Because of its rather rough and windy climate which can be chilly on a winter evening, this part of Mauritius was not deemed fit for tourist development until relatively late, which is why there are many original and old fashioned customs and buildings still to be seen and enjoyed. Small villages where fishermen proudly bring in the catch of the day; farmers tending to their crop; chicken running freely and women washing their laundry in one of the many brooks or rivers are not a rare sight to behold in this part of the country. As the East is swept by the trade winds during rainy season and in winter, its landscape is a shiny, brilliant green almost all year round. Together with the stunning colours of the ocean, the blue of the rivers criss-crossing it and the white sandy beaches, some of them among the longest and most spectacular on the island, the East indeed is a wonderful and breezy place to be and certainly one of the best spots for wind surfing, kite surfing and sailing.
Rather hilly at some places, the landscape offers nature sites such as the dramatic waterfalls of Grand South East River which can be accessed by boat and by foot alike and forms part of any boat tour to ile aux Cerfs or the waterhole at Trou d’Eau Douce with its picturesque harbour. Other areas are completely flat, like ile d’Ambre, where tremendous pirate treasures are supposed to be hidden under the sand. Brisée Verdière, quite some way inlands, features a series of deep hollows: lava tubes caused by volcanic activities and as old as the island, where remnants of extinct plump dodo birds have been found in the past.
The beaches of the East range amongst the finest and are framed by star-spangled hotels and guest houses. Various water activities, predominantly anything to do with sails, can be enjoyed all year around; although in winter wet suits in the ocean and long sleeved sweatshirts or cardigans are a must.
The two largest isles off the east coast could not be more different: white sandy beach frame tourist landmark Ile aux Cerfs, where Dutch settlers once kept their imported java deer, and which is literally flooded with visitors on a daily basis; especially during the high season. It even has its own golf course, several restaurants, a beach bar and various shops. Ile d’Ambre on the other hand, is very quiet and except for some day tourists and kayaking activities around its mangrove-overgrown shores, nothing disturbs its calm and serene atmosphere.
The East indeed has two very different faces to show: a dazzling and active one and a calm and serene one, whichever one likes to explore first.