Grand-Baie (North)
The village of Grand-Baie - 20 km from Port Louis - is a main marina of Mauritius. It is the biggest tourist centre and is home to one of the most popular beaches on the island which is safe for swimming, sailing, windsurfing, and water skiing. Grand-Baie offers a host of different accommodations, restaurants, shops, discotheques and bars. Grand-Baie is a starting point for big game fishing, and the beautiful Coin de Mire Island is close by.
Trou-aux-Biches (North)
Trou-aux-Biches is one of the most beautiful beaches in Mauritius. Its shallow waters make it particularly suitable for children. Snorkelling is popular, especially for beginners, as the coral reefs and a variety of exotic fishes are just a 50 - 100m swim away. Trou-aux-Biches was named the World's Leading Beach Destination at the World Travel Awards for 2011.
Port Louis (West)
The west side of Mauritius, less developed than the North, boasts long sandy beaches lined with Casuarinas trees. Backed by mountains at the north-western end of the island, the capital of Port Louis bustles with big-city activity in the day is contrastingly quiet at night - except for the swish new Le Caudan Waterfront. Port-Louis also hosts colourful Indian and Chinese 'boutiques' offering an improbable variety of household articles.
SSR Botanical Gardens (North)
The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens are modest but well kept gardens, home to giant Victoria water lilies, native to the Amazon. From the centre of a huge pad, the lily's flower opens white one day and closes red the next. Other attractions include golden bamboo, chewing gum trees, fish poison trees, a 200-year-old Buddha tree and a cross tree with leaves shaped like crucifixes. It is an opportunity not to be missed by any Mauritian.