7 Coloured Earth - Chamarel

The Seven Coloured Earth of Chamarel is a geological curiosity in the southwest of Mauritius where volcanic soil displays seven distinct hues — ranging from deep red and brown to violet and pale green — lying side by side without meaningfully blending despite decades of rain and wind erosion. The phenomenon results from basaltic lava that cooled at different rates and weathered into mineral compounds whose iron oxides take on different colours depending on their oxidation state. The privately owned site is accessible via a fenced viewpoint that looks out over the rippled coloured dunes, with the coastline of the Indian Ocean visible in the background. The nearby Chamarel waterfall is typically visited on the same trip, making this a natural double attraction in the Black River district.