Sports & Leisure

Living an active lifestyle

Mauritius offers many opportunities for outdoor activities –
both for tourists and expats living on the island

How to Live an Active Lifestyle in Mauritius

Golf Courses

Golf has become one of the top sports in Mauritius and one of the main attractions for visitors to the island.

Mauritius was the third country in the world where golf was played after the United Kingdom and India. The Gymkhana Golf club was opened in 1902; it is the oldest golf club in the Southern Hemisphere and the fourth oldest golf course in the world.

All golf courses offer exciting experience in beautiful natural setting. Many of these courses offer spectacular sea views and open coastal panoramas.

For the outdoor enthusiast, Mauritius is an ideal place for getting involved in many different activities.

Click through the slide shows below for getting a first impression about the endless options.

Beaches

Sunbathing and swimming

Péreybère in the North is considered to be one of the most beautiful beaches of Mauritius.

Blue Bay Marine Park

Plenty of coral reefs in clear water can be found at Blue Bay in the Southeast – a paradise for snorkelers

Pointe aux Cannoniers

Most beaches have shallow water which is ideal for families with little children. At some places, the coral reefs start 5 meters from the shore.

Mangroves

At many places, trees grow until the shoreline. Cocos palms, pines, juniper trees and mangroves are most common.

Anse La Raie

Anse La Raie is a wide public beach in the North with plenty of space, even on the weekends

Rocky beaches

Only few beaches in the South and in the West are not protected by coral reefs. Swimming is strongly discouraged due to high waves and strong currents.

Solitude

At the South Coast, it can happen that you have the beach for yourself

Gunner's Quoin Island off the North Coast of Mauritius

Offshore Islands

From Bain Boeuf public beach and Cap Malheureux, you can spot the offshore islands in the distance: Gunner’s Quoin, Flat Island, Round Island.

Mountains

Ascend to Corps de Garde mountain, Mauritius

Hiking

Mauritius has plenty of mountains where you can hike to the summit within 1-3 hours. Spectacular views guaranteed! (Picture: On the way to Corps de Garde mountain)

View from the summit of Le Pouce, Mauritius

Mountain view

From the summit of Le Pouce (820 meters), you can overlook almost the entire island

Canyoning

The Sept Cascades canyon offers breathtaking canyoning and abseiling adventures

Mountain climbing

Mauritius has many mountains with steep walls that are well suited for those who want more than just hiking

Trekking on Réunion Island

Réunion Island can be reached in 45 flight minutes. Mountains of heights between 2000 and 3070 meters in a spectacular landscape, an active volcanoe and a dense net of alpine huts (“gîtes”) offer an excellent environment for trekkings of various lengths.

Water sports

Water Skiing

The calm waters in the lagoons offer excellent conditions for water skiing.

Deep sea fishing

Tamarin at the West Coast and Grand Baie in the North belong to the favorite starting points for deep sea fishing.

Kite Surfing

Le Morne in the Southwest is the best spot for kite surfing in Mauritius.

Snorkeling

There are plenty of excellent snorkeling places around the island. The coral reefs at Blue Bay, Le Morne, Flic en Flac, Trou aux Biches, Grand Baie, Péreybère, Belle Mare and Ile aux Cerfs are close to the beaches.

Scuba Diving

The favorite spots for scuba diving can be found beyond the reefs at Le Morne, Flic en Flac, Trou aux Biches, Blue Bay and Rodrigues Island. The best time to dive is from November to May as the winds are not as strong.

Jogging and cycling

Exercise

For expats who are living in Mauritius, possibilities for exercise and workouts are important. Besides becoming a members in a gym, you can define your own jogging tracks and find some good cycling routes.

Lowland forests

The best jogging tracks in lowland forests are in Daruty Forest in the North, Bras D’Eau in the East and in the lower part of the Black River Gorges National Park in the West.

Hiking trail, Black River Gorges National Park

Highland forests

The best opportunities in the highland forests can be found in the upper part of the Black River Gorges National Park, at the rim of Sept Cascades, and in the Nicolière area, all located on the Central Plateau. Take mosquito repellent!

Trou aux Cerfs crater

A wonderful place close to the major agglomeration is the Trou aux Cerfs crater, the highest point in Curepipe. From the crater rim you have breathtaking views into all directions. Be prepared for frequent showers!

Along the beaches

… and not to forget the endless beaches along the entire coastline. They are all public space, so you can walk and run wherever you want!

Cycling

Cycling is not recommended on normal roads – there is simply too much traffic, the drivers rarely take cyclists into consideration, and the roads are very narrow. Only few roads have bicycle tracks.

Mountain biking

There are some good mountain biking tracks in the Black River Gorges and Bras D’Eau National Parks. As most tracks are quite rough and mountainous, biking experience and a good fitness level are required.

Sugar cane fields

Sugar cane fields are an excellent alternative for jogging and cycling. Beware of dogs when you come close to farmhouses!