8 daysMauritius Island Romance
Two Coasts, Lagoons & Island Culture
- Sunsets and sunrises on two coasts
- Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov
From$3,500approx. ≈ £2,650approx. ≈ CA$4,800approx. ≈ A$5,300approx. ≈ €3,000per person sharing
Mauritius
Le Morne & the Southwest Coast
Mountain, lagoon and wild southwest beaches
In the southwest of Mauritius, the UNESCO-listed Le Morne Brabant rises above a turquoise lagoon and some of the island's finest beaches. It's the place for kitesurfing, hiking, Chamarel's colored earths and the Black River Gorges.
The basalt mountain of Le Morne Brabant rises 556 meters (1,824 feet) almost straight out of a turquoise lagoon at the southwestern tip of Mauritius, one of the most striking sights in the Indian Ocean. Around it, long white beaches, a protective coral reef and a backdrop of green mountains make this one of the island's most beautiful stretches of coast.
A mountain with meaning
Le Morne is far more than a view. In the 18th and early 19th centuries, people escaping slavery, known as maroons, sought refuge in its caves and on its summit. According to oral tradition, when soldiers climbed the mountain to announce that slavery had been abolished, the maroons feared recapture and chose to leap from the cliffs. Today the mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a symbol of resistance and freedom, and the International Slave Route Monument at its foot honors that history.
Adventures on land and water
The Le Morne lagoon is famous among kitesurfers, with flat, shallow areas for learners and a powerful reef wave known as One Eye for experts. Guided hikes up Le Morne, usually starting early to beat the heat, lead to spectacular views over the lagoon; the final section is steep and involves some scrambling.
Seen from a seaplane or helicopter, the seabed off Le Morne creates a famous optical illusion, an "underwater waterfall" formed as sand and silt drift over the edge of a submerged shelf. Nearby, Black River Gorges National Park offers forest trails and waterfalls, the hills of Chamarel hold the Seven Coloured Earth and a tall waterfall, and the Tamarin and Black River area is the base for boat trips to see dolphins, ideally with operators who follow responsible viewing guidelines.
Relaxed and quietly luxurious
The southwest is home to beach resorts and villas that make the most of the sunsets over the lagoon. It's quieter than the north, and an ideal base for honeymooners, active travelers and families who want calm swimming with adventure close at hand.
How we plan it
We'll match your stay to the season, since the southwest is at its windiest in the southern winter, and combine it with other parts of the island, as on our Mauritius Island Romance journey.
Highlights
Hiking Le Morne Brabant
Climb the UNESCO-listed mountain with a guide in the early morning for views over the lagoon and reef.
Kitesurfing the lagoon
Learn in flat, shallow water, or ride the famous One Eye wave with experienced instructors nearby.
The underwater waterfall
See the celebrated optical illusion off Le Morne from a seaplane or helicopter as sand appears to pour into the deep.
Chamarel
Visit the Seven Coloured Earth, a tall waterfall and a rum distillery in the green hills above the coast.
Black River Gorges
Walk forest trails to viewpoints and waterfalls in the island's largest national park.
International Slave Route Monument
Pause at the memorial at the foot of Le Morne to reflect on the island's history of slavery and resistance.
Best time to visit
Best months
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- ✓ Apr
- ✓ May
- ✓ Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- ✓ Sep
- ✓ Oct
- ✓ Nov
- Dec
The southwest is warm all year. From about May to October, the southern winter brings drier weather, cooler evenings and strong trade winds, ideal for kitesurfers and hikers, although the lagoon can be choppy. From November to April, summer brings hotter, more humid weather, calmer seas and the warmest water, with cyclone risk mainly between January and March.
For many travelers, April to June and September to November strike the best balance of sunshine, calm water and comfortable temperatures. Humpback whales typically pass the west coast between about July and October.
Getting there
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU), in the southeast of Mauritius, is the island's international gateway, with direct flights from Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia.
The drive to Le Morne takes about an hour to an hour and a quarter, either along the scenic south coast or through the center of the island. Most visitors arrange a private transfer, helicopter transfers offer a memorable arrival, and a car with a driver is the easiest way to explore the southwest's attractions.
Journeys to inspire you
Use our featured journeys as inspiration. We'll tailor the dates, hotels, activities, pace and budget around you.
8 daysHelpful travel guides
Africa With Kids: Family Safaris and Beach Trips That Work
A family trip to Africa can be the adventure your kids talk about for years. Here's how to choose the right age, destinations and lodges, why a private vehicle changes everything, and how to balance safari days with beach time.
Zanzibar, Mauritius or Seychelles? Choosing Your Indian Ocean Island
All three islands have beautiful beaches, but they feel very different. We compare Zanzibar, Mauritius and the Seychelles on beaches, culture, weather, budget and how easily each pairs with a safari.
Your Le Morne & the Southwest Coast, designed around you
Tell us how you like to travel and we’ll shape an itinerary — the pace, the places, the stays — around you. No payment to start planning.