If you only had one day to explore Mauritius…

If you had just one day in Mauritius, would you rush to the beach, chase history through cobbled streets, or hunt down the best street food? Here are our favourite things to do in Mauritius — experiences so unmistakably local, they deserve a spot on any itinerary. Choose yours and create a day (or two, or three) you’ll never forget.

1. Track history in towns and villages

Begin in Port Louis, the bustling capital and one of the best places in Mauritius to watch everyday life unfold. Wander through the Central market, Chinatown, or Rue de la Corderie for spices, fabrics, and a good bargain, then step into Aapravasi Ghat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site honouring indentured labourers. 

Further south, Mahebourg, once the island’s capital, offers its own treasures. Visit the Naval Museum or the Frederik Hendrik Museum, and if you’re here in March, don’t miss the colourful annual regatta of pirogues at Pointe des Régates.

2. Eat like a local

Forget white tablecloths. While exploring Mauritian towns, grab a pair of dholl puris, our famous flatbread made with split yellow peas. Snack on a crunchy gato pima (chilli bites) or try zanana konfi, our pickled pineapples dusted with chilli. Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it! And if octopus, venison or wild boar curry is on the menu, order without hesitation. 

3. Get lost in nature

Ready to unplug? Go for a hike in the Black River Gorges National Park, home to endemic trees and rare birds. Something gentler, you ask? Head to Plaine Champagne to pick wild goyave de Chine (strawberry guavas)  in April and May, or be awed by Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earth and its waterfall.

4. Go islet hopping

For a nice day out at sea, set sail for Île aux Cerfs and its golf course; visit Île aux Aigrettes, a nature reserve reviving rare plants and wildlife; or head north to Coin de Mire and its neighbouring islets, famous for rugged cliffs and snorkelling. Most tours run by catamaran or speedboat.

5. Find the island’s spiritual heart

Beyond Mauritius’ tourist attractions, discover its cultural mosaic through its places of worship. At Ganga Talao, a crater lake sacred to Hindus, spirituality feels woven into the landscape. In Port Louis, the Jummah Mosque blends Islamic and Creole architecture, while Marie Reine de la Paix offers almost holy city views. In nearby Chinatown, the Nam Shun Fooy Koon Pagoda tells yet another story of faith carried across oceans.

However you mix it, let’s be honest, you’ll always want to spend more than one day in Mauritius! And now, you know where to start.