Rediscover the simple pleasures of life on a little picnic with your family. Put aside your smartphones, tablets and social media. Take in as much as you can of the environment, listen to birds singing while relishing in a good meal. Nearly all the beaches in Mauritius are generally very much loved as places for picnics. However, we have included other options which can offer more privacy and a more beautiful setting.
1. The Balfour Garden
The Balfour Garden is found in Beau Bassin, in the Plaines Wilhems district, not far from the town of Ebène. It has been given the name of the Dr. Andrew Balfour, who had had housing built for labourers under the rule of the governor Sir Hesketh Bell, between 1916 and 1924.
The garden’s kiosk is ideal as it provides shade to enjoy during the picnic. Children will enjoy themselves on the swings, the slides, by playing in the small wooden house, or simply by running on the large stretches of grass.
Relish your meal while listening to birds singing from atop the many trees of the garden. Listen carefully to the sound of the waterways. There is nothing like a football match after lunch. There are football goals at the back of the garden.
If you feel too heavy, you may go and see the huge hundred years-old tortoises in their park. However, what draws many people to the Balfour Garden is the waterfall. The garden offers a view over a beautiful waterfall and wooded gorge. The air is pure and fresh. The city of Ebène, on the other side of the ravine, can also be seen from the garden.
2. La Prairie Beach
La Prairie is found in the Black River district, in the West of the island, some kilometres away from Le Morne. There is space for everyone here. Large stretches of white fine sand are there to welcome your picnic mat and the casuarina trees to give you shade. This beach is an ideal one for a day to relax, since it is not as visited as that of Flic en Flac or that of the Morne for instance.
3. Bain Boeuf Beach
Bain Boeuf is a small village in the North of the island. Since its water has a rocky floor, only a few people come to swim there. The little extra of this beach is that the Coin de Mire island can be seen from there. It is easily recognisable; it looks like a whale with its head out of the water.
4. Alexandra Falls
Kill two birds with a stone. Combine hiking with your picnic at the Alexandra Falls, in the Black River Gorges. You will definitely fall in love with the landscape that has been gifted by nature, at some 700 feet above sea level. There is no need for a picnic mat here, since there are tables available for visitors.
Our advice for a unique picnic: order some typical Mauritian dish like the dhalpuri, for example, instead of cooking your own meal, in order to have a picnic like Mauritians do. Have a nice picnic!