Things to Do in Black River District

October 31, 2026

Travel advisory, 31 October 2026: Mauritius is at US Level 2 (exercise increased caution) for crime, and the UK advises avoiding demonstrations and large gatherings after unrest in October 2026. Curfews ended on 19 October. Check your government’s current advice before you book.

Things to do in Black River District

Black River District, known in French as Riviere Noire, covers the southwest coast of Mauritius. The coast runs from Flic-en-Flac through Tamarin and Grande Riviere Noire to La Gaulette and the Le Morne peninsula, while Chamarel and Black River Gorges National Park fill the hills behind. Prices below are in Mauritian rupees (Rs).

On the water

Dolphin watching. Small boats leave Tamarin and Grande Riviere Noire in the early morning, usually between 06:00 and 07:00, to look for spinner and Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. A shared two hour trip costs roughly Rs 1,500 to 2,500 a person. Pick a licensed operator, keep your distance and stay out of the water. Feeding is banned, the ministry announced tighter enforcement in October 2026, and any boat that offers swims with the animals is best avoided. Sperm whales are present all year and humpbacks appear from about July to October.

Lagoon day trips. Pirogues and catamarans leave La Preneuse, Black River and La Gaulette for Crystal Rock, a coral outcrop with shallow snorkelling, and then for Ile aux Benitiers, an uninhabited sandy islet lined with filao trees where lunch is grilled on the beach. Half-day transfers cost about Rs 1,200 to 1,800 a person, and full-day barbecue cruises about Rs 2,500 to 3,500.

Big-game fishing. The sea floor drops below 1,000 m only a mile or two off Grande Riviere Noire, which is why the town is the sportfishing base of the island. Blue marlin peak from November to April, and sailfish, yellowfin tuna, wahoo and dorado bite through the year. The Le Morne Anglers Club at Case Noyale is one place to ask about charters. A full-day boat for four to six anglers runs about Rs 30,000 to 45,000, and releasing billfish is encouraged.

In the highlands

Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark. Non-resident tickets cost Rs 800 for adults and Rs 400 for children aged 5 to 11, and under-5s are free. The ticket covers the coloured dunes, both waterfall viewpoints and the giant tortoise park. Pay in rupees by cash, card or mobile pay, because foreign cash is refused at the gate. The waterfall drops about 100 m and is seen only from the viewpoints. Hiking down to it alone is prohibited and there is no swimming at the base.

Ebony Forest. Next door, the two hour Take A Drive jeep tour costs Rs 1,600 for non-resident adults and Rs 1,080 for ages 5 to 17. Departures are at 09:30, 11:30, 13:30 and 15:30, and the price includes a short walk on raised walkways through native forest.

Casela Nature Parks. The park at Cascavelle opens daily from 09:00 to 17:00 and closes on 25 December and 1 January. Its African Safari, aviary, Tulawaka toboggan, zip lines and quad biking are the usual draws. Non-resident adult tickets start from roughly Rs 1,300 to 1,600, and booking.caselaparks.com has current prices. Big-cat encounters are offered there too, but animal welfare groups advise against captive big-cat contact, so the safari and aviary are better choices.

On foot

Black River Gorges National Park is free to enter. Its trails include the climb to Piton de la Petite Riviere Noire, at 828 m the highest point in Mauritius. Macaques live along the roadside viewpoints and must never be fed.

Practical notes

Cards work at the big attractions, but keep rupees for fruit stalls, street food and beach boatmen.
Wear reef shoes when wading in the lagoon, as sea urchins and stonefish live in the shallows.
Cyclone season runs from November to May and peaks from January to March. During a cyclone you are not allowed to leave your accommodation.

Boat trips and park tickets can be compared on GetYourGuide . Official details are on the Chamarel geopark FAQ , Casela Nature Parks and the Ebony Forest visitor page .