There is a National Park in the mountainous interior of the state featuring rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails, and wildlife, such as the flying fox. Port Louis, the capital, is home to the Champs de Mars horse track, Eureka Plantation House and Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens, dating back to the 18th century.

Even though little original forest remains, the vegetation contains around 600 indigenous species. As well as a variety of birds and insects, the fauna includes the samber (a long-tailed, dark brown deer), tenrec (a spiny insectivore), and mongoose. Dodos were once found on the island, but they became extinct by 1681. In the late 20th century, efforts were made to save several other endangered endemic birds.