Mauritius: Port Louis – Aapravasi Ghat

July 27, 2023
Mauritius
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Mauritius' Aapravasi Ghat is an immigration depot and was the first British colony to receive indentured, labour workforce from many countries. From 1849 to 1923, half a million Indian indentured labourers passed through here.

Aapravasi Ghat is the Immigration Depot where indentured labourers disembarked and were processed before being sent to work on the sugar estates of Mauritius.

It is the most important surviving manifestation of the indentured labour system from the 19th and 20th centuries. Only 3 structures of the original site remain. It includes sheds for immigrants, quarters for officers, a hospital, and offices. All immigrants were registered and photographed after disembarkation. After the end of the indentured labour system in the 1920s, parts of the depot were gradually destroyed by the government and by Cyclone Carol in 1960.

The immigrants first landed at the Aapravasi Ghat in Mauritius. They stayed there for a couple of days and their photographs were taken and documented. Afterwards, the immigrants were sent off to sugar estates to work. This is why even today Mauritius is a multi-ethnic society with almost 48% of the population which follows Hinduism. The language used is ‘Creole’ which is a mix of French, English and other South African and Indian languages.

We decided to start with the museum to get a better understanding of the history. The museum is called the Beekrumsing Ramlallah Interpretation Centre and was opened on 3rd November 2014 on the 180th anniversary of the arrival of the immigrants. There are tours available, but we decided to go around under our own steam. There were seven rooms with great information about the history of the place and some of the personal stories who passed through this immigration centre. The rooms have themes like ‘The Great Experiment’, ‘The Voyage’, ‘Life Around the Depot’, and ‘Indenture’.

After spending about 45 minutes in the museum we headed outside to see what remains of the buildings at the ghat (not much truth be known). Due to unchecked development, most of the buildings of the ghat have been destroyed, which was a bit disappointing.

We love visiting UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This is one of the smaller sites we have visited and there is nothing spectacular here but the history is fascinating and socially important. We were glad we made the effort to stop and check it out.

About Aapravasi Ghat

The Immigration Depot is a building complex located in Port Louis on the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius, the first British colony to receive indentured, or contracted, labour workforce from many countries. From 1849 to 1923, half a million Indian indentured labourers passed through the Immigration Depot, to be transported to plantations throughout the British Empire. The large-scale migration of the labourers left an indelible mark on the societies of many former British colonies, with Indians constituting a substantial proportion of their national populations. In Mauritius alone, 68 per cent of the current total population is of Indian ancestry. The Immigration Depot has thus become an important reference point in the history and cultural identity of Mauritius.

Unchecked infrastructural development in the mid-20th century means that only the partial remains of three stone buildings from the entire complex have survived. These are now protected as a National Monument, under the Mauritian national heritage legislation. The Immigration Depot’s role in social history was recognized by UNESCO when it was declared a World Heritage Site in 2006. The site is under the management of the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund. Conservation efforts are underway to restore the fragile buildings back to their 1860s state. It is one of two World Heritage Sites in Mauritius, along with Le Morne Brabant.

Planning your visit to Aapravasi Ghat

Website:

https://aapravasi.govmu.org/aapravasi/

Hours:

Monday – Friday: 9:00 – 16:00 hrs
Saturday: 9:00 – 12:00 hrs

Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays

Fees:

Entrance is free of charge

Best time to visit Mauritius

Climate

Current Weather Forecasts

Port Louis

Wednesday

82°

light rain

Clouds66%

Humidity83%

Wind4mph

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Min78°

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Sun

Min77°

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Mahebourg

Wednesday

82°

scattered clouds

Clouds46%

Humidity78%

Wind8mph

Thu

Min78°

Max81°

Fri

Min78°

Max81°

Sat

Min78°

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Sun

Min78°

Max81°

The best time to visit Mauritius is toward the end of the year, from October through to December, when temperatures are hottest. However, Mauritius has an enviable subtropical climate that normally brings sun, warmth, and blue skies, so expect perfect beach weather for most of the year.

The Chamarel Mountains in the south can get rain at any time of year, which provides them with a luxuriant green covering, but the rest of the island generally only sees prolonged rain in January and February, when cyclones roll in from the Indian Ocean.

Mauritius – Month-by-Month

Visiting Mauritius in January

Early January is very popular due to the Christmas holidays and escaping the Northern Hemisphere winter. However, this time of year is prone to cyclones and rain so is not a reliable time to travel.

Visiting Mauritius in Fenruary

February is affected by cyclones, so we would advise against traveling at this time.

Events & Festivals

Holi festival (end of February or March): Celebrating the beginning of spring, it’s also known as the Festival of Colours due to the brightly coloured powder and water that is thrown around the streets, covering everyone in its path.

Visiting Mauritius in March

March is a popular time to visit Mauritius. The weather is hot, but it can also be humid with occasional rainfall.

Events & Festivals

Visiting Mauritius in April

April is hot, with temperatures hitting 86°F.

Visiting Mauritius inMay

May is one of the best months to travel to Mauritius. The temperatures are warm, but the humidity has lifted, making for a more comfortable climate. There are also some fantastic offers to take advantage of at this time of year, and it’s a good time to travel if you prefer to have more space to yourself.

Visiting Mauritius in June

June is very pleasant, offering warm, sunny days. Those who prefer hotter weather may find it a bit cooler, with average highs of 75°F, and you may need to wear warm layers for alfresco evenings.

Visiting Mauritius in July

July is a popular time of year due to the summer vacations in the Northern Hemisphere. The trade winds pick up, making some of the less sheltered beaches breezy and bringing temperatures down. In general, average highs are around 73°F.

Visiting Mauritius in August

August follows the pattern of July, with warm days that are perfect for sheltered beaches, but you will appreciate a jumper or coat in the evenings.

Events & Festivals

Ganesh Chaturthi festival (August or September): This Hindu festival honoring the elephant-headed god Ganesh is a public holiday in Mauritius. Colorful Ganesh statues are displayed publicly and at home before being immersed in a body of water.

Visiting Mauritius in September

The trade winds die down during September and the temperatures start to rise once again.

Events & Festivals

Visiting Mauritius in October

October tends to be the driest month, with comfortable average highs of 77°F. It can be quite popular; particularly around half term dates for family vacations.

Events & Festivals

Diwali (October/November): With its significant Indian/Hindu population, Mauritius sees enthusiastic Diwali celebrations, with twinkling candles and lamps lit across the island to mark the Festival of Lights.

Visiting Mauritius in November

In November the temperatures start to rise, as does the humidity. Gearing up for tropical summer rains, this month can be a real mixture. Some days may be more humid than others, but overall it’s still a good time to visit Mauritius.

Events & Festivals

Visiting Mauritius in December

December is one of the busiest months for visitors to Mauritius; especially over the festive period. Humidity builds throughout the month and it is likely to rain; particularly around Christmas and New Year. However, the rain is normally a heavy shower and helps lower the humidity. Afterwards, the sun usually shines through and it dries up quickly.

Where to stay

MON CHOISY BEACH RESORT

We stopped in the Mon Choisy which is on the northeast coast of Mauritius. This is a lovely area of the island with great beaches and supposedly the best weather.

The resort was outside the main areas of the town and right on the edge of the large public beach at Mon Choisy. The resort was right on the water, with a rocky beach. It was a perfect place for watching the sun go down and catch the sunset.

We wanted to self-cater, or at least have the option to, so this resort was perfect as the rooms had a small kitchenette which was reasonably well equipped. The rooms were very comfortable, but most of them do not have much of a view.

The pool area was perfect for sunbathing and cooling off, as well as being a perfect spot for seeing sunsets.

HÔTEL 20 DEGRÉS SUD

This 5-star hotel is also located on the northeast coast of the island near Grand Baie.

The first boutique hotel in Mauritius, the 20 Degrés Sud offers you the luxury and excellence of a 5-star hotel in an establishment with the dimensions of a charming hotel.

No ostentatious luxury but much more: elegance and refinement. The delicacy in taste, spirit and feelings that will truly give you the feeling of being in a world apart.

Nestled in a pretty coconut grove at the water’s edge, the 20 Degrés Sud enjoys a privileged location, far from all the hustle and bustle, but only a few minutes from the entertainment of Grand Bay. Its location in the heart of a very quiet residential area served by a charming coastal road gives it a peaceful and relaxing side.

This charming, intimate hotel has 36 rooms, including 7 suites, all overlooking the pretty coconut grove bordering the sea. A bit like home, all the rooms are different. A mixture of antiques and furnishings exclusively from the Belgian decorator Flamant Home Interiors gives this place a warm, unique and personalized atmosphere.

LE PENINSULA BAY BEACH RESORT & SPA

This 3-star hotel is located on the southwest side of Mauritius, closer to the International Airport.

Located in Blue Bay, a 2-minute walk from Blue Bay Beach, Le Peninsula Bay Beach Resort & Spa has accommodations with an outdoor swimming pool, free private parking, a fitness center and a garden. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a shared lounge and a 24-hour front desk, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The property provides karaoke and a tour desk.

The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms offering a desk, an electric tea pot, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. At Le Peninsula Bay Beach Resort & Spa all rooms include bed linen and towels.