A notable natural attraction for a trip to Maheboug is Pointe d’Esny, a 21.5-hectare natural coastal wetland in the southeastern town of Mahébourg. History is also brought to life through objects in the National History Museum and the Monument aux Esclaves at Pointe Canon.
The Pointe d’Esny coastal wetland
The wetland’s mangroves include the species Rhizophora mucronata and Bruguiera gymnorhiza. Zornia vaughaniana, a plant classified as critically endangered, is also found there. Coastal fish, crustaceans, and migratory and wading birds also inhabit this coastal habitat. These plant and animal groups make the natural focus tangible: mangroves, an endangered plant, and the wetland’s diverse inhabitants are all present.
Astrolabes, shipwrecks and remembrance
The National History Museum’s collection includes an astrolabe dated 1568. It was recovered from the shipwreck of the Banda (1615) and is considered the third-oldest known Portuguese astrolabe. Objects from the pirate ship Speaker are also associated with the collection. The ship sank at the mouth of the Grand River South East on January 7, 1702.
At Pointe Canon, the Monument aux Esclaves commemorates the resilience of enslaved people and their struggle for freedom. These provide distinct historical perspectives: museum objects tell stories of ships and collections, while the memorial site remembers enslaved people and their fight for freedom.
Note about visiting the museum
A notice dated December 12, 2025, announced that the National History Museum would be temporarily closed to the public from December 15, 2025. The closure was to allow for preparations for renovation work, expected to take about a year. The notice does not say whether the museum has since reopened. Check its current opening status before planning a visit.
Historical sites in the wider destination of Grand Port
In the wider destination of Grand Port, the National History Museum is located in Mahébourg in a park of about 12 acres on the banks of the River La Chaux. The museum displays numerous objects relating to corsairs and the naval battle of Grand Port. Most of the exhibits come from the wrecks of the British frigates La Magicienne and HMS Sirius, which sank in Mahébourg Bay in 1810.
The historic site of Vieux Grand Port is also part of the wider destination of Grand Port. It includes the ruins of the first Catholic church, built by Mahé de Labourdonnais in 1737, as well as a powder house from the French period, spanning 1722 to 1810. The Frederik Hendrik Museum serves as an interpretation centre for the site. The historical focus therefore differs: the National History Museum’s collections concern corsairs, shipwrecks and the naval battle, while Vieux Grand Port combines church ruins and a powder house with an interpretation centre.
Discover more destinations: Plaine Magnien, Blue Bay, Pointe D'esny, Le Bouchon, Mare D Albert, Union Vale
Back to the main travel overview: Grand Port.
