The coastal road from Mont-Choisy to Poste Lafayette enables one to discover the many small villages of the North and the East of the island. Each village has its own distinct identity and several stops will be necessary to enjoy the beaches, the coves, the creeks and the landscapes that add colour and beauty to the trip.
A moment of escape
While exploring the beaches of the North, do not miss Mont Choisy, a long white sandy beach that stretches over 3 km and is lined with Casuarina trees. Its lake-like sea provides a great place for nautical sports.
The numerous street vendors and food “caravans” parked under the trees offer a variety of local specialties… a call for sampling and savouring!
A few meters after this idyllic beach, the residential village of Pointe-aux-Canonniers offers several restaurants, bars and cafés, an art gallery, elegant shops, all in a friendly atmosphere, and before being engulfed in the excitement of Grand Bay.
Grand Bay, or the ‘tourist capital’ of Mauritius, is a seaside city teeming with life. There are excellent restaurants, trendy nightclubs and bars, coffee shops serving exquisite delicacies, luxury boutiques, malls and shopping centres coexisting happily with street vendors offering local dishes, fruits and vegetables, as well as local handicrafts. As soon as the sun sets and while the catamarans return from their day cruises around the Northern islets, a festive and musical atmosphere starts permeating the street corners.
A few kilometres further north, the public beach of Pereybere and its cove with its shimmering turquoise waters is one of the favourite destinations of the local population during weekends and will delight those who wish to share the Mauritian life at the beach!
Those who prefer to bask in the sun, away from the hustle-bustle, can choose to go a little further up, to Cap Malheureux. Do not be fooled by its name, inherited from the ships that got wrecked around there during the colonial era. Contemplate instead this vivid scenery painted by man and nature: the small church of Our Lady Auxiliatrix, its red shingled roof with its bell tower and in the background, a magical view of Flat Island, Round Island and Gunner’s Quoin. Another attraction of the area: the small Cap Malheureux fishing port and dock that comes alive in the afternoon after the return of the fishing boats.
Going down the coast towards Roches Noires, constructions get scarcer and waves come crashing on reefs close to beaches, reflecting the wilderness of this coast. Off the beaten track, the “Princess Margaret” caves, which have been classified as a national natural heritage site, would have served as a refuge for runaway slaves. One of them, “Ladies’ Cave”, used to be a public laundry for the ladies of the area and has been renovated and is accessible to the public.
Further south, in Poste Lafayette, the rustic landscape dotted with volcanic rocks and mangroves trees are worth a visit. Additionally, kite-surfers will find exactly what they want all year round! It is the perfect spot and is accessible from the public beach of Poste Lafayette, or Bras d’Eau.
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