A Week in Mauritius: A Comprehensive 7-Day Itinerary to Make the Most of Your Trip

Day 1 — Arrival & Beach Relaxation

• Arrive in Mauritius and settle into your hotel.

• Take it easy with some beach time—whether it’s at your resort’s shore or a nearby white-sand beach like Flic en Flac (West), Belle Mare (East), Blue bay (South) or Mont Choisy (North).

• Enjoy a sunset walk and dinner by the sea to kick off your holiday.

A Beach In The North Of Mauritius


Day 2 — North Island Tour

• Explore the highlights of northern Mauritius with full day trip.

• Visit the historic capital city of Port Louis, where you can explore bustling local markets filled with spices, street food, and handcrafted goods, as well as discover key landmarks that reflect Mauritius’s colonial history. Take time to stroll along the Caudan Waterfront, a lively area with shops, cafés, and ocean views, offering a relaxed introduction to the island’s urban culture.

• Discover the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the Southern Hemisphere, renowned for its giant water lilies, towering palms, and wide variety of tropical and endemic plants. A walk through the garden provides insight into Mauritius’s natural heritage while offering a peaceful break surrounded by lush greenery.

• Visit L’Aventure du Sucre Museum, located nearby, to learn about Mauritius’s sugar industry and colonial past through interactive exhibits, historic machinery, and tastings of local sugars and rum.

• Stop at Cap Malheureux, a quiet fishing village in the north, best known for its iconic red-roofed church set against the backdrop of the turquoise ocean. This scenic viewpoint is perfect for photos and offers beautiful views across the water toward the northern islands, making it a memorable and picturesque stop.

👉 Book this experience with Bonjour Mauritius:

-> North Tour

-> All Inclusive North Tour with Lunch & Entrance Fees

Pamplemousses Garden Water Lily


Day 3 — East Coast & Île aux Cerfs Excursion

Île aux Cerfs is one of Mauritius’s most famous and photographed destinations, known for its postcard-perfect beaches, turquoise lagoons, and relaxed island atmosphere. Located off the east coast of Mauritius, this small island is a popular day-trip destination for visitors looking to experience classic tropical scenery combined with light adventure and leisure. Powdery white sand, shallow crystal-clear waters, and gently swaying palm trees create an ideal setting for swimming, sunbathing, and unwinding away from the mainland.

Île aux Cerfs is also commonly included as a highlight of the popular 5 Islands Trip in Mauritius, a full-day speedboat excursion that explores several small islands and coastal landmarks along the east and southeast coast. During this trip, visitors typically cruise across the lagoon and open sea, stopping at islands such as Île aux Phare, Île de la Passe, and Île aux Aigrettes, as well as scenic spots like the Grand River South East waterfall. Île aux Cerfs usually serves as the main stop, where guests spend the longest time relaxing, swimming, and enjoying lunch on the beach.

👉 Book this experience with Bonjour Mauritius:

-> Ile aux Cerfs Speedboat Excursion

-> Ile aux Cerfs Catamaran Excursion

-> 5 Islands inc. Ile aux Cerfs Catamaran Excursion

Ile aux Cerfs


Day 4 — Wild Dolphins & Marine Life

Swimming with wild dolphins in Mauritius is one of the island’s most sought-after ocean experiences, offering visitors a rare opportunity to observe these intelligent and playful animals in their natural environment. Taking place mainly off the west and southwest coasts, where the waters are calm and clear in the early morning, these excursions allow guests to venture out by boat to areas where spinner and bottlenose dolphins are commonly found. Unlike dolphin parks or captive encounters, this experience focuses on observing dolphins in the open sea, making it both authentic and memorable.

Dolphin swimming tours begin shortly after sunrise, when dolphins are most active and sea conditions are ideal. Small boats travel a short distance from shore, guided by experienced skippers who understand dolphin behavior and the best times to spot them. Once dolphins are located, guests enter the water in small groups, watching the dolphins swim, glide, and sometimes spin gracefully nearby. The clear Indian Ocean water often provides excellent visibility, allowing for unforgettable underwater views without disturbing the animals.

👉 Book this experience with Bonjour Mauritius:

-> Swimming with Wild Dolphins

-> Swimming With Wild Dolphins & Lunch On Benitiers Island 

-> Swimming With Wild Dolphins & Whale Watching

-> Private Swimming with Wild Dolphins

Mauritius Dolphin


Day 5 — Southwest Island Tour & Nature Exploration

• Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) Sacred Lake offers deep cultural and spiritual insight into Mauritius’s Hindu heritage. Surrounded by temples and towering statues of Hindu deities, this volcanic crater lake is an important pilgrimage site and a peaceful place to learn about local traditions, beliefs, and religious practices.

• Black River Gorges National Park showcases the island’s most impressive natural landscapes, with lush forests, winding trails, and panoramic lookout points. Visitors can enjoy sweeping views over valleys and waterfalls while learning about Mauritius’s native flora and fauna within this protected area.

• Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth and Waterfalls highlight the island’s unique geology and natural beauty. The naturally occurring sand dunes display distinct shades of color, while the nearby Chamarel Waterfall plunges dramatically into a green gorge, making it one of the most photographed spots in Mauritius.

• Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater located near Curepipe, provides a final scenic stop with wide views across the central plateau. The viewpoint offers a glimpse into Mauritius’s volcanic origins and, on clear days, panoramic sights stretching toward the coast and surrounding mountains.

👉 Book this experience with Bonjour Mauritius:

-> Southwest Tour

-> Southwest Tour with Local Lunch & entrance Fees

-> Southwest Tour with Local Lunch, Entrance Fees & Rum Tasting

Chamarel Falls


Day 6 — Hiking 

Hiking in Mauritius is a rewarding way to experience the island beyond its beaches, revealing dramatic landscapes shaped by volcanic activity, lush forests, and sweeping coastal views. Among the many hiking spots on the island, Tamarind Falls and Le Morne Brabant stand out as two of the most popular and memorable destinations. Each offers a different type of adventure, making them ideal for travelers who want to explore Mauritius on foot while connecting with nature and history.

Tamarind Falls, also known as the Seven Cascades, is located in the southwest of the island and is one of the best places for waterfall hiking in Mauritius. The area features a network of trails that wind through dense forest, rocky terrain, and along rivers, leading to a series of impressive waterfalls and natural pools. Hikes can range from moderate walks to more challenging full-day treks, depending on how many cascades you choose to visit. Along the way, hikers are rewarded with scenic viewpoints, refreshing swimming spots, and close-up views of cascading water surrounded by greenery. Because the trails can be steep and slippery in places, many visitors choose to hike Tamarind Falls with a local guide who can ensure safety while sharing knowledge about the area’s flora and geography.

Le Morne Brabant offers a very different but equally striking hiking experience. Rising dramatically from the southwestern tip of Mauritius, this iconic mountain is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and holds deep historical and cultural significance. The hike begins with a gradual ascent through shaded forest before transitioning to a steeper, rockier climb closer to the summit. While physically demanding, especially in the final section, the effort is well worth it. From the top, hikers are rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of turquoise lagoons, coral reefs, and the surrounding coastline, often considered among the best viewpoints on the island.

👉 Book this experience with Bonjour Mauritius:

-> Black River Gorges National Park (Tamarind Falls

-> Le Morne Brabant A UNESCO World Heritage Site

Le Morne Public Beach Mauritius


Day 7 — Market & Shopping

Shopping in Mauritius offers a vibrant mix of modern retail experiences and traditional market culture, with Bagatelle Mall and Port Louis Market representing two of the island’s most popular shopping destinations. Together, they provide a well-rounded look at both contemporary and local shopping styles, making them ideal stops for visitors looking to explore Mauritius beyond its beaches.

Bagatelle Mall, located near Moka, is the largest shopping mall in Mauritius and a favorite for both locals and tourists. It features a wide range of international and local brands, including fashion, electronics, beauty products, and souvenirs. The mall’s modern layout, air-conditioned comfort, and selection of cafés and restaurants make it an easy and enjoyable place to spend a few hours. Bagatelle is also known for duty-free shopping options and frequent sales, making it a convenient stop for gifts and personal shopping.

In contrast, Port Louis Market offers a lively and authentic shopping experience in the heart of the capital. Here, visitors can browse stalls selling spices, fresh produce, street food, handicrafts, textiles, and locally made souvenirs. The market’s bustling atmosphere and colourful displays provide a true taste of Mauritian daily life, making it a must-visit for those interested in culture, flavors, and traditional shopping experiences.

👉 Book this experience with Bonjour Mauritius:

-> Shopping Tour


Summary

The 7 day itinerary for Mauritius is designed to give travelers a well-balanced experience of the island, combining relaxation, culture, nature, and adventure. The itinerary begins with time to unwind on Mauritius’s beautiful beaches, allowing visitors to settle in and enjoy the island’s warm climate, clear lagoons, and laid-back atmosphere. From there, it explores key cultural and scenic highlights, including the vibrant capital of Port Louis with its local markets and waterfront, the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, and the iconic red-roofed church at Cap Malheureux.

The itinerary also showcases Mauritius’s outstanding coastal and marine experiences. Visitors can enjoy an island excursion to Île aux Cerfs, known for its white sand beaches, turquoise waters, and water activities, often combined with a scenic island-hopping or lagoon cruise. Marine adventures such as swimming with wild dolphins offer a chance to experience Mauritius’s rich ocean life in a responsible and memorable way.

Nature and inland exploration form another key part of the journey, with visits to Grand Bassin, Black River Gorges National Park, Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earth, waterfalls, and volcanic viewpoints. Hiking experiences at Tamarind Falls or Le Morne Brabant add adventure and cultural depth. The itinerary concludes with shopping and local experiences, including modern malls and traditional markets, making this 7 day itinerary for Mauritius a comprehensive way to explore the island.