Mauritius in 5 Days from Dubai: Underwater Scooters, Le Morne & Chamarel

📝 Updated November 2026: We did this trip in June 2019. The memories are from then, but the practical info (visas, flights, entry fees, exchange rates) has been checked and refreshed for 2026, with sources linked below.

Mauritius had been on our list forever. Turquoise lagoons, mountains that look photoshopped, and a direct flight from Dubai. So in June 2019, Cristin (my amazing vacation whisperer, as always) planned five days on the island and I just had to show up with the cameras. Spoiler: I’d go back tomorrow. Read on.

View from the Le Morne Brabant trail over green hills and the turquoise lagoon of south-west Mauritius — The view from the Le Morne trail. Yes, the water really is that colour. (Photo: Robin)

So .. the highlight: driving under the sea 🌊

If you do one thing in Mauritius, do this. An underwater scooter is basically a tiny submarine with a glass bubble over your head. Air is fed in from the surface, your head stays dry, and you steer yourself along the reef while divers swim alongside. No diving licence, and you don’t even need to know how to swim.

We did ours up north near Grand Baie, and the two of us were grinning like kids the entire time. Fish swim right up to the dome, coral is inches away, and it’s ridiculously calm down there. Hands down the best thing we did all trip.

Robin and Cristin smiling inside the glass dome of an underwater scooter beside coral in Mauritius — Two very happy people, three metres under. (Photo: Robin)

Good to know (2026): Blue Safari’s Sub Scooter runs from Trou aux Biches, just south of Grand Baie. It goes about 3 m down, with roughly 30–35 minutes underwater, for one or two people per scooter. Manawa lists a minimum driver age of 16. Prices vary by season and operator, so check when you book.

So .. Le Morne Brabant

The mountain on every Mauritius postcard. Le Morne is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (inscribed 2008) because escaped slaves (maroons) used it as a hideout in the 18th and early 19th centuries. Knowing that makes the hike feel very different. It’s not just a view, it’s a place with real weight.

The trail sign says 3.5 km, and the lower part is easy enough. It gets steep and rocky near the top, so wear proper shoes and start early before it heats up. The payoff is that lagoon view at the top of this post. Worth every step.

Yellow sign reading Access to Mountain, Trail 3.5 km at the start of the Le Morne Brabant hike — 3.5 km doesn’t sound like much… until the last stretch. (Photo: Robin)

So .. Chamarel: coloured earth, a waterfall and a giant chair

Chamarel is up in the hills of the south-west, and it’s a full half day. The Seven Coloured Earths are exactly what they sound like: dunes of red, brown, purple and ochre sand that somehow never wash into each other. The same ticket gets you the Chamarel Waterfall viewpoints, which are seriously impressive.

Rolling dunes of red, brown and purple earth at the Seven Coloured Earths geopark in Chamarel — The Seven Coloured Earths. Better in sunshine, but still very cool under clouds. (Photo: Robin)

Chamarel Waterfall plunging into a forested gorge under cloudy skies — Chamarel Waterfall, included in the geopark ticket. (Photo: Robin)

Down the road is the Curious Corner of Chamarel, an illusion museum full of mirror rooms and trick setups. Very touristy, very fun, and you’ll walk out with photos like this one.

Forced-perspective photo at the Curious Corner of Chamarel where Robin looks tiny on a giant chair high-fiving Cristin — Honey, I shrunk the husband. (Photo: Robin)

Good to know (2026): Geopark entry is Rs 800 for non-resident adults (about AED 62) and includes both waterfall viewpoints. It’s open 8:30 AM–5 PM from June to September and until 5:30 PM from October to May.

So .. Casela Nature Parks

Casela, on the west coast near Flic en Flac, was Cristin’s favourite. Lions, rare white lions, macaws, flamingos, giant tortoises and a whole farm section. It’s an easy morning if you’re staying on the west side like we were.

Two white lions lounging on the grass behind a fence at Casela Nature Parks — White lions doing what lions do best: nothing. (Photo: Robin)

Two blue-and-yellow macaws perched in an aviary at Casela Nature Parks — The macaws were far more photogenic than me. (Photo: Robin)

Good to know: Casela’s prices change by season and by activity (walks with animals, rides and so on cost extra), so check the official site before you go.

So .. a 1.5 km zipline in the jungle

In the south, near Chamouny, La Vallée des Couleurs Nature Park has one of the longest ziplines around: 1.5 km over forest and valley. I’m not going to pretend I wasn’t nervous on that platform. Then you’re flying, and it’s over way too fast. The park also has some gorgeous waterfalls, and we spent ages just posing for photos in front of this one.

View from the zipline launch platform over forest and valley at La Vallée des Couleurs Nature Park — The view right before the 1.5 km drop. (Photo: Robin)

Waterfall pouring through lush green rock at La Vallée des Couleurs Nature Park, Mauritius — One of the waterfalls at La Vallée des Couleurs. (Photo: Robin)

Good to know (2026): Manawa lists the signature 1.5 km zipline from €56 without park entry, or from €67 with it. The park now also uses the name Vallé Advenature Park.

So .. a day on the water

One full day was all boat. We headed out early along the west coast, where a lot of boats go to spot dolphins. Be warned, it can get very crowded out there. Then we went on to Crystal Rock, a mushroom-shaped rock sticking out of the most ridiculous turquoise water, near Île aux Bénitiers.

Bow of a speedboat heading across the water under dramatic clouds with the mountains of south-west Mauritius ahead — Moody June skies on the way out. (Photo: Robin)

Crystal Rock, a mushroom-shaped rock formation rising from turquoise water off south-west Mauritius — Crystal Rock. No filter needed. (Photo: Robin)

Lunch was on the island: freshly grilled lobster, cold drinks, and a live sega performance (the island’s traditional music and dance) right there on the sand. Peak island life.

Two halves of grilled lobster topped with garlic butter on a plate at an island lunch — Grilled lobster for lunch. Just take my money! (Photo: Robin)

So .. Grand Baie, rum and the rest

Grand Baie in the north is the busier, livelier side of the island: shops, restaurants and a bay full of catamarans that turns golden at sunset. On the way back south we stopped at Saint Aubin, an old colonial house known for its rum. The tasting was a nice, slow break from all the adventure.

Catamarans and sailboats anchored in the calm bay at Grand Baie, Mauritius, in late-afternoon light — Golden hour in Grand Baie. (Photo: Robin)

Stone path leading through lawns to the white colonial house at Saint Aubin, Mauritius — Saint Aubin, rum with a side of history. (Photo: Robin)

We stayed at Pearle Beach Resort & Spa in Flic en Flac on the west coast. It was a great base for Casela, Le Morne and Chamarel, and the sunsets over the ocean were something else. And the seafood everywhere was 🔥.

So .. would I skip anything?

Honestly? No. Five days felt packed but never rushed, and every stop earned its place. If I had to rank them: the underwater scooter first, then Le Morne, then the boat day. One honest caveat: June is winter in Mauritius. It’s cooler, cloudier, and some rides can close because of the weather, which happened to us once. Most days the sun came out by the afternoon, though, and it was still beach weather compared to a Dubai summer!

Planning it from Dubai (updated for 2026)

Flights: Emirates is the only non-stop airline from DXB, with about 3 flights a day and roughly 6 h 45 m in the air.
Visa (Indian passport): Visa-free on arrival. Wego says up to 90 days, but other guides quote different lengths, so confirm with the Passport & Immigration Office. You’ll need a passport valid 6+ months, a return ticket, a hotel booking and proof of funds. A UAE residence visa alone doesn’t count.
Before you fly: Fill in the free All-in-One Travel Digital Form on the Safe Mauritius portal within 72 hours of arrival and save the QR code. Wego notes airlines can refuse boarding without it.
Getting around: We rented a small car and self-drove, which I’d 100% recommend. Just remember Mauritius drives on the left (the opposite of the UAE). Rental companies also ask for an International Driving Permit along with your licence.
Money: 1 AED ≈ 12.9 Mauritian rupees (Wise, Nov 2026).
Base: Stay on the west coast (Flic en Flac) for Casela, Le Morne and Chamarel. It’s about an hour’s drive to Grand Baie for the north.

If you like quick escapes from Dubai, check out my posts on 5 days in Azerbaijan and skiing in Gudauri, Georgia. And if you want to know what I carry to shoot all of this, here’s my essential travel tech list.

Have you been to Mauritius, or is it on your list? Tell me in the comments what I should do next time. 👇

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Sources

Disclaimer: This article was created with the help of Claude, Anthropic’s AI assistant. The trip, the photos and the opinions are my own, and the practical facts are linked to their original sources above. Prices and entry rules change, so please double-check before you travel.

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