CONSTANCE BELLE MARE*****

East Coast of ISland Mauritius

What to See

Île aux Cerfs Ile aux Cerfs is considered a water sports paradise by some and the place with the most attractive beaches on the island by others. It is a beautiful little jewel located five minutes from the Shangri-La Le Touessrok hotel. You will love the houseboat, the restaurants, the long beaches and the turtle farm. Golf fans will be amazed by its 18-hole course designed by the famous golf champion Bernhard Langer. You can reach Ile aux Cerfs in different types of boats: motorboats, canoes, glass-bottom boats, catamarans and even a pirate ship. Most boat tours depart from Trou d’Eau Douce or even further south, from Blue Bay, and make a stop at Grand River South East, where you can snorkel in the lagoon, enjoy a barbecue or have a drink on board, dance sega and many other fun activities. Grand River South East The Grand River South East is a great attraction. Huge statuaries that enter an impressive gorge that ends in a spectacular waterfall. An ideal place for excursions.

Beaches

Roches Noires and Poste Lafayette The public beach of Roches Noires extends to Poste Lafayette. It is an excellent place to fish and breathe fresh air. They are two very popular summer spots, especially during the warmer months, as the sea breeze blows almost all year round, making them an ideal place for kitesurfing and windsurfing. Bras d’Eau Bras d’Eau is a small bay within the Poste Lafayette lagoon. From its public beach there are views to the south, which means you can see the sunrise and sunset, something unique in the east. At night, it is the best place in Mauritius to see the Milky Way. When the wind picks up, which is quite often, you can kitesurf in the shallow and well-protected areas of the bay with its stable easterly winds. Locals gather here on weekends and holidays creating a relaxed and fun atmosphere. If you are in Mauritius on December 31 and want to experience something magical, be sure to be in Bras d’Eau at midnight. Across the lagoon are the most prestigious hotels on the island and they spare no expense to ensure that their guests, and the lucky local spectators, enjoy magnificent New Year's Eve fireworks that last almost an hour. Belle Mare Belle Mare has a beautiful white sand beach. The coastal road that follows some stretches of white sand from Palmar to Trou d’Eau Douce, reaches Grand Port right next to the sea and ends in the town of Mahebourg. On weekends and holidays, locals flock to Belle Mare beach, making this place a great place to meet the people of Mauritius and discover their culture. Enjoy a tasty ice cream in one of the ice cream vans full of music and color. The more adventurous can practice parasailing and enjoy the incredible views from the top of the turquoise lagoon. Flacq Flacq is one of the most important towns in Mauritius. This lively little town in the east has one of the largest open-air markets in the country, which is open on Wednesdays and Sundays. The popular and colorful market is set up a few meters from the Court, which is a historic building.

What to Do

Île d’Ambre Those who want to embark on a true marine adventure should try kayaking, a physical but feasible sport with which they can go through the lagoon, among mangroves, on the still preserved island of Ile d’Ambre. If that seems too much, you can book an excursion with a local fisherman where you can swim, visit ruins, walk through the forest, relax and eat. Caves of Roches Noires In the Roches Noires area there are many caves with picturesque names such as Madam Cavern and Princess Margaret. You can walk from the towns of Roches Noires or Rivière du Rempart and discover the remains of the volcanic activity that formed the Island of Mauritius. Inside these cold and dark caves live some birds, such as swallows, and fruit bats. Also in Roches Noires there are many volcanic tubes connected to the sea that have been transformed into fresh freshwater springs where you can swim and snorkel among the fish. Bras d’Eau National Park The Bras d’Eau forest mountain bike trail is open to the public and runs through the undergrowth and shaded forest following an old railway line to the lava caves where you will discover the ruins of an old sugar factory. Bring your own bike or book an excursion with an outdoor adventure company. If you don't like cycling, you can do the tour on foot. In the Bras d’Eau forest there is a special Milky Way observatory where small radars, along several kilometers, follow the movements of our galaxy. The East Road This route is much less traveled than those in the west and north, but it is worth dedicating a visit. Tour the area from Grand River South East to Mahébourg along the coast, taking you through small farming and fishing villages, with incredible views of the Grand Port mountain range and the turquoise lagoon that runs from Trou d’Eau Douce to Blue Bay. Along the way, peek over the GRSE bridge, take some photos at Pointe du Diable (Devil's Point) and visit the Frederick Hendrick Museum. Pointe du Diable Battery Under French occupation, 27 cannons protected access to the island. For many years, the fear and effective battery of Pointe du Diable (Devil's Point) prevented the English from approaching Grand Port. The cape was named after the captains who sailed in front of this port, heading to or leaving it, and who witnessed a strange occurrence: the compass needle spun around like crazy... The truth is that the magnetic field inside the mountain attracted the needle moving the magnetized needle.