We hadn’t planned on staying another night in La Gaulette, but with the chance of some wind tomorrow, Ed wanted to be close to Le Morne just in case the kitesurfing conditions came together. Rather than rush on anywhere, we extended our time here and moved around the corner to a new Airbnb — a 1970s-style bungalow with a big outdoor pool, retro tiles, and a lived-in charm that made it feel instantly familiar. The Goofy Gecko was fully booked, but this place turned out to be a great option.

☕ Breakfast & a Slow Morning

We started the day with breakfast at Oneye Surf Café, a laid-back spot popular with surfers and kiters. Good coffee, simple food, and a relaxed vibe — exactly what you want on a slow morning. After that, we went back to the bungalow for a swim and a bit of laptop time. The pool was warm, the garden was quiet, and it was a comfortable spot to catch up on some work before heading out again.

🏖️ Le Morne Public Beach (Again, and Still Amazing)

In the early afternoon we drove down to Le Morne Public Beach for another swim. It’s one of those places that never looks the same twice — the colour of the water shifts with the light, and the whole beach sits under the dramatic shadow of Le Morne Brabant, which never stops feeling impressive.

We walked along the sand, watching kiters getting set up further along the coast, and had a dip in the shallows before heading towards the mountains.

🌋 Driving to Chamarel – Green Tunnels & Steep Climbing Roads

The drive up into Chamarel is half the fun. As you leave the coast, the road climbs through lush jungle and tall forest trees, almost forming green tunnels in places. Some stretches felt completely wild — thick vines hanging across the canopy, huge leaves brushing into the road, and the kind of deep greenery that only tropical rainforests have.

By arriving late in the afternoon, the temperature had cooled and most of the tour buses had gone. Cafés and kiosks were already closing, but honestly that made the whole visit better — fewer people, softer light, and a calmer atmosphere.

🏜️ Seven Coloured Earth – A Strange & Beautiful Landscape

At the Seven Coloured Earth Geopark, The colours — reds, purples, browns — were clearer in the late sun, and the whole place felt peaceful.

We also saw the unexpected star of the show:

a little stowaway dog, stretched out on the warm earth like he owned the place.

Completely relaxed, and clearly convinced he was part of the official landscape.

🐢 Giant Tortoises – Slow, Ancient & Surprisingly Expressive

Just along the path are the giant tortoises, wandering slowly through their enclosure. One was right up near the fence, eating grass with total focus — each bite deliberate, loud, and strangely satisfying to watch.

Up close you really notice the details:

their wrinkly necks, like soft, folded leather the huge feet with thick claws, sturdy enough to look prehistoric the way their heads turn slowly to follow you

They look ancient, heavy, and gentle all at once — easily one of the highlights.

🌄 A View Worth Pulling Over For

On the drive back down towards La Gaulette, we stopped at a roadside viewpoint overlooking the entire coast — from Le Morne all the way up towards Flic en Flac. Late-afternoon light washed over the lagoon, the reefs, and the sugar-cane fields, and it was one of those views you wish you could bottle.

No crowds, no noise — just a long stretch of coastline laid out below us.

🌙 Evening Back in La Gaulette

By the time we drove back down from Chamarel, the village was already settling into the evening. We first tried to find a sunset bar somewhere along the coast — surprisingly, there isn’t really one in this area, even though the views would be perfect for it. After a bit of looking around, we headed to Océan Vibes for dinner.

It was a good choice — relaxed, friendly, and easy-going. After a long day out, it hit the spot without needing to think too hard about it.

On the way back, we stopped at Enso for a quick drink. It was Friday evening, and they had live music starting up. The place was lively, and clearly popular, but the band wasn’t quite our style. After finishing our drinks and watching things warm up, we decided to slip out just as the music really got going.

Back at the bungalow, everything was quiet again — birds settling into the trees, a few palm leaves shifting in the breeze, and the soft hum of the village at night. After a quick rinse and a bit of planning for tomorrow, we called it an early one, ready for a possible kitesurfing session in the morning.

🗺️ Our Route for the Day

From La Gaulette to Le Morne, up through the jungle roads to Chamarel, and back again — a scenic loop through some of Mauritius’s most dramatic coastline and mountains.

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A loop from La Gaulette through Le Morne and up to Chamarel — jungle roads, viewpoints, and coastline all in one drive.