The South Region of Mauritius

The South of Mauritius is the cradle of the islands history. With Vieux Grand Port" as a legendary landing station, the area was the first to be cultivated and developed. It was here, in the southeast, that the Dutch explorers built Mauritius’ first settlement back in 1638.

In 1735, French Governor Mahé de Labourdonnais decided to move the main port to the opposite side of the island and declared Port Louis to be the main harbour and administration centre. This did not cause the region to loose much of its importance but it became a lot quieter and has remained that way ever since. The city of Mahebourg, to which he gave his name, is a historical landmark, a part of its’ rich heritage on display at the Naval Museum.

It was not until much later, under the British Empire that this region was gradually left behind. Today, the South is the least developed and most authentic region of Mauritius.

Topography

The South Coast does not live up to the typical postcard image of Mauritius. There are very few beaches and resorts. Driving along the coast offers alternating sea and hill views and activities range between sunbathing and hiking.

Due to the prevailing humidity, the vegetation in the region is lush and unspoilt, with many endemic trees and plants.

Along the South East Coast, shallow lagoons with crystal clear waters may be found, but the South is one of the few places of Mauritius where the open sea comes straight in to break on rocky cliffs. In most places, bathing is considered as hazardous due to strong currents and dangerous waves.

Visiting the South is a twofold experience as its scenery and the omnipresence of its colonial history are both intriguing. In our opinion, the South is the region that contains by far the most interesting traces of the French colonial era.

We recommend the following places of interest: Rochester Falls, Le Souffleur, the Mahebourg Naval Museum and the Marine Park at Blue Bay.