6 Places To Visit In The North of Mauritius

Mauritius is a land of stunning contrasts and spectacular beauty. Along the island’s coastline, you will find a string of vibrant fishermen villages and vast sandy beaches. Venture inland to explore tropical forests, historic places and bustling modern sites where a multitude of fun experiences await you. All these make Mauritius a dream destination for many travellers.

No matter what type of traveller you are; a cultural explorer, adventurer, history buff or foodie - Mauritius offers a myriad of activities and sites to visit to satisfy every wish. If you’re planning your first trip to Mauritius or even a return trip to see more of this beautiful island, here are our picks for the 6 must-see places in the north of Mauritius, to help you in making the most of your holiday.

6 Places To Visit in The North in Mauritius

L'Aventure du Sucre Sugar Museum and Factory

Set amid the calm setting of vast sugarcane fields, L'Aventure du Sucre is a converted sugarcane factory dedicated to showcasing the development of the sugarcane and the sugar industry throughout the years in Mauritius. A tour of the old sugar mill, which has been transformed into a modern museum, will introduce you to the complete story of sugar and its impact in Mauritius.

Diverging from the historical road, you can also delve into the technicalities of things; explore the industrial process of extracting sugar from the sugar cane and get a glimpse into the chemist’s lab & all the equipment used to transform harvested sugarcane into the refined sugar we know, along with all its sub-products.

Port Louis Central Market

Try to schedule your visit of the Port Louis Market early morning, before the sun hits its peak over the capital. The central market is the best place in the North to get fresh vegetables and seasonal fruits like mangoes, grapefruits and pineapples.

As you stroll through the market, prepare to have your senses taken over by a myriad of colours, scents and sounds. From the astounding variety of products, to locals bargaining with vendors to the different radio stations being blasted on speakers- you might feel overwhelmed by it all but will very quickly adapt to it. The market sights are a real feast for the eyes. Discover its different sections; starting with the produce section with fruit & vegetable vendors and various fruit preserves to the craft market, clearly noticeable with colourful textiles and artisanal sculptures.

China Town

Visiting Chinatown is a must, while exploring the capital city, Port Louis. Located at the very heart of the city, this area is filled with shops selling a number of Chinese and Far East goods. Chinatown also serves as the apothecary of the island with a variety of traditional herbs and plants.

The vendors know the products they sell very well and can recommend specific cures, depending on your allergy or ailment. Many of them are also fully conversant in Mandarin, so do not hesitate to ask for advice.

For lunch time, try one of the restaurants in Chinatown which serve many Chinese specialities, such as spring rolls, wonton and others. Most of the restaurants are family run, sometimes with up to 4 generations under the same roof so you won’t be disappointed.

Mauritius Aquarium

Pay a visit to the Mauritius Aquarium, to discover the exotic marine life of the Mauritian lagoon.

The aquarium, located in a small relaxing village in the North West of Mauritius, is home to a large number of species including over 200 species of fish, invertebrates, coral and sponges, originating from the waters around the island.

Meet a variety of species including sharks, giant moray eels, the crown squirrelfish, clown fish, butterfly fish, lobsters, crabs and sea turtles, amongst others. Depending on the time of your visit, you might also get to witness the daily feeding sessions at 11h00 and 15h00.

Grand Bay

Grand Bay is a lively coastal village, in the north of Mauritius with a multiplicity of bars, restaurants and resorts bordering expansive white sandy beaches. From fun activities to sightseeing, there is so much to do in Grand Bay. It is the ideal location to enjoy water sports like kitesurfing, glass-bottom boat trips, snorkeling and kayaking in the clear waters of the Indian Ocean. You can also enjoy catamaran cruises, deep sea fishing and boat trips to the Northern islets of Mauritius.

In the town of Grand Bay, you can find on offer, a large choice of fashion and craft shops. Several modern, shopping centres with international brands and shops operate here, alongside local brands. Prime shopping locations include Sunset Boulevard, La Croisette Shopping Mall and the Grand Bay Coeur de Ville. Considering the variety of shops and shopping complexes, Grand Bay is definitely a top shopping destination for clothes, jewelry, textiles and souvenirs.

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden

One of the most visited attractions in Mauritius is the The Pamplemousses Botanic Garden, formally known as the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden. The garden is located near Port-Louis, in the town of Pamplemousses.

Explore the botanical garden, stretching over endless acres of land, populated with more than 650 varieties of plants among which are the famous Baobabs, the Bottle Palm, the ineluctable Giant Water Lilies, dozens of medicinal plants, a large spice garden and many more. Do not miss one of the main attractions of the botanical garden- the 85 different varieties of palm trees brought from different corners of the world. Other indigenous species of plants are also exhibited here.