What is a trip to paradise without exploring the best of what nature has to offer?
Waterfalls are a great tourist attraction, whether you are happy to appreciate it from far or seek the adrenaline of climbing as close as possible to the Waterfall and perhaps even taking a dip we have assembled a list of the best waterfalls in Mauritius for your pleasure.
Please Note: each Waterfall on this list is completely Unique and Special for its own reasons, the ranking and order of these waterfalls is linked to trip advisor however each waterfall has its particular pros and cons depending on what you are looking for!
1. Chamarel Waterfall: (2,227+ Reviews)
Chamarel Waterfall is located inside the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Attraction.
In order to view the waterfall you will need to pay entrance into the park so it is usually best combined with a sightseeing trip to the Seven coloured Earth which we will cover just below.
Taken from its location name, the Chamarel Waterfalls are listed among the top attractions in Mauritius. The first settler in the area was captain Antoine Régis Chazal de Chamarel who settled here with his brother Tristan in 1786. Later they sold it – but the name remained and in turn the village was named Chamarel.
Interestingly, Chamarel is a south-western historical village with great geological significance, consisting of scenic landscapes and natural attractions such as the Seven Coloured Earths, Black River Gorges National Park, including the magnificent Chamarel Waterfalls.
You will find exposed volcanic rocks dating back to some 8-10 million years ago, thus representing some of the oldest lava rocks of Mauritius. The waterfall is formed by three distinct streams of water sourcing from the River Saint Denis which is nearby the village Cachette, Cascade Chamarel and La Crete.
What is most impressive about the Chamarel Waterfall is the height from which the water crashes down as it falls from the volcanic formed plateau. We recommend including this on any of our Packaged South Tours as it is a truly Mauritian Tourist Attraction that has been naturally formed through the unique ecology of the region over hundreds of thousands of years.
The Waterfall itself is best viewed from two viewpoints guided by signs once inside the Attraction. There are plenty of informational signs that go on to explain that the height of this waterfall is the highest in Mauritius and shares a similar height to the Statue of Liberty in New York!
The Second View Point is slightly higher up around approximately 150 Steps which allows you to see where the water crashes into the rocks below. This is a popular spot for couples to take photos together on their honeymoon and might require a bit of patience to get the right shot.
The only drawback from this waterfall is that for those of us that are a bit more adventerous and would like to experience the waterfall up close it is quite hard to do so from this distance.
It is rumoured that there are certain hiking tour guides that know the route to the bottom and top of the waterfall however finding such tour-guides is quite a challenge and not recommended as their are other much more accessible waterfalls on the Island.
Bonus: 7 Coloured Earth:
The seven coloured earth is a natural phenomenon and a prominent tourist attraction. The colours evolved through conversion of basaltic lava to clay minerals.
It is a relatively small area ofsand dunes comprising sand of seven distinct colours (approximately red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow).
Due to the tropical weather conditions, all water-soluble elements such as silicon dioxide have been washed out. The remains are the reddish-black iron- and aluminium oxides which create shades in blue, cyan and purple. The various colors developed due to the different compositions.
And what is more fascinating is the fact that if you mix the colored earth together, they’ll eventually settle into separate layers. And you may also be puzzled as the colors might play tricks on you and may appear to be shadows
millennia, the rocks were pulverized into sands which have the amazing property of settling into distinct layers: if you take a handful of each of the seven different colours of dirt and mix them together, they’d eventually separate into a colourful spectrum, each dot of sand rejoining its colour caste.
Since the earth was first exposed, rains had carved beautiful patterns into the hillside, creating an effect of earthen meringue. At first you’ll notice shadows on the hills, creating the illusion of different colours, but soon you realise that the colours are real and the shadows were the illusion….200
Sunrise is the best time to see the Coloured Earths. Geologists are still intrigued by the rolling dunes of multi-coloured lunar-like landscape. The colours, red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow never erode in spite of torrential downpours and adverse climatic conditions.
The Colored Earth of Chamarel has become one of Mauritius’ main tourist attractions since the 1960s. Nowadays, the dunes are protected by a wooden fence and visitors are not allowed to climb on them, although they can look at the scenery from observation outposts placed along the fence. Curio shops in the area sell small test-tubes filled up with the coloured earths.
On the premises, you will also find a children’s playground and some giant tortoises.
2. Tamarin Falls/ The 7 Waterfalls / Les 7 Cascades: (660+ Reviews)
Located in the district of Black River, more precisely near the small village of Henrietta, the Tamarind Falls popularly known as the ‘Sept Cascades’ is one of the enthralling attractions to visit while holidaying in Mauritius.
The Tamarind Falls is among one of the most verdant, serene, and adventure-packed destinations in the paradise island.
Tamarind Falls offers many opportunities for adventurous activities such as hiking and canyoning. With each waterfall, you will have the opportunity to enjoy unique scenery and a blissful setting due to its sheer height and of course powerful flow of water. There are some challenging tracks which may require an experienced guide alongside to guarantee your safety and guide you through the best available paths.
The source of the waterfalls comes from the Tamarin River and has at least seven simultaneous splendid waterfalls. The area is filled with a bountiful range of exotic and indigenous plants, and some wonderful bird species. It is also one of the most beautiful canyons of the island that will suit any adventurer.
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We have several guides that we often work with such as the professional team at Yanature.
Passing behind the spectacular waterfall is simply a blissful experience, where you can see the sunlight reflected through the waterfall. The refreshing, large pond at the foot of the waterfall is very much accessible for a pleasant swim. You can also enjoy a natural massage from the powerful force of the water by standing under the cascade. Do please proceed with Caution however as the water can be more powerful than you expect and catch you off guard!
3. Eau Bleue Waterfall: (Not on Trip Advisor)
Eau Bleue Waterfall is a much less popular waterfall that has recently grown quite a reputation amongst locals in Mauritius for its magically blue crystal clear waters and its easily accessibility making it a total hidden gem for those of us renting our own transport. Named after its turquoise ponds, Eau Bleue Waterfall is a must for all nature lovers and explorers.
While it is not listen on Trip Advisor the actual waterfall has 4 separate waterfalls that can be found easily if you trekk parallel to the waterfall upstream around the adjacent sugar cane fields. We suggest starting your trekk at the main waterfall and go up hill from there. Alternatively the final fourth waterfall can be found next to a local water pump station and you might be able to park there if you are careful and trekk downwards. However that leaves you with the difficult climb after the end of the hike.
Several of these waterfalls have amazing caves behind them that are great for taking that perfect picture for social media.
Just be sure to tag the location and put the appropriate hashtags!
Located on the southeast of the island, Eau Bleue Waterfall will definitely charm you with its breathtaking and stunning views. Only 20 minutes from Curepipe and about 45 minutes from Port Louis, Eau Bleue is ideal for a weekend getaway and a must for those looking to explore the unknown spots and treasures of Mauritius.
Also known as Cascade Rama, the waterfall sources off the Eau Bleue reservoir is situated in the central south part of Mauritius. What is the origin of the name of the waterfall? Eau Bleue was named after its stunning azure colour and the purity and clarity of its water. What explains this unique and natural colour? During summer, Eau Bleue is supplied by underground water springs which give the river and the ponds that turquoise glare.
At Eau Bleue, the adventurous souls will have the opportunity to experience thrilling cliff jumps and canoeing. In fact, the river consists of around five waterfalls with a height between 8 and 15 metres. The zone is also perfect for a nice swim and diving into the refreshing water of the ponds.
There are a few advanced spots for jumping however It should be noted that the water level in the ponds depends on the season and you should not attempt jumping off any waterfall unless you have a very experienced guide who knows the waterfall well and even then it is still quite dangerous.
For a detailed explanation of the various waterfalls at Eau Bleue check out a local blogger called Ashveen who has detailed it nicely with quite a few spectacular shots.
4. Rochester Falls: (208+ Reviews)
Rochester Falls is a waterfall situated in the Savanne district of Mauritius. Highly popular for its rectangular flank rocks, the fall is one of the most popular tourist attractions and the widest waterfall in Mauritius.[1]
The waterfall is located on the Savanne River at an elevation of 152 meters above sea level,[2] approximately 2.5 km from Souillac (the capital of the Savanne district), and it tumbles from a height of about 10 m (33 ft).[3]
One interesting fact about the name of the Rochester Falls is that it was first inspired from the novel ‘Jane Eyre’ by Charlotte Bronte which was published in 1847. During the colonial period, the name ‘Rochester’ was given to the Domain where these falls are currently located.
A must visit tourist attractions in Mauritius; the Rochester Falls has been in the spotlight for being featured in many Bollywood movies. One of its main features is the unique and dramatic cliff face which has been transformed into jagged rectangular blocks by the force of powerful water over the past hundreds years.
These pillars serve as perfect stepping stones for the daredevil locals who frequent the waterfall. If you are lucky you might get a show from the locals who often do incredibly scary jumps not only from the top of the waterfall but from the top of a tree at the TOP of the waterfall!
While we do not encourage such dangerous activity we do warn these locals often ask and request a tip for their stunts.
We strongly recommend against emulating these activities as the waterfall bed is very shallow in the majority of the bassin and even a jump from half way up the waterfall can result in permanent damage or death.
How to get to Rochester Falls?
There are two access points; one at the top of the waterfall and another which leads you to the bottom. The rugged terrain can be quite challenging as you drive or walk to the waterfalls, yet it is definitely worth the effort. The routes to the waterfalls are indicated with signs so it should be fairly easily to locate.
One of the bumpy paths will lead you to the middle of a vast sugarcane field to walk through until you find yourself at the top of the waterfall. The other path is rather circuitous and is a rough ride along the stone-strewn track. As you make your way you will find a graveyard on your left and eventually a farmland with rough paths. Eventually you will see the waterfalls hidden behind the huge trees-simply incredible and rejuvenating! Both paths are perfect for the adventurous at heart and for those who fancy hiking.
Rochester Falls – Safety and Precautions
It is advisable to avoid visiting the Rochester Falls during the heavy rainy seasons (beginning of the year) since the water level and torrent can reach at dangerous levels. Consequently, water becomes muddy at times and also makes the area quite muddy and slippery. Beware of the mosquito bites as well; it is recommended to always bring your mosquito repellent with you.
5. Grand Riviere South East Waterfall: (140+ Reviews)
Grand River South East (GRSE) is a historic village in the southeast of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. It was named Groote River (Great River) by the Dutch. In the 17th century, GRSE was used for stocking and shipping ebony wood under the Dutch Occupation. The inhabitants of Grand River South East live mostly from fishing. The village has about 1500 households. It also has an active small planters community. The other economic operators are the Deep River Beau Champ Sugar Estates and a hotel known as Laguna Beach. Village life is structured through the Village Council and a number of local organisations exist including those focusing on: women, youth, the aging and fishermen.
At the Grand River South East mouth, where the river’s current meets the ocean’s tide, you can see some impressive ravines and a spectacular waterfall. The waterfall at GRSE is one of the east coast’s most popular attractions after Île aux Cerfs. Everyday there are trips from the villages of Trou d’Eau Douce and GRSE to the river and the waterfall.
If you want to discover all the five waterfalls, do equip yourselves with suitable clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses and closed shoes. You also need to possess an average fitness level in order to hike in the area. Watch out for steep paths or paths covered with thick vegetation and roots. The area also becomes slippery during the raining season like all the other trekking trails proceed with caution.