Le Morne

The village of fishermen, Le Morne is located in the South of Mauritius behind Le Morne Brabant Mountain which is classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. The inhabitants of Le Morne proudly preserve the spirit of Le Morne mountain by passing on its history for several generations.

Le Morne has kept all the authenticity of a small Mauritian village between coastal fishing and the cultivation of the land. Locals visit Le Morne to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, listen to music and rediscover the mauritian sweetness of life which is gradually disappearing from the landscape of the island.

Although the Le Morne Peninsula and the south coast are home to a dozen hotels, the flagship of Luxury Tourism in Mauritius, it seems that the tourist industry has not rebounded to the benefit of neighboring villages. The Village of Le Morne as well as many small neighboring villages still shelter the Mauritian population in wooden and tiny huts.

History of Le Morne

Le Morne Brabant, located in the south-west of Mauritius, is a symbol of history. A mountain with a peak at 556 metres above the sea, is steeped in its heavy past which is of paramount importance in the historical context, contains a sense of melancholy that has existed since the era of slavery.

Many slaves, who were mainly from Africa, were forcibly brought to Mauritius under the French rule between 1639 and 1796. They were forced to work in sugar cane plantations and cut wood in ebony forests. While slavery was in full swing, many slaves fled. Some were killed while the lucky ones managed to hide in the mountains of Le Morne Brabant. Many survived until 1835, on February 1, the day on which slavery was abolished by the British. As some British officers were about to tell them the good news, the slaves believed they were going to be tortured and killed, so they decided to throw themselves off the mountain. Even today the mountain of Le Morne Brabant inspires Mauritians with a constant melancholy. Le Morne Brabant was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

Le Morne's Location

Le Morne is a village in Mauritius located in the Riviere Noire District in the south of Mauritius and is located around 60 km or one and a half hour drive from the Capital, Port-Louis. The international airport is around 55km away and the drive takes around 1 hour and 15mins.

Climate in Le Morne

Temperatures are pleasant all year round and the average temperatures range from 22 °C in july to 28 ° C in January. Sea temperature is also pleasant all year round and It ranges from 24° C to 28° C. The rainiest months are from January to March and is also the hottest month of the year.

Hotels in Le Morne

Le Morne has a variety of hotels, from 3 star hotels, to luxurious 5 star deluxe villa resorts.

Today, visitors to Le Morne can choose from a selection of exclusive top class luxury resorts and five star hotels, to small family owned bungalows, apartments and villas.

Below please find the list of the main hotels found in Le Morne :-

Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa

Situated on Le Morne peninsula, the resort is set against the backdrop of the iconic Le Morne mountain and edges onto one of the most scenic shorelines on the island.The greatest leisure resort in Mauritius, Paradis Beachcomber offers superb accommodation in rooms, suites or villas fringed by a pure white sand beach and the island's largest lagoon.

Kozy Le Morne

Perched high up on Le Morne Mountain, Kozy Le Morne Villa unfolds 1 Lagoon View Villa, 1 Seaview Villa as well as 1 Island View Studio. Perfect for a private getaway, the 3 cosy accommodations will make your life no less than a royalty.

Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa

An elegant five-star resort located on the most scenic shoreline in Mauritius with the spectacular Le Morne mountain acting as a dramatic backdrop, Dinarobin Beachcomber offers an intimate village setting. The resort features luxurious all-suite accommodation that blends harmoniously into the lush tropical gardens.

LUX Le Morne Resort

Blessed with the best sunset of the island, the chic and serene boutique resort at the foot of Le Morne mountain calls all lovers of barefoot luxury and mindful travel. LUX* Le Morne is a gem that truly embodies the spirit of island living.

The St. Regis Mauritius Resort

Nestled along the pristine Le Morne Beach overlooking its lagoon, this lavish resort features both guestroom, villa and suite accommodation affording dazzling views across the ocean.

Riu Le Morne

Uniquely placed at the foot of a stunning mountain with a beautiful beachfront and stunning landscapes, the resort is partnered with Riu Creole. This side of the resort delivers on all fronts whilst being exclusively adults only. From delectable dining options, an array of activities, epic entertainment and adults only exclusives.

Riu Creole

This all-inclusive hotel in Le Morne, you'll find everything you need for an unforgettable stay, such as a varied gastronomic offer, unlimited drinks and fun entertainment programmes for the whole family.

Le Morne Beach

The Beach of Le Morne is a breathtaking world in itself. The sea water is absolutely divine, the sand is fine and unrivalled in whiteness. The view of the mountain sublimates the landscape. You will be captivated by the beauty of this place, especially in the late afternoon, during the sunsets.

During winter (April to October) Le Morne is the kite-surfing spot of excellence, dressed in points of all possible colors from the people of all nationalities flying their kites in the lagoon. The ambiance is lively and familiar, with possibilities to grab a lesson on the spot or just chill on the beach.

During summer (November to March) when the winds are not present, the lagoon remains steady as a lake, with a backdrop of mountains and blue skies that take you to far-away places.

Activities at Le Morne beach:

• Pedalo
• Windsurfing
• Kitesurfing
• Scuba diving
• Stand up paddle
• Kayak

Other beaches near Le Morne Village

• Tamarin
• La Preneuse
• La Prairie
• Bel Ombre
• St Felix
• Riambel

Le Morne - Things to do

Hiking

Among the various activities which can be enjoyed in the Morne region, hiking remains among the most fulfilling. If you are looking for adrenaline, if you want to explore and discover the slave trail and hiding places, a hike to Le Morne Brabant is a must. Discover a very sumptuous landscape and the view from above is breathtaking.

Casela World of Adventure

The park is simply a must-see attraction when visiting the island. You can experience so many unique, thrilling activities under one “roof” whether you are with your partner, family or friends. Among the most popular day activities, you will find the Walk with Lions, interaction with rhinos, the Safari Quad, the Zip N Splash at Thrill Mountain and encounters with various animal species. You will also experience nature’s best, surrounded by Mauritian flora and fauna, including endemic species and centenarian trees.

Swim With Dolphins

Dolphins live in pods and can be observed swimming casually from Tamarin (on the west coast of Mauritius) on their way to the deep sea off the coast of le Morne peninsula, early in the morning.This is a unique dolphins activity, done on a speed boat to explore the spectacular lives of these magnificent marine mammals in their natural aquatic habitat. Immerse yourself in the adventure of a lifetime and swim with dolphins in crystal clear waters.

Activity can be booked on Mauritiusattractions.com

île aux Bénitiers

Ile aux Benitiers, an island which is a whole lot smaller than the Ile aux Cerfs, but at least just as heavenly. The water by the long sandy beach is the most turquoise you could possibly imagine. The so-called Crystal Rock jutting out of the water just off the island’s coast is a great subject for some amazing photos.

Boat trips to Ile aux Bénitiers are among the most popular day trips and among other activities, they generally include a snorkeling stop in the nearby lagoon. You will also visit the Crystal Rock located in the middle of the lagoon and also get the chance to swim with dolphins which are usually observed in this area.

Day tours can be booked on MauritiusAttractions.com

Places of Interest in Le Morne

The Martello Tower - This museum, located by the beach la Preneuse, is a mandatory stop for those wishing to better understand the history of Mauritius. Inside, one can see weapons dating from the time of the English, wax statues and various utensils which offer a glance on Mauritian life two hundred years ago.

Salt Pans - Tamarin was the main salt pan in Mauritius and can be visited with a short drive from Le Morne. It’s hot and dry environment provides ideal conditions for salt fields. The pans cover an area of about 30 hectares and only a small part is still used today, but you can visit it and purchase salt from the small shop on site.

Le Morne - Highlights

Seaplane Tour of the Underwater Waterfall

Experience an amazing tour aboard a seaplane offering the unique thrill of a water take-off and captivating views of the Indian Ocean like never before. Enjoy the unique privilege to fly on a private seaplane, with just you and the pilot onboard. While flying over the spectacular Underwater Waterfall and important landmarks in the south-western part of the island, the aircraft will allow you to have an optimal view along with a 360° viewing angle.

Private Seaplane Flights can be booked on Mauritiusattractions.com