Chamarel Waterfall

Chamarel Waterfall is the tallest and most impressive waterfall in Mauritius — a 100-metre cascade that launches off a basalt escarpment and drops into a narrow, mist-filled gorge in the Chamarel region of the south-west. The combination of height, volume, and setting makes it genuinely spectacular, particularly after heavy rainfall when the plunge pool roars with turbulent white water.

The falls are visible from two viewpoint platforms accessed via the Seven Coloured Earth Geopark (entry is included in the same ticket). The upper platform gives the widest view, showing the full height of the drop and the forested walls of the ravine. The lower platform is closer and wetter — a fine mist from the base of the falls reaches it on windless days, and the sound of the water is constant and impressive.

The volume varies significantly by season. In the wet season (November to April), after sustained rainfall, the falls run at full force and the spectacle is at its best. In the dry season (May to October), the flow decreases but the falls never fully dry up, and the surrounding forest is often clearer and more accessible. Morning visits in either season are recommended — afternoon clouds regularly build over the plateau and can obscure the upper section.

The walk from the Seven Coloured Earth entrance to the waterfall viewpoints takes about 20 minutes return on a flat path. The site is accessible for most fitness levels. Combine with the earth formations, the botanical garden, and the Chamarel rum distillery for a full half-day in one of the most scenically dense areas of Mauritius.