Kate Webster Mauritius has long been famous for its sun, sea and sand. A volcanic island of lagoons and palm-fringed beaches with coral reefs surrounding most of the coastline, Mauritius boasts a colourful culture and unique landscape to explore.
Located off the southeast coast of the African continent in the Indian Ocean, this small island nation has a big heart and plenty to offer every type of traveller.
The romance of this paradise island escape draws many couples to its shores for honeymoons, weddings and romantic escapes. The luxury offerings are perfect for this, often including activities like private dining on the beach, sunset cruises and more. This being said, it is also a great place for families, with calm waters and family friendly beaches. Adventure travellers will be thrilled with activities like hiking, diving, surfing, kiteboarding and more. While the backpacking offering is limited, solo travellers can still enjoy Mauritius and check in to the many guesthouses.
How to get to Mauritius
Air Mauritius (MK) is the flag carrier for Mauritius. They fly direct from Perth to Port Louis, Mauritius, up to three weekly flights (Wednesday / Friday* / Sunday) with convenient departure times. Easy connections from Australian cities are available with partner airline Virgin Australia.
Read the Flight Review for Air Mauritius here.
Top 10 things to do in Mauritius
The Beaches
Being an island means Mauritius has some of the most amazing beaches to explore. The white coral sand beaches and crystal-clear lagoons are a stunning contrast to the backdrop of black volcanic mountains. Some of the most notable beaches definitely worth a visit are Pereybere, Flic en Flac, Le Morne, Belle Mare, Blue Bay and Ile aux Cerfs. A day at the beach is also a great opportunity to mingle with Mauritian families who enjoy picnicking on the beach on sunny days.
Diving
With 330 kilometres of coastline encircled by a coral barrier reef that protects the turquoise lagoons of the island, Mauritius offers exclusive diving experiences to its visitors all year round. What is unique to diving in Mauritius is the proximity to shore. Although most of the more challenging dive sites are found outside of the barrier reef, they are still invariably reached with just a 20-minute boat ride. Located off Flic en Flac on the west coast of the island is the dive site called the Cathedral, one of the most popular dives in Mauritius. Other popular spots include Gunner’s Coin where you can see large parrotfish at each dive; Whale Rock (26 to 38 meters deep) where the lucky ones can come face to face with a hammerhead shark; and Holt’s Rocks (16 to 25 meters deep) whose name suggests the formation of huge rocks under the sea.
Sega Dancing
You cannot possibly leave Mauritius without learning to dance a few Sega steps. The Sega is a vibrant, folkloric dance with a distinctive African rhythm. The spirit of Africa resonates through the musical instruments – usually ravanne, maravanne or triangle are played, while the songs, sung in Creole, depict the Mauritian way of life. Originally sung by men and women who had been sold as slaves but whose souls had remained sensitive to music, the Sega is nowadays a folksong which has integrated itself within the framework of their folklore. If it happens to you to attend a Sega show and join in, you will definitely be enchanted and impressed.
SALT of Palmar
Set on a picture-perfect beach overlooking the Indian Ocean on the east coast of Mauritius, SALT of Palmar is redefining the hotel stay with a humanistic approach to hospitality for the culturally curious traveller. Its vibrant colours reflect the colourful people and culture of Mauritius and you will be in awe of where to point your camera first. In addition to the visual appeal, what makes SALT so unique is the fact that guests will be immersed into the very heart of the destination, giving guest a sense of being home and living like a local. A stay here is more than just somewhere to rest your head at night, it is a destination and experience in itself. SALT takes its guests to people – not just places – connecting them to locals and their way of life, placing them in the action, not just beside it. Their unique skill swap approach gives guests the opportunity to connect directly with locals where they exchange their time, talent and skills to the local people, while also joining local suppliers to see their work or passion.
Read hotel review of SALT of Palmar here.
The 7-coloured earth of Chamarel
A world-famous attraction, the 7-coloured earth of Chamarel is a unique volcanic geological phenomenon resulting in seven colours of earth swirled together to create a beautiful feature. Found in the Chamarel region, this is a treasure not to be missed. Chamarel rises 283 meters above sea level and is reached by a short scenic walk which cuts through the luxurious tropical forest surrounding it. There are many places to stop to admire the exquisite view and take photos. One of these spots is an 83-metre high waterfall.
Hike Le Morne Brabant Mountain
Step into the history of Mauritius, literally, and hike on the path of the runaway slaves at Le Morne Brabant. Located at the south-western tip of Mauritius, this rocky peninsula has a summit which looks over the area of Le Morne and out to sea. Get into the heart of nature while you experience both the extreme opposites of lush greenery together with the rough and dry patches of the World Heritage Site. As you ascend, you will witness the captivating features of the mountain, whereby there are many caves and overhangs on the steep slopes. Generally surrounded by the lagoon, Le Morne Brabant is worth trying to climb for sunrise for a spectacular birds’ eye view.
Wild dolphin swim
When staying at LUX* Le Morne, you can head out on a Wild Dolphin Experience for a truly wild encounter with the local wildlife. Take a boat out and strap on those fins, snorkel and mask before jumping into the warm waters of Mauritius where you can meet spinner and bottlenose dolphins as they congregate in large numbers in the bay. These dolphins are not enticed by food, nor contained. They are completely free, so swimming with them can be a challenge if you are not a good swimmer. Even if you do not get in the water with them, watching them from the boat is just as exciting. Sperm and humpback whales also migrate along the west coast of the island and can be spotted if you’re lucky.
Rum tasting at Rhumerie de Chamarel
Mauritius is famous for its rum, and one of the most famous spots to try this rum is the Rhumerie de Chamarel Distillery. Rhumerie de Chamarel offers a holistic experience to guests, as you marvel at its unique design which blends harmoniously with the spectacular surroundings where wood, natural stone and water provide a sense of communion with nature. A guided tour with one of the experienced guides will take you behind the scenes to provide a detailed explanation of the rum making process where all the sugar cane plants are carefully selected and grown at the domain. Finish off the tour with a unique rum tasting, where one can try the selection of the agricultural Rums produced by the distillery. As opposed to the traditional rum produced by the distillation of molasses, the agricultural rum is obtained by distilling pure cane juice, a process which gives it its specific aromas and flavours.
The Vortex at Riambel
There are in all fourteen vortices in the world and one of these can be found at Riambel in Mauritius. Located in the small village of Riambel in the south of the island, this vortex is where energy with intense vibratory levels flow. The energy travels in spirals through the vortex regulating the energetic disbalance within those who sit there for at least twenty minutes. A visit starts with a peaceful walk around a spiral path lined with rocks, as you repeat a mantra. You then lay in an area surrounded by coloured huts and meditate for some twenty minutes. Once complete, you then proceed to the coloured hut that represents the colour most present in your meditation and spend time in that particular hut healing with the energy from the vortex. It is not for everyone, but interesting to try if you are curious.
Food Tour of Port Louis
To get a real taste of Mauritius while learning about the culture and history, jump on a street food tour of Port Louis. Taste Buddies offer tours to explore the streets of Port Louis by foot and mouth. Led by a local guide and driven by your curiosity, this culinary journey takes you deep in the heart of the capital of Mauritius. Starting at the Caudan Waterfront, you walk through Port Louis and stop at the best food spots for bite-sized delights. Sink your teeth into a warm roti, take a sip of freshly-squeezed juice, and let the flavours fuse. It truly is the way to experience the island’s authenticity.
