More than just dream beaches: 11 activities for your honeymoon in Mauritius

honeymoon in Mauritius

Mauritius – the name conjures images of dazzling white beaches, turquoise waters, and romantic sunsets. But the island has so much more to offer than "just" postcard-perfect scenery – perfect conditions for an unforgettable, extraordinary honeymoon adventure. Seven years ago, we explored Mauritius in April and created a short Mauritius travel guide with many tips and highlights.

At the end of September we went back to paradise in the Indian Ocean for a week. This time we tested the most beautiful attractions, sights and activities for you that will make your honeymoon in Mauritius an unforgettable trip. Whether you dive into the coral reef as a couple, cycle through sugar cane fields on an e-bike or end the evening with a glass of rum: Mauritius surprises with a variety of exciting adventures and beautiful experiences. Here are our top recommendations.

Honeymoon Accommodations in Mauritius: The Beachcomber Resorts

During our stay in Mauritius, we stayed at the beautiful Beachcomber Trou Aux Beach resort in the northwest and the Beachcomber Dinarobin resort in the south. Depending on whether you choose to stay in the south or north of Mauritius, there are many highlights to discover near the resorts. In our next article in the Mauritius series, we will introduce both hotels in detail: Honeymoon Resorts in Mauritius: Beachcomber Trou Aux Biches & Beachcomber Dinarobin

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Blue Safari: Discover the underwater world of Mauritius by submarine

On our very first day in Mauritius, a truly extraordinary adventure awaited us. With the tour operator Blue Safari, we were off on a dive. Not with scuba gear, however, but in a submarine. To be honest, we were quite excited: our first time ever in a submarine! As we headed towards Trou aux Biches in the northwest of the island, where the expedition regularly departs, countless questions swirled through our minds. What would it feel like to dive in a submarine? How much of the underwater world would we actually get to see? Before we knew it, we were already on the boat that took us to a ship. The submarine was already waiting for its passengers there. After a short briefing, we descended the ladder – and our underwater adventure could begin.

The submarine has space for ten people and dives up to 35 meters deep into the underwater world. The approximately 40-minute tour takes us not only through impressive coral landscapes, but also to the mysterious shipwreck of the "Star Hope." It is an extraordinary experience to see the colorful fish and the old wreck so close and clearly through the windows of the submarine - a perspective that is otherwise only known from nature documentaries. The tours start every hour from 8:30 a.m. to 16:30 p.m., and tickets can be booked via the Blue Safari website. In addition to submarine adventures, Blue Safari also offers other exciting activities, which we will discuss further down in the article.

Le Château de Labourdonnais

Immediately after our diving adventure, we continued inland to the Château de Labourdonnais . This stately estate, dating back to 1856, is idyllically nestled in a sprawling, well-maintained park. The château offers a fascinating glimpse into Mauritius' colonial era, with all its light and shadow, and today also houses a rum distillery.

The château was the home of a Mauritian family for over 150 years before it was carefully restored to its former glory in 2006 and turned into a museum. Today it is not only a historical gem, but also a popular location for weddings and other celebrations.

For a visit to the Château de Labourdonnais, we recommend planning at least two hours to take in the property in peace and explore the idyllic park – where, by the way, there are also some giant tortoises.

A special tip: End your visit with a three-course meal at the La Table du Château restaurant . Here you can expect creative interpretations of local specialties.

Cap Malheureux and the red church

If you want to know how the locals relax in Mauritius, a trip to Cap Malheureux is just the thing. It is said that the northern tip of Mauritius owes its name to the "unfortunate" incident when France was militarily defeated by Great Britain in 1810. But there is no trace of that today. Nowadays, Cap Malheureux is more of a "Cap Heureux", because there is a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere here. Fishermen loudly and happily sell their fresh catch, families meet for a picnic on the beach and colorful geckos doze in the sun. The big highlight at Cap Malheureux is the white church with the bright red roof, built in 1938. The Catholic chapel against the bright blue sky is a fantastically beautiful sight and a unique photo opportunity.

Catamaran tour to Ile aux Cerfs – Robinson Crusoe feeling

A catamaran tour is definitely one of the must-dos in Mauritius. We went on a day tour with Blue Safari. We set off at 9:00 a.m. in Mahebourg, a charming place known for its annual regatta festival - a real highlight for all boat fans. On board we were pampered in every way: fresh fish served straight from the grill at the railing, accompanied by salads, side dishes, cocktails and, of course, a generous portion of rum.

After about an hour it was time for our first stop, a waterfall in the middle of the jungle. With a bit of luck, one or two cheeky monkeys will jump in front of the lens. Then we continued on to Ile aux Cerfs, a paradisiacal island on the east coast that can only be reached by boat. Although the island is uninhabited, it is no longer an insider tip but is still worth seeing. We were greeted by countless colorful market stalls and a beautiful, huge banyan tree.

Our tip: Walk a few hundred meters from the pier and enjoy the pure Robinson Crusoe feeling.

E-Bike Tour to the Botanical Garden & Sugar Cane Museum

After a relaxing day on the catamaran, our e-bike tour the next day was more action-packed. We started at the Sugar Museum (L'Aventure du Sucre) , which we then visited. The first few kilometers of the approximately three-hour tour took us through sugarcane plantations, where we were able to observe the sugarcane harvest up close.

Between native trees and tortoises, we took our first break at the beautiful House of Mauricia, an exclusive location for weddings and other celebrations. The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden in Pamplemousse was the next stop, where we parked our bikes and walked through the paradisiacal park. The botanical garden is particularly famous for its beautiful water lily lake.

The Taste of Mauritius – Authentic Street Food Tour in Port Louis

On our trip, we naturally didn't want to miss out on the culinary side of Mauritius, so we embarked on an exciting food tour with Taste Buddies in the capital, Port Louis. Our guide, Christopher, led us through the bustling streets of Port Louis. We learned a lot about the history and influences of Mauritius and discovered the most delicious spots for traditional Mauritian food. Our tour started at the Caudan Waterfront, a commercial district in Port Louis that houses many banks, shops, cinemas, hotels, and the harbor. From dholl puris to rotis, dumplings, and tropical fruits, we were able to sample many incredibly delicious dishes. It was definitely fascinating to learn the story behind each dish.

Our tip: Don't make the same mistake as we did and skip breakfast. The portions on this street food tour are very generous and you will be more than full! 🙂

Hiking on Le Morne Brabant – Not for the faint of heart

The hike up Le Morne Brabant was another highlight that we won't forget anytime soon. We set off before sunrise so that we could start the hike in good time and at pleasant temperatures. Our hiking group met at the car park at the foot of Le Morne. The climb to the summit takes about an hour and a half, and the last few meters require a lot of surefootedness and courage. The first section is relatively easy, with beautiful views of the coast appearing through the thicket.

A few meters further on, the path becomes increasingly steeper and more demanding, until it finally becomes a real climb. Here you have to manage your strength well and be honest with yourself. However, those who are sure-footed and have a head for heights will be rewarded with a breathtaking view from the summit cross.

Our tip: Start early and ideally join a guide to enjoy the experience safely and relaxed. The gate remains closed until 7 a.m. Make sure you wear suitable footwear - either hiking boots or at least sneakers with good grip. Also remember to take enough water, sunscreen and mosquito spray with you. Listen to your body and only attempt the last, challenging part of the hike if you really feel fit!

La Terre des 7 Couleurs – The colorful earth of Mauritius and the highest waterfall on the island

One of the most visited attractions in Mauritius is the so-called Seven Coloured Earth, very close to the small, picturesque mountain village of Chamarel. The hilly volcanic landscape shimmers in a variety of colours. Several decomposition processes lead to the soil substrate developing different colours. In addition to the colourful earth and the large tortoises, you can also marvel at the famous Chamarel Waterfall, the highest waterfall in Mauritius.

The Rum Diary – La Rhumerie de Chamarel

In close proximity to the fascinating Seven Coloured Earths lies the renowned Rhumerie de Chamarel rum distillery . This award-winning distillery is nestled among lush green hills. They exclusively use locally grown sugarcane varieties that thrive in the surrounding fields. The view of the fields against the backdrop of the verdant valley is breathtaking, but a tour of the distillery itself is also a delightful experience. A highlight is the beautifully landscaped garden with its fragrant flower arrangements. We enjoyed a short tour of the rum factory and learned about the key stages of production. Afterwards, we had a small rum tasting.

Our tip: If you opt for a delicious lunch in the stylish restaurant L'Alchimiste , you can save the entrance fee of 550 MUR per person.

La Vallée des Couleurs – Longest Zip-Line in the Indian Ocean

That same day, our journey continued to the La Vallée des Couleurs Natural Park – a true paradise for nature lovers and adventurers. This 450-hectare park, located in the southwest of Mauritius, fascinates with its 23 shades of earth, shimmering in intense reds to blues and violets, giving the landscape an almost surreal appearance.

The 1,5-kilometer-long zip line, the longest zip line in the Indian Ocean, provides an adrenaline rush, taking you on an exciting flight over valleys and dense vegetation. Away from the action, there are countless paths for walking and exploring. The huge area is home to a variety of animals, from colorful birds to wild deer and the famous giant tortoises. There are also several idyllic waterfalls, places to swim and many beautiful viewpoints.

Mauritius Honeymoon: Romantic Sunrise with Dolphins in Tamarin

We have already experienced a number of dolphin tours on our travels and were fascinated each time to observe these impressive animals in the wild. So we were delighted when we had the opportunity to get up close to the dolphins again on our second to last day in Mauritius. Early in the morning we headed to Tamarin, a small village on the west coast of the island. The once sleepy fishing village has now established itself as a popular surfing spot due to the good wave conditions.

Swim with dolphins in Mauritius

Of course, there is no 100% guarantee of seeing dolphins - but the chances are good, especially in the early morning hours. Spinner dolphins (also known as Eastern Pacific dolphins) and bottlenose dolphins often frolic around Tamarin Bay. Getting up early was definitely worth it for us: We were the only boat on the water and were able to watch a group of dolphins playing - and even swim with them. A magical experience that will stay with us for a long time. Photographing them turned out to be a tricky business, but at least we were able to capture them on video.

After a while we continued our journey south to the famous Crystal Rock near the island of Île aux Benitiers. The rock rises imposingly from the clear, turquoise water, while the picturesque backdrop of Le Morne can be seen in the background.

Honeymoon vacation in Mauritius: More than just dream beaches

The beaches in Mauritius are breathtaking, no doubt about it - but the real heart of the island pulsates behind the typical postcard motif: in the lush nature, in the fascinating, diverse culture and in the warmth of the people. Hospitality is very important here and the interpersonal encounters make the time in Mauritius particularly valuable and unique. Away from the tourist highlights, surprising discoveries await, such as China Town in Port Louis or Tamarin Bay on the west coast. If you are looking for more than just beach and sea, you will definitely find it in Mauritius. Mauritius shows a very personal, authentic side and surprises with a wealth of options to make your honeymoon an unforgettable trip.

Did our tips help you plan your trip or inspire you to visit Mauritius? Feel free to share this post with your friends, save it on Pinterest, or tag @linazerrella in your Instagram story. You can find more content about our Mauritius trip in our Instagram story highlights. We also have more articles about Mauritius here.

This article was created in collaboration with Mauritius Tourism . We thank them sincerely!