Holidays to Mauritius

Mauritius travel guide

• When is the best time to visit Mauritius?

  Mauritius has a tropical climate and is warm and sunny all year round. The best time to visit Mauritius is from May to October when it is cool (mid 20's), dry and sunny. In their summer months of November to April, the weather is hot and humid with highs of 31°C. Bear in mind that there is a wet season from January to March when you can expect heavy downpours, 5-10 inches of rain per month and strong winds.
  
  Take a look at our climate a chart below.

• Mauritius attractions

  It may be tempting to spend your whole holiday in Mauritius at a resort, enjoying the sun and sea. However, you’re doing the island a disservice if you don’t get out and experience more of what it has to offer. Mauritius is small enough that you can travel all around it by car in a single day. It’s worth taking your time though, to explore the island’s highlights properly.

  The Southern Lagoon

  The southwest coast of Mauritius is surrounded by a large, turquoise lagoon and white beaches of almost surreal beauty. This is the domain of some of the island’s most exclusive resorts. Many resorts accept day visitors, allowing you to use their beaches and bathe in the still waters of the lagoon. Also, several boat charter companies operate in the area and will transport you from other parts of the island to the lagoon. Popular activities include snorkelling and visiting the small islands in the lagoon, including the Ile Aux Beniters and the Crystal Rock.

  Black River Gorges National Park

  The Black River Gorges National Park lies just to the north of the southern lagoon and is the island’s largest nature preserve, covering an area of 67.54 square kilometres. With an extensive network of trails, the park provides an opportunity to venture deep into the indigenous Mauritian rainforest and hike into the Mauritian highlands.

  Ile Aux Cerfs

  The east coast of Mauritius has a distinct climate and topography, and there’s no better way to experience it than on a chartered boat journey to the Ile Aux Cerfs. A trip will usually include a stop at the breath taking Grand River South East Waterfall, before you thread your way through an archipelago of heavily forested islands to the Ile Aux Cerfs. This islet is renowned for its shallow lagoon, white sand beaches and palm trees. The northern tip of the island is ideal for swimming and includes a range of restaurants and shops.

  Trou Aux Cerfs

  The interior of Mauritius is where you’ll find Trou Aux Cerfs, an extinct volcano that rises to a height of 650 metres above sea level. You can hike to the top of the volcano or ascend by road. From the summit, you’ll be treated to unsurpassed views of the coast and surrounding mountain ranges. The adventurous can climb down to the lake that has formed in the volcano’s crater.

  Charamel

  Charamel is a small village that lies close to two of the country’s most famous scenic attractions. The first of these is the Cascae Charamel, a 127-metre high waterfall that thunders over the edge of a precipice. Not far from the waterfall lies the Coloured Earth of Charamel, an unusual geological feature comprising clay dunes formed out of red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow sand. The result is an unearthly landscape that is one of the country’s most photographed attractions.

• Top 5 things to do in Mauritius

  Go sailing

  Take a sailing trip on a yacht or catamaran. You’ll cross lagoons so clear you can view the sea-life beneath you, snorkel amid schools of colourful fish and even swim with wild dolphins.

  Ile Aux Cerfs Island

  Visit the Ile Aux Cerfs Island, a small island on the east coast. The island is renowned for its wide, sandy beach and features a variety of laid back restaurants and curio shops.

  Beaches... of course!

  With so many beaches, it would be rude not to take some time out and just enjoy lounging on the beautiful soft sand; Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches and Belle Mare Plage are some of the island’s most popular.

  Black River Gorges National Park

  Take a day off from the beach and head into the island’s interior to explore the Black River Gorges National Park. You’ll enjoy spectacular vistas, with waterfalls and the unspoiled, indigenous Mauritian rainforest.

  Mauritius tea route

  Absorb the ambience of Mauritius’ colonial heritage with a trip along the Mauritius tea route, which includes stops at the colonial manor at Domaine des Aubineaux and the tea factory at Bois Cheri.

  Coral reefs

  Diving or snorkelling in any of the incredible sites along the coral reefs; in many places, the water is so clear you can see for distances of over 40 metres, and it’s so warm that divers often don’t wear wetsuit

• Mauritius nightlife

  The type of nightlife available to you will depend on where you’re staying in Mauritius. For the most part, nightlife centres on activities at the many resorts throughout the island, which have bars and restaurants, and host Sega shows and dancing (the island’s popular Sega music and dances capture the soul of Mauritian culture, and are certain to be a highlight of your stay). However, these venues offer few opportunities to mingle with locals or to get a feel for the local culture.

  If you’re eager to explore Mauritian nightlife outside of the resort scene, however, there are some good options:

  • On the southwest coast, you’ll find the C Beach Club, which is the perfect venue to enjoy a beach party hosted by international DJs.
  • The Banana Beach Club in Grand Baie is an established beach bar that’s regarded as one of the island’s premier party venues.
  • Big Willy’s in Tamarin Bay has become the centre of Mauritian nightlife for visitors staying near Flic en Flac and surrounds.
  • If you’re looking for a fun pub night, head to Lambic in Port Louis. This hall serves up smooth jazz and a variety of international beers.

• Mauritius lifestyle and culture

  Modern Mauritian culture is an amalgamation of the cultures of the various groups that have settled in the country over the course of its turbulent history. Over the last five hundred years, the island has been settled on by French and Dutch colonists, people from the Indian subcontinent, Africa and Madagascar and a small population of Chinese merchants.

  The two primary cultural influences in this mix are French creole and Indian, resulting in an ethnic majority that is creole speaking but still observes many of the religious traditions and customs of the Indian subcontinent.

  Many elements of Mauritian culture – such as the island’s famous cuisine – represent a harmonious blend of cultural influences. However, at some levels Mauritian cultural groups can be insular, and there is little intermingling between the major cultural and ethnic groups.

  Customs and traditions

  Mauritians are laid back and easy-going. However, there are a few things to be aware of when interacting with the local population:

  • Hindus typically remove their shoes when entering a home or a place of worship. If you’re invited into a Hindu home or temple, check whether your hosts are barefoot, and if so, remove your shoes.
  • Mauritian trade is built on barter, whether you’re dealing with a shop owner or a taxi driver. As a tourist, you need to ensure you negotiate the best prices on everything from clothes to curios and taxi fares.
  • Mauritians alert to the business opportunities offered by tourists may attempt to provide you with services ranging from boat charters to airport shuttles. Their sales pitches may be aggressive – don’t be intimidated, and be firm but polite when not interested.
  • Although English is an official language of Mauritius, the majority of Mauritians prefer to speak French and creole. It’s worth taking the time to brush up on your basic French. Local people are likely to warm up to visitors who make an effort to communicate in their language.
  • Mauritian culture is conservative, and Mauritians tend to dress accordingly. Although they have become accustomed to different habits from tourists, it’s considered polite for men to wear shirts when not on the beach, and women are encouraged to dress modestly.
  • Mauritians follow some unconventional road rules and driving on the roads can be alarming for foreigners. Watch out for motorcyclists on the roadsides, and bear in mind that it’s the norm for cars to straddle lanes when on the open road.

• Mauritius events - what's on when?

  January - Chinese Spring Festival

  The Chinese community celebrates the Chinese Spring Festival, or New Year, in January or early February. The festival is celebrated with abundant use of the colour red, elaborate feasts of Chinese food and setting off firecrackers and fireworks.

  February/March - Hindu Festivals

  Various major Hindu festivals are celebrated between February and March. The Thaipoosam Cavadee is celebrated by the local Tamil community and is famous thanks to devotees’ feats of endurance, such as fire-walking and face-piercing.
  
  Second is the Maha Shivaratree, which is dedicated to the Hindu God Shiva and features a colourful procession to the Grand Bassin Lake. During the Ugadi festival, the local Telugu people usher in their new year. This tends to be a family affair, although there will be a festive air among the Telugu community at this time.

  April - Indian Ocean Rowing Race

  One of the world’s most gruelling ocean endurance races reaches its conclusion in Mauritius. Starting in Australia two months earlier, teams complete the almost 5,000 kilometre journey to Mauritius by rowboat.

  May

  
  

  Duchess of York Cup

  Horseracing is considered by some to be the national sport of Mauritius. Every year in May, the Champ de Mars Racecourse is filled to the rafters as Mauritians gather to watch one of the country’s most prestigious horse races, the Duchess of York Cup.

  Crossroad of Flavours

  If you’re keen on sampling the full spectrum of Mauritian cuisine, don’t miss the Crossroad of Flavours – the biggest annual food festival in Mauritius. Hosted by the Naiade Resorts hotel chain, the event attracts top chefs from around the world, who add their individual touches to the eclectic Mauritian cuisine.

  June - Mauritius Marathon

  The cooler months of June are the ideal time to take part in the national marathon. Runners from around the world converge on Mauritius to take on the 42-kilometre course, which follows a stunning route along the west coast from Petite Sud Ouest to Petite Riviere Noire.

  July - Barbe Cup

  Champ de Mars Racecourse comes alive once again as it hosts another of the major annual horseraces in Mauritius, the Barbe Cup.

  August - Ganesha Chaturathi

  The month of August sees the Hindu community gather to celebrate the birthday of Ganesha, the god of wisdom. This festival features many public celebrations, with statues of the gods set up and decorated in public places, as well as street theatre and singing.

  September - Father Laval Day

  Jacques Désiré Laval is a beloved figure of Mauritian history – a cleric whose efforts to help and protect slaves are commemorated to this day. Every year on the 9th of September, thousands of Mauritians join a procession to Father Laval’s shrine at the Sainte Croix Church in Port Louis.

  October – Diwali

  October sees the Hindu community celebrate its most festive holiday. The island’s nights are illuminated by thousands of oil lamps and fireworks displays, as the island’s Hindus celebrate the victory of light over darkness.

  November – Festival International Kreol

  If you want to experience all that creole culture has to offer, don’t miss this festival, which is sponsored by the Mauritian government. The festival includes multiple events hosted in public spaces in and around Port Louis and draws large crowds of revellers.

  December - Mauritius Golf Open

  In December, the Mauritius Golf Open gives visitors the opportunity to watch the pros in action at the Belle Mare Plage Resort. The Open runs over a week and includes several events set against the scenic backdrop of the Mauritian east coast.