The Geological Wonder of Rochester Falls
Rochester Falls stands apart from all other Mauritius waterfalls through its extraordinary geological character. The Savanne River flows over perfectly geometric columns of volcanic basalt — hexagonal formations created as lava cooled millions of years ago, contracting and cracking into regular patterns that look almost engineered rather than natural.
Location and How to Get There
Rochester Falls is located near Souillac on the south coast, approximately 50 kilometres from the international airport. Follow the coastal road west from Mahébourg, turn inland near Rivière des Anguilles toward Surinam village. Signage directs to a small car park, from which a path through sugarcane fields leads to the falls in approximately 20–30 minutes.
At the Falls
The falls are perhaps 10 metres in height but impressively wide, and the geometric basalt columns are visible both on the waterfall face and in the riverbed below. A broad, shallow pool at the base is popular for swimming with locals on weekends. The water is clear and cool.
Important: Do not swim after heavy rainfall when water levels rise significantly.
The Surrounding Area
Worth combining with a Rochester Falls visit:
- Baie du Cap — the dramatic southernmost village
- Gris Gris Beach — wild, cliff-backed, full-force Indian Ocean
- La Roche Qui Pleure — the famous rock formation
Practical Information
- No formal admission charge
- Very limited facilities; bring water and sunscreen
- Best visited on weekday mornings for fewer crowds
Explore more of Mauritius's natural hidden gems at mauritius-life.com.