Discover Balaclava

Balaclava is worth a look for travellers who want to include coastal scenery and history in their holiday plans. The wider region is home to a coastal lagoon that extends along the entire length of Balaclava Marine Park. From the fringing reef and lagoon, the park boundary extends one kilometre out to sea. This means the region encompasses two different scales: the lagoon along the park and its boundary extending out to sea.

Coastal Landscape and Marine Park

Balaclava Marine Park is divided into zones. These protect important habitats, ecosystems and ecological processes, conserve biodiversity and regulate permitted activities. They also separate human uses that are incompatible with one another. Conservation and regulated use are therefore both part of this protected area’s character.

Balaclava’s public beach is about 150 metres long and lies between The Oberoi and Victoria hotels. The beach and Marine Park illustrate two different scales of the coastal landscape: a single stretch of beach about 150 metres long and a protected area whose lagoon extends along its entire length.

Ruins of Balaclava: History at Turtle Bay

The Ruins of Balaclava lie on the shore of Turtle Bay, on the 25-hectare Maritim Estate. This national monument dates back to the 18th century and bears witness to the island’s colonial past and to the strategic role Turtle Bay once played in the development of Mauritius. The site was home to an iron foundry, a gunpowder factory, a naval arsenal and a flour mill.

You can explore historic ruins, gardens and waterfalls on the estate. Even if you are not staying at Maritim Resort & Spa Mauritius, you can visit the Ruins of Balaclava Estate; confirm the current visiting arrangements before you arrive. When choosing a holiday rental in Balaclava, you may want to consider whether to focus your trip on the coastal area and the Marine Park or on the historic estate.

Another Cultural Context in Mauritius

In Mauritius, the cultural landscape of Le Morne offers a distinct perspective on the island’s history. It lies at the southwestern tip of Mauritius and was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 10 July 2008. Le Morne illustrates the history of slavery in Mauritius and the pursuit of freedom in the 17th and 18th centuries. The mountain served as a fortress and refuge for escaped enslaved people; physical and oral evidence attests to this use. These sites therefore represent different historical themes: the Ruins of Balaclava recall the colonial past and Turtle Bay’s former strategic role, while Le Morne focuses on resistance to slavery.

Discover More Destinations

You can also include Les Vieux Banians in your exploration of the destination.

Discover more destinations: Triolet, Long Mountain, Pamplemousses, Pointe Aux Piments, D'Epinay, Tombeau Bay, Trou Aux Biches.

Back to the main travel overview: Pamplemousses.