Cycling in Mauritius

From the sea to the mountains

With an area of 790 square miles (2,040 km2), many of the best bike rides in Mauritius give you ample chance to see significant swathes of the country, particularly if you don’t mind a bit of elevation gain. As an island, you can expect plenty of fantastic coastal rides with golden sand coves around every dramatic cliff. Much of the terrain is flat, particularly along the coastline and your rides will lead you through thriving beachside communities where every street ends in a lagoon view. 

There are several mountainous parts of Mauritius, so if you like climbing, you’ll be richly rewarded with tropical forests and expansive views. The Black River Gorges National Park in the south west is the largest and most dramatic of the upland areas however, there are only a couple of roads cutting through it, making the roads busier than you might like. You can rent mountain bikes in the area though, and explore the vast amount of off-road trails which are car-free and packed with exceptional sights. 

Wildlife-spotting in Mauritius

Ever spotted a monkey whilst two-wheeling? While cycling in Mauritius you may well find yourself in the company of macaques if you ride through Black River Gorges National Park, as they’ve made quite a home for themselves here after being introduced to the islands hundreds of years ago. Deer and wild boar call the forest here their home too. 

For birdlife, Mauritius is a stop on the larger journeys of plenty of fascinating flyers like flamingos, tropicbirds, frigatebirds and boobies. The endemic pink pigeon is a wonderful bird to spot as well, one of the few surviving endemic species of the island.

Things to bear in mind 

You cycle on the left in Mauritius. The main roads are generally fairly safe to ride on and wide enough for drivers to pass you easily. Cycling at night is best avoided, as the lighting is poor or non-existent. Some roads aren’t well-maintained so keep an eye out for potholes and always take a puncture-repair kit with you. Mauritius is tropical, so never cycle anywhere without bringing good water supplies and use sun protection.