ELEGANCE AFLOAT: A BESPOKE VOYAGE THROUGH MAURITIUS’ SECRET ISLES

Mauritius rewards those who explore it slowly. Beyond its postcard beaches lies a world of volcanic peaks, coral-rimmed lagoons, and small coastal towns filled with history and warm hospitality. Phoenix Charter Brokers have prepared a ten-night yacht charter itinerary in the Indian Ocean that traces a full circuit of the island — balancing active days with quiet anchorages, fine cuisine with local colour, and polished service with natural charm.

Day 1 | La Balise Marina to Baie du Cap

La Balise Marina offers a gentle start to your Mauritius yacht charter: calm water, open skies, and a sense of ease. Once aboard, the yacht follows the western shoreline toward landscapes that feel wilder and more elemental. Baie du Cap is where sugarcane fields, basalt cliffs, and the deep blues of the Indian Ocean meet. It is also an entry point to Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO-listed mountain with deep cultural resonance. Dinner on board features simple island flavours — fish grilled over charcoal, coconut rice, and chilled tropical fruit. The light softens across the bay, and the first evening unfolds slowly.

Suggested Experiences

Le Morne Brabant: A guided walk along the lower trails of this UNESCO-listed mountain, offering insight into its role as a place of refuge and a symbol of freedom in Mauritian history. The experience provides cultural depth and a sense of the island’s past within the landscape itself.

Rum & Sugarcane Tasting: A private tasting inside a small cellar where barrels of French oak line the walls. The rum here is made from freshly pressed sugarcane rather than molasses, giving it a lighter, more aromatic profile. A local distiller explains how the altitude, rainfall, and red volcanic soil of Chamarel shape the cane, and how different cask maturations influence fragrance and depth.

Day 2 | Baie du Cap to Gris Gris

Cruise south toward Gris Gris. This part of the island has no reef to soften the ocean, so the waves arrive with full force against the basalt cliffs. The air carries salt and spray, and the landscape feels open and unprotected. Gris Gris is not intended for swimming; it is a place to stand quietly and observe the island’s more rugged side.

Suggested Experiences

La Roche Qui Pleure: This viewpoint shows the coastline at its most exposed. There is no reef here, so the ocean breaks directly against the rock. The constant movement of the waves creates the impression of the cliff “breathing” rather than crying, which is how the name originated.

Tamil Seaside Temple: A visit here offers an understanding of one of the island’s major cultural communities. Mauritius is shaped by Hindu, Tamil, Creole, Muslim, and Franco-Mauritian traditions; the temples along the coast are places where daily life, faith, and the sea intersect. A cultural guide explains the meaning of the colours, offerings, and sculptures, and how Tamil communities historically settled near fishing grounds and worked with the tides.

Day 3 | Gris Gris to Mahebourg via Île au Phare & Île de la Passe

Sailing into Grand Port Bay is like entering a living archive. These waters witnessed centuries of navigation — Dutch landing, French settlement, British arrival, maritime trade, and a naval battle that shaped the island’s fate. Île au Phare offers quiet walking paths and expansive sea views from the old lighthouse. Nearby Île de la Passe holds the ruins of French defensive walls; a private guide can recount the 1810 naval engagement that took place here with clarity and nuance. Continue to Mahebourg, a coastal town with a wide lagoon, coral gardens, and market squares that still feel local and unpolished in the best way.

SUGGESTED EXPERIENCES

Blue Bay Marine Park: Snorkel in one of the few places in Mauritius where the coral has remained healthy and undamaged, protected under marine conservation. The lagoon is shallow, the water is very clear, and the coral is close to the surface, so you can actually see detail — parrotfish feeding, small wrasses cleaning coral heads, the different textures and colours of living reef.

Naval Museum of Mahebourg: The museum explains why this part of Mauritius was strategically important during the age of sail, and how the island changed hands between colonial powers. It also tells the story of the Battle of Grand Port (1810) — the only naval victory of the French during the Napoleonic Wars — which took place in the very bay you cruise through to arrive here.

Rum and Bois Chéri Tea Pairing: Mauritian rum and Bois Chéri tea are two everyday pillars of island life — one linked to the long history of sugarcane cultivation, the other to the highland tea estates that developed later. Pairing the two is something Mauritians often do at home, especially in the late afternoon or early evening.

Day 4 | Mahebourg to Île aux Cerfs

The east coast feels open and airy, defined by lagoons in shades of pale green. As the yacht moves north across calm shallows, Île aux Cerfs appears like a sweep of pale sand against clear water. While it is known for leisure, the island also offers quiet pockets where the coastline remains natural and undisturbed. The surrounding lagoon once supported small fishing families who harvested sea and shellfish according to tidal cycles; these rhythms are still present in the local villages along the coast.

SUGGESTED EXPERIENCES

Bernhard Langer Golf Course: This course is laid across a natural lagoon, so play unfolds with long, open views of sea, mangrove, and sky rather than enclosed fairways. It offers a quiet way to experience the scale and light of the east coast from land, with steady movement, no rush, and a calm atmosphere that suits the pace of the charter.

Lagoon Kayak or Paddleboard: The lagoon here is shallow, clear, and protected, so movement is slow and effortless. Using a kayak or paddleboard allows you to see the reef and seagrass below at eye level, noticing colour and small marine life without needing to dive.

Day 5 | Île aux Cerfs to Trou d’Eau Douce

A brief morning cruise delivers you to Trou d’Eau Douce, a charming fishing village whose name, “fresh-water hole,” recalls the springs that once supplied early settlers. Those curious about the island’s colonial past can visit an old sugar mill converted into an art gallery before returning to the yacht for a calm night at anchor.

SUGGESTED EXPERIENCES

Visit to a Local Boatbuilder: Small wooden fishing boats are still crafted here by hand. A short visit allows you to see how hulls are shaped by eye and experience rather than machine templates.

Day 6 | Trou d’Eau Douce

Remain at anchor for a day of leisure. Morning options include a guided visit to the Bois Chéri Tea Factory in the central plateau — an aromatic journey through the island’s tea heritage — or a round of golf at a nearby coastal course. Afternoons invite relaxation: spa treatments on deck, a swim from the swimming platform, or a visit to the town’s beaches protected by coral reefs. Dinner can feature octopus curry served with local vegetables and vanilla-infused desserts.

Bois Chéri Tea Estate: This visit shows a quieter side of Mauritian life away from the coast. The estate has been producing tea for generations, and the highland climate gives it a noticeably softer, more delicate flavour than store-bought blends.

Day 7 | Trou d’Eau Douce to Coin de Mire

Heading north, the yacht passes the emerald shallows of the east coast toward Coin de Mire, also known as Gunner’s Quoin. This uninhabited volcanic island is part of a protected reserve where seabirds nest and marine life flourishes. Snorkel or dive in crystalline water to see trumpetfish, butterflyfish, and turtles, or take a tender tour around the cliffs to watch masked boobies and tropicbirds. Those interested in wildlife photography will find the setting ideal. Evening brings a barbecue on deck with freshly caught mahi-mahi and tropical fruit.

SUGGESTED EXPERIENCES

Snorkelling at the Base of the Cliffs: This area has unusually clear and shallow water, so you do not need to dive to see the reef. It allows you to observe marine life comfortably and without effort, making it suitable for all levels of swimming ability. It is simply an easy, absorbing way to spend time in the water without turning it into an activity that demands gear or skill.

Tender Circuit Around the Island: The cliffs at Coin de Mire have shapes and textures that can only be appreciated up close. A slow tender lap lets you notice the birds nesting on the rock faces, the colour changes in the water, and the scale of the island from sea level.

Day 8 | Coin de Mire to Grand Baie

A short cruise reaches Grand Baie, Mauritius’s lively yachting hub. Once called “The Bay Without End,” it combines clear lagoons with a sophisticated social scene. Spend the day visiting nearby Flat Island or Round Island, try a scuba dive along coral canyons, or enjoy shopping for handmade textiles and jewelry in the village boutiques. As night falls, Grand Baie’s cafés and jazz bars offer a relaxed end to the evening.

SUGGESTED EXPERIENCES

Flat Island or Round Island: These islands sit far enough offshore that day-visitor numbers remain low when approached by yacht. The beaches are wide and open, the water is clear, and there is space to settle without interruption.

Boutique Visits and Artisan Jewellery Studios: Many Mauritian jewellers work in small studio settings, designing pieces in direct conversation with the island — using volcanic stone, coral sand textures, or locally sourced semi-precious materials. Visiting a studio offers a quiet cultural insight into how contemporary Mauritian creativity is expressed.

Day 9 | From Grand Baie to Turtle Bay (Balaclava) | Heritage and Harmony

Cruise west to Turtle Bay, a serene anchorage surrounded by history and gardens. Visit the ruins of Balaclava’s old fort, explore the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, or stop at L’Aventure du Sucre for an engaging look at the island’s sugar-making legacy. Underwater, divers can discover coral-covered shipwrecks; on land, bird enthusiasts may visit the Rivulet Terre Rouge Sanctuary. In the evening, a private rum-and-chocolate pairing can be arranged at a nearby estate, offering a refined taste of Mauritius’ craftsmanship.

SUGGESTED EXPERIENCES

Pamplemousses Botanical Garden: This garden gives you a sense of the island’s vegetation and climate away from the coast. Walking through palms and water lilies shows how Mauritius changes as soon as you move inland — slower air, more shade, and a softer atmosphere.

L’Aventure du Sucre: A visit to a former sugar mill, now a museum and tasting room. The original machinery is still intact, providing a clear view of how sugarcane was processed and how rum developed on the island. The visit ends with a guided tasting of local sugars and aged rums.

Marine Reserve Snorkel or Wreck Dive (Turtle Bay Marine Park): Turtle Bay is a protected marine reserve off Balaclava on the north-west coast. The lagoon is shallow, so coral and marine life are visible close to the surface. Several small historic wrecks lie within easy depth, making them accessible without technical diving.

Day 10 | Turtle Bay to Flic en Flac

Sailing south along the west coast, the landscape opens into long stretches of pale sand and wide, shallow lagoon. Flic en Flac has a relaxed atmosphere, with clear water that stays warm well into the evening and beaches that are used as much by locals as visitors. Late afternoon here has a gentle quality — families gathering by the shoreline, calm light, and a sense that the day closes slowly and without rush. It is an easy place to settle into the final stage of the journey.

Sunset Paddleboard or Kayak: The lagoon is sheltered and flat, making movement slow and effortless. Being on the water at this time of day allows you to take in the colour shift of the sky and sea without noise or interruption.

Visit to Casela Nature Park: This inland reserve offers the chance to see giant tortoises and quiet open terrain. It provides a change of pace from the coastline and introduces another side of the island’s natural environment.

Day 11 | Flic en Flac to La Balise Marina

As the yacht glides back into La Balise Marina, guests can enjoy breakfast on deck, and enjoy the last moments onboard. Before disembarking, toast the voyage with a locally brewed beer or a cup of Bois Chéri vanilla tea — simple reminders of Mauritius’ hospitality and grace.

A Voyage with Phoenix Yacht Management

Mauritius offers both adventure and stillness — an island where every bay offers its own magic. With Phoenix Yacht Management, guests experience it through the comfort of a perfectly crewed yacht and an itinerary crafted to match individual pace and interest. Contact us to start planning your ideal yacht charter in the Mauritius.