Mauritius might seem like one of the quintessential places for beach holidays – think lazy afternoons by the pool with cocktails and long sunsets over quiet bays. Once you arrive, though, the island nudges you off the sun lounger to explore its wilder side. Its diverse appeal is part of why tourist arrivals increased by 3.9% in 2025!
If you’re feeling adventurous, here’s a taster of what you could get up to in the Indian Ocean.
Hiking is in, according to Skyscanner’s 2026 travel trends. Le Morne Brabant rises sharply from the island’s south-west tip, and its rugged flanks can give you a real sense of achievement, once you reach the upper plateau. You follow a clearly marked trail through low forest before the path turns steeper and more technical, which is why it is important to wear trainers that can provide you with a good grip when walking among the trail, as there are rocks that provide natural handholds. When you step onto the lookout, you can gain a view of the ocean shifting from a pale mint to a deep blue colour around the reef.
The Black River Gorges National Park can give you a very different kind of challenge. Instead of open rock, you can follow the forest trails that can twist through native ebony, tamarin and wild guava, with birdlife gliding overhead. The paths can vary from gentle rolling stretches to steady climbs, so that you can choose a route that matches the type of energy that you are feeling.
For a clearer goal, hike to Alexandra Falls, where you’re able to cross ridgelines and gullies to reach a platform where the waterfall fans out into a glossy forest below. Before you go, check the local forecast as the gorges collect rain quickly.
Le Morne’s lagoon offers ideal conditions for both kite and windsurfing thanks to steady south‑easterly winds and shallow waters. Beginners enjoy the flat water inside the reef, while experienced riders head towards the break for punchier swell.
Choose a school with certified instructors who can assess the day’s wind strength and explain how to read the reef safely. You’ll finish the session with salt on your skin – and a strong sense that you’ve made the most of the island’s natural playground.
Tamarind Falls has a way of drawing you into a series of deep, green pools that are linked by cascades and narrowing channels. You abseil down smooth rock faces, slide into cool basins and swim short sections between boulders, with guides that can show you how to anchor your feet and shift your weight. As you descend the final waterfall and look across the valley, you then realise how canyoning as an experience, allows you to see Mauritius from inside its landscape rather than from above it. It is a reminder that the island can offer so much more than its sparkling shoreline.
These are the type of adventures that draw you deeper into the island’s character in ways that are more physical and rewarding. Don’t worry, though – beach holidays can offer you many chances to relax and recharge on quiet beaches in the evenings, when you’re in desperate need of recharging after having a long fulfilled day of adventure.
