Planning your holidays to Mauritius? Chances are, you’ve been searching for the best places to visit on this incredible island. Beyond the usual beaches and markets, there’s a side of Mauritius many visitors never see. Quiet coves where locals picnic on Sundays, tiny waterfalls hidden in the forest and islands with stories older than the resorts themselves. If you’re curious to explore deeper, here are seven places most tourists miss, but perhaps you shouldn’t.
Savinia Beach
When people talk about holidays to Mauritius, they often imagine busy beaches lined with umbrellas, but here it’s different. Surrounded by sugar cane fields, Savinia Beach is a place where time slows down. Discreet, quiet and well hidden, this spot is known to few. There are no sun loungers or water sports kiosks. This beach is made up of long stretches of sand. Those who know the area come here to recharge their batteries, admire the view and enjoy a small natural pool with incredibly clear water. Others come with friends or families to enjoy a quiet day out, savouring home-cooked food, avoiding their screens and getting closer to nature. If you visit the island, bring your sandals and let the tide caress your ankles as you walk. It’s simple, it’s peaceful and breathtaking.
Location: L’escalier, Grand Port District
Difficulty: Depending on your route, you might find yourself climbing over rocks or following uneven paths.
Minissy Waterfall
Image source: Saleem A Sam, via Explora Mauritius
If you’ve ever had the impression that waterfalls in travel guides look suspiciously similar, Minissy Waterfall might change your mind. Located in the centre of the island, this unfamiliar waterfall requires a short hike to reach, but that’s half the reward. The path cuts through dense vegetation before revealing the falls themselves: modest in size, but magnificent in sound. If you’re lucky, you’ll have them all to yourself. Take the time to sit on the rocks secretly warmed by the sun and let the water spray cool your skin. As we move beyond forest pools, let’s step into one of Mauritius’ quiet coastal villages next.
Location: Moka
Difficulty: Medium
Disclaimer: It’s best to stay close to the shore where the water stays shallow. You can also hire a guide to advise you.
Bois des Amourettes
When most people plan their holidays to Mauritius, places like Bois des Amourettes rarely make the itinerary. Yet this tiny village, nestled between Lion Mountain and Grand-Port Bay, shows you a side of the island few visitors see. The name itself raises questions. Was this really a meeting place for secret lovers, as some say? Or does it simply take its name from the Amourette trees that once filled the village? Either way, life here is peaceful. People live close to the sea and to each other, sharing stories on doorsteps as fishing boats bob offshore. Walk to the end of the wooden jetty and gaze out at the quiet horizon. If you’re after a slower pace during your holidays to Mauritius, this might be your favourite stop.
Location: In the south-east of the island
Level of difficulty: None
Île de la Passe
Image source: Cniessen, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Most visitors to Mauritius stick to the main island, but just offshore lies Île de la Passe, a small island packed with history. Used as a fort during the 19th-century naval battles, its crumbling walls now stand silent among sea birds and wild plants. You’ll need to hire a boat from Mahébourg to get there, but exploring its quiet ruins gives you a rare glimpse into the island’s past. Standing here, with waves lapping at old stone steps, you can almost hear the echoes of cannons and sails.
Location: South-east coast of Mauritius
Level of difficulty: None
Mare Aux Joncs
Image source: Ludovic Lubeigt, used under CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Mare Aux Joncs is a small, quiet pond located deep in the southern hills of Mauritius, reached by a straightforward forest trail starting from the Riviere Noire entrance of Black River Gorges National Park. The walk takes about 45 minutes, crossing a river several times and following a clear, shaded path. Along the way, you’ll pass through stretches of native forest and walk beside a creek that stays close to the trail. At the pond, you’ll find a calm pool where local birds perch among the trees. There are no facilities here, just space to sit, read or enjoy the silence. It’s a simple but rewarding stop for anyone looking for a quieter side of the park. After soaking in nature, let’s return to culture with a visit to Mauritius’s living history.
Location: Black River
Difficulty: Low
Domaine des Aubineaux
For travellers looking to add a touch of history to their holidays to Mauritius, Domaine des Aubineaux offers a quiet change of pace. This colonial-era house feels like stepping into another time. Walk through rooms filled with creaking floorboards and old photographs, then explore the gardens where tea leaves dry in the sun. Afterwards, settle in the old tea room for a pot of fresh local brew paired with homemade cakes. You won’t find beaches here, but you will find stories and perhaps a new favourite spot for afternoon tea. As we approach the end of our journey, let’s discover one last hidden beach beloved by locals.
Location: Curepipe (Forest Side)
Level of difficulty: None
Pointe d’Esny
Holidays to Mauritius often involve finding the perfect beach. For many locals, that beach is Pointe d’Esny. Not because it’s famous, but because it isn’t. This stretch of coast near Mahébourg feels more like a quiet village shore than a tourist hotspot. You won’t find hotel bars or sunloungers here, just small holiday homes, fishing boats and water so clear you can count the shells under your feet. Swim, snorkel or simply drift. At Pointe d’Esny, there’s nothing to rush for. It’s the kind of place where Mauritius lets its natural beauty speak quietly for itself.
Location: Southeast coast of Mauritius
Level of difficulty: None
Why the Quiet Places Matter on Your Holidays to Mauritius
Planning your holidays to Mauritius means choosing where to spend your days. While popular spots have their place, some of the island’s most memorable moments happen in the places few people mention. A quiet jetty in a fishing village. A waterfall hidden behind forest paths. A beach without sunbeds, but full of local life. So, if you’re ready to see a different side of Mauritius, step off the usual path. You might just find your favourite place isn’t in the guidebooks at all.
Plan your Holidays to Mauritius with Heritage Resorts
If you’re dreaming of holidays to Mauritius that feel authentic yet effortlessly comfortable, Heritage Resorts might just be what you’re looking for. It’s about long afternoons spent between the beach and the nearby nature reserves. And when evening comes, it’s dinner under old trees where recipes carry the warmth of generations. Heritage Resorts doesn’t try to reinvent Mauritius, it lets you experience the island as it should be. Quiet, genuine, and easy to love.
