West Island by Horizon Holidays

Things to do near West Island

1. Beaches near Black River
   • La Preneuse beach (7 min drive): the nearest sandy beach, facing the Black River bay and its mountains, with a Martello tower at one end.
   • Tamarin Bay (12 min drive): a wide bay known for surfing, with dolphins often seen offshore in the morning.
2. Landmarks and nature near Black River
   • Tamarin salt pans (11 min drive): working salt pans where sea water evaporates in shallow basins.
   • Île aux Bénitiers (13 min drive): a small island in the Le Morne lagoon, reached by boat, next to Crystal Rock.
   • Casela Nature Parks (19 min drive): a wildlife park with animal encounters and outdoor activities.
3. Chamarel
   • Rhumerie de Chamarel (21 min drive): a rum distillery in the Chamarel hills with guided visits and tastings.
   • Chamarel Waterfall (28 min drive): the highest single drop waterfall in Mauritius, seen from a viewpoint above the gorge.
   • Seven Coloured Earth Geopark, Chamarel (31 min drive): dunes of coloured volcanic earth in the Chamarel hills.
4. Restaurants near Black River
   • Le Bistrot de la Poste (4 min drive): a French bistro in the Nautica centre at Rivière Noire, known for homemade foie gras, flammekueche and cheese fondue.
   • La Bonne Chute Restaurant & Bar (6 min drive): a Tamarin restaurant open since 1969 that specialises in game and seafood, such as venison and the catch of the day.
   • Flavours Resto-Bar (6 min drive): a garden sushi and seafood restaurant at La Mivoie with raised platform tables around a small pool, known for grilled prawns.
   • Moustache Tapas and Wine Bar (7 min drive): a tapas and wine bar at La Mivoie with its own wine shop, where diners pick a bottle from the shelves to go with their meal.
   • Ousaporn Thai Restaurant (7 min drive): a Thai restaurant in a garden at La Preneuse cooking dishes from eastern Thailand, such as tom yum and duck red curry.
   • La Cosa Nostra (10 min drive): an Italian restaurant on the Tamarin Royal Road known for thin crust pizzas from a wood fired oven.
5. Nightlife near Black River
   • Roots Spirits (5 min drive): a garden bar and restaurant at La Preneuse known for mojitos and regular live music, open until midnight.
   • Black River Lounge & Kitchen (6 min drive): a lounge bar in the Palm Square building in Tamarin serving gin cocktails and tapas, with live music in the evening.
   • Big Willy's (12 min drive): a pub and sports bar at Le Barachois with big screens for rugby and football, DJ nights and karaoke on Wednesdays.
6. Island trips on MariDeal near Black River
   • Kayaking to Crystal Rock & Benitiers Island from Le Morne (4 min drive to the boat)

Golf near West Island

• West Island is within 30 minutes by car of 2 golf courses, nearest first:
  • Tamarina Golf Club (19 min drive): 18 holes, par 72, designed by Rodney Wright, on the west coast near Tamarin.
  • Paradis Golf Club (21 min drive): 18 holes, par 72, along the shoreline of the Le Morne peninsula below Le Morne Brabant.

Scuba diving near West Island by Horizon Holidays

• Dive centres within 30 minutes of West Island by Horizon Holidays, nearest first:
  • Tamarin OceanPro Diving (12 min drive): a PADI dive centre in Tamarin Bay whose dive sites are 10 to 20 minutes away by boat.
  • Sundivers Mauritius (30 min drive): a PADI and SSI dive centre at Wolmar, Flic en Flac, that also takes divers staying outside the resort.
• Dive sites in the area:
  • Aquarium: a reef off Rivière Noire between 6 and 20 metres, suited to beginners.
  • Trou Ramsamy: a calm reef off Black River between 5 and 20 metres.
  • Black Rock: a shallow reef down to 16 metres, known for macro life.
  • Rempart Serpent: a west coast site down to about 26 metres with boulders, a sandy bottom and many moray eels.

West Island by Horizon Holidays in Black River

West Island by Horizon Holidays is a pair of self catering holiday apartments in Black River, on the west coast of Mauritius, set on the only residential marina on the island. Horizon Holidays rents two first floor Deluxe apartments here: a 2 bedroom unit of 113 m² for 4 guests with a balcony over the marina, and a 3 bedroom unit of 148 m² for 6 guests with a balcony facing the canal. Both have a fully equipped kitchen, a barbecue, air conditioned bedrooms and Wi-Fi, and the cafés, restaurants and shops of the village are about 200 m away on foot.

Where is West Island?

• Location: on the residential marina in the village of Rivière Noire (Black River), on the west coast of Mauritius, between Tamarin and Le Morne, about 200 m from the village centre.
• Nearby: La Preneuse beach is 7 minutes by car and Tamarin Bay 12 minutes.

Who is West Island best for?

• Couples and small families: the 2 bedroom Deluxe sleeps 4, with a king size bedroom, a twin room and a balcony facing the marina.
• Groups of friends: the 3 bedroom Deluxe sleeps 6 over 148 m², with three shower rooms.
• Self catering stays: each apartment has a dishwasher, oven, microwave, freezer, washing machine and barbecue, with open air parking included.
• Sea lovers: Black River is the departure point for dolphin and whale watching speedboats and catamaran trips to Crystal Rock.

Rooms and apartments at West Island

• Deluxe 2 Bedroom Apartment: 113 m² on the first floor, sleeping 4, with a king size bedroom, a room with two single beds, two shower rooms and a balcony with views over the marina.
• Deluxe 3 Bedroom Apartment: 148 m², sleeping 6, with a king size bedroom, a queen size bedroom, a room with two single beds, three shower rooms and a balcony facing the canal and the river.
• In every apartment: air conditioning in all bedrooms, Wi-Fi, satellite TV in English and French, washing machine, barbecue, iron and open air parking.
• Service: housekeeping every two days. Check in 14:00 to 17:00, check out before 11:00.

Restaurants at West Island

• West Island has no restaurant: both apartments are self catering, with a fully equipped kitchen, a kettle, a toaster and a barbecue.
• For a dinner out close by, book the Gastronomic Dinner at Le 1812, Legend Hill Residences & Spa (9 min).

Bars at West Island

• West Island has no bar. The nearest place for a drink by the sea on MariDeal is the Day Pass with Lunch & Drinks Credit at Rock & Reef Grill and Bar (10 min).

Families and kids club at West Island

• West Island has no kids club or children's programme, as it is a self catering apartment rental rather than a resort.
• A baby cot and a high chair are included in both apartments at no extra cost.
• For a day out with children, Casela Nature Parks is 19 minutes by car.

Activities and water sports at West Island

• West Island has no activity centre of its own, and the boat trips leave from the Black River bay next to the marina.
• Dolphin and whale watching: speedboat trips with Dolswim, such as the Dolphin & Whale Watching Speedboat Trip with Dolswim (3 min).
• Catamaran cruises: full day trips to Crystal Rock and sunset cruises with Black River Charters, such as the Full-Day Shared Catamaran Cruise to Crystal Rock with Black River Charters (4 min).
• Kayaking: the Kayaking to Crystal Rock & Benitiers Island from Le Morne (4 min) and Kayaking with Dolphins in Tamarin Bay (10 min).
• Hiking: the Guided Black River Gorges Hike to Bats Valley with Yanature (30 min) and the climb of Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (24 min drive).

Beach, pools and facilities at West Island

• Beach: West Island is on the marina, not on the sand. The nearest swimming beach is La Preneuse public beach, 7 minutes by car, on the Black River bay on the west coast, with Tamarin Bay 12 minutes away.
• Pools: Horizon Holidays lists no pool with the two West Island apartments, while the sister apartments at La Balise Marina each have a private pool.
• Facilities: fully equipped kitchens, Wi-Fi, air conditioned bedrooms, washing machine, barbecue, balcony with outdoor furniture and open air parking.

West Island or La Balise Marina?

• Both are Horizon Holidays apartment rentals on the same marina site in Black River.
• West Island: 2 and 3 bedroom Deluxe apartments of 113 m² and 148 m², with balconies over the marina or canal, for 4 to 6 guests.
• La Balise Marina by Horizon Holidays: larger 3 and 4 bedroom apartments of 190 m² and 206 m² for 6 to 8 guests, each with a private pool.

MariDeal offers near West Island

1. Day passes:
   • Day Package with Room Use & Lunch Credit at La Mariposa (8 min)
   • Day Pass with Lunch Credit at La Mariposa (8 min)
   • Day Pass with Breakfast at Legend Hill Residences & Spa (9 min)
   • Day Pass with Lunch & Drinks Credit at Rock & Reef Grill and Bar (10 min)
   • All-Inclusive Day Pass at Gold Beach Resort & Spa (29 min)
2. Spas and massage:
   • Wellness Day with Cinq Mondes Massage & Lunch at Legend Hill Residences & Spa (9 min)
   • Oriental Massage & Lunch at Cinq Mondes Spa, Tamarina Hotel (21 min)
3. Restaurants and evenings out:
   • Gastronomic Dinner at Le 1812, Legend Hill Residences & Spa (9 min)
   • Evening Pass with Dinner at Gold Beach Resort & Spa (29 min)
4. Boat trips, kayaking and hiking:
   • Whale Watching Speedboat Trip in Black River with Dolswim (3 min)
   • Half-Day Dolphin Watching Speedboat Trip with Dolswim (3 min)
   • Dolphin & Whale Watching Speedboat Trip with Dolswim (3 min)
   • Full-Day Private Dolphin Speedboat Trip to Crystal Rock with Dolswim (3 min)
   • Full-Day Shared Catamaran Cruise to Crystal Rock with Black River Charters (4 min)
   • Private Sunset Catamaran Cruise with Black River Charters (4 min)
   • Full-Day Private Catamaran Cruise to Crystal Rock with Black River Charters (4 min)
   • Half-Day Private Dolphin Speedboat Trip with Black River Charters (4 min)
   • Kayaking to Crystal Rock & Benitiers Island from Le Morne (4 min)
   • Kayaking with Dolphins in Tamarin Bay (10 min)
5. Other hotels in Black River and Tamarin:
   • La Balise Marina by Horizon Holidays (1 min)
   • Olana Beach by Horizon Holidays (4 min)
   • Marguery Villas & Resort (5 min)
   • Manta Cove by Horizon Holidays (6 min)
   • Esplanade by Horizon Holidays (6 min)
   • La Mariposa Mauritius (8 min)
   • Legend Hill Residences & Spa (9 min)
   • Eko Savannah by MJ Holiday (12 min)
   • Veranda Tamarin Hotel & Spa (12 min)
6. Everything in Chamarel on MariDeal:
   • Chalets Chamarel (14 min)
   • Creole Lunch at Le Chamarel Restaurant & Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Entry (17 min)
   • 4-Course Creole Lunch at Le Chamarel Restaurant (17 min)
   • Les Terres de Chamarel Tasting Lunch at Le Chamarel Restaurant (17 min)
   • Lakaz Chamarel Exclusive Lodge (19 min)
   • Spa Break with Signature Massage & 4-Course Lunch at Lakaz Chamarel (19 min)
   • Apéro with Signature Cocktail at View Bar, Lakaz Chamarel (19 min)
   • Breakfast Buffet at Makak Restaurant, Lakaz Chamarel (19 min)
   • 3-Course Dinner & Boma Bonfire at Lakaz Chamarel (19 min)
   • Mauritian Dinner Buffet & Sega Show at Lakaz Chamarel (19 min)
   • Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark Entrance Ticket (31 min)
   • Ebony Forest Reserve Chamarel Walkway & Hiking Tour (31 min)
   • Guided Trek to Piton Canot at Ebony Forest Reserve Chamarel (31 min)
   • Coffee Plantation Tour at Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth (31 min)
   • Guided 4x4 Jeep Tour at Ebony Forest Chamarel (31 min)
   • Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Entrance & Coffee Tour Combo (31 min)
   • Plant a Love Tree for Couples at Ebony Forest (31 min)
   • Sundowner Sunset Experience at Ebony Forest Chamarel (31 min)
   • Bird Watching at Ebony Forest Reserve Chamarel (31 min)

West Island FAQ

1. Where is West Island by Horizon Holidays?
   • On the residential marina in the village of Rivière Noire (Black River), on the west coast of Mauritius between Tamarin and Le Morne, 7 minutes by car from La Preneuse beach.
2. How far is West Island from the airport?
   • About 59 minutes by car from SSR International Airport.
3. What apartments are there at West Island?
   • A 2 bedroom Deluxe apartment of 113 m² for 4 guests with a marina view balcony, and a 3 bedroom Deluxe apartment of 148 m² for 6 guests with three shower rooms and a canal view balcony.
4. Is West Island good for families?
   • Yes for self catering families: both apartments include a baby cot and a high chair, a full kitchen and a barbecue. There is no kids club.
5. Does West Island have a beach and pool?
   • There is no beach in the marina; La Preneuse beach is 7 minutes by car. Horizon Holidays lists no pool with these two apartments.
6. Does West Island have a spa?
   • No. The nearest spa days on MariDeal are at Legend Hill Residences & Spa (9 min) and the Cinq Mondes Spa at Tamarina (21 min).
7. Is there a restaurant at West Island?
   • No. The apartments are self catering, with a dishwasher, oven, microwave and barbecue, and housekeeping every two days.
8. Where can I see dolphins near West Island?
   • Dolphin and whale watching speedboats leave from Black River with Dolswim (3 min) and Black River Charters (4 min).
9. What is there to do near West Island?
   • Boat trips to Crystal Rock and Île aux Bénitiers leave from Black River, and the Tamarin salt pans, Casela Nature Parks, Chamarel and the hike up Le Morne Brabant are all within a 30 minute drive.