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Le Morne
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Le Morne

The UNESCO Mountain at the South-West Tip, and a Kitesurf Lagoon

Plan this trip
2 daysIdeal stay₹9,160From / night₹2,000Food / dayFreeEntry

Le Morne Brabant, the basalt mountain at the island's south-west tip, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: escaped slaves (maroons) sheltered on it, and it stands for the fight against slavery. The hike to the cross near the top (about three to four hours up and down, the last part a steep scramble) gives the famous view over the lagoon and the "underwater waterfall" seen from the air. Below it are a public beach, a few luxury resorts and one of the world's best-known kitesurf spots, at its windiest in winter. The nearest shops and guesthouses are at La Gaulette.

Highlights

  • Hike Le Morne Brabant
  • View over the lagoon and the "underwater waterfall"
  • Slave Route Monument
  • Le Morne public beach
  • Kitesurfing lessons
  • Boat to Île aux Bénitiers

Things to do

  • Hike Le Morne Brabant at dawnMorning · 4h
  • Le Morne beach and the Slave Route MonumentAfternoon · 2h 30m
  • Kitesurf lesson in the lagoonAfternoon · 3h

Tours & tickets

Tours & tickets in Le Mornevia GetYourGuideTours & tickets in Le Mornevia Klook

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When to go

Best time: May – November (hiking and kitesurfing)

Worth knowing

Cyclone Season: Watch the Class Warnings

January to March is the height of the cyclone season. Most weeks pass with heat, humidity and short downpours, but when a cyclone nears, Mauritius Meteorological Services issue warnings from Class I to IV: from Class III everyone stays indoors, buses stop, shops and sights close and flights are often cancelled for a day or two. Keep a spare day before your flight home, take travel insurance that covers weather delays, and follow your hotel's advice.

Heads up

Cyclone Season

The cyclone season runs from November to April, with most storms from January to March. Early and late in the season a cyclone is less likely, but watch the forecast in the week before you fly.

Heads up

Windy Season: Kitesurfing at Its Best

June to September brings the strongest trade winds to Le Morne's lagoon, the kitesurfers' season: lessons and the famous wave spots are at their best, but swimming and snorkelling are choppier, and the summit hike is windy, so go early.

Heads up

Festive Peak: Higher Prices and Minimum Stays

Over Christmas and New Year beach hotels charge their highest rates, often with minimum stays and gala dinners billed on top, and flights from India fill early. Book by September, or come in early December or mid-January.

  • Thaipoosam Cavadee — The Tamil festival of Murugan: after days of fasting, devotees carry the cavadee, a wooden arch with flowers and pots of milk, to the kovils (temples), many with their cheeks and tongues pierced. Processions in Port Louis and the towns from early morning. A public holiday.
  • Ganesh Chaturthi — Ganesh's festival, kept mostly by Marathi-speaking Mauritians: home and temple prayers, then processions carrying the idols to the sea or rivers for immersion the next day. A public holiday.
  • Divali — The festival of lights: houses and temples lit with clay lamps and fairy lights, sweets (gateaux) shared with neighbours, and fireworks after dark. A public holiday, and one of the busiest weeks for flights from India.