Le Morne Brabant

Le Morne Brabant rises 556 metres almost straight out of the lagoon on the island’s south-western tip. In the 18th and 19th centuries escaped slaves sheltered in its caves and on its summit, and in 2008 the mountain was listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site in their memory.

Fit walkers can climb it with a guide, a steep round trip of three to four hours with a scramble near the top and wide views over the reef. Everyone else can enjoy it from the beach below, one of the best on the island, or from the lagoon. The famous “underwater waterfall” illusion off its coast is best seen on a seaplane or helicopter flight.

Start the hike early, before the heat, and wear proper shoes. For the classic photograph of the mountain, stop at the coast-road viewpoints in the late afternoon.