12-Day Mauritius Itinerary: Full North, South, East, West Program

12 Days in Mauritius: the ideal length to see it all

At a glance
Duration	12 days, of which around 10 full days on the ground
Estimated budget	roughly €1,200 to €2,400 per person (excluding international flight)
Getting around	a rental car is strongly recommended (see our car rental guide)
Recommended bases	2 to 3 (north, west/south, east) to limit long drives
Best time to go	May to December, avoiding January-February (the low point of the rainy season)

Twelve days in Mauritius strikes the right balance between thorough discovery and a relaxed pace. Not too short to leave you wanting more, not too long to run out of ideas, this format lets you cover all four corners of the island, visit every must-see site, and take the time to really soak up the atmosphere of each area.

Compared to the classic week, these 12 days add five extra days that let you explore the east coast — often skipped in shorter itineraries — venture into the most remote corners of the south, and spend more than one night in each area so it never feels like a whistle-stop tour.

This itinerary is designed to be done with a rental car. The island is 65 km from north to south and 48 km from east to west — the distances are manageable, the roads are in good condition, and driving on the left takes about an hour to get used to. Our guide to renting a car in Mauritius covers all the practical advice.

For accommodation, this itinerary uses two main bases: the north for the first five days, then progressive stops heading south and east. Our guide to where to stay in Mauritius presents every area in detail.

Days 1-2: arrival and settling into the north

Day 1 — arrival and first steps

Arrival in Mauritius is at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport, in the southeast of the island. From there, allow 45 minutes to an hour to reach the north depending on traffic. A private transfer from the airport is the most comfortable option after a long flight.

Book a private transfer from the airport to your hotel

The first day is for settling in and easing into the trip gently. Drop off your bags, take a dip in the pool or the sea, and start acclimatising with a walk along Trou aux Biches beach or Grand Baie, depending on where you’re staying. Your first dinner in Mauritius deserves to be at a local restaurant — look for a small eatery serving dholl puri or a Mauritian curry.

Day 2 — exploring the north: beaches and Cap Malheureux

The second day is devoted to exploring the north. Start at Trou aux Biches beach in the morning — snorkelling before 9am, when the light is beautiful and the beach quiet, is one of the north’s finest experiences. In the afternoon, head up to Pereybere and its tropical fruit market, then on to Cap Malheureux to see the red church and enjoy one of the island’s most photographed views — the islets in the background at sunset.

Dinner in Grand Baie to experience the buzz of the north’s main tourist hub. Our guide to the best places to go out covers the best restaurants and bars.

Days 3-4: Port-Louis and the inland areas

Day 3 — Port-Louis: the capital and its markets

Port-Louis is about 30 minutes from the north by car. Arrive early in the morning to enjoy the central market before the midday heat sets in: spices, tropical fruit, textiles, hat-makers. The Caudan Waterfront and its restaurants make for a pleasant lunch with harbour views. In the afternoon, visit the Aapravasi Ghat (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), the Photography Museum or the Company Garden. Head back north in the late afternoon.

Day 4 — catamaran excursion

The fourth day is devoted to a day out at sea — an essential Mauritius experience. Catamaran trips from the north reach the islets of Île Plate and Coin de Mire for snorkelling, with lunch on board and a grilled fish barbecue. It’s one of the most memorable activities of the trip.

Book a catamaran cruise to the northern islands

Days 5-6: crossing to the west coast

Day 5 — Flic-en-Flac and the sunset

Leave the north to head to Flic-en-Flac on the west coast — allow 45 minutes via the M2 motorway. Settle into your west coast accommodation for two nights. The afternoon is for Flic-en-Flac beach: long, with remarkably clear water. In the late afternoon, don’t miss the sunset right over the sea horizon — one of the finest free shows the island puts on every evening. Our guide to where to stay in Flic-en-Flac picks out the best places in the area.

Day 6 — Tamarin and morning dolphins

An early start is needed: swim-with-dolphins trips from Tamarin generally leave between 6am and 7am, when the dolphins are most active. It’s one of the most striking experiences in Mauritius — dozens of spinner dolphins leaping and playing around the boat in a turquoise lagoon.

Swim with dolphins off Tamarin

In the afternoon, explore the village of Tamarin itself: its surf-culture restaurants, its craft market, and its golden sand beach. Tamarin is one of the most authentic villages on the west coast. Our guide to where to stay in Tamarin covers the vibe and the accommodation options.

Days 7-8: Le Morne and the southwest

Day 7 — the Le Morne peninsula

Le Morne is 30 minutes south of Flic-en-Flac. The beach stretching out at the foot of Le Morne Brabant is one of the most beautiful on the island — pristine white sand, turquoise lagoon, the mountain’s silhouette. Spend the morning on the beach. In the afternoon, if you’re up for it, the hike to the summit of Le Morne Brabant (556 m) is demanding but rewards you with a 360° view over the entire southwestern tip of the island. Allow at least 2 hours round trip.

Le Morne beach is also the island’s most renowned kitesurfing and windsurfing spot. Our guide to kitesurfing and surfing in Mauritius covers all the options for beginners and experienced riders alike.

Day 8 — Chamarel and the coloured earths

Chamarel is inland, 30 minutes from Le Morne. The Seven Coloured Earths are the most photographed natural site in Mauritius — dunes of volcanic sand in shades of red, ochre, purple, green and blue that shift with the light of the day. The Chamarel Rum Distillery offers a guided tour of the distillation process and a tasting — plus a fine-dining restaurant in a dreamlike setting.

In the late afternoon, head to Bel Ombre or Souillac for your evening accommodation. Our guide to where to stay in the south presents the options in the area.

Days 9-10: the great wild south

Day 9 — Bel Ombre and the wild coast

Bel Ombre is an exceptional natural estate. If you’re staying there, make the most of the estate’s activities (horseback riding, quad biking, nature walks). The wild coast of the deep south — the Gris-Gris cliffs, the Savanne viewpoint — is worth exploring by car. The landscapes are completely different from the calm beaches of the north: a rough sea crashing against black rocks, low vegetation swept by winds off the open ocean. It’s one of the lesser-known and most striking sides of Mauritius.

Day 10 — Souillac and Rochester Falls

Souillac is the gateway to the wild south coast. Rochester Falls, a few kilometres inland, is a waterfall cascading over parallel black basalt formations — a unique geological sight. Souillac’s Friday morning market offers a direct glimpse into local life. Mahebourg in the afternoon, with its naval history museum and its waterfront, helps you understand the island’s colonial history.

Days 11-12: the east coast and Île aux Cerfs

Day 11 — Belle Mare and sunrise

Belle Mare is about 1h30 from Mahebourg. Arrive in the late afternoon to settle in and enjoy the last hours of beach time. Wake up at dawn the next day for sunrise over the beach — one of the island’s most beautiful natural spectacles, one that few travellers take the time to see.

Our guide to where to stay in Belle Mare picks out the best places to stay on the beach. Our east vs west comparison explains why the east coast is worth this detour.

Day 12 — Île aux Cerfs and departure

Île aux Cerfs from Trou d’Eau Douce is one of the most popular excursions in Mauritius. The lagoon surrounding the island is an unreal colour, and a catamaran day out with lunch on board rounds off the trip in memorable style.

Île aux Cerfs catamaran excursion with lunch included

Head back to the airport in the late afternoon depending on your flight time. The airport is 45 minutes from Trou d’Eau Douce.

Practical tips for this itinerary

Recommended bases: to cut down on packing and unpacking, we recommend two or three bases: north (days 1-4), west coast and south (days 5-10), east coast (days 11-12). If you’d rather not change accommodation, a single base in the north with day trips is possible but tiring over 12 days.

Average budget: allow between €100 and €200 per person per day (accommodation, meals, activities, fuel), or between €1,200 and €2,400 per person for 12 days excluding flights. Our Mauritius budget guide breaks down costs by category.

Weather: the best time for this full itinerary is May-October (the dry season). In November-March (the rainy season), some days may be disrupted. Our Mauritius weather guide covers all the details.

Family activities: if you’re doing this itinerary with children, our family activities guide suggests suitable alternatives for each day.

Day-by-day overview

To see the pace of these 12 days at a glance and avoid overloading any particular day, here is the full itinerary with the activity level of each stage.

Days	Area	Highlights	Pace
1-2	North	Settling in, Trou aux Biches, Cap Malheureux	Relaxed
3-4	North / Port-Louis	Port-Louis, catamaran excursion	Busy
5-6	West	Flic-en-Flac, dolphins in Tamarin	Busy
7-8	Southwest	Le Morne, Chamarel	Busy
9-10	Deep south	Bel Ombre, Souillac, Mahebourg	Relaxed
11-12	East	Belle Mare, Île aux Cerfs, departure	Relaxed

What to do if the weather turns

Over 12 days, it’s statistically likely you’ll hit at least one rainy day, even outside cyclone season. That’s not a disaster: the north and west of the island generally see less rainfall than the centre and east, so shifting the schedule toward those areas can be enough. For truly gloomy days, keep in reserve a museum visit in Port-Louis, a spa session (see our spa and wellness guide) or a shopping trip to the Caudan Waterfront. Our guide to rainy-day activities lists practical solutions so you don’t lose a day of your holiday.

Car-free alternative

If you’d rather not drive, this itinerary is still doable by relying on day taxis between areas and on organised excursions (catamaran, dolphins, Chamarel) that include transport. The trade-off: less spontaneity and a higher transport budget. Our guide to Mauritius without a car breaks down the costs and practical organisation of this approach.

Mistakes to avoid

Changing accommodation every night — spending 12 days packing and unpacking is more exhausting than a long-haul flight; group your nights by area as this itinerary suggests.
Booking the dolphin trip too late — departures from Tamarin are early in the morning and fill up fast in high season; book several days ahead.
Underestimating distances at rush hour — an advertised 45 minutes can turn into 1h15 in the late afternoon around Port-Louis; build in some margin.
Skipping the east coast — many shorter itineraries leave it out, but Belle Mare and Île aux Cerfs rank among the island’s most beautiful beaches.
Not checking the weather before Chamarel — the colours of the Seven Coloured Earths are far more vivid under a clear sky; check our weather guide before fixing this day.