Tamarin: Bay, Dolphins and Hiking

Tamarin brings together nature watching, outdoor activities and traditional crafts in one destination. The bay, hiking trails and nearby salt production offer different ways to explore the area, while a weekend market provides another point of reference for planning your trip.

Weekend Market and Salt Production

The weekend market in Tamarin offers fresh fruit, spices and handicrafts for sale. A visit lets you browse both fresh produce and handcrafted goods. Opening times and the selection may change, so check the market date and current offerings before your visit.

Salt production is a traditional economic activity in the vicinity of Tamarin. The Tamarin Salt Pans are considered the last active salt pans in Mauritius; this operating status may change over time. If ongoing production is important to your travel plans, check in advance. The techniques used have remained unchanged for about 200 years. Annual production is reported at almost 1,500 tonnes of salt. The pans are set in a landscape of mangroves and salt marshes and are among the few remaining traces of the once-important salt industry on Mauritius’ west coast.

Dolphins and Seasonal Surfing

Hundreds of spinner dolphins and bottlenose dolphins regularly visit Tamarin Bay and its surroundings. Their numbers and behavior can vary. Excursions depart from Tamarin beach, where visitors can watch dolphins or swim with them. If you are planning such an excursion, check the latest dates in advance.

A left-hand wave forms in Tamarin Bay during the southern winter, from June to September. The market and surfing therefore have different time frames: the market takes place on weekends, while the wave forms seasonally. If you are planning to do both, take the wave season into account and check the market date for the specific weekend you have in mind.

Hiking Around Tamarin

When hiking around Tamarin, it is worth distinguishing between two destinations. The ascent of Montagne de la Tourelle is described as challenging and offers views of Morne Brabant, the gorges and the lagoon. This is different from the hike to Tourelle du Tamarin: a clearly visible, well-trodden path leads to the summit, and the hike is considered not particularly challenging. From the summit of Tourelle du Tamarin, views extend over Black River Gorges, Le Morne Brabant and the lagoon. Difficulty and trail conditions may vary.

Context Within the Wider Destination of Black River

Within the wider destination of Black River, you’ll find Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earths, a natural formation made of volcanic sand. At Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth, a 3 km path leads from the main entrance to the dunes and passes viewpoints overlooking Chamarel Waterfall. Check current conditions before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Black River, Petite Riviere, Albion, La Preneuse, Flic En Flac, Chamarel, Le Morne, La Gaulette

Back to the main travel overview: Black River.