Things to do on your next Mauritius holiday

Whether skydiving is something you have always wanted to try or if it is a well-practiced sport you have pursued all over the world, we can all agree the landscape of Mauritius is surely superior when enjoyed with a bird’s eye view. Get set to enjoy one of the most spectacular scenic flights imaginable and that is before you even take the plunge out of the plane! They say that as the adrenaline hits and you are in total free fall the world begins to move in slow motion, which surely means you have more time to admire the views as you descend right? Skydiving for many is a once in a lifetime experience and opting to take the leap of faith in a beautiful destination like Mauritius cements in your memories for ever.

Be sure to opt for a package that includes video or photography footage. While you certainly won’t fail to remember the experience in a hurry you may appreciate the reminder of how courageous you were to jump. Also, only jumpers are allowed in the plane, so if you are travelling with family and friends all spectators must remain watching you from the ground – so the footage is a great keepsake that will give them an insight into what happened at an altitude of 10,000 feet. 

It isn’t everyday you find yourself in a location surrounded by such extraordinarily rich coral reefs and it would certainly be a shame to not witness them with your own eyes during your stay. Most hotels boast their own diving facilities or have partnered with a nearby dive centre to be able to showcase the underwater world that awaits beneath the waves. There are hundreds of dive sites to choose from including some shipwrecks to explore, so there is something for every level of expertise from day one beginners to advanced divers.

Diving isn’t for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you need to miss out on the wildlife spotting adventure in the Indian Ocean. The whole family and those less confident with scuba breathing equipment can simply grab a snorkel and set off on a sighting tour around the shores of the island for themselves. Choose a boating day trip for a further afield adventure where the captain will take passengers to remote coves and sea life hotspots for a glimpse into Mauritius’ precious underwater world.

A Scuba Scoot is exactly as it sounds, a scooter that will propel you beneath the waves, taking you down to around three metres beneath the surface. These contraptions are great for a solo ride or even with a plus one at the rear. The protective bubble overhead keeps your face dry and provides plenty of air for two to breathe, all while maintaining 360-degree panoramas under the water. The Scuba Scoots lets adventure seekers get up close and personal with a huge variety of colourful fish, coral and sea life creatures while relishing the unusual transport ride.

If you are not a fan of getting all that wet or maybe you have the whole family in tow, opt for a submarine ride instead. With a capacity of between 5 -10 people, you can dive all together and experience a greater view of the deep blue. The submarine experience is taken in full comfort, you can even choose a lunch expedition where you can dine while appreciating the view. It is an opportunity to see some of the most beautiful coral reefs in the world – all without getting your hair wet.  

Experience that movie magic feeling for real in Mauritius as you and your significant other ride off towards the horizon together as the sun sets on the island. Whether it is a beachfront gallop you are picturing with the sea lapping at the shore or an exploration of tropical lands as you discover stunning highpoints like Le Morne mountain – both are in your reach on this island escape. Novice riders or comfortable jockeys can find a tailored excursion just for them. For adventurers at heart this is a great way in which to feel at-one with nature, experience the natural beauty of the island while enjoying a breath-taking ride. 

If you are not a fan of horseback travelling, don’t underestimate how far your own legs can carry you. Hiking in Mauritius is extremely popular, it is perhaps one of the best ways to catch the wildlife on the island in its natural state as you approach at a much quieter pace. With botanical gardens, nature reserves and mountains to explore, we can guarantee you will not get bored of exploring the mainland.

Looking out from the beach over the sparkling lagoon is a beautiful sight, however you will gain a whole new perspective on Mauritius when you appreciate the beauty of the mainland from the water. Sea kayaking and exploring smaller surrounding islands including the islet of Ile D’Ambre, is a must-have adventure when you are in Mauritius. Paddle through mangroves, explore the landscape on foot before refuelling with a picnic on a deserted beach. Visitors can work with an experienced guide to choose between a calm and placid route or venture further afield to explore the wild ocean that surrounds the islands. 

If you aren’t up for working up a sweat and paddling across the ocean, opt for a gentler island-hopping experience by joining a sailing excursion or chartering a luxury Catamaran. Here you will witness for yourself some of the most beautiful and untouched areas on the planet as many of the surrounding tiny islets are preserved nature reserves, including Aux Aigrettes Nature Park that’s home to the infamous Giant Tortoise. Chartering a boat is also a great opportunity to catch sight of playful dolphins in their natural environment, so keep your eyes on the horizon.

If you have an adventurous spirit and thrive by roaming off the beaten track, a canyoning adventure in Mauritius is perfect for you. Excursions are popular in the south west of Mauritius, with the opportunity to explore the awe-inspiring Tamarind Falls. The Tamarind Falls canyon, has 11 waterfalls and venturers can test themselves to navigate this dramatic landscape by descending through this challenging terrain. Skills involved include abseiling and rock climbing down rock faces, jumping and sliding into deep pools and crossing valleys by foot before cooling off in a refreshing waterfall shower. This is a very authentic way to discover the real Mauritius landscape, hands and feet on the earth and catching viewpoints you could never see from the designated pathways.

One step down from canyoning is River Trekking, a combination of hiking and swimming. You still get all the amazing benefits of observing the island, though with less high intensity climbing and abseiling. You can have fun cooling off in the waterfalls and pools on the island while still enjoying the thrill of walking off the beaten track.

The Vallée des Couleurs National Park is a nature reserve in the southern region of Mauritius. The quickest way of covering the area and seeing the canopy of tropical flora up close is on a thrilling aerial adventure through the forest. Prepare to experience the feeling of flight, while racing on ziplines between suspended platforms in the trees. In fact, on a visit to this impressive National Park, you can relish the thrill of the 3rd longest zipline in the world that measures up to 1.5 kilometres. With a variety of heights and speeds there is something for everyone to enjoy, making it a fun day out for the whole family.  

While in the park, all adventurers should also conquer the Nepalese Bridge that spans 350 metres across a canyon. It is an activity that is bound to get pulses racing and put your nerves to the test, but the experience will immerse you in your surroundings in an incredible way - whatever you do, don’t look down!

Do you feel the need for speed and long for the purr of an engine? Why not try a Quad Biking expedition around Frederica Nature Reserve. Ride through sugar cane plantations, cross rivers and admire the terrain as you keep your eyes out to witness the free roaming wildlife and the ever-elusive native Pink Pigeon that resides on the island. This is an exhilarating activity, that will make you feel closer to the incredibly rich biodiversity on the island at the same time as getting a buzz out of navigating your way across the beautiful rolling landscape.

If you’re not feeling all that confident getting behind the wheel yourself, or if you want to experience the island tour with a larger holidaying party, opt for a buggy or a 4x4 adventure. These experiences can put a tour guide or the most experience driver behind the wheel, while everyone else can simply sit back and enjoy the ride.  
 

Hovering above the earth and enjoying a viewpoint like no other is something that will entice everyone from avid photographers and nature lovers to those in search of some added romance while on holiday. A private trip like this takes you off the island to enjoy an intimate experience with your nearest and dearest. The pilot will navigate a route over Mauritius that will showcase the most popular attractions on the island, flying at a relatively low altitude so you can get a superb look at these spectacular landmarks.

If that doesn’t get your head spinning, test your nerves of steel with an abseiling experience over the tallest waterfall in Mauritius, Chamarel Waterfall. Standing at 95 metres tall it is set to be a thrilling descent that will get your heart thumping as you drop over the edge of the cliff alongside the rushing water. Professional abseiling providers will be available to guide you and show you how it is done so you are in safe hands here.