Port Louis (Mauritius Island)

Port Louis is a port city on Mauritius Island (western Indian Ocean), located approx 930 km (580 mi) from Madagascar (southeastern Africa). Port-Louis is also Mauritius' capital city, with total area approx 47 km2 (18 mi2) and population around 150,000. The port features a deepwater natural harbor surrounded by mountains. The cruise port access is through a break in a coral reef.

Port Louis (locode MUPLU) is also Mauritius' principal port, main economic, political and cultural centre and the largest city, with numerous entertainment and activities options, rich cultural heritage. The city's economy is based on finance and banking, tourism, shipping (seaport facilities), and manufacturing (textiles, plastics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals).

Prior to the COVID crisis, 2018 was the cruise port's record year when were handled 40 ship calls. However, the record was broken in 2023 when Port Louis received 24 cruise ship calls and ~24000 tourists.

Among the major cruise companies visiting the Port are AIDA, Costa, MSC, NCL-Norwegian, Princess, as well as small-ship luxury brands like Cunard, Hapag-Lloyd, Ponant, Silversea, Seabourn, Phoenix Reisen, Fred Olsen.

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (fka Plaisance Airport) is Mauritius' principal airport, and is located approx 48 km (30 mi) southeast of the city (at ~2 hours drive distance). The airport serves direct flights to Africa, Asia, Europe, plus the island countries Reunion, Seychelles, Madagascar. Here is also headquartered the country's flag carrier (Air Mauritius) ranked in 2017 as the 4th largest in sub-Saharan Africa (south of the Sahara desert). The facility serves (year-round flights) the companies Air Austral (Reunion - Saint-Denis, Saint-Pierre), Corsair International and Air France (Paris), British Airways and TUI Airways (London), Condor (Frankfurt), Edelweiss Air (Zurich), Eurowings (Munich), Turkish Airlines (Istanbul), Air Madagascar (Antananarivo), Air Mauritius, Air Seychelles (Mahe), Kenya Airways (Nairobi), Emirates (Dubai), Saudia (Jeddah, Riyadh), South African Airways (Johannesburg).

The town has 5 districts (Islamic, Hindu, Chinese, Creole, Christian) and numerous monuments and buildings reflecting its diverse and rich colonial history. Close to downtown are several French colonial buildings (from the 18th century), among which is the Government House. Other landmarks include Jummah Mosque, St James Cathedral, Tamil Temple, Chinese Pagoda, Theatre, and Champ de Mars Racecourse.

The island was home to the world-famous bird Dodo, which became extinct during Dutch Mauritius (1638-1710 / occupation by Dutch East India Company/1602-1799).

Port Louis cruise terminal

Port Louis tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

Beaches: they are stunning! You spend amazing time enjoying the beauty of the coral reefs, the endless sun and the perfect sand. If you have more time, visit the ” must-see” Pereybere Cove. It is located 12 km from Port Louis cruise port, direction North. Near the beach is the popular water sport area Grand Bay. Another amazing white sand beach is the Flic en Flac. It is located 12 km from Port Louis cruise port, direction south.

Place d’Armes: the square is not far from Port Louis cruise port terminal and houses original buildings such as museums, churches, government houses and the famous Mahé de Labourdonnais statue.

Fort Adelaide: it was built in the middle 1800s by the British and now is one of the four not ruined forts. You can take an amazing city view from its citadel.

Museums: close to the market is the Natural History Museum. There you can see extinct dodo replica. In the Mauritius Postal Museum there are assorted philately and collection of rare stamps.

Black River Gorge: main attraction for the island, must see if you have enough time. The park area spreads over more than 6,500 hectares and is located in the south of Mauritius.