Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island nation, is known for its beaches, lagoons, and reefs. The mountainous interior includes Black River Gorges National Park, with rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails and wildlife like the flying fox. Capital Port Louis has sites such as the Champs de Mars horse track, Eureka plantation house, and 18th-century Sir SeewoosagurRamgoolam Botanical Gardens.
The northern village of Grand Baie is known for cosmopolitan beach resorts, snorkeling and game fishing. Tamarin Bay is a surf spot, while the nearby town of Flic-en-Flac has luxury hotels and coral diving caves. In the southeast are ruins of Dutch fortifications at Vieux Grand Port. Mahébourg has a popular market with stands serving the island’s distinctive food, with Creole, Chinese, Indian and European influences. Île aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve is home of the rare pink pigeon. In the east is Île aux Cerfs, a private island with a championship golf course.
