Landmarks of Black River from Chamarel to Le Morne

October 31, 2026

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Landmarks of Black River District

The main sights of Black River District run from the coast road up to the Chamarel plateau and down to the Le Morne peninsula. Here they are with the practical details for each. Prices are in Mauritian rupees (Rs) for non-residents.

Martello Tower, La Preneuse

The British built this circular tower between 1832 and 1835 to defend the bay against French landings, and it overlooks La Preneuse public beach. It now houses a small museum of cannon and naval objects. Ask locally about opening times and any fee, as published details vary.

Chamarel plateau

Seven Coloured Earths. Fine volcanic dunes show red, brown, violet and green bands that stay separate even in heavy rain. The geopark is open from 08:30, closing at 17:30 from October to May and 17:00 from June to September. Tickets cost Rs 800 for adults and Rs 400 for ages 5 to 11, and under-5s are free.

Chamarel Waterfall. Fed by the St Denis River, the fall is the highest single drop in Mauritius, at about 100 m. Two raised viewpoints look across to the cliff, both covered by the geopark ticket. The base is closed to independent hikers and swimmers.

Ebony Forest. A conservation reserve protecting native ebony trees, with raised walkways and the Sublime Point lookout. The jeep tour costs Rs 1,600 for adults and runs four times a day.

Giant tortoises. Aldabra tortoises live in the geopark’s own enclosure, and some are very old.

Compare tickets and guided visits on Viator .

Black River Gorges National Park

Entry is free. Along the B103, lookouts show deep forested valleys running to the southern sea, and Alexandra Falls is one of the stops. Macaques wait at the lookouts, and feeding them causes bites.

Grand Bassin

The crater lake of Ganga Talao lies 550 m above sea level in Savanne District. Hindu temples and two statues about 33 m tall stand beside the water. Entry is free. Dress modestly, and treat the shrines as working places of worship.

Le Morne Brabant

Le Morne Brabant is a 556 m basalt mountain on the southwest tip of the district. UNESCO inscribed it in 2008 as a symbol of the Maroons, enslaved people who found refuge on its heights. The International Slave Route Monument stands at its foot. Oral history holds that when police and soldiers came up in 1835 to announce abolition, many Maroons feared capture and died at the cliff edge. Approach the place quietly. The hiking page covers the climb and its safety rules.

The underwater waterfall

Off the peninsula the sea floor appears to pour into the deep when seen from the air. The effect is sand moving down the slope, and it is not visible from the water or the shore.

Quick tips

Foreign cash is refused at the geopark gate, so bring rupees or a card.
Hire a driver for the Chamarel and Plaine Champagne roads, which are steep and winding.
Gris Gris, at the far south end of the B9, is for looking only.

Official sources: Chamarel geopark , Black River Gorges National Park and UNESCO on Le Morne .