How many days · Mauritius
How many days do you need in Mauritius?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
9 days is the sweet spot for Mauritius, and 5 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Five days allows a south-west loop, a catamaran trip, a Port Louis day and time on the beach. Most visitors fly long-haul and stay 7–10 nights, often split between a northern or western base and a quieter east or south coast resort.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 9 days
- Minimum
- 5 days
- Day trips available
- 5
- Daylight
- 10.9 h (Jun) to 13.4 h (Dec)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Le Morne Brabant, Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths and waterfall, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden and Black River Gorges National Park |
| 2 days | Rushed | Black River Gorges National Park, Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) and Île aux Cerfs |
| 3 days | Rushed | L'Aventure du Sucre, Port Louis Central Market and Aapravasi Ghat |
| 5 days | Good | The highlights plus a day trip to Port Louis |
| 7 days | Good | A slow trip with day trips such as Port Louis and Chamarel and the south-west |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Mauritius add up to roughly 25–31 hours of visiting time — about 4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Île aux Cerfs (Full day), Le Morne Brabant (3–4 hours) and Black River Gorges National Park (Half a day).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Le Morne Brabant | 3–4 hours | Le Morne peninsula |
| Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths and waterfall | 1.5 hours | Chamarel |
| Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden | 1.5–2 hours | Pamplemousses |
| Black River Gorges National Park | Half a day | Southwest |
| Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) | 1 hour | Savanne highlands |
| Île aux Cerfs | Full day | Trou d'Eau Douce |
| L'Aventure du Sucre | 2 hours | Pamplemousses |
| Port Louis Central Market | 1–1.5 hours | Port Louis |
| Aapravasi Ghat | 1 hour | Port Louis |
| Blue Penny Museum | 1 hour | Port Louis |
| Blue Bay Marine Park | 2–3 hours | Blue Bay and Mahébourg |
| Île aux Aigrettes nature reserve | 2 hours | Blue Bay and Mahébourg |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 9 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 5 days | Focus on Le Morne Brabant and Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths and waterfall |
| With children | 10 days | Slower days and time for Casela Nature Parks |
| With day trips | 11 days | Add Port Louis and Chamarel and the south-west |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in June (about 10.9 hours of daylight) than in December (about 13.4 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Mauritius with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 5 days enough in Mauritius?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 9 days is more comfortable. Five days allows a south-west loop, a catamaran trip, a Port Louis day and time on the beach. Most visitors fly long-haul and stay 7–10 nights, often split between a northern or western base and a quieter east or south coast resort.
+Is a week too long in Mauritius?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Port Louis and Chamarel and the south-west.