’t overcrowded with tourists as its a little tricky to get to.

The columns of rock form this impressive waterfall making it very unique, which would be a geologists dream.

A great hidden gem away from the herds of tourists, where you can have the falls to yourself or mingle with some of the locals.

Pont Naturel isn’t really well known nor is it easily accessible. We learn about this place on our last day from our taxi driver on the way to the airport, so, unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit.

To access this hidden gem you’ll need a 4×4 vehicle to negotiate through over uneven terrain as you pass through a sugarcane farm.

The natural bridge and crashing waves will leave you breathless. We only wish we could have visited this natural wonder of Mauritius.

If you’re visiting Port Louis I would recommend adding Citadel Fort to your list. This 19th-century military fortress features a walled courtyard and panoramic views of the city.

If you’re interested in the history of Mauritius and want to get some amazing pictures then a visit here is a must.

You will probably run into some fellow tourists here, but it won’t feel overcrowded at all, especially if you come early morning or late afternoon.

We visited this beach on one of our tours. We’d never heard of it but our driver recommended it as it had an amazing viewpoint.

As we looked down from the deserted viewpoint area to the beach it was pretty much empty too. Another great non-touristy gem you should add to your list.

Gris Gris beach didn’t disappoint, the views were dramatic, to say the least, the total opposite to the other clam tranquil beaches on the island.

There’s no way you can swim here, you’d never be seen again if you attempted to. Relax, sunbathe on the beach and be sure to head up to the viewpoint where you will get incredible pictures.

A little further down the road from Grid Gris viewpoint, you’ll find another amazing location that goes by the name of “Roche Qui Pleure” also known as the “Weeping Rock”.

This is a great little spot which is not that well known by tourists and is a little out the way of all the luxury hotels.

If you look at the rock from a particular angle, it will appear as a face with tears streaming down its face as the waves constantly crash into it.

Here are some of my top tips if you’re planning on visiting some or all of these non-touristy things to do while you’re in Mauritius.

Visit at the right time

If you want to have more chances of being alone at these amazing locations then I would recommend that you get there early. Start your tour off at 6.30 am and beat everyone else there. I wouldn’t worry too much though as most of these locations are non-touristy anyway, so they will never be swarming with people.

Plan your route

Use Google Maps and plan your route and timebox each location. This way you’ll know what you can fit in and how much time you will have. Be sure to allow time for lunch too or bring some with you.

Find a tour guide

I would also recommend a tour guide or taxi tour over car hire. Yes, you’ll pay a little more money, but it avoids the stress of potentially driving on the wrong side of the road, getting bumps, finding parking and leaving your car while you explore. Another advantage is local people will know even more hidden gems as we found on our tour.

Split up your days

Don’t get and squeeze everything in, you don’t want to be rushing around like a crazy person. Try and spend a reasonable amount of time at each location to fully take in its beauty and enjoy it. Just split your days up into 2 or 3, that way overall you’ll see more and see it properly.

Bring snacks and water

If you do decide on squeezing as much in as possible or you don’t fancy eating the local cuisine, then bring snacks with you. Get some food boxes and fill them up with items from your breakfast bar at the hotel.

Dress accordingly

As always, respect the local culture and traditions of where you’re visiting and dress accordingly. Please always check or ask your tour guide what to wear especially if you’re visiting any temples.

Bring the right gear

For example, If you’re visiting Le Morne beach you’ll need some water shoes as it’s full of sharp broken coral. So, where ever you choose to visit always do your research and check what you should bring. Our backpack consists of suncream, camera, tripod, mosquito spray, snacks, swimming outfits and toys to keep the kids occupied.

Top up the suncream

Mauritius gets hot, very hot! So, bring a bottle of suncream with you and keep topped up. You’ll be surprised how it can get you even though you’re traveling around the island.

See what you want to see

Some of the more touristy things to do in Mauritius are incredible, so please don’t be put off seeing them. Mauritius isn’t like Milan or Venice where its packed with tourists and chances are you’ll only see a handful of people at the popular sights anyway.

Mingle at the Local Markets

The best way to get a feel for the local culture is to mingle with the locals. One of the best ways to do this is by visiting a local market. Here you’ll find fresh fruit and vegetable to try.

Here’s is some of my recommended travel gear to consider getting for your Mauritius tour. These are the essentials I bring everywhere with me!

Quality Camera

It goes without saying, you should get a good camera for any vacation, the last thing you want is blurry or pixelated images. We recommend a mid-range level SLR camera like the Canon EOS 4000D (View on Amazon), we’re not professional photographers so we don’t need to spend thousands on a camera alone.

GoPro

If you’re adventurous and are planning on biking, hiking and diving in Mauritius then you have to get a GoPro (View on Amazon). They’re easy to carry, high quality and you can take them underwater, hiking and through waterfalls without any worry of damage. Perfect for capturing those memories on the go without weighing you down.

Quality Backpack

Being out on lots of tours you’re going to need a good quality travel backpack to carry all your essentials. We recommend the Osprey Porter 46 backpack. It has amazing reviews on Amazon and is will last you a lifetime.

Underwater case

If you fancy something cheaper than a GoPro then I would recommend getting an underwater case for your cellphone, like this universal phone pouch on Amazon. You’ll be able to take with through the waterfalls or in the ocean if you decide to do some snorkeling.