Who hasn't dreamed of wandering under palm trees, along long stretches of fine sand, facing clear turquoise water? Mauritius combines all of it for a proper change of scenery. The island sits just under 10,000 km from France, in the middle of the Indian Ocean, between Réunion and Rodrigues.
✓ Visited in 2016 - 2023 - 2024
For that first trip in 2016 we went for rest and nature — and booked through an agency, which I'm usually reluctant to do: return flight Paris-Mauritius with Air Mauritius, two weeks all-inclusive in Blue Bay and airport transfers included, for €2,000 per person.
We were lucky enough to go back for ten days in May 2023. A lot had changed in seven years. This time we arrived with Air France from Réunion, a flight of just thirty minutes, heading for the Anelia Resort & Spa in Flic-en-Flac.
For our most recent stay in 2024, we rented a house near Flic-en-Flac.
The most expensive part of this destination is the flight — life on the ground is cheap, and the poverty of the local population is noticeable.
01Chamarel, the land of seven colours
Several places not to miss here:
On the way, it's worth stopping at La Varangue sur Morne — a magnificent setting overlooking Le Morne, for Mauritian specialities.
02The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden
Its full name is the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, and it's one of the oldest tropical gardens in the southern hemisphere. Thirty-seven hectares that are a journey in themselves: wonders from every corner of the world and abundant wildlife — birds, chameleons, frogs, butterflies, dragonflies, giant tortoises. We took a guide to learn about the different species.
03Île aux Bénitiers & wild dolphins
An activity booked before departure directly with Kissen, a local who shares his passion aboard his boat.
Swimsuit and snorkel, feet in the water — arriving early is essential, before the tourist boats flood in from 8:30am
Swimming alongside pods of wild dolphins, in their natural habitat
Snorkelling session in the turquoise water
Peace and quiet, and a good barbecue
04Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) & its Hindu temple
A lake set in an old volcanic crater, at around 550 metres altitude in the Savanne district. It's the most sacred place on the island for Mauritian Hindus — the island's largest religious community — and a major pilgrimage site, above all at Maha Shivaratri, when thousands of the faithful walk there, some of them barefoot.
You can't miss the giant Shiva statue, Mangal Mahadev, guarding the entrance to the site. It stands 33 metres tall — 108 feet, a sacred number in Hinduism — and is a faithful replica of the Shiva statue at Sursagar Lake in Vadodara, India. Since 2017 a statue of the goddess Durga, of the same height, has faced it. Several temples are open to pilgrims and visitors alike.
The site is also surrounded by abundant wildlife — including macaques that happily raid the pilgrims' offerings. A unique experience.
05Île aux Cerfs
An uninhabited islet, reached by water taxi, with plenty of activities on site. We went on our very first day in Mauritius, on an excursion organised by the hotel — we were staying in the south. A barbecue by the beach with freshly caught fish, an encounter (and a meal) with wild monkeys, then parasailing.
06Mahebourg
A small coastal town in the south, to immerse yourself in Mauritian reality and local customs. The architecture of the houses and the straight-line streets speak to the island's colonial past. Bordered by a magnificent lagoon, the town is best discovered on foot and through its local market.
07Port Louis
The island's administrative and financial capital, on the north-west coast — its central market is a must. On our first trip we skipped it, judging it too touristy and expensive; on our second visit we took the time to see it.
The Caudan Waterfront, the city's shopping centre, brings together more than two hundred shops across three sections — the oldest, with its distinctive colourful parasols, dates from 1996; the newest was added in 2022.
08Flic-en-Flac
A village on the west of the island, somewhere between Mauritian authenticity and tourism, which is more present than in the north. A chance to discover restaurants serving cuisine from around the world, or simply to stretch out on the beach — one of the longest white sand beaches in Mauritius.
09Cap Malheureux
This little fishing village, at the very north of the island, owes its name to the many ships wrecked here in the past. There's not a great deal to see — a few houses, a cemetery, the Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice church with its famous red roof — but landscapes of turquoise water and greenery that are worth the detour.
10Bois Chéri, tea tasting
An essential stop on the Mauritian tea route. We watched Mauritians picking the leaves by hand, filling enormous sacks before taking them to the factory. Take the time to try the different teas from the top of the estate — the tasting, with a view over the plantations, is a real moment.
11Casela, wildlife park
Right by Flic-en-Flac — lions, cheetahs, giant tortoises, tigers, zebras. Plenty of activities for an extra fee, including feeding the giraffes or walking alongside lions. A personal view: I can't condone seeing lions or tigers sedated to make those walks possible. The safari section, on the other hand, is extraordinary.
12La Vanille Nature Park
In the south of the island — crocodiles, giant Aldabra tortoises in a large enclosure where you can feed them, and a wide range of insects and monkeys. The park also runs a giant tortoise breeding programme, with several hundred animals born on site.
13Le Morne Brabant
This little slice of paradise sits in the south-west of the island. The beaches are superb, and the view of the cliff is genuinely striking. A hike takes you up it — sadly the weather didn't allow it when we were there.
14A catamaran day out
A day at sea, between turquoise water and wind in the sails — one of those experiences that sums up the spirit of the island. The Mauritian flag snapping above the boat, the swell rocking you, the coastline sliding past... a very good moment.
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