Grand Baie
Description
This is the main holiday centre for Mauritians and tourists alike. Grand Baie used to be a tiny fishing village. The northern coastline beyond Tombeau Bay has many delightful beaches. The coastline curves into Grand Baie itself, the main centre for yachting, water skiing, windsurfing, and many other water sports.
History
Grand Baie was called De Bogt Zonder Eyndt by the Dutch in the 17th century. Apart from the bay itself, there are few attractions. There is a better chance of mixing with other non-package visitors here than probably anywhere else in the island, as most of the accommodation is self-catering and in single units or small development.
Attractions:
Ruins:
About 12 km soth east of Grand Baie near The Vale village are the ruins of sugar mill belonging to the Diruty Family There are some splending views from here across the cane fields and the pyramids of boulders.
Coin de Mire and IIe Plate
The two nearest Islands off the northern tip of Mauritius Coin de Mire ansd iIle plate make good day trips. Coin de Mire was so named because it resembles the wedges used to steady the aim of a cannon. Further Ile Plate which has a light house it is more popular Island offering easier landind and good snorkelling
Ile Ronde and IIle Aux Serpent
Ile Ronde (round island) and aux Serpents (snake Islands) are about 24 km from Mauritius both are important nature reserves but are difficult and dangerous to land on because of the sheer cliffs that drop into deep water.
Accomodation
Bottom End
Libellule Travel agent Tours Ltd, on route Royale, Tel:263615; Fax: 2635352. offers apartment. and there are some bungalows on the beach.
Ebrahim Travel and Tours, (aka Ebrahim Flats), also on route Royale,Tel: 263745; Fax: 263864 They also organise tours and hire outcars, mopeds and bicycles.
Residence Cassamally,Tel: 2637521 known as La Residence, has one bedroom (self-catering apartments) .
Middle
Grand Baie Travel and Tours, Tel: 2638771; Fax: 2638274.
Colonial Coconut Hotel, Tel: 263820; Fax: 2637116. Towads Pointe aux Canonniers.
Les Palmiers, Tel: 263864; Fax: 2428711, located at Robert Chain.
Seapoint Bungalows, Tel: 2638604; Fax: 6867380.
Villa Floralies: Tel: 2638269; Fax: 6867380.
Les Jacarandas, Tel: 2638771; Fax: 2635195 at Grand Gaube Road.
Top end
Royal Palm, Tel: 2638353; Fax: 2638455, at Beachcomber
Maville, Tel: 2638621; Fax: 2638146 further north, is much more affordable than the Royal Palm, facilities includes a pool, tennis court, restaurant, and range of water activities
Le Mauricia Hotel: Tel: 2637800; Fax: 2637888 at beach comber Hotel.
Post and Communication
The post office is diagonally opposite the police station, outside the main part of town. It is open Monday to Friday from 8.15 to 11.15 am, and noon to 4 pm, on Saturdays from 8.15 to 11.45 am. There is a poste restante facility. For domestic calls, you can use the phone in the post office. Local and international calls can be made at the public telephones on the main street. Making international calls from hotels is usually more expensive.
Bank and foreign exchange
The Mauritius Commercial Bank has a foreign exchange counter open from Monday to Saturday from 9 am to 2 pm. The main Mauritius Commercial Bank is opposite the main beach near the Grand Baie store. Barclays Bank, further along the main street towards Pereybere on the same side as the Mauritius Commercial Bank, has an exchange counter, which is open the same hours as the Mauritius Commercial Bank foreign exchange counter. The Banque Nationale de Paris Intercontinental is near the Grand Baie store, on Route Royale. Avoid changing money at the hotel, as the rate is often not as good as the banks.
Getting There
Bus buses run through Grand baie en route from Port Louis to Cap Malheureux for Rs 12. They regularly leave from Immigration Square bus station in Port Louis . The trip goes via Triolet and Trou aux Biches and takes about an hour to Grand baie. There are bus services between Grand Baie and paplemousses.
Taxi taxi rides from Grand baie, to Trou aux Biches, to Port Louis , and to the airport. Taxis usually charge a little more after dark.
Car Some car rental companies in Grand Baie are contract Cars which charges from Rs 650 per day, Libellule travel Agent Tours Ltd and Ebrahim travel and Tours which both charge for a minimoke/ car per day.
Motorcycle
Grand Baie probably has the largest number of moped rental companies on Mauritius, so it is a good place to hire a moped to scoot around the island. Some of guesthouses and hotels may be able to find you a moped to hire.
Bicycle
Many hotels, guestouses and travel agents arrange bicycle hire. Bicycle is a great way to get around but watch out for speeding traffic, especially on the main roads. Before setting off on your merry way, make sure your bikeis in good condition. Several travellers have advised against riding at night, as many roads.
Travel Agencies:
Henry Tours:
Mann St. Port Manthurin Tel: 831 1823, Fax 831 1726.
Rod Tours:
Johnson St. Port Mathurin Tel: 831 2449, Fax: 831 2267.
Rodrigues 2000 Tours:
Douglas St. Tel: 831 2099, Fax: 831 1894.
Ecotourisme, complex La Citronnelle Douglas St. Port Mathurin Tel : 831 b2801, Fax : 831 2800.
Airlines
Air Mauritius Douglas Street Tel: 831 1558, Fax: 831 1959, Open on Monday to Friday 8:15 to 3:30 Saturdays
8am to 12:00pm.
Medical Services
Hospital Queen Elisabeth Creve Coeur Tel:831 1583.
Hospital Queen Elisabeth Creve Coeur Tel:831 1583.
