West & South-West
Calm lagoons and sunsets from Flic en Flac to Le Morne, with Chamarel and the Black River Gorges inland.
Hero image: Martin Falbisoner, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
This region covers the west coast from Albion and Flic en Flac through Tamarin and Black River to La Gaulette and the Le Morne peninsula in the south-west, together with the uplands of Chamarel and the Black River Gorges National Park.
Sheltered from the prevailing trade winds, the west is usually the driest and calmest part of Mauritius, and its beaches face the sunset. The south-west adds the island’s most dramatic scenery: Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the forested gorges of the national park.
West & South-West at a glance
- Main places
- Flic en Flac, Tamarin, Black River, Le Morne, Chamarel, La Gaulette, Albion
- From Port Louis
- South-west along the west coast
- Suggested stay
- Five to eight nights
- Best time
- May to November is driest
- Landscape
- Sheltered lagoons, mountains, gorges and uplands
- Signature drive
- The coast road from Flic en Flac to Le Morne, then up to Chamarel
Where to stay and what to book
Places to stay
In this West & South-West guide
Why visit the West & South-West
The West & South-West offers the most varied stay on the island: beach towns, a UNESCO-listed mountain, waterfalls, coloured earth, forest walks and boat trips, all within a compact area.
It is the best region for travellers who want to mix beach days with walking and sightseeing. The trade-off is that the south-west is far from the airport and the north.
Our West & South-West destination guides: Flic en Flac, Tamarin & Black River, Le Morne, Chamarel, Black River Gorges National Park.
Main towns and places
Flic en Flac
A resort town behind one of the island’s longest beaches, with calm water and sunsets; Wolmar is its quieter southern end.
Tamarin & Black River
A west-coast bay beneath the mountains, a base for boat trips and surfing, with La Preneuse and Black River to the south.
Le Morne
A peninsula beneath Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with long beaches and a lagoon known for kitesurfing.
Chamarel
An upland village known for the Chamarel Waterfall and the Seven Coloured Earth, usually visited as a day trip.
La Gaulette
A small village on the south-west coast between Case Noyale and Le Morne, with guesthouses and views of Île aux Bénitiers.
Albion & Pointe aux Sables
Quieter coastal villages between Port Louis and Flic en Flac, with a lighthouse on the headland at Albion.
Black River Gorges National Park
The island’s largest national park, protecting native forest, gorges and endemic birds in the south-western uplands.
Mountains, gorges and the national park
The Black River Gorges National Park protects much of the island’s remaining native forest and endemic birds such as the Mauritius kestrel and the pink pigeon. Viewpoints along the plateau roads overlook the gorges, and trails range from short walks to long descents.
Le Morne Brabant, at the end of the south-west peninsula, is a place of memory as well as a landmark: it sheltered escaped enslaved people and is inscribed as the Le Morne Cultural Landscape.
Getting there and around
From the airport the route crosses the island via the plateau towns. Buses run along the west-coast road from Port Louis; a hire car is the most practical way to explore the south-west and the uplands.
Upland roads to Chamarel and the national park are narrow and winding; avoid driving them after dark if unfamiliar.
Best time to visit
The west is the driest coast, especially from about May to November, and remains sheltered in winter, when the Le Morne lagoon becomes a kitesurfing destination. Summer is hotter and more humid, with the cyclone season.
Destination guides
- Flic en Flac — A long west-coast beach and resort town with calm water and sunsets.
- Tamarin & Black River — A west-coast bay and base for boat trips, with mountains behind.
- Le Morne — A peninsula beneath Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Chamarel — An upland village known for its waterfall and the Seven Coloured Earth.
- Black River Gorges National Park — The island’s largest national park, a landscape of forested gorges.
Nearby regions
North CoastSheltered lagoon beaches, Grand Baie’s restaurants and boat trips to the northern islets.Explore North Coast 
South CoastThe island’s wildest coast, with cliffs at Gris Gris and the resort area of Bel Ombre.Explore South Coast 
Port Louis & Central PlateauThe capital’s markets and heritage sites, and the cooler towns and sacred lake of the uplands.Explore Port Louis & Central Plateau Read next
- Where to stay in West & South-West Mauritius
- Mauritius adventure activities
- Self-drive Mauritius
- All Mauritius destinations
Official sources
Opening hours, entry fees, boat and transport schedules, access rules and park conditions change; check the official source before you travel.
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre — Le Morne Cultural Landscape
- National Parks and Conservation Service — Black River Gorges and Bras d’Eau national parks
- Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) — official visitor information
- Mauritius Meteorological Services — forecasts, warnings and cyclone bulletins
Plan your West & South-West trip
Choose a base, then use the destination guides to plan your days.
Where to stay, and what to book
Read where to stay in the West & South-West to choose an area, then browse West & South-West accommodation and Mauritius tours and activities.