Holiday Guide to Mauritius

Mauritius, an Indian Ocean island nation, is known for its beaches, lagoons and reefs. The mountainous interior includes Black River Gorges National Park, with rainforests, waterfalls, hiking trails and wildlife like the flying fox. Capital Port Louis has sites such as the Champs de Mars horse track, Eureka plantation house and 18th-century Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens.

There are many great options. The number of tourists traveling to Mauritius each year is always quite large and there is a booming tourist industry across the whole island.

In case we haven’t peaked your interest enough, here are some amazing reasons why you might want to vacation in Mauritius.

Beaches – Mauritius is host to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. With white sand and mostly gentle waves, you’ll find yourself in paradise no matter which one you choose.

Wildlife – There’s a lot of wildlife in Mauritius, some native, some introduced. You can see monkeys, lizards, tortoises, and 100+ species of birds.

Hiking – From dunes to mountains to waterfalls, there are is a wide variety of natural elements to see while hiking across Mauritius.

While the island itself is very small and is in fact only slightly larger than London, there are still many places to choose for your accommodation. Some of the most prestigious chains of hotels have their prized properties in Mauritius. Some of the popular hotel are (in no particular order):

Trou Aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa
InterContinental Resort Mauritius, an IHG Hotel
Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa
Seasense Boutique Hotel & Spa
Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa
LUX Le Morne
Constance Prince Maurice
Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort
Tamassa Resort
SALT of Palmar
The Residence Mauritius
Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort
Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa
Hotel Riu Creole
Paradise Cove Boutique Hotel
LUX* Grand Baie Resort & Residences
JW Marriott Mauritius Resort
Sofitel Mauritius L’Imperial Resort & Spa

What To See, Where To Go

If you’re interested in tours and activities for your Mauritius vacation, consider some of the following top-rated ones:

Full-Day Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs with BBQ Lunch – sail on a catamaran, snorkel, and try delicious barbecue including a crayfish option
Wild South West Full Day Tour – Explore the southwest coast of Mauritius on a shared group or private tour to Chamarel Waterfall, 7-Colored Earth, La Rhumerie de Chamarel, Grand Bassin, Trou aux Cerfs and the ship model factory in Curepipe.
Private Tour of the South West with Lunch – see the Chamarel Waterfall, 7-Colored Earth, Alexandra falls, black river valley, Grand Bassin, and Trou aux Cerfs.
Blue Bay: Half-Day Snorkeling Trip with Creole Picnic Lunch – ride on a glass-bottomed boat and snorkel at a nearby shipwreck

Here is a list of places you can visit during your trip to Mauritius:

Trou Aux Biches – Nature and outdoors venue
Belle Mare Plage – Enjoy Sunrise Amidst Greenery
Ile Aux Cerfs – Perfect Weekend Getaway
Pereybere – Water Sports And More
Le Morne – Water Sports And Nature
Ilot Gabriel Beach – Go On A Cruise
Chamarel Coloured Earth – Witness The Seven-Colored Sand
La Cuvette Beach – Nature And Local Food
Flic En Flac Beach – Longest Beach
Mont Choisy Beach – Natural Wonder Near Airport
Poste Lafayette Beach – Admired For A Variety Of Activities
Black River Gorges National Park – Breathtaking Beauty
Casela World of Adventures – Enter The World Of Wildlife
Parc Francois Leguat – Turtles And More
Tamarind Waterfalls – Touristy waterfall
Rochester Falls – Bathe Under The Gush Of Water
La Vallee Des Couleurs Nature Park – For A Great Exploration Experience
La Vanille Crocodile Park – Witness The Breathtaking Creatures
Chamarel Waterfalls – Largest Waterfall
Le Pouce – Ideal Place For Nature Lovers And Adventurers
Light House of Albion – One Of The Best Attractions
Rodrigues – For A Recreational Time
Port Louis Market – From Dining To Shopping
Quatre Bornes Market – Numerous Options
Tamarin Beach – Impeccable Beauty
Le Plate Island – Leisurely Escape
Port Louis Waterfront – Soak In Sheer Excitement
The Crown Lodge – Ultimate Horseriding View

How many days do you need in Mauritius?

About 7 to 10 days would be perfect for a trip to Mauritius. A trip of any shorter duration would not allow you to enjoy all the major attractions and activities in Mauritius in a hassle-free and leisurely manner.1 Mar 2021

Best Time To Visit Mauritius

The best time to visit Mauritius is from May to December when the weather is cool, dry and sunny. The perfect summer weather and the warm atmosphere allows Mauritius to draw in visitors from around the world who are on the lookout for a holiday destination, which can help them relax and enjoy sun and surf at beaches.

Where to Stay in Mauritius

Unsurprisingly, the best hotels and resorts are located near the coast since the majority of tourists will want to be able to spend most of their time at the beach. Hotels are often located close to each other as many sites in Mauritius have been identified as a much better fit for tourism.

How To Get There

Most visitors arrive in Mauritius by plane at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR) International Airport in the southeast, which now has a slick new terminal building. Air Mauritius also runs daily flights onwards to Sir Gaetan Duval Airport on Rodrigues.

Visa Requirements

No visa is required. On arrival, your passport will be stamped allowing entry to the country for 60 days. Visit the Embassy of the Republic of Mauritius website or the nearest Mauritius Embassy or Consulate for further information.

Getting Around

The easiest (and fastest) way to go around Mauritius is by car. Most Mauritian households have cars to get around but some people prefer to travel by motorcycles that can very easily snake through the traffic. If you stay in a villa in Mauritius, you can easily arrange a car and driver to take you around the island.

Itinerary: Editor’s Suggestions

Based on my varied experience travelling across Mauritius, here are some suggestions that might be helpful to you in planning your holiday in Turkey:
Day 1 – Visit Black River Gorges & Chamarel
Day 2 – Trip to Ile aux Cerfs or Ile aux Aigrettes
Day 3 – Port Louis & The North
Day 4 – Mountain Climbing in Mauritius / Round of Golf
Day 5 – At Leisure