We know the best family activities in Mauritius to keep the kids entertained, from ziplining and parasailing to wildlife experiences and hikes. We also catch up with local vlogger Will Tevs to get the lowdown on fun for the kids while holidaying on the island.
Older kids and teenagers will love the opportunity to get a bird’s eye view of the beautiful beaches and aquamarine waters of Mauritius by parasailing. This adrenaline-fuelled activity involves being secured to a specially-designed parachute which is towed along by a speedboat, lifting the parascender into the air. Rising to around 60 metres, you’ll get an unforgettable perspective of Mauritius from above. This thrilling stunt can be undertaken with one or two people for an experience you and your children will never forget!
Home to over 1800 animals, this historic park is renowned throughout the island for its incredible range of activities for kids and grown-ups. Spanning over 350 hectares and divided into five unique zones, visitors can enjoy a safari-style experience and get up close to wildlife, including giraffes and camels. Thrill-seekers can go zip-lining, ride a summer luge, and even jump off a 45-metre platform into a canyon on a swing. Smaller kids will also enjoy the 4D cinema, mini-golf and rides for younger visitors.
Finding Nemo fans will love Odysseo, an oceanarium located in the Mauritian capital of Port Louis. The experienced team’s emphasis on conservation and education does not economise on fun, however, and visitors can enjoy shark encounters, feed majestic stingrays and experience virtual marine life with 3D projections and cutting-edge tech. With 300 different species and 3500 specimens, there’s plenty to entertain, inform and inspire. Plus, a percentage of ticket sales are donated to conservation projects, meaning you’re also making a positive contribution.
Time on the beach is always a winner for little ones and, if you have never tried wakeboarding, there is no better place to try it than the shallow, crystal clear lagoons of Mauritius. With roots in water-skiing, snowboarding and surfing, this is a great choice for boardsports, extreme sports and skateboard lovers. Riders stand on a wakeboard which is attached to and pulled along by a motorboat, with experienced riders attempting aerial tricks. Expect to fall off plenty – but that’s all part of the fun.
While the beaches of Mauritius are understandably a focal point for many visitors to the island, there’s an incredible interior and coastline to explore for those wishing to get off the beaten path. E-biking – or electrobikes – are an excellent way to do so, as they require minimal effort for maximum reward – win! Discover sleepy villages, sugar cane fields and spectacular views propelled by a little pedal power. While there are numerous e-bike touring outlets on Mauritius, not all cater to children, but DunienZîl do, and promise an “enriching, authentic and unique experience”. Sounds good to us.
Adrenalin-junkies assemble! La Vallée Des Couleurs Nature Park boasts the longest zipline in the southern hemisphere, enabling you to fly over countless waterfalls, mountains, valleys, pools and ponds. This giant green amphitheatre is also home to the longest suspended bridge in the Indian Ocean, which hangs 80-100 metres above the forest canopy. Other activities include quad biking and buggy experiences, a mountain luge kart, plus plentiful trekking opportunities throughout the park. The landmark geological feature known as 23-coloured earth is also a unique and signature attraction worth exploring.
Budding naturalists will enjoy a trip to the Ebony Forest, a major conservation project committed to reversing the impact of habitat degradation in Mauritius and creating a sanctuary for the island’s unique and rich flora and fauna. Visitors can plant a tree together, enjoy a private visit to the bird release aviaries to see rare species such as the Pink Pigeon and Echo Parakeet, and take a guided, or self-guided, tour on a 300m raised walkway through ancient forest, where you can soak up the sights, smells and sounds of this tropical wonderland.
For a highly unique and memorable experience, hop on board the Blue Submarine. The fleet of two submarines can dive to 35 metres where passengers can peer out at the colourful fish, coral, crab and stingray, while a knowledgeable pilot talks you through this magical underwater world; the craft can also take you to the wreck of the Star Hope, where marine-life have made their home. Of the two vessels, one holds a maximum of five passengers, while the other holds 10, meaning you can book this for exclusive use. An unforgettable trip to the deep!
Animal lovers, old and young, will love this conservation-led wildlife park, which is home to the largest colony of Aldabra giant tortoises in captivity in the world. Visitors can feed lemurs and get hands-on in the interactive farm, while youngsters can let off steam in the playground. Reflecting the tropical climate of the island, the park is also home to iguanas, monkeys, chameleons, freshwater turtles, deer, wild boar, and Mauritian bats.
Stretch your legs with a visit to La Vallée de Ferney, a forest and wildlife reserve situated in the Bambou Mountain range north of Mahébourg. A must-see site for Mauritian conservation, it comprises 200 hectares of native Mauritian forest. With ample opportunities for hiking, both guided and self-guided, visitors can reconnect with nature and appreciate an incredible variety of indigenous species, many of which are rare or threatened. And by visiting, you’re actively contributing to the maintenance and conservation of this special island.
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