Île aux Aigrettes tour with lunch: East Mauritius in one day

Boat to a protected island, then walk through Mauritius's colonial past

An 8-hour private tour of East Mauritius combining a boat trip to Île aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve with visits to the Mahebourg National History Museum, waterfront and Frederik Hendrik Museum, plus a 3-course lunch. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, along with a certified guide who speaks English, French or Hindi. Children from age 1 travel free. Vegetarian meals are available on request.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore East Mauritius and Ile aux Aigrettes

• Hotel pick-up and meet guide
• Boat transfer to Ile aux Aigrettes
• Explore Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve
• Enjoy 3-course lunch at local restaurant
• Visit Mahebourg National History Museum
• Walk along Mahebourg Waterfront
• Explore Mahebourg Market
• Visit Frederik Hendrik Museum
• Visit Pointe Canon viewpoint

The experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel and a drive to Pointe Jerome, where you board a boat for the crossing to Île aux Aigrettes. This small coral island sits just off the coast of Mahebourg and has been designated a nature conservation site by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation. With your guide, you walk the island to spot endemic plants and animals found nowhere else on earth, including the pink pigeon, a species that nearly went extinct, and rare orchids. You'll also visit the indigenous plant nursery and see trees with names like Ox wood, Pipe wood and Bottle palm. The boat ride itself offers views across the turquoise lagoon toward the South East coast.

After returning to shore, you head to a local restaurant for a 3-course lunch with fresh salads, rice, soups, chicken, fish and vegetables (vegetarian options available). Then comes the Mahebourg National History Museum, where exhibits trace the island's story from the 18th century onward. The museum holds bones of extinct giant tortoises and the dodo, artifacts from shipwrecks, and remnants of the French colonial era. Next, you walk the Mahebourg Waterfront in the traditional village setting, where a memorial called Bataille de le Passe honors those who died in the historic naval battle of Grand Port. From here you can see Lion Mountain and the panoramic sweep of the South East.

The tour continues through the lively Mahebourg Market, where you can browse local handicrafts, textiles and seashells, and sample street food like briyani, dholl puri or gato pima if you choose. Then you visit the Frederik Hendrik Museum at Old Grand Port, a site preserving remnants of the first human settlement in Mauritius: the Dutch colonial era. The museum sits in a tropical garden and displays artifacts from archaeological digs: building materials, military objects like musket balls and cannon balls, and other historical finds. The final stop is Pointe Canon, a historic viewpoint with cannons overlooking the bay, where you see Mouchoir Rouge islet, Lion Mountain and Île aux Aigrettes in the distance. Your guide then returns you to your hotel.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off anywhere in Mauritius.
• private air-conditioned vehicle with a certified guide.
• boat trip to Île aux Aigrettes and entry to the nature reserve.
• 3-course lunch (salads, rice, soups, chicken, fish and vegetables, with vegetarian options).
• visits to the Mahebourg National History Museum, Frederik Hendrik Museum, Mahebourg Waterfront and Pointe Canon.
• bottled water upon arrival.
• gratuities are optional.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 to 65 years) · Senior (66 and older) · Youth (10 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 9 years) · Infant (1 to 3 years): free

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French and Hindi

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Freshverde Holidays

Is this one for you?Your guide speaks English, French or Hindi, so book the language that matches your comfort: the commentary flows throughout the day as you move between sites. Families with children from age 1 travel free, and the mix of boat time, museum walks and market browsing suits a range of ages and energy levels.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, French and Hindi.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (10 to 17 years); Child (4 to 9 years); Infant (1 to 3 years): free.

What will I actually see on Île aux Aigrettes?

Île aux Aigrettes is a protected coral island where you walk with your guide to spot endemic plants and animals unique to Mauritius. You'll see the pink pigeon (a species saved from extinction), rare orchids in bloom, and unusual trees like Ox wood and Bottle palm. You also visit the indigenous plant nursery on the island.

How does the boat trip work to get to the island?

The boat departs from Pointe Jerome on the mainland coast near Mahebourg. Your guide leads you across the turquoise lagoon to Île aux Aigrettes, and the crossing is included in the tour price. The boat returns you to shore before you continue to the museums and waterfront.

What's in the Mahebourg National History Museum?

The museum holds bones of extinct giant tortoises and the dodo, artifacts from shipwrecks, and exhibits tracing Mauritius from the 18th century through the French colonial period. The building itself has historical significance, and the different exhibitions cover both the naval heritage and the island's broader past.

Can I request vegetarian meals or do I need to tell you about food allergies?

Vegetarian meals are available at lunch: request your preference when you book. You should also inform the operator of any food allergies or illnesses before the tour so they can arrange your meal accordingly.