With dream beaches, breathtaking scenery, vibrant culture and warm hospitality, Mauritius offers the promise of a memorable vacation. Prepare to be seduced by the beauty of a tropical paradise and experience unforgettable moments under the Mauritian sun.
Entrust us with your wishes and let us create your tailor-made trip. From itinerary to accommodation, we take care of everything to offer you an unforgettable experience, perfectly tailored to your expectations and budget.
Contact us today at hello@nanoo.travel for your personalized quotation.
Sommaire de l'article
- Maurice in a nutshell
- How to get to Mauritius?
- When to visit Mauritius?
- Where to stay in Mauritius?
- What to see and do in Mauritius
- Admire the shades of the Seven Colored Earth in Chamarel
- Climb the Morne Brabant
- Greet the turtles at La Vanille Nature Park
- Explore the Black River Gorges National Park
- Spend a day at Casela Park
- Spend the day in Mahébourg
- Surf at Tamarin
- Spend a day on the island of Deux Cocos
- Watch the sunset on a catamaran
Maurice in a nutshell
Located in the Indian Ocean, 870 kilometers east of Madagascar and 170 kilometers from Reunion Island, Mauritius covers an area of 1,865 km². It is 65 kilometers long and 45 kilometers wide.
Although of volcanic origin, Mauritius no longer has any active volcanoes. There are, however, some extinct craters, including the famous Trou aux Cerfs. The island’s highest peak is Piton de la Rivière Noire, at 828 meters.
One of Mauritius’s greatest assets is without doubt the ethnic mix of its people. A look back at the events that have shaped the cultural identity of an island steeped in history…
How to get to Mauritius?
From Paris, many airlines offer daily departures to Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. If you plan well in advance, you can buy round-trip tickets for around €1,000. The flight typically takes an average of 11 to 12 hours (non-stop), with a time difference of 3 hours in winter and 2 hours in summer.
When to visit Mauritius?
With a tropical climate and water temperatures ranging from 20°C to 27°C, Mauritius is a pleasant destination all year round. It has two seasons, reversed from those of the northern hemisphere: a rainy season and a dry season.
- Theaustral summer, from November to April, is hot and humid, with average temperatures between 27°C and 33°C. This is the season of storms, rains and cyclones (rare in Mauritius).
- Thesouthern winter, from May to October, is drier and windier, with average temperatures between 17°C and 25°C.
Where to stay in Mauritius?
While Mauritius is best known for its luxurious beachfront hotels, it’s also possible to stay in a villa, bed & breakfast, guest house or glamping. But you still have to choose where to go on the island… Generally speaking, it ‘s best to choose accommodation in the west or north-west of the island, sheltered from the east coast winds.
The north coast is the busiest and most touristic part of the island. There are many hotels, restaurants, bars and nightclubs between Trou aux Biches and Grand Baie. Stretching for almost 3 kilometers from Trou aux Biches to Pointe aux Canonniers, Mont Choisy beach is the longest beach in Mauritius. In Trou aux Biches, the coral reef is just 250 meters from the beach, making it one of the best places for snorkeling.
On the west side, the sunsets over the sea are a never-ending spectacle. With its long, sandy beaches, Flic-en-Flac is the most popular tourist village on this side of the island. There’s also Tamarin for surfers, Rivière Noire, and La Gaulette, a small fishing village.
To the southwest, Le Morne is a small peninsula offering pristine beaches, shallow waters and some of the island’s finest luxury hotels. The reef is just a few meters from the beach, making it ideal for scuba diving and water sports such as kitesurfing.
The wilder south of the island is ideal for nature lovers. For beaches, head to the southeast (Mahébourg and Blue Bay) or the southwest, near Le Morne.
Located in the south-east of Mauritius, close to Mahebourg, the village of Blue Bay offers breathtaking views of the island of Deux Cocos. With its turquoise beach and protected marine park area, Blue Bay is the ideal place for scuba diving and glass-bottom boat excursions.
On the east coast, Trou d’Eau douce allows you to visit Ile aux Cerfs, while Belle Mare is a wilder site offering superb sunrises.
➜ Special mention for Tamarin, with its many waterfront accommodations and breathtaking sunsets…
➜ In the north of the island, close to the fishing village of Grand Gaube, Hotel Zilwa is a nugget to be discovered without hesitation! This 214-room hotel is located on the edge of the lagoon, facing the northern islands, which can be visited on day trips by catamaran.
Like the group’s other hotels, the Zilwa Attitude proudly showcases local products: from the decoration of the rooms to the dishes served in one of the hotel’s seven restaurants, Mauritius is everywhere! The Zilwa’s architectural style is inspired by traditional beach bungalows. It’s charming, right down to the smallest detail…
Two of the northern islands belong to the hotel and are accessible by boat from the Zilwa pontoon. On Gran Zil, you can play Robinson and enjoy a barbecue while the kids go on a treasure hunt.
A final local touch: the Dodo savate, a pair of which awaits every visitor on arrival at Zilwa. The savate is Maurice’s version of the flip-flop, perfect for seaside expeditions but not only… Although Dodo soap production has almost entirely disappeared today, Attitude Hotels has teamed up with local craftsmen to continue manufacturing these famous flip-flops. An unusual souvenir to pack in your suitcase 🙂
What to see and do in Mauritius
Mauritius not only boasts magnificent white sandy beaches, but also rainforests, mountain walks, waterfalls and activities to delight young and old alike. Here are 9 favorite family activities in Mauritius…
Admire the shades of the Seven Colored Earth in Chamarel
Situated in the south-west of the island, between Rivière Noire and the Pointe du Morne, Chamarel is a typical village renowned for its Terre des Sept Couleurs, waterfall, adventure trail and rum factory.
Nestled in the heart of lush vegetation, over 8.5 hectares in size, the Terre des Sept Couleurs geopark is one of Mauritius’s top tourist attractions. The sight of these rainbow-colored dunes of bare earth is simply enchanting…
Climb the Morne Brabant
Often not recommended for children, the ascent of Le Morne is nonetheless a very accessible hike offering exceptional panoramic views of the surrounding area. The route is divided into 2 parts: a hiking section, which can be done with children, and a more rock-climbing section, reserved for more experienced hikers.
Greet the turtles at La Vanille Nature Park
Created in 1985, the Parc Naturel de La Vanille is a 3.5-hectare zoological park in the south of the island, near Rivière-des-Anguilles. Through giant bamboos, palms and banana trees, the park takes visitors on a journey of discovery of the flora and fauna endemic to the three Mascarene islands. The reserve is home to the world’s largest colony of captive turtles, as well as 2,000 Nile crocodiles, which can be observed at various stages of development.
Explore the Black River Gorges National Park
Declared as such in 1994, the Black River Gorges Nature Park is located in the mountainous southwest of the island. With over 6,500 hectares of unspoilt nature, home to numerous endemic species including giant bats, this park is the green lung of Mauritius. The 60 kilometers of trails of varying lengths (from 3 to 10 kilometers) and levels of difficulty are suitable for all hikers.
Spend a day at Casela Park
Just 3 kilometers from Flic-en-Flac on the west side of the island, Parc Casela nestles at the foot of Montagne du Rempart. Created in 1979, this park combines the discovery of flora and fauna with fun activities. Spend a day at Casela and you’ll have the opportunity to go zip-lining, quad biking, take a 4×4 safari and walk with the lions, all in the same place!
Spend the day in Mahébourg
In the south-east of Mauritius, Mahébourg is the country’s former capital. More than any other town on the island, Mahébourg is imbued with a charm that bears witness to the various colonizations that have taken place on the island. Near the waterfront, stroll through the market stalls before sampling dal puri or chilli cakes. A little further on, the National History Museum recounts the historic moments that have marked the island’s development. Just a few kilometers from the town center, the magnificent Pointe d’Esny beach offers a magnificent view of Ile aux Aigrettes.
Surf at Tamarin
With its many beaches and pleasant year-round climate, Mauritius is an ideal destination for surfers. Of all the spots in Mauritius, the best known is undoubtedly Tamarin Bay. The Rivière du Rempart, which flows into Tamarin Bay, creates currents that allow even the youngest children to glide down to the beach on a bodyboard. Pleasure guaranteed!
Spend a day on the island of Deux Cocos
Located in the south-east of the island, Ile des Deux Cocos is a private island nestled in turquoise waters, where you can disembark and play Robinson for a day… After a diving session in the Blue Bay marine reserve, head to the island of Deux Cocos for a barbecue buffet with your feet in the sand. Magic…
Watch the sunset on a catamaran
Several boat expeditions are available in Mauritius: dolphin watching, catamaran day trips to Ile aux Cerfs, expeditions to Gabriel Islet, etc. After playing Robinson on the island of Deux Cocos, we opted for a sunset cruise from Rivière Noire, on the island’s west coast. Off we go for a 2? hour sail along the coast to Tamarin Bay…
Entrust us with your wishes and let us create your tailor-made trip. From itinerary to accommodation, we take care of everything to offer you an unforgettable experience, perfectly tailored to your expectations and budget.
Contact us today at hello@nanoo.travel for your personalized quotation.
