A local’s Guide to the Best Things to do in Mauritius (family friendly)

It’s no secret that I personally think the West Side is the best side of Mauritius and I’ve chosen to call it Home since 2010. Actually, I left Mauritius for 5 years and missed it so much I moved my family all the way back to the other side of the world. 
Living in the west of Mauritius, where the sunsets paint the sky in impossible colors and dolphins dance in the morning light, I've discovered that magic here isn't just in the tourist brochures; it's in the quiet moments and local treasures. Let me share my favorite corners of this paradise I call home.

1. Dolphin Watching in Mauritius
-Tamarin Bay at Sunrise

There's something profoundly moving about watching the sun peek over Les Trois Mamelles mountains while dozens of dolphins glide through the golden light on the morning waters. As a photographer and mother, I've spent countless dawns here, watching my children's eyes light up as these graceful creatures play in their natural habitat. While I have experienced this on a speed boat, my favorite way to really enjoy this magic is by SUP or kayak. The quiet lapping as you paddle through the water, the fresh, fume-free air, the perspective of majestic Tamarin Bay from the sea...there’s no better way to start your day. Be sure to bring your mask and snorkel as (if you’re quick!) you can swim next to and above the dolphins and even hear their clicking sounds underwater. You'll feel like you’re filming a nature documentary, so be sure to best practice your David Attenborough narration. If you’re lucky you might even see a spinner dolphin jump out of the water and do its thing.

In the past few years this has become quite a popular attraction and sometimes a dozen or more speed boats can be there all at once, all zooming around for the best spot and the result can be a bit hectic.

Tip: to avoid the crowd of speedboats, arrive early, around 6 AM, when the water is calmest and the dolphins are most active. The magic isn't just in seeing them - it's in experiencing the peace of early morning on the water, being truly present in nature and feeling all your senses come alive. Reach out to me for recommendations on who to contact for this special experience.

Dolphin Watching in Tamarin Bay

Kayaking in Tamarin Bay

2. Casela Nature Parks: Beyond the Obvious

When we first moved to Mauritius in 2010, Casela was a tiny nature park with a small petting zoo, an aviary and a playground made of old oil barrels and painted metal (I remember how hot the metal was on my children’s skin in summer). There were cut stone fish pools with a stream connecting them and we would sometimes come here with some rotis (I can tell you where to get the best ones in Tamarin) just to sit in the shade of the trees and cool our feet in the stream. Casela has come a long way since then: in my opinion, a little too far and its attempt to commercialize and become an amusement park has made it lose some of its charm….though the kids do like the Tulawaka “rollercoaster” . While we used to always bring a picnic with us, I believe they no longer allow outside food and I haven’t tried the food at the new restaurants so can’t comment on that.
However, there are still wonderful things you can do at Casela and here are a few of my favorites:

1. The safari bus: if you’ve been on an actual safari in Africa this might not leave you in awe, but
it is a lovely way to relax and keep your eyes on the savannah for sightings of zebras, kudu, antelopes, rhinos and monkeys, tortoises, lions sleeping in trees - but watch out for the ostriches! One of our family’s favorite stories is when we brought our youngest, Dexter, on the safari bus when he was a baby and the ostriches found his juicy little toes irresistibly delicious.

Skip the busy afternoon tours and opt for an early morning visit when the animals are most active and the light is perfect for photography. The view over the west coast from here, especially around 8 AM, is something I never tire of capturing.

2. Feeding the giraffes: I have always found giraffes to be so beautiful and graceful for such large creatures. While once you could pet the giraffes from the observation deck, I believe now you have to pay for the experience or at least buy the food to feed them. It’s incredible to be able to see them on an eye-to eye level. One of my favorite features in the giraffe habitat  is the majestic tree in which the observation deck was built. You have to see it. Again, get there early!

3. Zip-lining (for the adventurous): I have zip-lined at Casela several times over the past 12 years and have always enjoyed the thrill of gliding through canyons at high speed. I celebrated my 40th birthday ziplining with girlfriends and brought my mother on her 70th birthday (she was so brave), and even took my then-8 year-old with her friends. The staff were always fantastic and I always felt safe. There are 4 ziplines including a 400-metre zipline and the entire experience takes about an hour and a half. There’s nothing quite like the thrill of flying over the lush Black River Gorges National Park!

From a styled photo shoot I did at Casela Nature Park

3. Black River Gorges National Park

Perfect for a hot day!

When my kids were small, one of our go-to outings was a walk and a swim in The Black River Gorges. From the parking lot you can take a 20 minute shaded walk along a rushing stream through majestic tall trees and end up at a freash water swimming hole. In the heat of summer this was a saving grace for cooling off (for free!) with our family of five. The kids used to jump off the rocks into the pools for hours and I would sit in the rocks in the small cascade and feel like I’d been to a spa. If you look up at the mountain you’re likely to spot the elegant white Paille en queue or Straw Tail, a protected bird of Mauritius. It’s also the symbol for Air Mauritius.

TIP: Be sure bring a picnic or snacks and a flask of water. ALl of that walking and swimming can work up an appetite. Also, if you have waterproof shoes (or sandals like Tevas or Chacos) those are great as you might need to cross some water a couple of times and it’s easier than taking off and putting back on your trainers. Also, I like to wear water shoes in the swimming hole.

For the hikers, there are several hiking trails throughout the park and you can even hike a couple of hours to a waterfall (though I haven’t personally done it) The viewpoint over Black River Gorges offers breathtaking vistas and you might spot wild monkeys and rare pink pigeons. 

My kids and friends cooling off in a cascade in The Black River Gorges

4. Le Morne Brabant:

Did you know that Le Morne is a Unesco World Heritage site and served as a refuge for escaped enslaved people in Mauritius in the 18th and 19th centuries? I recommend visiting the Slave monument at the base of Le Morne and taking a moment to appreciate the different artworks and sculptures representing aspects of life as enslaved people.


For hikers, Le Morne is a not too strenuous hike with a rewarding view. I’m not talking about going all the way to the top though. When I went last month with my sisters-in-law and my kids, some of us stopped just before the ascent to the top. Bigger kids and teens would have no problem on this hike. To go all the way to the top, you need an extra 20 minutes each way and an extra dose of courage!

After working up a sweat and an appetite and taking in the stunning Indian Ocean views, I definitely recommend going
for lunch at our usual spot when in Le Morne: Emba Filao. It’s a casual walk-up-and-order situation and you can sit at a table right on the beach with your feet in the sand. My favorite dish is the freshly grilled dorade (Mahi Mahi) with salad and chips accompanied by a chilled glass of Flying Dodo local micro brew. My kids now also usually order the dorade but when they were small their favorite was the smoked marlin panini or chicken panini and chips.

While you’re waiting for your lunch (service is pretty quick though) you can cool yourself off with a plunge in the crystal clear, turquoise waters of Le Morne public beach. There’s no better way to spend a day at Le Morne.

My boys with their aunties on Le Morne

Me and my sisters-in-law cooling off in the water at Le Morne

5. Secret Sunset Spot: La Prairie

While everyone knows Le Morne Beach, few know the perfect spot just a few miles past it to watch the sun sink into the Indian Ocean. There's a quiet stretch where the beach curves gently: This is where local families gather for sundowners. Bring a picnic, let the kids play in the shallow water, and watch the sky perform its daily miracle with Le Morne in the background. Some evenings, you might even spot green flash as the sun disappears below the horizon. This is one of my favorite spots for a couple’s photo shoot in Mauritius. Click the image below for a secret elopement photo session session at La Prairie.

Honeymoon photo shoot Mauritius