Port Louis with Kids

October 31, 2026

A family day in the capital

Port Louis is a working harbour, so family days here are about museums, a waterfront promenade and snacks rather than beaches. There is no swimming in the city, and the harbour is not for paddling. Families who want sand head to the north or west coast, tens of minutes away by car. Start in the morning, since the heat builds and much of the centre closes by about 17:00 to 18:00.

Odysseo Oceanarium

Odysseo has an ocean tunnel and many tanks. It is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:15, and it closes on 1 January. For non-residents, children aged 4 to 12 pay Rs 960 and adults pay Rs 1,280. Under 4s are free. It is a short taxi ride from Caudan Waterfront.

Blue Penny Museum

A family ticket for two adults and two children costs Rs 820. Otherwise non-resident children and students pay Rs 200 and adults Rs 325. The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 09:30 to 16:00. Time the visit for quarter past the hour, when the 1847 stamps are lit for 10 minutes. Photography is not allowed in the stamp room.

Natural History Museum

Beside Jardin de la Compagnie, the museum has dodo displays that children enjoy. Opening hours are reported as about 09:00 to 16:00 on most weekdays, a later start on Wednesday and a half day on Saturday. Entry is reported free by most guides, though one gives a small adult fee. Check at the door.

Le Caudan Waterfront

The promenade has shops, restaurants, a cinema and the Allee des Parapluies, a street under a canopy of umbrellas. It stays lively later than the rest of the city, so it suits an early dinner with children.

Pamplemousses

The SSR Botanical Garden has giant water lilies and tortoises. It is open about 08:30 to 17:30 daily, and foreign visitors pay around Rs 300 per most sources, so check at the gate. L’Aventure du Sucre next door is a sugar museum with tastings. Under 6s are free and a family discount of 10 percent applies. Adults pay Rs 1,200 and children aged 6 to 13 pay Rs 600. It is closed on Sundays.

Street food

At the Central Market, children can try dholl puri, gateau piment and alouda. Prices are low and stalls take cash only. Go in the morning, when it is quieter.

Memorials

Aapravasi Ghat and the Intercontinental Slavery Museum are educational memorials, not play venues. Parents can decide whether to bring young children. If you go, keep the visit short, quiet and respectful.

Safety tips

Take water and sun protection.
Mind the open drains on city pavements.
Keep to well lit streets and avoid the business district backstreets at night.
Check your government’s travel advice and avoid demonstrations.

Family-friendly tours can be compared on GetYourGuide . Official pages: Odysseo , Blue Penny Museum and L’Aventure du Sucre .