So that you never run out of things to do whilst you are on holiday with Sandycove Villas below is a comprehensive list of things to do too :

Port-Louis
The capital City and main harbour buzzes from Monday to
Friday as the business centre of the island. The streets
are lined by royal palm trees and old stone buildings are
undisturbed by daily road traffic. Visitors will be
delighted by cultural Theatre of Port –Louis built in the
19 th Century and known to be the oldest in the region. In
the centre of Port-Louis, the Champ de Mars is a very
popular racetrack, the oldest in the southern hemisphere.
It has been often associated with national and political
events since the official flag raising ceremony in 1968 to
mark the independence of the country. Today, it still
attracts a large crowd during horse-racing season from May to November.

Central Market
Port –Louis is still at the heart of local life and
traditions. All the ingredients are gathered to capture
the essence of Mauritius : local crafts, bright sarongs,
colourful heaps of vegetables and fruits, spices,
savouries filled with curry and chutney. You may not want
to miss the trader selling herbal cures for all ailments.
As in all markets, the insistent voices of the traders
will invite you to taste the various local delicacies.

Diving
There are currently 30 diving centres in Mauritius that
are registered with the Mauritius Scuba Diving Association
(MSDA). Each centre is run by professionals who
conspicuously enjoy what they do, making diving in
Mauritius a friendly and satisfying experience. All the
dive masters are multilingual, so language is seldom an
obstacle. But even if it is, geniality of the Mauritian
people soon overcomes it. Diving in Mauritius should be
viewed as an enjoyable part of an overall holiday
experience, rather than the sole motivation for going to
Mauritius.

Mauritius is frequently compared with other diving areas
in the Indian Ocean, such as the Seychelles, the Maldives
and the Kenyan coastline, and even with the Red Sea .
Usually Mauritius comes off badly- simply because people
expect the same conditions and under water scenery as can be found in these diving areas.

Of course Mauritius is none of these. The island has some
amazing diving experiences to offer, such as playing with
eagle –rays, watching sharks hunt their prey, swimming
through forests of gorgonian – some over 2m (6.6ft) in
height, seeing walking fish flex their beautiful butterfly
wings when they feel threatened, passing through
lobster-filled chimneys and canyons, feeling the power and
purpose of the tuna, whales and even marlin as they propel their way through your dive sites.

Each is a unique experience that makes diving in Mauritius
a different and pleasurable adventure. There are also many dive sites which are filled with tropical fish so that
diving in these areas is like diving in an open aquarium.
Mauritius has this, but it also has something more: some
of the most relaxed, amiable and professionally operated
diving centres in the world. Here you are not a number, or
just another diver waiting in a queue to be whisked off to
a dive site and taken down by a dive master who has become a robot.

In Mauritius the natural hospitality of the
people comes bubbling through and you are soon made to
feel as if you are diving with ‘buddies' you have know
all your life. Mauritius marine life conceals an infinity
of sea treasures. It's crystal- clear lagoons and
magnificent coral beds inhabited by bright colourful fish
and moray eels will not fail to surprise the occasional
swimmer or diver.

NORTH DIVING
The local undersea life is varied around the coastline.
Lagoons are very large and the water is very calm for the
swimmer along the northern beaches. Behind the barrier
reef, the experienced scuba driver can come across some
spectacular underwater caves or large coral blocks.

EAST DIVING
On the East coast the underwater life is more varied with
greater water circulation in the lagoon. Old shipwrecks
are a continuous attraction to scuba divers. One of the
most spectacular ways to explore the ocean bed is to go on
board the Blue Safari Submarine. You will enjoy a superb
encounter with the marine life and get a chance to see
various wrecks dating back to the 17th century.There are more than thirty diving centres around the Island , operating independently. However we would highly
recommend: www.pierre-szalay.com who are based at Villas Caroline – Flic en Flac – Mauritius .

Salt Pans – West of the Island
Owing to the exceptional high levels of sunshine over the
district, Tamarin is naturally the heart of the salt
production in Mauritius.

Mauritius Aquarium
Aquarium Mauritius is situated at Pointe Aux Piments, a
costal and charming village in the north of the island.
The aquarium has adopted a new ecological system of
operation and a circuit of tanks will guide you to the
depths of the ocean. Our largest tank ‘The Deep' over 15m
long, holds a variety of sea creatures which can be seen
at close quarters. The numerous tanks and pools, in five buildings contain rich aquatic life found on and around our tropical island. A ‘touch pool' allows for younger visitors to interact with the marine species, safely. Whether young or old, enjoy a unique experience ‘without the fear of being
eaten'. Enjoy a light snack or drink while taking stunning views of the natural cove at Pointe Aux Piments and take home a souvenir to share with others from the gift shop. More information:www.mauritiusaquarium.com

2
3
4
5
5
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
13
14

Casela – West of the Island
Situated in the Rivere Noire district, the bird park
stretches over 25 hectares and contains more than 140 bird
species from all five continents. Other attractions
include fishponds, tigers, tortoises, monkeys and deer and
orchids. Further details can be found on their website:
www.caselayemen.mu

Grand Bay – North of the Island
Grand Bay was the first area of the island to fully
experience the tourism boom. Now a shopping and leisure
paradise, Grand Bay is also the place that Mauritians head
for if they want a night out for entertainment and fun.

Cap Malheureux – North of Island
Cap Malheureux, with its red roofed church offers
magnificent views of the islets of the North coast. The
village has a large community of local fishermen. Pereybere
Pereybere Public beach is extremely popular because of its
exceptional beach quality, its shopping facilities and the
many restaurants and pubs.

The Triolet Shivala
The longest village on the island, Triolet offers an
opportunity to visit the biggest Hindu temple, the
Maheswarnath, first built in 1819 in honour of the Gods
Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma and Ganesha.

The Northern Islets
This cluster of small islets off the North Coast has
become a favourite stop for sailboats and diving groups.
Catamaran cruising can be booked from local tour operators found in Flic en Flac town. Snorkel off Gunners Coin which rises sharply above the water and where birds nest in the cliffs. Go for a picnic and swim near Flat Island and islet Gabriel in crystal – clear water. A bit further up,
one can see the striking shape of the round island, a
natural reserve area where access is restricted in order
to preserve the indigenous species of palms and reptiles
that have been reintroduced to the island.

The Labourdonnais Orchards
Discover a large variety of tropical fruit trees,
colourful and exotic scented flowers. Trips on mountain
bikes and/or hiking can be organised.


Victoria 1840 – The East of the Island
Victoria 1840 / les café des Arts / Maniglier Art gallery
is a magical place where Mauritian history, art, culture
and gastronomy meeting a concept of excellence. A museum of contemporary art has been set up with the wall of an old sugar factory. The painter, Yvette Maniglier who
exhibits her paintings there was the last private student
of Matisse. Gastronomically restaurants offers feasts for
the eyes and the palate. For more information check out
their website:
www.travelmauritius.info/mauritius_art_galleries.html

2
3
4
5
5
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
13
14

Ile Aux Cerfs
Ile aux Cerfs is a paradise for water sports and has the
most beautiful beach in Mauritius . You can not afford to
miss this tiny island.

Flacq Market
Flacq is the one of the most important villages in
Mauritius . The unavoidable meeting point for inhabitants
of the western region, Flacq has one of the largest open
air markets. Market day is a colourful event which
attracts a large number of locals and where bargaining is
at its best. It can be an enjoyable experience.

Mahébourg
Built on the bay of Grand Port , and named after the
French Governor Mahe de Labourdonnais. Mahebourgh is one of the main fishing villages on the island. You can still
find the remains of the old colonial buildings and the
amenities: the courthouse, stone-drinking troughs once
used by horses and a hundred years of manioc biscuit
factory (Biscuiterie Rault). The weekly market is a
dazzling set-up of colours, sounds and scents. At the
entrance of the village, the National History Museum is a
worthwhile stop.

Ile Aux Aigrettes – South & South-East of the Island
Thanks to the remarkable preservation work done by
Mauritius Wildlife Foundation Fund, the island has become
an international reference for the protection of natural
resources and endangered species. Guided tours are
organised for the public. A few of the world's rarest
birds, including the Mauritian Kestrel and Pink Pigeon can
be seen there. You can also discover the Green Gecko
Phelsuma and Aldabra giant tortoise.
For more information: www.ile-aux-aigrettes.com

Dolphins - West & South West Coast
Unique sights in the Mauritius Coast, as black dolphins
and long beak dolphins have chosen Tamarin Bay as their
meeting place. Chamarel - West & South West Coast
A mountain winding road leads to Case Noyale Village to
the coloured earths of Chamarel: a surprising series of
dunes of contrasting colours. Different shades of blue,
green, red, and yellow apparently result from the erosion
of the volcanic ash. The neighbouring waterfall of
Chamarel rises from the native vegetation with a touch of
rare beauty.

Domaine du Chasseur –
South & South-East of the Island
Nestling in the Anse Jonchee hills, the domaine des Grand
Bois covers an area of 900 hectares. Stags, monkeys and
boars live amidst the luxuriant vegetation of the
hillside. You can watch a few species of endangered birds,
including the Mauritian Kestrel. The Domaine contains four
thatched –roof bungalows and a restaurant with panoramic
seas views. Take the opportunity to enjoy a delicious meal
of venison and seafood. For more information:
www.domaineduchasseur.mu

Gris-Gris, Souillac
It is one of the few places around the island, where the
waves dash against the cliffs. In these wild surroundings,
you may enjoy a rest at the Telfair Garden overlooking the
sea. Go further along the coast to see the breath –
catching beauty of the cliffs of Gris- Gris, With their tortured sea-eroded surfaces. In the neighbouring area of Souillac, you can find the spectacular Rochester Falls , where the water has cut large stepped shapes through the lava stones.

La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes
(Crocodile Park)
500 Giant tortoises roam free and Bile crocodiles (in safe
captivity) as well as a variety of fauna and flora thrive
in La Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes. An insectarium
shelters not less than 20,000 species of insects,
including butterflies from different regions of the world.
The restaurant ‘Crocodile Affame' offers local Creole
cuisine which includes crocodile dishes for the more
adventurous of you.
More information: www.lavanille-reserve.com

Inland

Ganga Talao – Grand Bassin
Higher up La Marie and Mare-Aux-Vacoas, both man-made reservoirs, found on one of the two natural lakes of
Mauritius. It rests within the crater of an extinct
volcano. Ganga Talo is an important pilgrimage site and
many Mauritians of Hindu faith converge to this sacred
place to pray for the Lord Shiva during the Maha
Shivratree festival.

Tea Route and Bois Cheri
Discover traditional Mauritius by following the Tea routes
starting from the ‘Domaine Les Aubineaux' in Curepipe. You will enjoy visiting the Bois Cheri Tea Factory and museum
as well as the anthurium greenhouse and the vanilla
plantation.

Black River Gorges
This national Park of 6,574 hectares was created in 1994
for the protection of Mauritius ' remaining native
forests. Visitors can discover the magnificent landscapes.
Endemic plants and watch rare bird species. A trail leads
from the Petrin information centre to a conversation area
freed from exotic and imported species.

SSR Botanical Gardens
Naturalists throughout the world know the garden for its
large collection of indigenous and exotic plants,
including the giant Victoria Amazonian water lilies and
many species of palm trees. Of particular interest is the
Talipot Palm which dies after one and only flowering Deer
and tortoises will delight all the members of the family,
while an old French mansion the chateau Mon Plaisir, and
the old sugar mill help tell the story of Mauritius rich
historical past.

Flic en Flac and its environment
Mauritius quick facts and travel tips