5 must-do activities for families in Mauritius

Magical and vibrant Mauritius island! Superb beaches, wildlife and nature parks, cruising, water sports and so much more. Here are 5 exciting family-friendly activities and excursions. Our concierge services will be happy to advise you and book your outings.

Cruising the Northern Islands

Board one of the magnificent catamarans that leave from Grand Bay or Cap Malheureux with your little ones and head for the blue waters and spectacular islands of the north-east coast for an unforgettable cruising day.

Grab your eco-friendly sunscreen, lycra or T-shirt to avoid sunburn, cap or bobsled screwed on tightly as it may get windy and enjoy this great day out at sea.

The catamarans are very comfortable and their crews friendly. Sit on the spacious nets, breathe in the ocean breeze and feel the foam on your cheeks. Off you go on an adventure! The catamaran slowly cuts through the transparent turquoise waters and takes you to a spot where the fish will eat out of your hand.

Then head for the imposing and stunning Coin de Mire, a huge boulder emerging from the water, that seems to protect Mauritius. If you are lucky, you may come across a school of dolphins or a turtle coming up for air. Close to the Coin de Mire are two idyllic islets: Îlot Gabriel with its nature reserve and Île Plate with its picturesque beaches. Snorkel in the crystal-clear water and enjoy the rich fauna and flora before setting off for a delicious BBQ on board.

On the way back, admire the breathtaking view of Mauritius from the sea, while sipping the crew’s homemade punch.

L’Aventure du Sucre and Pamplemousses Botanical Garden

It would be a shame to miss out on what has long been one of the main pillars of the Mauritian economy: sugar cane is everywhere and you may wonder how this tall green plant undulating in the wind ends up as powder in your coffee? Visit the Sugar Adventure Museum in Pamplemousses, in the north-west of Mauritius and a fifteen-minute drive from Mythic Suites&Villas.

Located in a beautiful garden, l’Aventure du Sucre is an educational and interesting tour of the sugar cane industry, with a very interesting historical section such as the locomotive that brought the harvested cane to the factory, the turbines and other crushers, and the re-enactment of the loading of the sugar on men’s backs. Children will love the visit and discover the many different types of sugar as well as the delicious candies, while parents can taste the fine local rhums. The museum also hosts temporary local talent exhibitions.

Then, why not have lunch at l’Aventure du Sucre restaurant with its typical Mauritian menu?

Head for a visit of Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, created in 1770 by Pierre Poivre, colonial administrator of the Isle of France. He was a renowned agronomist and an ecological pioneer of Mauritius. The tour is an opportunity to discover endemic and introduced species, rare spices, trees and even animals. With its impressive old gates and majestic entrance, the garden spreads over 25 hectares of greenery. Among the hundreds of varieties of trees, you will be introduced to the West Indian laurel, the Cochinchine lychee, the Chinese camphor tree, the Philippine breadfruit tree, as well as nutmeg, clove, pepper, teak, mahogany, mango, mangosteen and other date trees.

Hire an official guide and beware of scammers, ask to see an official document. Marvel at the giant Victoria Amazonia water lilies (legend has it that they can support the weight of a child, but please don’t try it), the famous talipot which only blooms every 50 to 80 years, the turtle and deer park and the small museum. Enjoy the many colours and scents of this beautiful garden before heading back to the hotel.

Casela Nature Park

Located on the west coast of Mauritius, 15 minutes’ drive from Marguery Villas, this South African-style animal and amusement park attracts families with its wide range of activities. As from its Jurassic Park-like appearance, the tone is set for adventure and thrills. Plan to spend a whole day there, otherwise you might miss out on a lot of fun as

it offers many exciting opportunities for the family to enjoy.

Covering 350 hectares, Casela includes activities for both children and parents, divided into 4 zones: Thrill Mountain (zip lines, via Ferrata and other suspension bridges – adrenaline guaranteed), Predator Kingdom (the kingdom of wild animals), African Safari (discovering the park’s animals by bus or quad bike) and Pangia (perfect for younger children with its small amusement park, 3D cinema, slide…)

Casela is home to the largest collection of birds in the region, a joyful festival of song and colour (and the opportunity to collect some splendid feathers as a souvenir). In its mini-farm you can feed the deer, hens or rabbits. Children will also love the many species of monkeys and turtles as well as the mini hippos. They can feed the giraffes, ride camels or discover lions, cheetahs or servals. Overcome your fear and go walking with the lions (only for older children, minimum height required). Animals live in optimal conditions, in large spaces and are particularly cared for.

The less adventurous will enjoy a bus safari to see zebras, antelopes, local deer, or ostriches (watch your fingers when you feed them, these ladies are greedy). Imagine yourself in Africa or India watching lions and tigers in their local sanctuaries.

Head to Thrill Mountain for a slide down, fly over the small canyons on a zip line or play Indiana Jones on the suspension bridges (securely fastened).

Have you worked up an appetite? Have lunch at the restaurant on the hill overlooking the park and the ocean before resuming your tour.

You will end up exhausted but satisfied, and no doubt frustrated at not having explored and tried everything. Opt for a long stay in Mauritius. Come back and spend an exceptional day with your family in Casela!

Learn to surf in Tamarin

A must-do activity on the west coast of Mauritius and Tamarin in particular. Surfing is not just a sport here, it is a way of life and a state of mind, both cool and relaxed. Head for Tamarin Bay, a beautiful half-moon cove with a pretty little forest on your right and the only grey sandy beach in Mauritius. We advise you to wear shoes on the hot sand in summer.

Tamarin is known for its legendary Santosha wave, which led to the shooting of the documentary “Forgotten Island of Santosha” by the Yates brothers in the 70’s, who discovered and contributed to the international fame of this spot (To watch these beautiful black and white images, click here: Forgotten Island of Santosha (1974) – IMDb). Another spot is available at the other end of the bay, Black Stone, reserved for experienced surfers.

For a quiet and easy start, our concierge will introduce you to Cyril, the best surfing teacher on the island, who initiates young and not so young, all year round and offers boards for hire. Don’t worry, no Nazareth (famous wave of more than 30 meters in Portugal) here, but a smooth initiation on small waves, just to gain confidence.

You will start by learning the basic techniques on the sand (I know, it’s not the most intelligent moment but the best is yet to come), and to know how to get up. When Cyril thinks you are ready, he will launch you into the water. Tamarin Bay has several small surf spots that are suitable for beginners and the pleasure is immediate. One, two or three falls? Don’t worry, even the best of the best has begun like this. Learn the beginner’s language: straight, tubular, take off, to tell your friends back home and above all, have fun. Surfing is accessible to all age groups!

Nature Vanilla Park

Another wildlife park in Mauritius, this time focusing on crocodiles. Located on the south coast, three quarters of an hour from Marguery Villas, it features a fascinating world of saurians, as well as turtles, monkeys, local bats and chameleons.https://www.mjholidays.com/en/marguery-villas.html

The park, with its many trees and pleasant shade, is home to numerous Madagascar crocodiles, mouths wide open, waiting for their meal. Watch these predators feeding and snapping their jaws. Crocodile breeding is successful in captivity, and you can be photographed with a baby crocodile (muzzled of course!) and even feed it.

If crocodiles are the star of the show, discover the world’s largest reserve of giant Aldabra tortoises, placid and massive (watch your toes), with their long necks reaching for the leaves you offer them. Enjoy the nursery that houses baby turtles, preserving a species (it’s cute and small, but quickly becomes cumbersome in a flat, so forget it).

The absolute must for children? Scratch the rough head of Octar, the enormous iguana, have fun at the interactive farm, discover the reserve on a pony, feed the animals at the turtle nursery and experience the daily life of the caretakers. Special mention to the Lost World of Dodos to find the bones of the real character from “Alice in Wonderland”!

While the children are on their adventure, parents will be more than happy to explore the insectarium (with a magnificent collection of butterflies) and the fossil museum.

You can have lunch or refreshments at the Hungry Crocodile restaurant.