Mauritius' resort coastline gets most of the attention, but the island rewards a bit of exploring beyond it — a genuine capital city, a UNESCO heritage site with a difficult and important history, and a fishing town that still runs on its own rhythm rather than tourism. Here's what to add if you want more than the beach.

Port Louis

Mauritius' capital and largest city is worth a full day on its own. The Caudan Waterfront combines a shopping mall, street performers, restaurants and a kids' area into one easy stop, while Port Louis' Chinatown offers a genuinely different food scene — chow mein, fish balls and other Chinese-Mauritian dishes from small, unpretentious vendors rather than resort restaurants. The city's markets are also worth building time for: fresh produce, spices, textiles and everyday goods at prices well below resort-area shopping.

Trou aux Biches

On the island's north coast, Trou aux Biches is one of Mauritius' most reliable beaches for swimming and snorkelling — soft sand, shallow and calm water close to shore, and a stretch of beachfront food stalls and cafés if you want to make a full day of it rather than just a swim.

Le Morne Brabant

Le Morne Brabant, a dramatic basalt monolith on the island's southwest tip, is one of Mauritius' two UNESCO World Heritage sites, recognised specifically for its history as a refuge for escaped slaves (maroons) during the era of French colonial rule — its steep, largely inaccessible terrain made it a natural hideout, and the mountain carries genuine historical weight alongside its scenery. A marked, shaded trail leads up through forest cover, with views over the Indian Ocean, waterfalls and caves along the way; guided and unguided hikes are both available depending on your comfort level.

Deep-sea fishing

Mauritius has a serious deep-sea fishing reputation, with the surrounding waters home to large marlin, tuna and other big-game species — the island hosts a well-known marlin fishing competition around February and March each year, and several world records have been set in Mauritian waters over the years. Fishing charters are available through most coastal hotels if you want to try it without your own equipment.

Belle Mare

On the east coast, Belle Mare is a strong pick for early risers — its east-facing position makes it one of the better sunrise beaches on the island. Currents here run stronger than at more sheltered beaches like Trou aux Biches, which makes it more suited to confident swimmers than a completely calm family swim.

Mahébourg

In the island's south, Mahébourg is one of the best places in Mauritius to see everyday life away from the resort areas — a working fishing town on Grand Port Bay, with a market worth browsing for local goods and teas. The coastal route between Souillac and Le Morne, running along the island's wilder southern edge, makes a scenic approach if you're driving down from the north or centre of the island.

For everything already covered on Black River Gorges, Chamarel's coloured earth, and Île aux Cerfs, see our guide to Mauritius in winter — worth reading alongside this one for the fuller picture.

Ready to plan a trip? Take a look at Quintrip's Mauritius holiday packages to build an itinerary around these spots.

A few practical questions

When's the best time to visit for hiking Le Morne? May to September, the drier and cooler season, is generally more comfortable for the climb.

Do I need a guide for Le Morne Brabant? Not strictly required, but recommended, particularly for visitors unfamiliar with the terrain.

What language will I need in Port Louis or Mahébourg? English and French are both widely understood; Mauritian Creole is the everyday spoken language in local markets and towns.

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