Who hasn't dreamed of strolling under palm trees, on long white-sand beaches facing crystal-clear turquoise water? Mauritius delivers all of that for a truly out-of-this-world trip. The island sits just under 10,000 km from France, in the heart of the Indian Ocean, between Réunion Island and Rodrigues.
✓ Visited in 2016 - 2023 - 2024
For this first trip in 2016, we went for relaxation and nature — booked through a travel agency (even though I'm usually reluctant to do that): round-trip flight Paris-Mauritius with Mauritius Airlines, 2-week all-inclusive hotel in Blue Bay plus airport transfer, for €2,000 per person.
We were lucky enough to go back for 10 days in May 2023. A lot had changed in 7 years. This time we flew in with Air France from Réunion Island, just a 30-minute flight, straight to the Anelia Resort & Spa, in Flic-en-Flac.
Finally, for our latest trip in 2024, we rented a house near Flic-en-Flac.
The most expensive part of this destination remains the flight — everyday life on the island is cheap, and the poverty of the local population is very noticeable.
01Chamarel, the land of seven colors
Several spots not to miss:
On the way, it's worth stopping at La Varangue sur Morne — stunning setting overlooking Le Morne, to try Mauritian specialties.
02The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden
A 37-hectare tropical garden that's a journey in itself — wonders from all over the world, and a rich array of wildlife: birds, chameleons, frogs, butterflies, dragonflies, giant tortoises. We hired a guide to learn about the different species.
03Île aux Bénitiers & wild dolphins
Booked directly ahead of time with Kissen, a local guide who shares his passion for the sea aboard his own boat.
Swimsuit and snorkel gear, straight into the water — arriving early is essential, before the tourist boats flood in around 8:30am
Swimming with pods of wild dolphins, in their natural habitat
Snorkeling session in turquoise waters
Peaceful setting and a good barbecue
04Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) & its Hindu temple
A lake nestled in a former volcanic crater, considered the most sacred site on the island by Mauritian Hindus (the largest religious group here), now a pilgrimage site. Impossible to miss the giant Shiva statue, standing about 80 meters tall. Several Hindu temples are open to pilgrims and visitors alike.
The site is also surrounded by abundant wildlife — including monkeys quite happy to steal offerings left by pilgrims. A unique experience.
05Île aux Cerfs
An uninhabited islet, reached by water taxi, with plenty of activities on site. We went there on our very first day in Mauritius as part of an excursion organized by our hotel (we were staying in the south). Barbecue on the beach with freshly caught fish, an encounter (and meal) with wild monkeys, then parasailing.
06Mahebourg
A small coastal town in the south, great for getting a real feel of Mauritian life and traditions. The architecture of the houses and the straight street layout reflect the island's colonial past. Bordered by a beautiful lagoon, the town is worth exploring on foot as much as through its local market.
07Port Louis
The administrative and financial capital of the island, on the north-west coast — its central market is a must. On our first trip we skipped it, thinking it would be too touristy and expensive; on our second visit, we took the time to explore it. The Caudan, the city's shopping mall, brings together over 200 shops across three sections — the oldest, with its typical parasol-lined walkways, dates from 1996; the newest addition was added in 2022.
08Flic-en-Flac
A village on the west coast of the island, somewhere between authentic Mauritian life and tourism (more present than in the north). A great chance to try restaurants serving cuisines from around the world, or simply relax on the beach.
09Cap Malheureux
This small fishing village, right at the northern tip of the island, owes its name to the many ships that were wrecked there in the past. Not much to see (a few houses, a cemetery, the Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice church) but the turquoise waters and lush greenery are well worth the detour.
10Bois Chéri, tea tasting
A must-stop on Mauritius' tea route. We got to watch Mauritians hand-picking the leaves, filling huge bags before carrying them off to the factory. Take the time to sample different teas from the top of the estate — the tasting, with a view over the plantations, is a real moment.
11Casela, wildlife park
Right near Flic-en-Flac — lions, cheetahs, giant tortoises, tigers, zebras. Plenty of extra-cost activities, including feeding giraffes or walking alongside lions (personal note: I don't condone seeing sedated lions or tigers used for these walks). The safari section, on the other hand, is fantastic.
12La Vanille Nature Park
In the south of the island — crocodiles, giant tortoises in a large enclosure where you can feed them, and a wide range of insects and monkeys.
13Le Morne-Brabant
This little corner of paradise sits in the south-west of the island. The beaches are gorgeous, and the view of the cliff is genuinely breathtaking. A hike lets you climb it — the weather unfortunately didn't allow it during our visit.
14A catamaran trip
A day at sea, between turquoise water and wind in the sails — one of those experiences that really sums up the spirit of the island. The Mauritian flag flapping above the boat, the gentle swell, the coastline drifting by... a really lovely moment.
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