Mauritius

Experience a tropical island paradise

A jewel in the heart of the Indian Ocean of unspoiled white sandy beaches that give way to a warm turquoise sea. The tropical island paradise of Mauritius is both an exotic holiday destination and an ideal stopover en route to Africa.

Surrounded by unspoiled white sandy beaches and a warm turquoise sea, Mauritius is perfect for a relaxing beach holiday or winding down at the end of a safari in Africa. Dramatic volcanic mountains covered in thick forest form the centre of the island, offering a range of pretty walks past waterfalls and sites that provide a window into the island’s colonial past. Most of the spectacular coastline is protected by a coral reef, with plenty of sheltered lagoons ideal for swimming, snorkelling and other water sports.

Friendly and hospitable, the local population is highly multi-cultural, comprised of Chinese, Indian, Creole and French while the cuisine is both delicious and unique. Mauritius also has a high standard of tourist infrastructure with excellent hotels, restaurants and guest services, making it a wonderful place for a family holiday or a romantic honeymoon.

Idyllic Resorts

Mauritius is known for its many luxury hotels and beach resorts with world-class facilities including day spas, fabulous restaurants and a very high standard of services.

There are also many excellent 3 and 4-star hotels. Despite its popularity, the island has not been spoiled by high-rise development and most resorts are low-rise, set in tropical gardens directly on or close to the beach. The majority offer onsite restaurants, one or more swimming pools, sports facilities like tennis courts and fitness centres, and many also have dedicated kids’ clubs. Visitors to the island can enjoy a wide range of water sports including snorkelling and water skiing, which are usually free for guests, whilst scuba diving or big game fishing involve extra cost.

Magnificent Beaches

Much of Mauritius’s coastline is made up of long stretches of sandy beach interrupted only by azure lagoons or pretty sheltered coves.

Most of the island is protected by an offshore reef which means relatively safe, calm waters that offer good visibility when snorkelling and scuba diving. Trou aux Biche in the northwest has clear, shallow water and is popular with families. The west is known for wonderful sunsets and beautiful Flic-en-Flac Beach, the longest on the island. The Morne Peninsula in the south has lovely beaches and crystalline water set against the backdrop of the dramatic Le Morne Brabant. The east coast is famous for its powder sand beaches, in particular Belle Mare, a lengthy expanse of sand with a deep lagoon, fringed by luxury hotels. Not far away is the island paradise of Ile aux Cerfs with the famous Le Touessrok Golf Course and nearby hotel of the same name. Further south is the gorgeous lagoon of Blue Bay and the island’s only marine park.

Sports and Watersports

Glassy waters and teeming coral reefs make Mauritius perfect for underwater explorations, whilst protected lagoons and bays are ideal for water sports.

Most Mauritius hotels offer a variety of activities such as water skiing, hobie-cat sailing, kayaking, snorkelling, glass-bottomed boats and wind surfing, which may be included in the tariff. Scuba diving, deep sea fishing, catamaran excursions and paragliding are usually at extra cost. Many hotels also offer tennis, table tennis, volleyball, aerobics and yoga. The island has 9 championship or international-standard golf courses of which Le Touessrok is considered one of the most spectacular in the world.

Island Excursions

If you somehow manage to tear yourself away from the pleasures of your beach resort, Mauritius offers some wonderful scenery and other rewards.

Visit the island’s most spectacular waterfall at Chamarel, the Vallee de Ferny, and the Black River Gorges National Park. Don’t miss the Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens, which are considered the best in the world after Kew Gardens. The capital, Port Louis, has some interesting historical buildings, a good market and one of the oldest horse racing tracks in the world at Champs de Mars.

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Mauritius Accommodation

Below are some of our preferred accommodation options in Mauritius, carefully selected for their superior locations, service and level of comfort.

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Maritim Resort & Spa

One of our favourite resorts, the handsome Maritim Resort & Spa sits on a 62-acre private estate at the edge of sparkling Turtle Bay on Mauritius’ sheltered northwest coast.

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Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa

Located in the island’s unspoilt south, Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa provides guests with privileged access to three stunning beaches, the spectacular Blue Bay Marine Park and Ile aux

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Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury

One of the most prestigious addresses on the island, Royal Palm Beachcomber offers the highest standards in service on a sun-drenched stretch of white sand beach on the protected northwestern

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The Residence

In the style of a French colonial planter's mansion, The Residence offers armloads of old-world charm and every modern luxury a traveller might need, on a mile-long white sandy beach on

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Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa

Located on one of Mauritius’ most famous beaches, Flic-en-Flac, the award-winning Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa is a superb choice for an unforgettable island getaway.

Mauritius FAQ

As a beach destination, Mauritius has it all: azure seas, coral reefs, sandy beaches, a pleasant climate, beautiful scenery and friendly people. In general, hotels are of a high standard and the overall infrastructure is very good. With its multi-ethnic populace, the island offers delicious local Creole cuisine with many dishes unique to Mauritius.

Mauritius is a fascinating mix of peoples and cultures: the Creoles and Franco-Mauritians are descended from African and European settlers. Indians rub shoulders with Chinese, and temples and pagodas stand proudly beside Christian churches.

Mauritius has an ideal climate with average midday temperatures of 24°C in the cooler months to 30°C in the warmer months. May to November are cooler and drier whilst January to April are more humid. January and December fall within the cyclone period, although Mauritius seldom experiences cyclones.

A big game wildlife safari in South Africa. Mauritius is an ideal extension to any safari in Southern or East Africa.

Air Mauritius flies from Perth to the main Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Mauritius. There are also regular flights to the island from Johannesburg in South Africa, and Nairobi in Kenya.

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