Mauritius is a volcanic island of roughly 2,040 square kilometres in the Indian Ocean, and it packs an unusual range of landscapes, cultures, and experiences into that space. The best tourist places in Mauritius include the reef-protected east coast lagoons, the dramatic southern coastline, the cultural density of Port Louis, and the highland plateau around Curepipe, each region distinct in character, each worth more time than most itineraries allow.
Whether you are planning a two-week holiday or researching a longer-term move, this guide covers where to go, what to expect, and the practical infrastructure, including banking and employment, that makes the island genuinely liveable.
The East Coast: Reef-Protected and Unhurried
The east coast lagoon is the quietest argument for staying longer than you planned, reef-protected, impossibly clear, and lined with resorts that have quietly set the standard for Indian Ocean hospitality. Belle Mare and Palmar are the anchors here: long stretches of pale sand backed by casuarina trees, with water shallow enough to wade far from shore.
Île aux Cerfs, a small island accessible by boat from Mahébourg or Trou d'Eau Douce, is one of the most visited spots in Mauritius for good reason. The lagoon surrounding it offers snorkelling, water sports, and a sheltered beach that stays calm even when the trade winds pick up elsewhere.
What to do on the east coast:
- Snorkel or dive at the Blue Bay Marine Park, a protected reef system near Mahébourg
- Walk the waterfront at Mahébourg town and visit the National History Museum
- Take a catamaran day trip around the southern islands
The South: Wilder, Less Visited, Worth the Drive
The south is different: wilder, less visited, and worth every kilometre of the drive. The landscape here shifts from sugar cane fields to basalt cliffs dropping into open ocean. Gris Gris, near Souillac, is the southernmost accessible point of the island, a headland of black rock where Atlantic-scale waves hit without the softening effect of a reef.
Rochester Falls, a short drive inland from Souillac, is a waterfall unusual for its flat, stepped basalt formation rather than a single dramatic drop. It is the kind of place that rewards arriving early, before tour groups.
The Bois Chéri tea estate, in the southern highlands, runs guided tours through working tea fields and a small museum that explains the island's tea history with more depth than you might expect.
Port Louis: The Capital in Full
Port Louis is the economic and cultural centre of Mauritius, a city of around 150,000 people that functions simultaneously as a financial hub, a street food destination, and a living record of the island's layered history. The Central Market is the most direct way to understand how the city actually works: vendors selling tropical fruit, spices, textiles, and street food in a Victorian-era iron structure that has been trading since 1828.
The Caudan Waterfront offers a more contemporary version of the city, restaurants, a casino, a craft market, and views across the harbour toward the Moka mountain range. The Blue Penny Museum, also on the waterfront, houses two of the rarest stamps in the world: the 1847 Mauritius Post Office stamps.
For those considering relocating, Port Louis is also where the island's banking infrastructure is concentrated. Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB), the largest bank in Mauritius, has its headquarters here, and its internet banking platform, MCB Juice, is widely used by residents and businesses for daily transactions, transfers, and account management. Access to internet banking MCB Mauritius services is straightforward for both residents and non-residents with qualifying accounts, making financial management practical from day one of a relocation.
The North: Beaches, Reefs, and Grand Baie
Grand Baie is the tourist centre of the north, busy, well-serviced, and the departure point for most boat excursions to the northern islands. Coin de Mire, Flat Island, and Gabriel Island form a small archipelago that offers some of the clearest water and best snorkelling on the island.
Pamplemousses, a short drive from Grand Baie, is home to the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the southern hemisphere, established in 1770. The giant water lilies (Victoria amazonica) are the most photographed feature, but the garden's breadth of tropical species makes it worth a full morning.
The West Coast: Sunsets and Diving
Flic en Flac and Tamarin are the west coast's main draws. Flic en Flac has a long public beach, a reliable reef dive site (the Rempart Serpent wreck is accessible from shore), and a more local atmosphere than the resort-heavy east. Tamarin Bay is known for its surf break and for the spinner dolphins that move through the bay most mornings, boat operators offer sunrise excursions, though the experience is better when numbers are limited.
Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the southwestern tip of the island, is both a geological landmark and a site of significant historical meaning, the basalt monolith was a refuge for escaped enslaved people in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Hiking to the summit takes around two to three hours and offers a full panorama of the southwestern lagoon.
Living and Working in Mauritius: What to Know
Mauritius has actively positioned itself as a destination for internationally mobile professionals. The island's Occupation Permit system allows skilled workers and investors to live and work legally, with permits renewable over multi-year periods.
Job opportunities in Mauritius are concentrated in financial services, ICT, tourism, and business process outsourcing. The country's status as a regional financial centre means that career opportunities in Mauritius in banking, fund administration, and compliance are consistently available for qualified candidates. Platforms listing jobs in Mauritius include local job boards, LinkedIn, and sector-specific recruiters operating across the African and Indian Ocean region.
For those already on the island or planning a move, Mauritius Commercial Bank internet banking, accessible through the MCB website and the MCB Juice mobile app, handles everything from salary receipt to utility payments and international transfers. Setting up internet banking Mauritius Commercial Bank services typically requires an in-branch appointment to verify identity, after which remote access is fully functional.
The cost of living is moderate by international standards, though imported goods carry a premium. Schooling, healthcare, and telecommunications infrastructure are well-developed relative to regional peers, which is part of why Mauritius job opportunities attract professionals from across Africa, Europe, and Asia.
Practical Planning Notes
- Best time to visit: May to November offers the most reliable weather, cooler, drier, and less humid than the cyclone-adjacent summer months (December to March).
- Getting around: Car hire is the most practical option. Roads are well-maintained but traffic around Port Louis and Grand Baie can be slow during peak hours.
- Currency: Mauritian Rupee (MUR). ATMs are widely available; major cards are accepted at most hotels and larger restaurants.
- Language: English and French are both official languages; Mauritian Creole is the everyday language most residents speak at home.