PLACES OF INTEREST IN THE NORTH

There are so many attractions in Mauritius to visit and enjoy, from adventure parks and Domaines, to museums and sugar estates. Domaine les Pailles, near Port Louis, is one of the first and oldest domains in Mauritius. This grand estate of 1,500 hectares offers a range of activities to experience, including the grand casino housed in a replica colonial mansion, a mini golf course, horse driven-carriage rides, a small train forms part of the estate tour, a replica of an 18th century sugar estate, and a rum distillery from 1758.
The official tour of the domain takes you through the replica sugar factory and demonstrates the refining process, with the opportunity to taste the sugar in its different states. There is also the opportunity to visit the in-house working rum distillery, and sample some of its products. The tour includes a visit to the spice garden where you will find a wide variety of spices, many of which you can taste in the restaurants within the domain. There are restaurants to suit nearly all tastes, including those serving Indian, Chinese, Italian and Creole cuisine. The restaurants are also available for hire to celebrate special occasions like birthdays or weddings.

Other activities at Domaine les Pailles include: a 15 minute horse carriage ride that takes you around the site; a 10 minute train journey around the domain with accompanying commentary about the buildings and activities; and a 30 minute safari tour by Jeep that transports you through the hunting grounds of the domain where you are guaranteed to see some of the 3,000 plus deer that live on site and can take in spectacular views.
Further north there are more great attractions to enjoy including the chance to take a closer look at the fascinating undersea world without getting wet with the Blue Safari Submarine Company that offers dives up to 30 metres deep. You can even enjoy lunch underwater, with gastronomic fare and excellent French wines served by the pilot turned maître d'. Other companies offer an undersea walk experience with a helmet tethered to a boat above, but care must be taken not to walk on the precious corals and damage them.
The Aquarium, in Pointe Aux Piments offers a unique experience. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll through five principal buildings containing well-lit tanks and pools and observe the rich aquatic life which inhabits the coastal and pelagic waters of Mauritius at eye-level. The sight is truly fantastic and enchanting. There are a large number of species to discover, including the Clownfish, Butterfly fish, Lobsters, Crown squirrelfish and Batfish. An added attraction includes the opportunity to witness the feeding sessions of Giant Morays sharks and sea turtles which take place daily at 11 am and 3 pm.