Things to Do in Mauritius for Couples

Mauritius is a tropical paradise most well-known for its turquoise lagoons, beautiful landscapes, and luxury resorts. It’s an ideal spot for a romantic getaway, with a mix of relaxing beach time and exciting activities. 

Enjoy experiences like swimming with turtles, watching sunsets from a yacht, or dining under the stars on a secluded beach with private service. 

In this guide, we round up some of the best things to do in Mauritius for couples, with practical tips on getting there, timings, costs, and what to pack for each experience. 

1. Sunset catamaran cruise from Grand Baie 

A sunset cruise from Grand Baie is among the most romantic ways to spend an evening in Mauritius. You will sail west along the northern coast in a catamaran, enjoy a complimentary cocktail, and watch the sun dip over the horizon.  

• Getting there: Couples staying in Grand Baie can walk or take a 5-minute taxi to the beach. From Flic-en-Flac on the west coast, it’s about a 1–1.5-hour drive north via the M1 motorway. From Belle Mare on the east coast, allow around 1.5 hours to drive via the inland A7 road. 

• Best time: Visit in the late afternoon if you want to catch the sunset.  

• Hours: There’s no formal “opening time” since this is a private cruise 

• Prices: Tours cost around €40-50 per person for a shared cruise, including drinks and snacks. 

• Highlights: Keep an eye out for spinner dolphins near Gunner’s Quoin. Points of interest on this route include the historic Fort Malarctic and the red-roofed church at Cap Malheureux. 

• What to pack: Pack light layers, since it can cool off once the sun sets, sunscreen, sunglasses, and a camera. If you plan to stay longer onshore, wear flip-flops or walking shoes for the pier.  

For easy access to this activity, many couples choose a northern resort – for example, Casuarina Resort & Spa or the waterfront Tarisa Resort & Spa.  

2. Blue Bay Marine Park underwater adventure

This protected bay is famous for its crystal-clear water and coral reef that’s teeming with tropical fish. You can snorkel among clownfish and butterflyfish along the surface, or try the guided helmet dive for a stationary underwater walk. Trip bookings usually include snorkel equipment and a short glass-bottom boat ride. 

• Getting there: Grand Baie guests will need about 1.5–2 hour-drive south along the main roads to reach the Belle Mare area.  

• Best time: Visit mid-morning, because by noon, the sun is high and the heat is heavy. 

• Hours: The park is open daily and visit times are typically chosen by tour operators 

• Prices: For boat-and-snorkel, tours are roughly €30–40 per person.  

• Highlights: If you prefer a different underwater perspective, Blue Bay is also where the luxury Underwater Sea Walk takes place or where the Blue Safari Submarine departs from.  

• What to pack: Bring swimwear, a rash vest or t-shirt for sun protection, reef-safe sunscreen, and a hat for the boat trip. Don’t forget a towel, camera, and a dry change of clothes.  

If you stay in nearby Belle Mare, resorts like LUX* Belle Mare put you just minutes from Blue Bay Park, making an early start easy. 

3. Chamarel’s seven-coloured earth and waterfall

In the southwest of Mauritius lies Chamarel, home to the famous 7-Coloured Earths and a scenic waterfall, a classic day-trip for couples. The Earths are a patch of sand dunes in six distinct mineral colours ranging from deep reds to purples and yellows, created by volcanic activity.  

• Getting there: It is about a 30-minute drive from Flic-en-Flac or Tamarin, travelling inland towards the higher plateau. From Grand Baie or Belle Mare, you can expect closer to a 1.5-hour drive. 

• Best time: Mornings tend to be cooler and clearer. Avoid late afternoon when clouds sometimes build over the hills. 

• Hours: The Chamarel Geopark is open daily. The park generally accepts visitors from 8:30am until at least 5:30 pm. Last tickets are sold about 30 minutes before closing. 

• Prices: Entrance is roughly MUR 650 per adult (about £13) for non-residents. Children (5 – 12) are half price, and under 5s are free. The ticket includes access to the waterfall viewpoint and to the “colour earth” site. 

• Highlights: Walk the short wooden paths around the coloured dune area and check out the surreal view from above. Take snap photos at the Chamarel waterfall viewpoint. Don’t miss the tortoise enclosure near the cafe. Total visit time is usually around 1–2 hours. 

• What to pack: Wear good walking shoes because the paths can be dusty or slippery after rain. Bring bottled water, a sun hat, and insect repellent. The air cools quickly under a canopy, so a light jacket can be useful later in the day. 

Pearle Beach Resort & Spa in Flic-en-Flac is a 4-star beachfront hotel known for its super tranquil vibe, and is just a half-hour drive from Chamarel.  

4. Black River Gorges National Park adventure

Mauritius’s largest nature reserve, Black River Gorges National Park, offers couples a chance to trek hand-in-hand through a native forest. Trails range from easy walks to rugged hikes up peaks like Black River Peak, which is 828m of elevation.  

• Getting there: From the west (Flic-en-Flac or Tamarin) it’s about 20 – 30 minutes by car. You’ll head south from Flic along winding roads into the hills. From Belle Mare or Grand Baie, it’s roughly a 1.5-hour drive across the island. 4×4 tours and hiking guides are available at the park entrances. 

• Best time: January to September is generally considered the best, when the weather is dryer and the trails less slippery. Since the park is a tropical rainforest, afternoons often see rain or mist.  

• Hours: The park is open from 7am – 4pm with last entries at 4pm. The park closes around 5pm.  

• Prices: Entry is free of charge, though parking fees may apply at some trailheads. 

• Highlights: The easy Le Morne vantage point shows off a panorama of Le Morne Brabant. For couples looking for a quiet adventure, the undulating Long Wood Trail is about a 1.5-hour round-trip and there’s plenty of wildlife to check out. 

• What to pack: Good hiking boots, a camera, binoculars for birdlife, water, and snacks. In cooler months or at altitude, pack a light jacket.  

After returning from the forest one afternoon, you could unwind at a luxury spa – say at Tamarina Golf & Spa Boutique Hotel. 

5. Island escape to Île aux Cerfs

This small island has one of Mauritius’s most famous beaches with fine white sand fringed by palm trees, backed by a lagoon of clear blue water. Île aux Cerfs is only reachable by boat, and most couples take a catamaran or speedboat from the east coast town of Trou d’Eau Douce. 

• Getting there: Resorts in the east, like Belle Mare, are about a 30-minute drive to Trou d’Eau Douce. From Grand Baie, it’s a 1.5–2-hour drive south. From Flic-en-Flac, it’s about 1 hour across the island. Many tours include hotel pickup and return. 

• Best time: You’ll spend roughly 6–7 hours on the excursion, returning by mid-to-late afternoon. Midday can be very hot on deck, so morning is better for sightseeing and snorkelling. 

• Hours: Morning departures (around 9am) are common. 

• Prices: A full-day cruise with all meals and transfers typically costs around €70–80 per person. Some trips run by smaller boats or speedboats can be slightly cheaper. Most meals and soft drinks are included, but alcohol is often extra. There is no entry fee to the island itself. Trips return by about 4pm to avoid late afternoon winds. 

• Highlights: Day tours to Île aux Cerfs typically include the Grand River South East waterfall en route. Then you continue to the island lagoon for a snorkelling stop over coral gardens. Afterwards, a barbecue buffet lunch is served either on the beach or on board.  

• What to pack: Beachwear, a hat, and sunscreen are musts. Bring a towel, sunglasses, and a waterproof camera or case. Reef shoes or sturdy sandals are useful for rocky patches.  

Resort options include the beachfront Sugar Beach Resort or modern Tamassa, both a short drive back from Trou d’Eau Douce. 

6. Helicopter sunset tour and romantic beach dinner

For an unforgettable romantic splurge, couples can combine a scenic helicopter flight with a private beach dinner in a premium experience, where you’re picked up from your hotel in the late afternoon and flown over the island as the sun sets. After the 30–45 minute flight, you’ll land on a quiet southern beach, where a gourmet candlelit dinner waits for you 

• Getting there: Operators typically offer hotel transfers across Mauritius; the helicopter often takes off near a main airport or helipad.  

• Best time: Any clear evening works well. You should book in advance to make sure you get a booking. 

• Hours: Flights are timed to coincide with sunset, which is between 6–6:30pm.  

• Prices: This is a luxury package. Prices vary widely depending on providers, but expect around £1000 for the combined helicopter ride and private dinner. It is the most costly item on our list, but for many couples the once-in-a-lifetime views make it worth the expense. 

• Highlights: The dinner is prepared by a top hotel chef and served on the sand under tiki torches, with a violinist or guitarist to serenade you. 

• What to pack: Couples typically dress smart-casual. A light jacket or shawl is good for warmth once the sun goes down. 

Resorts on the south coast, like Shanti Maurice, are popular launch points. 

7. Underwater submarine and sea walk at Trou-aux-Biches 

For something completely different, couples can head down below the waves together with Blue Safari in Trou-aux-Biches on the north coast. They run daily submarine tours and helmet dive experiences, with a 45-minute submarine ride that takes you down about 35 metres to explore a coral reef and shipwreck.  

• Getting there: The Blue Safari boarding point is on Trou-aux-Biches public beach. Grand Baie is only 10 minutes away by taxi. 

• Best time: A clear morning is advised for a smooth dive.  

• Hours: Tours are offered most days. You’ll get a briefing on the boat platform and then board the submarine. Overall visit time is about 2–2.5 hours. 

• Prices: The submarine costs about MUR 5,670 per adult (roughly £100). Children (under 12) are about half-price. 

• Highlights: Once submerged, you’ll see vibrant corals, schools of tropical fish, and a big underwater wreck. The guides will point out sea turtles and eels in the reef.  

• What to pack: Normal swimwear. Bring a light wrap or shirt in case the boat is chilly. Wear comfortable shoes for the wooden pontoons. Cameras must be waterproof or left ashore. Be sure to pack sea sickness tablets if you’re prone to motion sickness, as the boat ride and dive can be a bit choppy. 

 

Is a couple’s trip to Mauritius worth it? 

Mauritius has endless romantic experiences for couples, from one coast to the other. Whether you spend your mornings hiking in rainforest canopies, the afternoons snorkelling coral reefs, and evenings sailing into sunsets or flying over the island, there’s a new adventure to be had every day.  

With the right planning and packing, and affordable packages through Blue Bay Travel of course, you and your loved one could be spending a week or two soaking up the sun in one of the most romantic settings in the world.