Planning a trip to Mauritius and wondering whether you should explore the north or south of Mauritius?

The answer is: both are worth visiting, but they offer very different experiences.

The north is known for its beautiful beaches, lively atmosphere, restaurants, shopping and easy access to boat excursions. The south offers dramatic landscapes, mountains, waterfalls, nature, rugged coastlines and some of the most spectacular scenery on the island.

à partir Grand Baie and Trou aux Biches in the north to Chamarel, Le Morne, Gris Gris and Blue Bay in the south, Mauritius has something for every type of traveller.

In this guide, we compare some of the best places to visit in Mauritius so you can decide which areas to include in your holiday itinerary.

North vs South Mauritius at a Glance

Destination	Best For	Atmosphere	What Makes It Special
Grand Baie	Restaurants, nightlife, shopping & excursions	Lively	Tourism hub with plenty to do
Trou aux Biches	Beaches & relaxation	Relaxed	Beautiful sandy beach and sunsets
Cap Malheureux	Photography & sightseeing	Peaceful	Famous red-roofed church and coastal views
Chamarel	Nature & sightseeing	Quiet	Mountains, waterfalls and colourful landscapes
Le Morne	Hiking, beaches & scenery	Scenic	Iconic mountain and southwest coastline
Gris Gris	Rugged coastline & nature	Wild & peaceful	Dramatic cliffs and ocean views
Blue Bay	Snorkelling & marine life	Relaxed	Marine park and crystal-clear water

North Mauritius: Beaches, Boat Trips and a Lively Atmosphere

The north of Mauritius is a popular choice for first-time visitors because it combines beautiful beaches with plenty of restaurants, activities, shopping and excursions.

If you want to enjoy the beach during the day and have restaurants and entertainment nearby in the evening, North Mauritius may be the right choice for you.

1. Grand Baie – Best for Activities, Restaurants and Excursions

Grand Baie is one of the most popular tourist areas in Mauritius.

It is a great base if you want a holiday with a mixture of beaches, restaurants, shopping, boat trips and activities.

à partir Grand Baie, visitors can easily arrange excursions to some of the northern islands, including Île Plate, Îlot Gabriel and Coin de Mire.

The area also has plenty of restaurants and cafés, making it convenient for travellers who enjoy having many choices close by.

Choose Grand Baie if you want:

• Restaurants and cafés
• Shopping
• Boat excursions
• A lively tourist atmosphere
• Easy access to northern beaches
• A convenient base for exploring the island

Best for: Couples, families, groups and travellers who want a lively holiday.

2. Trou aux Biches – Best for a Relaxing Beach Holiday

If your idea of a Mauritius holiday involves spending time on a beautiful beach, swimming in clear water and watching the sunset, Trou aux Biches should be on your list.

Located on the northwest coast, Trou aux Biches is known for its long sandy beach and calm, tropical atmosphere.

It is particularly attractive to travellers looking for a more relaxed alternative to the busier areas of Grand Baie.

The location is also convenient for exploring other northern attractions while still having a beautiful beach nearby.

Choose Trou aux Biches if you want:

• A beautiful beach
• Swimming and relaxing
• Spectacular sunsets
• A quieter atmosphere
• Easy access to northern attractions

Best for: Couples, families, beach lovers and travellers looking for relaxation.

3. Cap Malheureux – Best for Photography and Coastal Views

One of the most recognisable sights in northern Mauritius is Cap Malheureux.

The small coastal village is famous for its distinctive red-roofed church, Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice, set against the blue ocean.

It is a wonderful place to stop during a northern island tour and take photographs.

Cap Malheureux is not about nightlife or large attractions. Its appeal comes from its scenery, peaceful atmosphere and beautiful coastal setting.

Choose Cap Malheureux if you want:

• Scenic coastal views
• Photography
• A peaceful village atmosphere
• A memorable Mauritius landmark
• A stop during a northern sightseeing tour

Best for: Photographers, couples, families and travellers who enjoy scenic places.

South Mauritius: Mountains, Nature and Dramatic Landscapes

The south and southwest of Mauritius offer a completely different experience.

Instead of focusing mainly on beaches and tourist centres, this part of the island is ideal for discovering mountains, waterfalls, forests, viewpoints, dramatic coastlines and natural attractions.

If you enjoy road trips and sightseeing, make sure you leave time to explore the south.

4. Chamarel – Best for Nature and Mountain Scenery

Chamarel is one of the most popular nature destinations in Mauritius.

The area is surrounded by lush vegetation and mountainous scenery and is home to several attractions, including the famous Chamarel Waterfall and the Seven Coloured Earths.

The journey to Chamarel is part of the experience, with winding roads and spectacular views along the way.

For travellers who want to experience more than beaches during their Mauritius holiday, Chamarel is a must-see.

Choose Chamarel if you want:

• Waterfalls
• Mountain scenery
• Nature
• Photography
• Scenic drives
• A break from the beach

Best for: Nature lovers, families, couples and photographers.

5. Le Morne – Best for Beaches, Hiking and Iconic Scenery

Few places in Mauritius are as recognisable as Le Morne Brabant.

The dramatic mountain rises above the southwest coast and has become one of the symbols of Mauritius.

The area combines a beautiful lagoon, beaches, water activities and spectacular mountain scenery.

For active travellers, the Le Morne Brabant hike offers an unforgettable experience and panoramic views over the southwest of the island. Visitors should follow local guidance and use an appropriate guide where required for the hiking route.

Even if you don’t hike, the area is worth visiting simply for the scenery.

Choose Le Morne if you want:

• Mountain scenery
• Hiking
• Beautiful beaches
• Photography
• Lagoon views
• Outdoor activities

Best for: Active travellers, couples, photographers and adventure lovers.

6. Gris Gris – Best for Wild Coastal Scenery

Looking for a different side of Mauritius?

Head towards Gris Gris in the south.

Unlike the calm lagoons found around many of Mauritius’ beaches, Gris Gris is known for its powerful waves, cliffs and dramatic coastline.

The area feels much wilder and less developed, making it an excellent stop for travellers who want to experience the natural character of southern Mauritius.

Nearby attractions can also be combined into a Wild South tour, making Gris Gris an excellent addition to a full-day sightseeing itinerary.

Choose Gris Gris if you want:

• Dramatic coastal scenery
• Cliffs and ocean views
• Photography
• Nature
• A quieter experience away from busy tourist areas

Best for: Nature lovers, photographers and travellers exploring the south.

7. Blue Bay – Best for Snorkelling and Marine Life

Located in the southeast of Mauritius, Blue Bay is famous for its beautiful turquoise water and marine environment.

The Blue Bay Marine Park is one of the island’s best-known locations for discovering underwater life.

A glass-bottom boat or snorkelling excursion is a great way to explore the marine environment without needing to be an experienced diver.

Blue Bay is also convenient to combine with other attractions in the southeast, making it a good stop during a day of sightseeing.

Choose Blue Bay if you want:

• Snorkelling
• Clear turquoise water
• Marine life
• Glass-bottom boat trips
• A relaxing coastal experience

Best for: Families, snorkellers, couples and marine-life enthusiasts.

North Mauritius vs South Mauritius: Which Is Better?

The truth is that there is no single winner.

It depends on what you want from your Mauritius holiday.

Choose North Mauritius if you want:

🏖️ Beaches
The north has some of the island’s most popular beaches.

🍽️ Restaurants and entertainment
Grand Baie offers plenty of places to eat, shop and spend an evening.

⛵ Boat excursions
The northern coast is a convenient starting point for trips to the northern islands.

🌅 Sunsets
Trou aux Biches and other northwest beaches are excellent places to enjoy the evening.

🏨 Convenience
The north is particularly convenient for travellers who want tourist facilities close by.

Choose South Mauritius if you want:

🌿 Nature
Chamarel and the surrounding southwest offer beautiful natural scenery.

⛰️ Mountains
Le Morne is one of the most spectacular mountain landscapes in Mauritius.

🌊 Dramatic coastline
Gris Gris provides a completely different coastal experience.

🐠 Marine life
Blue Bay is an excellent destination for exploring the underwater world.

🚗 Road trips and sightseeing
The south is ideal for travellers who want to explore different landscapes during their holiday.

Can You Visit Both North and South Mauritius?

Absolutely!

In fact, if you have enough time, we recommend exploring both.

Mauritius is a relatively small island, but its landscapes change dramatically from one region to another.

You could spend a few days enjoying the beaches and activities in the north, then dedicate one or more days to exploring the south and southwest.

For example:

Northern Mauritius Day

Grand Baie → Cap Malheureux → Anse La Raie → Grand Baie

Or combine your sightseeing with a boat excursion to the northern islands.

Southern Mauritius Day

Chamarel → Black River area → Le Morne → Gris Gris

A private driver can make this type of itinerary particularly convenient because you can spend more time enjoying the attractions instead of worrying about directions and parking.

North or South Mauritius: Where Should You Stay?

Your choice of accommodation can depend on the type of holiday you are planning.

If you want restaurants, beaches, boat trips and plenty of tourist facilities nearby, Grand Baie or Trou aux Biches can be excellent choices.

If your priority is nature, hiking and scenic landscapes, you may prefer staying closer to the southwest or south.

However, you don’t necessarily need to stay in the south to explore it.

Many visitors choose accommodation in the north and use a rental car or private driver to explore different parts of the island during their holiday.

This gives you the flexibility to experience both sides of Mauritius.

How to Get Around Mauritius

One of the best ways to discover Mauritius is by exploring at your own pace.

Car Rental

Renting a car gives you the freedom to visit beaches, viewpoints, villages and attractions according to your own schedule.

It can be particularly useful if you want to combine several attractions in one day.

Private Driver

A private driver is a comfortable option if you would rather relax and concentrate on enjoying the scenery.

A private sightseeing tour can be customised according to your interests, whether you want to focus on Chamarel, Le Morne, the Wild South, waterfalls, beaches or cultural attractions.

Excursions

Boat excursions are another great way to experience Mauritius.

à partir northern island trips and catamaran cruises to dolphin experiences and snorkelling, there are many ways to explore the island from the water.

So, Which Part of Mauritius Should You Visit?

If you’re still wondering “North or South Mauritius?”, our answer is simple:

Don’t choose just one if your holiday allows you to explore both.

The north is ideal for beaches, restaurants, boat trips, sunsets and a lively atmosphere.

The south is perfect for nature, mountains, waterfalls, hiking and dramatic coastal scenery.

And places such as Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches, Cap Malheureux, Chamarel, Le Morne, Gris Gris and Blue Bay each offer something different.

That’s what makes Mauritius so special: you can enjoy a relaxing beach morning, drive through green mountains in the afternoon and watch the sunset beside the ocean in the evening.

Explore Mauritius with Super Holidays Mauritius

At Super Holidays Mauritius, we help visitors discover Mauritius their way.

Whether you are looking for a car rental, private driver, airport transfer, accommodation, land tour or sea excursion, our local team can help you plan your Mauritius holiday.

à partir the beaches of the north to the mountains and wild coastline of the south, let us help you make the most of your time on the island.

Planning your trip to Mauritius? Contact Super Holidays Mauritius and start planning your island adventure.