Albion, Mauritius

Living in this Indian Ocean coastal town means trading big city convenience for reef-rimmed beaches and potential pirate lore. With just over 6,000 residents, this Mauritian outpost in the Rivière Noire District blends maritime history with modern beachfront living.

The town's historic lighthouse, completed in 1910 under British colonial rule, rises 30 meters above Pointe aux Caves and serves as the area's most recognizable landmark. Recent archaeological findings have unearthed evidence of the area's complex past, with unmarked graves suggesting harsh historical conditions. The 2023 discovery of possible pirate treasure sites has brought renewed attention to Albion's waters, where the infamous 1615 shipwreck of the Banda claimed the life of Governor Pieter Both.