Chamarel Waterfall is the tallest single drop waterfall in Mauritius, plunging about 100 metres off the edge of the Chamarel plateau into a natural pool and a forested canyon. It is one of the most photographed places in Mauritius, and one of the easiest natural wonders to visit.
Tickets and access
The waterfall sits inside the Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark. One entrance ticket covers the two waterfall viewpoints, the coloured earths further along the park road and the giant tortoise park. The gates are open every day from 8.30 in the morning until 5.30 in the afternoon in summer and 5 in winter, with last entry around 4.30. Expect around Rs 750 for adult visitors and about half for children, and check the current rate before you go, prices are revised regularly. From the gate it is a short drive to the viewpoints, then a short walk from the parking area.
Can you swim at Chamarel Waterfall?
Not from the viewpoints, which stand high above the gorge. The pool at the base is not part of the geopark visit and there is no maintained path down.
If your dream is to stand at the foot of a big waterfall rather than look at one from a platform, that is what our guided hikes are for. We can organise a guided walk at Chamarel on request, just ask us through the contact page, or join the 7 Cascades hike where swimming beneath the falls is part of the day.
When to visit
The falls are fed by the rains of the high plateau, so the flow is at its most impressive in and just after the wet season. In the driest months the drop narrows to a thin ribbon, still beautiful against the cliff but far less thunderous.
Go early. The gates open at 8.30 and the first hour is the quietest of the day, with soft light on the cliff before the tour buses arrive.
Making a day of the south west
Chamarel works best as part of a south west day. Pair the geopark with the viewpoints of Black River Gorges National Park and Alexandra Falls on the plateau road, then finish at Le Morne. If you want to earn the views rather than drive to them, our guided hike up Le Morne Brabant and the easy Le Morne panorama route are both minutes from Chamarel, and the comparison of every guided trail shows everything else nearby.
Frequently asked questions
How long is the Chamarel Waterfall hike?
There is no hike required. The viewpoints are a short walk from the parking inside the geopark. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for the waterfall stop, more if you continue to the coloured earths.
How much does it cost to see Chamarel Waterfall?
Entry to the geopark costs around Rs 750 for adults and about half for children, and one ticket covers the waterfall viewpoints, the coloured earths and the tortoise park. Prices are revised regularly, so check the current rate before you go.
What is the most beautiful waterfall in Mauritius?
Chamarel is the tallest and the most famous. For the most beautiful experience rather than the best photo stop, our guides vote for the 7 Cascades of Tamarind Falls, where you walk between the waterfalls and swim beneath them on a guided half day hike. Alexandra Falls has the best view around it. They are three very different experiences.
