Discover the epitome of the ideal beach holiday. This magical island offers you pure holiday relaxation. Time to find your perfect beach and to swim in azure oceans. And Mauritius offers you so much more than a pretty beach. Experience volcanoes, national parks, rare birds, animals and plants plus stunning mountains and forests.
- North coast beaches for their activities – water skiing, windsurfing, sailing, deep sea fishing, and parasailing. Grand Bay, Pereybere, Cap Malheureux and Grand Gaube
- East coast beaches for their lack of commercialism, wilder nature. Blue Bay, Palmar and Belle Mare plus the beaches of the Ile aux Cerfs Island.
- South coast beaches for remoteness and high sea cliffs but not for swimming. St Félix, Riviere des Galets and Gris Gris.
- West coast beaches for their turquoise waves for surfers. Flic en Flac, Tamarin and Le Morne.
- The inland of the island offers forests, rivers, hiking trails up volcanoes and a botanical gardens with giant tortoises.
TOP 5 MAURITIUS HIGHLIGHTS
- UNDERWATER TOURS Everyone knows the beauty of the beaches. Come and see what’s under the water with world class sightings of colourful tropical fish, moray eels and splendid corals. From the sea walk to glass bottomed boats, Mauritius has it all.
- PORT LOUIS The capital city is laid back in every sense. Wander the central market for its food, crafts and herbal teas. Explore some of the old colonial forts or view the Hindi temples and learn more about this colourful country.
- TROU AUX CERFS A 605 m high extinct volcano located in Curepipe and boasting spectacular views. Get a chance to walk around the perimeter after a challenging hike up.
- MAURITIUS BOTANICAL GARDEN Commonly known as the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden. It is the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere. View giant tortoises and water lilies.
- BLACK RIVER GORGES NATIONAL PARK These 6,574 hectares protect most of the island’s remaining rainforest, home to diverse wild animals and birds.
TIPS FOR TRAVELING MAURITIUS
CURRENCY Mauritian Rupee (MUR) is the local currency though US Dollars, Pound sterling and the Euro are widely accepted. South African Rand is also accepted in certain hotels. All major resorts as well as shops and restaurants accept credit cards.
CLIMATE The climate is subtropical. There is relatively little seasonal variation in temperature. The weather is generally pleasant and sunny. The country has two seasons: a warm humid summer extending from November to April and a relatively cool dry winter from June to September. Temperatures average about 25° C year round.
WHAT TO PACK Your costume of course! Shorts and t-shirts for the day will suffice. For evenings, especially while dining, a smart casual approach will be fine with perhaps a light sweater for cooler evenings. Don’t forget the sunblock, a hat and comfortable walking shoes should you wish to explore the inland areas.
PEAK HOLIDAY SEASON Being a year round destination, there’s no wrong or right answer. September to December is generally the best months to visit when the seas are calm and the weather driest. July and December is usually when Mauritius gets the most visitors.