Family Days in Black River, Mauritius
Advisory as of 31 October 2026. The US rates Mauritius Level 2 for crime. UK guidance warns of petty crime and bag theft, including at Flic-en-Flac, and says to stay away from protests after unrest that began on 9 October. Evening curfews lifted on 19 October. Read current official advice before booking.
Three family days in Black River
Families will find the southwest of Mauritius easy to manage. Distances are short, the lagoon is sheltered and a wet day still has indoor options. Below are three ready-made days. Prices are in Mauritian rupees (Rs) for non-residents.
Day one: lagoon and beach
Start at Flic-en-Flac, where a barrier reef keeps the water shallow and calm. Filao trees shade the sand, and the public beach has toilets, showers and vendors with fruit and roti. Neoprene water shoes protect small feet from coral and sea urchins. Because bag theft is reported in Flic-en-Flac, keep valuables on you or leave them at the hotel.
If your children are old enough for a mask, book a boat to Crystal Rock. The lagoon there is clear and 1.5 to 2.5 m deep, with weak currents, and licensed pirogues carry life vests. The boat then stops at Ile aux Benitiers for lunch. Make sure each child wears a vest in the water.
Day two: the plateau
Drive up to Chamarel for the giant tortoises, which graze in an outdoor enclosure that is part of the geopark ticket. The ticket costs Rs 800 for adults and Rs 400 for children aged 5 to 11, and under-5s are free. Everyone stays on the boardwalks, because the dunes are fenced and no one may hike down to the waterfall or swim below it.
Next door, the Ebony Forest jeep tour takes two hours. It costs Rs 1,080 for ages 5 to 17 and is free for under-5s, and it includes a short walk on raised walkways among native trees. Adults pay Rs 1,600.
Day three: Casela or a wet day plan
Casela Nature Parks is the one big day out. It is open from 09:00 to 17:00 daily, except 25 December and 1 January. Try the safari bus, the aviary and the 760 m Tulawaka toboggan. Check the age and height rules when you book each ride. Adult tickets from about Rs 1,300 to 1,600 are typical for non-residents, and children pay less. Leave the big-cat encounters, which welfare groups discourage.
On a rainy day, Curious Corner of Chamarel has illusions, a mirror maze and an upside-down house indoors, and it is across from the geopark gate.
Rules that keep children safe
- Do not let children feed the macaques at roadside viewpoints.
- After heavy rain, stay away from streams in the gorges because the water rises quickly.
- Do not swim at the foot of the Chamarel Waterfall or at Gris Gris, where currents are strong.
- Plan outdoor time for the morning, and carry water, hats and sunscreen.
- Cyclone season runs from November to May. If one hits, you must stay inside your accommodation.
Read more: All activities in Black River and Day trips from Black River .
Compare family tickets on Viator . Official details: Chamarel geopark , Ebony Forest and Casela .