Black River

Black River (Rivière Noire) is a district on the western coast of Mauritius, stretching from the foothills of the central plateau to the Indian Ocean. It encompasses some of the island's most dramatic natural scenery, including the Black River Gorges National Park, the UNESCO-listed Le Morne peninsula, and the popular beach resorts of Flic en Flac and Tamarin. The west coast is drier and sunnier than the east, making it a favourite for beachgoers, surfers, and hikers.

The west coast enjoys the best weather from May to November (dry winter), with low rainfall and comfortable temperatures. The surf season at Tamarin runs from June to August. The cyclone season (November–April) brings humidity and occasional storms.

The B1 and B3 coastal roads connect the district's settlements. Buses run between Flic en Flac, Tamarin, and Port Louis. Taxis are readily available. The Black River Gorges National Park is best accessed by car or taxi from Curepipe or Flic en Flac.

• Tamarin — a laid-back surfing village with a beautiful river estuary and salt pans.
• Flic en Flac — the west coast's most popular beach resort, with a long white-sand beach and excellent snorkelling.
• Chamarel — a hill village famous for the Seven-Coloured Earth and Chamarel Waterfall.
• Le Morne — a UNESCO World Heritage Site peninsula with a poignant history, luxury resorts, and world-class kitesurfing.
• Black River — the district's administrative centre, a small fishing village with a market.
• La Gaulette — a quiet coastal village near Le Morne, popular for its calm lagoon.
• Bambous — a residential and commercial town, the district's largest settlement.
• Cascavelle — a town with a shopping complex and access to the Black River Gorges.
• Case Noyale — a fishing village south of Flic en Flac with a rocky coast.
• Black River Gorges National Park — 6,574 ha of protected native forest with hiking trails, waterfalls, and rare endemic birds.
• Albion — a coastal village with a lighthouse and dive sites.
• Petite Riviere — a small village near the mouth of the Black River.

The west coast is known for seafood — freshly caught fish, octopus curry, and smoked marlin are specialties. Flic en Flac and Tamarin have numerous beachfront restaurants. Street food stalls sell dholl puri, gâteaux piments, and alouda.

Le Morne is a powerful symbol of Maroon resistance; its cultural landscape is recognised by UNESCO. The annual Le Morne Marathon (October) commemorates this heritage. Flic en Flac hosts lively Diwali and Chinese Spring Festival celebrations.

• Hike in Black River Gorges — explore endemic forests, the Macchabée viewpoint, and the Alexandra Waterfall.
• Kitesurf at Le Morne — one of the world's top kitesurfing spots, with consistent trade winds.
• Visit Chamarel's Seven-Coloured Earth — a geological oddity of rainbow-hued sand dunes.
• Snorkel at Flic en Flac — the protected lagoon offers excellent swimming and coral viewing.
• Surf at Tamarin — ride the famous right-hand reef break known as Tamarin Bay.