The south of Mauritius is the island's least compromised quarter, a stretch of volcanic highlands, sugarcane-flanked roads, and a coastline that the resort developers largely left alone. If you arrive expecting the calm turquoise lagoons of the east or the polished beach clubs of the north, the south will correct that expectation immediately, and most visitors are glad it does.
Whether you're planning a short holiday or seriously considering a move to the island, the south rewards the effort of getting there.
The Major Mauritius South Attractions Worth Planning Around
Black River Gorges National Park
Black River Gorges is the largest protected area in Mauritius, covering roughly 6,500 hectares of native forest. It is home to the Mauritius kestrel, the echo parakeet, and the pink pigeon, species pulled back from the edge of extinction through decades of conservation work. Trails range from a short 30-minute walk to the full-day Macchabée Ridge route, which delivers panoramic views across the gorge system toward the coast.
The park entrance near Chamarel is the most popular access point. Go early, cloud settles over the highlands by mid-morning most days, and the views from the ridge are worth the early start.
Chamarel: The Coloured Earth and Chamarel Falls
Chamarel is a small village in the Rivière Noire district that holds two of the south's most visited sites. The Coloured Earth, a geological formation where volcanic ash has cooled into seven distinct hues of red, brown, violet, and green, is genuinely unusual rather than overhyped. It is small, and an hour is enough.
Chamarel Falls, at 83 metres, is one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls on the island. The viewpoint above the gorge gives a clear sightline to the falls and the forested valley below. The two sites are within walking distance of each other.
Le Morne Brabant
Le Morne is a basalt peninsula on the southwest tip of the island, dominated by a 556-metre mountain that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The mountain carries a specific historical weight: it was a refuge for escaped enslaved people in the 18th and early 19th centuries. The heritage designation reflects both the geological significance and the cultural memory embedded in the site.
The lagoon at the base of Le Morne is one of the best kite-surfing locations in the Indian Ocean. The channel between the reef and the shore creates consistent wind conditions that attract professionals and learners from across the world.
Rochester Falls and the Savanne District
Rochester Falls sits in the Savanne district in the far south. The falls themselves are modest in height but distinctive in shape, the water drops over columnar basalt formations that give the cascade an almost architectural quality. The surrounding area is quiet and largely untouched, with sugarcane fields running to the edge of the gorge.
The Savanne coast, particularly around Souillac, is rough Atlantic-facing shoreline, not for swimming, but compelling to walk. The Gris Gris cliffs south of Souillac are the southernmost point of the island and among the most dramatic stretches of coastline in Mauritius.
Bois Chéri Tea Estate
Mauritius has been producing tea since the 19th century, and Bois Chéri in the Savanne highlands is the island's primary working estate. The factory tour covers the full production process from leaf to cup, and the tasting room overlooks a lake framed by tea bushes and forest. It is a straightforward, well-run visit that takes about 90 minutes.
Practical Notes for Visiting the South
A car is the only sensible way to cover the south. Public buses run between major towns but do not reach most of the sites above on a useful schedule. The road from Curepipe through Chamarel to Le Morne takes about an hour without stops, allow a full day to do it properly.
Fuel and ATMs are available in Curepipe, Quatre Bornes, and Rivière Noire town. If you're managing finances during your visit, Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) operates one of the widest ATM networks on the island, and its internet banking platform, accessible online, allows account holders to manage transfers, pay bills, and monitor accounts without visiting a branch. For visitors staying longer than a few weeks, setting up internet banking with MCB Mauritius simplifies day-to-day financial management considerably.
Relocating to Mauritius: What the South Tells You About the Island
For internationally mobile professionals and families considering a move, the south of Mauritius is a useful indicator of what life away from the tourist belt actually looks like. The villages between Chemin Grenier and Mahébourg are working communities, schools, markets, local restaurants, not resort infrastructure.
Job Opportunities in Mauritius
Mauritius has positioned itself as a regional hub for financial services, ICT, and business process outsourcing. The island's Economic Development Board actively promotes career opportunities in Mauritius for foreign nationals, and the Premium Visa scheme allows remote workers and digital professionals to live on the island for up to a year.
Job opportunities in Mauritius for skilled professionals are concentrated in Port Louis (financial services, legal, and corporate), Ebène Cybercity (ICT and BPO), and the hospitality sector island-wide. The south itself is less of an employment centre, but it is within commuting distance of Ebène and Curepipe for those who want to live outside the main urban corridor.
For those actively searching, the main platforms listing jobs in Mauritius include MyJob.mu, which aggregates listings across sectors. Mauritius job opportunities in finance, accounting, and technology tend to move quickly, the talent pool is competitive and many roles are filled through networks as much as formal listings.
Banking and Financial Setup for New Residents
Opening a bank account is one of the first practical steps for anyone relocating. MCB (Mauritius Commercial Bank) is the largest bank by assets and the one most commonly recommended to new arrivals. Internet banking with MCB Mauritius is available from the day an account is activated and covers the full range of retail and business banking functions.
The internet banking platform for Mauritius Commercial Bank supports multi-currency accounts, which is relevant for professionals receiving salaries or income in euros, sterling, or dollars. The setup process requires proof of address, a valid passport, and a tax identification number, the bank's onboarding team at the main branches in Port Louis and Ebène is experienced with expatriate applications.
The South as a Base: Where to Stay
Accommodation in the south ranges from small guesthouses in Souillac and Chemin Grenier to larger properties along the Le Morne peninsula. The peninsula hotels are the most polished options in the region and sit directly on the lagoon, with direct access to the kite-surfing corridor.
For longer stays, self-catering villas around Chamarel and the Black River area offer more space and a quieter rhythm than the resort strip. Rental prices are notably lower than equivalent properties in the north or east.
Why the South Holds Its Own
The south of Mauritius is not the easiest part of the island to visit, and that is precisely why it remains worth visiting. The landscape is more varied, the coastline more exposed, and the communities less shaped by tourism than anywhere else on the island. For those considering a longer stay or a permanent move, the south demonstrates that Mauritius has a working, layered identity that extends well beyond its beach reputation.