Mauritius Tourism | Mauritius Island

About Mauritius:

Mauritius, officially the Republic of Mauritius is an island nation off the southeast coast of the African continent in the southwest Indian Ocean, about 900 kilometres (560 mi) east of Madagascar. In addition to the island of Mauritius, the Republic includes the islands of Cargados Carajos, Rodrigues and the Agalega Islands. Mauritius Island is part of the Mascarene Islands, with the French island of Réunion 200 km (120 mi) to the southwest and the island of Rodrigues 570 km (350 mi) to the northeast.

The British took control during the Napoleonic Wars and Mauritius became independent from the UK in 1968. Mauritius's area is 2040 km2 with Port Louis for capital. It is a parliamentary republic and is a member of the Southern African Development Community, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, the African Union, La Francophonie and the Commonwealth of Nations. Mauritius has an upper middle income economy.

The main languages spoken in Mauritius are Mauritian Creole, French and English. English is the only official language but the lingua franca is Mauritian Creole and the newspapers and television programmes are usually in French. Rodriguan Creole is a minority language and is spoken in certain parts of the country only. The country is composed of several ethnicities, including Asian, African, Chinese and French. The first European explorers found no indigenous people living on the island.

The island of Mauritius is renowned for having been the only known home of the dodo. This bird was an easy prey to settlers due to its weight and inability to fly, and became extinct less than eighty years after the initial European colonization.

How to reach Mauritius:

The only available means of inland public transport, so far, are via taxi cabs and buses.

How to reach Mauritius by air:

For foreign tourists, this is the best and the most viable option for reaching Mauritius. Many international airlines, including well known carriers like Aeroflot, Air Mauritius, British Airways, Singapore Airlines, and South African Airways, provide air access to Mauritius from major international airports. Sir Seewoosagar Ramgoolam Air Terminal is the international airport in Mauritius. It is situated approximately 3 kms from Mahebourg, and 48kms from Port Louis. The airport has all the necessary features of an international terminal, including duty free shops, restaurant, bars, bank, and a post office.

How to reach Mauritius by sea:

Being an island situated in the vast Indian Ocean, Mauritius can also be reached by the sea route. Many cruise companies offer luxury cruises to Mauritius from nearby ports like Durban in South Africa. For those who enjoy the sea, there are provisions for catamaran cruises from the island to the nearby island destinations.

Other transportation:

Rail and roadways transport are the other means of conveyance in Mauritius. The well maintained roads are a pleasure to travel on. The local transport includes buses, taxis, and tourist rental vehicles to name a few. Railway links are provided by the Mauritian Railways which links the major cities and towns of the country. Touristplacesinindia.com offers all inclusive online information about how to reach Mauritius and other tourist information about Mauritius.

Mauritius currency:

The rupee (sign: ₨; ISO 4217 code: MUR) is the currency of Mauritius.

It is theoretically divided into 100 cents; however, no cent coins are currently in circulation.

Mauritian Rupee (MUR; symbol Rp) = 100 cents. Notes are in denominations of Rp 2,000, 1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50 and 25. Coins are in denominations of Rp10, 5 and 1.

Fast Fact sheet of Mauritius:

Mauritius Location:

Southern Africa, island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar

Geographic coordinates:

20 17 S, 57 33 E

Mauritius Area:

Total:

2,040 Sq Km

Country Comparison To The World:

180

Land:

2,030 Sq Km

Water:

10 Sq Km

Note: Includes Agalega Islands, Cargados Carajos Shoals (Saint Brandon), And Rodrigues

Mauritius Climate:

Tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; warm, dry winter (May to November); hot, wet, humid summer (November to May)

Natural hazards in Mauritius:

Cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards

Nationality:

Noun: Mauritian(s) Adjective: Mauritian

Capital of Mauritius:

Port Louis

Time difference:

UTC+4 (9 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Calling Code:

+230

Best time to visit Mauritius:

Mauritius has typical coastal tropical climate, which means that there are no extreme changes in temperature and no high or low season. The driest months and outside the cyclone period is between April – November. During their winter months temperatures range from 24oC-27oC but with less rainfall. Their summer months Dec – April are hot and humid with the risk of more showers. The ‘winter’ is from July to September, when humidity and heat are slightly lower, making this probably the best time to visit. There is an ever-present threat of a tropical downpour especially from January to April, during which you will be confined indoors. For diving enthusiasts, the clearest waters are between December and March. Surfers are advised to go between June and August. Anglers will be delighted at the big game fishing available from October to April.

Mauritius Weather:

View Detailed 9 Day Weather Forecasts for Port Louis, webcams, weather maps & more at Weather-Forecast.com

Geography of Mauritius:

The local climate is tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; there is a warm, dry winter from May to November and a hot, wet, and humid summer from November to May. Anti-cyclones affect the country during May to September. Cyclones affect the country during November–April. Hollanda (1994) and Dina (2002) were the worst two last cyclones to have affected the island.

Districts and dependencies of Mauritius:

Districts of Mauritius:

Black River (Capital: Bambous)
Flacq (Capital: Centre de Flacq)
Grand Port (Capital: Mahébourg)
Moka (Capital: Quartier Militaire)
Pamplemousses (Capital: Triolet)
Plaines Wilhems (Capital: Beau Bassin and Rose Hill, Phoenix)
Port Louis (Capital of Mauritius)
Rivière du Rempart (Capital: Mapou)
Savanne (Capital: Souillac)

Dependencies of Mauritius:

Rodrigues, an island 560 kilometres (350 mi) north-east of Mauritius, which attained limited autonomy in October 2002. It had the status of the 10th administrative district of Mauritius before autonomy was attained.
Agalega, two small islands about 933 kilometres (580 mi) north of Mauritius, famous for supplying chickens.
Cargados Carajos, also known as the Saint Brandon islands, about 402 kilometres (250 mi) north of Mauritius.

Fishing banks within EEZ:

Four submerged fishing banks are mentioned in government documents because they fall within EEZ limits:

Soudan Banks (including East Soudan Bank)
Nazareth Bank
Saya de Malha Bank
Hawkins Bank

Claimed as dependencies:

Mauritius also claims the following territories:

Tromelin Island, currently in French possession.
Chagos Archipelago, currently a British possession as the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT).

Demographics of Mauritius:

The population estimate for the whole republic is 1,283,415. For the island of Mauritius only, as at 31 December 2010, it is 1,245,289. Mauritian society includes people from many different ethnic groups. The republic's residents are the descendants of people from India (Indo-Mauritian), continental Africa (Mauritian Creole people usually known as 'Creoles' in Mauritian Creole), France (Franco-Mauritian) and China (Sino-Mauritian), among other places.

Mauritius Tourism:

Tourism in Mauritius tends to be high end tourism, with a focus on coastal resorts and diving.

In the past thirty years, Mauritius has developed from a low-income economy based on agriculture to a middle-income diversified economy. Much of this economic growth has been the result of the expansion of the luxury tourism sector. Mauritius is one of Africa's wealthier countries, and its economy is mainly dependent on the sugar, textiles, and tourism industries. As world sugar prices have declined and the production of textiles has become economically unfeasible, the tourist industry is being concentrated on. Tourist policy in Mauritius promotes elite and specialist tourism because of the limited space available for tourism and the need to maximise income while minimizing environmental impact. Low budget tourism in not encouraged. Preferring high-end tourism, the Mauritian government promotes boutique luxury hotels, 4 and 5 stars beach resorts, golf courses, and spas and beauty centres. Tourism is directed primarily at the high-spending European market.

Mauritius had about 18,000 visitors in 1970. Between 1985 and 2000 the size of its tourism sector, measured by the increase in tourist arrivals, grew by approximately 340%. Tourist arrivals in 2004 were almost 720,000. Tourism created 30,000 full time job equivalents in 2000. Tourists are primarily European, mainly French and British. Mauritius tends to be a high cost tourist destination. Air travel and accommodation are relatively expensive. Most tourists are on package holidays; there is very little independent travel or backpacking. To promote up-market tourism, charter flights have been banned, the resort hotels have been built to high standards and there are high standards of cuisine and service. There are direct flights from Britain and South Africa.

The amount of resorts clustered in parts of the coastline is increasing, despite concerns about pollution and damage to coral reefs. Policy in the country has generally been to regulate contact between Mauritians society and tourists because of concerns about cultural and social problems.

Tourist attractions in Mauritius:

The clear blue ocean, the romantic beaches, and haunting ruins, make up most of the tourism in Mauritius. The wildlife and marine life are also among the major attractions of the Mauritius tours. Beautiful scenes start greeting visitors right from the time they set their feet here. The major tourist attractions in Mauritius include the Balaclava Ruins, Triolet Shivala, Labourdonnais Orchards, The Waterpark Leisure Village, Flacq Market, Martello Towers, Casela Wildlife Park, and Yemen Reserve. The most popular beaches of Mauritius include Grand bay, Belle Mare, Blue Bay, Pereybere, Le Morne and Tamarin.

Beaches in Mauritius:

The coast of Mauritius is approx. 200 km in length, and contains 160 km of beaches.

The shoreline is characterised by small bays, often fairly isolated, long stretches of beach with adjoining filao forests, occasionally interrupted by lava rocks.

The beaches offer something for everyone – from “lively” with all the hustle and bustle, to isolated as in Robinson Crusoe.

All beaches share the white, mostly fine coral sand, which forms a beautiful contrast to the colours of the sea and the blue sky. When the sun is shining, the sea reflects a range of blue hues, turquoise and often even green.

Almost the entire coast line of Mauritius is surrounded by a coral reef that protects the lagoons from major wave action as well as from large, dangerous fish such as sharks and barracudas. The water is crystal clear, with the temperature ranging from 23°C to 29°C, depending on the time of year.

The water is generally extremely calm and warm, and the shore dips gently, making almost all beaches in Mauritius suitable for children and non-swimmers as well.

The coral reefs off the coast of Mauritius are often located only a few 100 meters from the shore and are most inviting for snorkeling and diving.

Water sports to suit all requirements are offered at all the beaches, particularly in the North West and on the hotel beaches.

The west coast lends itself to beautiful, romantic sunsets (approx. 18:30 – 19:30), while watching the sun rise on the east coast is for extremely early risers.

The beaches on Mauritius are freely accessible, that is, they are open to the public up to 1 metre above the tide mark, even in the hotel areas, despite the efforts of some hotels and owners of holiday homes to create an alternate impression.

We introduce the best-known and most beautiful beaches in Mauritius; in all cases these are beaches that also have a public beach.

These “public beaches” always have parking areas and usually sanitary facilities.

The most beautiful beaches in the north-west of Mauritius:

Baie du Tombeau Beach:

The beach of Baie du Tombeau, which stands for bay of last resting place, is quiet and is not frequented much during the week.

The charm of this beach lies in its golden yellow, fine sand and the extremely shady shore with coco palms.

Enjoy a rest under the trees with a magnificent view across the sea.

The sea is a little rougher here than at other beaches and the shore drops quickly and suddenly.

The upside is that the beach of Baie du Tombeau is completely empty on some days.

Access to the bay is from the A4 north, coming from Port Louis, and taking a left turn at Arsenal in the direction of La Goulet.

It is said that Baie du Tombeau, bay of last resting place, is called such because Dutch admiral Pieter Both and his crew are supposed to have been buried here after their shipwreck at this beach.

The small river Riviere du Tombeau flows into the bay, and can develop a strong current on some days. Take care when crossing it on foot.

Grand Baie Beach:

Grand Baie, the large bay, is an absolute treat for the eyes due to its turquoise-coloured water.

The town of Grand Baie has grown up around the bay, and has become the tourist centre of Mauritius.

Everything that a tourist in a foreign country could require can be found here.

The public beach is somewhat unsuitable for viewing the best side of the Indian Ocean, however. The water is colourful, and contains a veritable flotilla of boats. The public beach is located directly adjacent to the road, offering the convenience of the nearby town, while not really being ideal for swimming.

Hotel guests in Grand Baie make use of the hotel beaches, which are artificially created in some cases.

The small, attractive beach of La Cuvette can be recommended as a public beach. This beach is located at the northern end of Grand Baie. Travel past the dead-end road at the Hotel Le Mauricia, on the level of the Indian temple.

The beach is small, but offers everything one could wish for. A short walk will reveal an impressive view of Grand Baie and the bay with the deep blue water.

Mont Choisy:

The beach of Mont Choisy stretches along a small forest of filao trees. It is beautifully located in a large bay with bright blue water.

Turn on to the bumpy dirt roads that lead to the beach. Cars can be parked directly next to the beach, which is why it is so popular amongst Mauritians; Mont Choisy is famous as a picnic meeting spot on weekends.

The beach is long enough to ensure that you never have a feeling of being crowded, not even on weekends. Sufficient shady areas are provided by the filao and badamier trees, as there are no developments at the beach itself.

The sand is very fine and contains almost no broken coral pieces, which makes it perfect for sporting activities.

Non-swimmers and small children should be careful however, as the shore drops suddenly and quickly. After no more than 5 – 10 m the ground disappears under your feet.

The many traders, food stalls and snack trucks that take care of visitors’ culinary needs at extremely reasonable prices are another advantage of this beach section.

And be sure to stay until sunset. The beach of Mont Choisy offers the most impressive and romantic sunsets.

Other:

The football pitch, which is surrounded by filao groves, was once an airport that serviced the first regular airlines en route to the neighbouring island, La Réunion. Today, a monument serves as a reminder of those days.

Those who are fortunate enough to be in Mauritius when the flamboyants are in bloom, will be sure to experience one of the most beautiful photo motifs of the island of Mauritius. The entire road along the beach is aglow with the bright red of the flamboyants (flame trees) during this time.

Beach Péreybère Mauritius:

The beach of Péreybère is surrounded by the lively village of Péreybère with a multitude of apartments, retail businesses, restaurants and pubs, some of which are really reasonable.

A wide range of food and drink is also available in the immediate vicinity of the beach.

The beach of Péreybère is extremely small and located in a sheltered bay. It has very fine sand, but drops quickly and suddenly, making it less suitable for small children.

The little stretch of beach fills up reasonably quickly, and on weekends the locals also visit this beach to spend the weekend.

If you prefer more peace and quiet or places for snorkelling, stroll along the water's edge away from the public beach.

Additional information:

The village of Péreybère offers accommodation specially suited to individual travellers. Families in particular appreciate the reasonable rates. Food can be had in the town itself, or in the next town Grand Baie, which is known as the tourist destination of Mauritius.

Beach Pointe aux Canonniers Mauritius:

The beaches of Pointe aux Canonniers, which nestle into a peninsula nearly 6 km long, are characterised by fine sand, interrupted at various locations by lava rock.

The coast has only a few hotels and holiday homes.

The sea here is ideal for swimming and snorkelling, and is also a starting point for underwater exploring.

The construction of the Hotel Le Canonniers was particularly well-conceived; the remains of an old fort were carefully integrated into the hotel, thereby reinforcing the colonial style of the hotel.

Additional information on Pointe aux Canonniers:

The costal road at Pointe aux Canonniers contains a number of interesting retail businesses and art galleries. The Galerie Hélène de Senneville has works by Mauritian artists, for example.

Other enterprises offer finely hand-crafted model ships.

Beach Pointe aux Piments Mauritius:

The long beach of Pointe aux Piments extends from Baie aux Tortues in the south to Trou aux Biches. The long stretch of sand is interrupted by rocky sections again and again. Although the beach is impressively long, it is extremely narrow in places.

The highlight of Pointe aux Piments is the close-by coral reef, which is ideal for snorkelling and diving. The bay of Baie aux Tortues and the adjacent coastal sections have been declared the first marine national park due to their biodiversity.

Diving bases that offer excursions to fantastic dive sites can be found in the large hotels and in the village of Pointe aux Piments.

The beach of Pointe aux Piments features numerous luxury hotels such as the Oberoi. Several smaller hotels, apartment blocks and holiday homes can be found in the village of Pointe aux Piments, which does not really have a tourist infrastructure like Trou aux Biches or Grand Baie for example. As a result, it has managed to retain that original feel of a typical coastal village in Mauritius. Catering is made easy though by the wide range of supermarkets, smaller shops and non-elaborate restaurants.

The public beach is small and located directly in the village. Culinary offers are available here, and it is easy to make contact with the locals. The not so insignificant distance to the bathing and snorkelling places in the direction of the larger hotels is well worth it.

Additional information on Pointe aux Piments:

Pointe aux Piments is the perfect location if you enjoy a tourist infrastructure yet also want to experience that original ambience typical of Mauritius. We hope that Pointe aux Piments can retain its originality despite its development.

Pointe aux Piments is conveniently situated in terms of Triolet, a rather turbulent town, and in terms of the capital Port Louis and the motorway. The coastal road that leads from Pointe aux Piments via Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy, Grand Baie, Péreybère, Cap Malheureux right up to the north, to Grand Gaube, also starts here.

Pointe aux Piments has an aquarium, which provides an overview of the marine fauna of Mauritius. The highlight of the aquarium is a large basin that allows you to watch sea turtles, among other things. Children love the touch pool.

As is the case with other beach sections on the north west coast, Pointe aux Piments also boasts impressive sunsets.

Beach Trou aux Biches Mauritius:

The entrance to the public beach of Trou aux Biches on the coastal road from Pointe aux Piments to Grand Baie is located on the level of the police station. The beach has a small parking place and various stands selling freshly fried gateaux Piments or Dalpouri.

Although the public beach area is not particularly interesting due to the number of boats anchored here (the motorboats for water-skiing and other water sports start from here), the picture changes after you make a turn to the right.

The beach along the Trou aux Biches Hotel is indeed one of the best in Mauritius.

This beach appeals to every type of visitor to Mauritius.

The fine sand contains only a few pieces of coral, and is ideal for building giant sand-castles.

The beach is sufficiently wide, but offers only limited shade. Persons who are not guests at the Trou aux Biches Hotel should arrive early or bring protection from the sun. Loungers and sun umbrellas have recently been made available for hire.

The beach of Trou aux Biches has a gentle slope, and is consequently particularly suitable for children and non-swimmers as well. The reef in front of the beach ensures that the water is calm.

The coral reef at Trou aux Biches is only 250 m from the beach, and is one of the best snorkelling paradise locations in Mauritius. The coral reef can easily be reached (by swimming through shallow water) and offers a wide diversity of species. Dive into the wonder world of the coral reefs. The reef is also suitable for snorkelling beginners.You should be particularly aware of the current when swimming further out. The wind often blows from the shore, making the return more difficult.

Trou aux Biches is also an ideal location for lovers of diving sports. Numerous diving bases ply their trade from Trou aux Biches.

The range of water sport opportunities is more than sufficient. Whether you're keen on water-skiing, jet-skiing, glass boat trips or parasailing, every taste is catered for.

The resort is also the starting point for deep-sea fishing. The fleet is located at the end of the beach in the direction of Grand Baie.

The beach of Trou aux Biches is well-suited for long beach walks, and offers romantic sunsets; don’t leave the beach too early!

The town of Trou aux Biches offers everything a tourist to Mauritius could want. Accommodation ranges from simple apartments in the town through beach villas to a luxury hotel with a golf course.

Individual tourists are well catered for in terms of gastronomy. Small and large restaurants, supermarkets and small tabagies ensure that guests want for nothing.

Trou aux Biches is located on the coastal road linking the towns of Pointe aux Piments, Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy, Point aux Canonniers, Grand Baie, Péreybère and Cap Malheureux.

The most beautiful beaches in the west of Mauritius:

Flic en Flac Beach:

The beach of Flic en Flac extends across an 8 km stretch to Wolmar, where numerous exclusive hotels are located.

A large part of the beach in the vicinity of the town of Flic en Flac has been designated a purely public beach, meaning that no building has taken place on the coast. Instead, a large grove of filao trees ensures sufficient shade.

Flic en Flac is one of the tourist centres of Mauritius, and has a large variety of apartments, holiday houses and flats. The tourism infrastructure is extremely well developed.

Despite the large numbers of tourists, by Mauritius standards, the wide, extremely long beach at Flic en Flac is not over-populated; the resort only becomes somewhat full on weekends, when inhabitants of Port Louis and other cities in Mauritius meet here for a picnic.

The beach is wide and has fine sand. Alongside the beach is a filao forest with a grass covering.

The water is clear, with a gentle slope, although there are a number of stones and coral pieces at various places in the water.

Sadly, large sections of the coral reef at Flic en Flac have been damaged to such an extent that it has died and will only recover with great difficulty. The previous splendour of the reef can only be imagined in some locations. As a result, opportunities for viewing fish during snorkelling are few.

Two sanitary facilities with toilets and showers are available. Unfortunately these are not always optimally maintained.

The range of water sports on offer is extremely good, and your physical well-being is well catered for.

Tamarin Beach:

The beach of Tamarin is only partially suitable for a quiet beach holiday.

As there is no reef to protect the bay at Tamarin, the sea is rougher here than at the other beaches on Mauritius.

The bay at Tamarin is ideal for surfers.

The beach of Tamarin is beautifully located and is well suited for long walks and for collecting mussels. The Tamarin river forms a beautiful estuary here against a backdrop of mountains.

The most beautiful beaches in the south-west of Mauritius:

Le Morne Brabant Beach:

The peninsula at the south-western tip of Mauritius is dominated by the Le Morne Brabant mountain, which is approx. 550 m high, and has been declared a World Natural Heritage site by UNESCO.

The contrast between the snow-white beaches, the turquoise sea and the tropical surroundings at the foot of the mountains lend this resort an air of uniqueness.

The beaches are well-suited for swimming; the water is shallow and suitable for children and non-swimmers. The reef in front of the beach makes the area popular for snorkeling.

The wide beach has fine, white sand and few visitors, except on weekends. Ample space and shade are available.

Because Le Morne Brabant is somewhat remote, the beach is difficult to reach by bus. As a result, if you are not staying at one of the wonderful hotels, using a rental car is advisable. The journey is an adventure, regardless of the direction from which you approach the beach.

The south coast of the peninsula has become an Eldorado for kite surfers, due to its strong winds. If you're a keen kite surfer, this part of Mauritius is just the right spot for you.

The most beautiful beaches in the east of Mauritius:

Belle Mare Beach:

The beautiful beach of Belle Mare is located on a coastal section that is hardly developed in the east of Mauritius, between Belle Mare and Pointe de Flacq. This beach is famous for its particularly fine and white sand.

The beach of Belle Mare is especially long and offers ample space as well as sufficient shade thanks to the many fialo trees. Due to the lack of development (except for a few luxury hotels) and the size of the beach, you can still find secluded sections of beach here.

The water is shallow and has an attractive turquoise colour.

However, sanitary facilities are not available here, and traders are rare.

Make sure to get up early, as the east side of Mauritius has beautiful sunrises.

The most beautiful beaches in the south-east of Mauritius:

Belle Mare Beach:

The bay located near the city of Mahebourg does justice to its name. The water is deep blue to turquoise, reflects brilliantly in the sun and is particularly clear.

The sea is shallow and the depth increases only gradually.

The beach consists of fine, white sand, and is shaded by filao trees.

The combination of wind and calm water provides ideal conditions for windsurfing, particularly for beginners.

The tourist infrastructure leaves a little to be desired, although there are traders and sanitary facilities.

The most beautiful beaches on small islands of Mauritius:

Ile aux Cerfs Beach Mauritius:

The beaches on the island of Île aux Cerfs close to the coast of Mauritius feature in many Top10 lists of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

Île aux Cerfs is one of the absolute highlights of Mauritius.

This is also one of the reasons all tour operators include an excursion to this striking place in their programme.

Fast boats depart for the island approximately every half an hour from various locations; those who wish to travel on their own depart from Trou d’Eau Douce. A small parking lot where boatsmen can always be found is located near the entrance of the village. Make sure to bargain a good price.

The speedy trip to the island is an adventure in itself. Trips during low tide are a little slower as the boatsman has to avoid coral colonies.

As soon as you reach the jetty on the other side, you will realise that the dream island of Île aux Cerfs is no longer an insiders’ tip. A multitude of offers for tourists and large crowds are a definite, especially on weekends. However, if you continue walking a little further, you are sure to find a peaceful place in one of the most gorgeous spots on the Indian Ocean.

Unfortunately it is no longer possible to do a round trip of the island as the thick mangrove growth is a deterrent.

Try and leave for Île aux Cerfs before the crowds and allow yourself sufficient time to enjoy this beautiful island with its shimmering beaches of fine, white sand, the clear, blue sparkling water and the water sports facilities.

Îlot Gabriel Beach Mauritius:

The small island of Îlot Gabriel can only be reached after a longer journey by ship.

Various craft leave Grand Baie for the island, and travellers have a choice between sailing boats, larger catamarans or smaller motorboats.

The journey across the sea passes the islands of Coin de Mire and on to Flat Island, which is the neighbouring island to Îlot Gabriel.

The island has an idyllic setting, a gentle slope and is often devoid of people if there are only a few boats in the bay.

The island is not inhabited, and the only people to be seen are those arriving by boat.

Îlot Gabriel is a must for snorkelling enthusiasts. The corals off the Îlot Gabriel contain countless species of fish, in all colours and shapes. Time passes all too quickly here, before visitors need to turn for home.

Historic Sites of Mauritius:

The historic sites of Mauritius include the ruins of the European settlements and some other monuments of that period. The Balaclava ruins and the Dutch ruins at Vieux Grand Port offer a glimpse of the medieval history of the island. Remains of the first fortifications and settlements can be seen here.

Wildlife Destination Mauritius:

The environment in Mauritius is typically tropical in the coastal regions with forests in the mountainous areas. Seasonal cyclones are destructive to the flora and fauna, however they recover quickly.

Mauritius has a Ministry of Environment that is responsible for the cleanliness of the island. One of its tasks is garbage and litter collection at public places, and it does an admirable job in the areas it services. Environmental complaints can be filed online and requests for Environmental Awareness can also be made. The estuaries are becoming polluted due to garbage which is dumped into the inland ravines by the refuse companies contracted by the Ministry of Environment. This creates a huge problem with regards to toxic water flow into the various estuaries which also has a adverse effect on various marine life.

Mauritius has quite a few wildlife destinations which are home to a wide range of wildlife found in the region, including a large number of rare species. The major wildlife parks in this island are – Black River Gorges National Park, La Vanille Crocodiles Park, Ile aux Aigrettes, and Domaine du Chasseur. The marine life of the region can be witnessed by going underwater in the submersibles available for the purpose.

Adventure in Mauritius:

Trekking in Mauritius:

Trekking on Le Morne Mauritius:

At the south-western tip of the island, Le Morne Mountain overhangs the clear waters of the lagoon.

Access to the summit is protected by a gorge which must be crossed over in Tyrolean traverse.

You are in the wind, suspended into space at 450 metres and facing the mountains between Benitiers Island and Ilot Fourneaux!

On the plateau, time seems to have stopped you are greeted at every step by a delicious scent of exotic plants.

You get back down in a crevasse and end up inside the mountain. It holds you back, the sky disappears. In your back, there’s nothing left except the blue shades of the ocean. You seem tiny in the midst of this mountain mass. After three abseils of 70 metres, you reach the base as a new person... as though born again...

We offer you two possibilities to discover this magnificent mountain:

Go up and down the mountain on the same track

Climb the mountain through the normal track and abseil down. This option is only for those already initiated to abseiling techniques.

Age	As from 16 years old
Difficulty level	Difficult
Duration	6-7 hours
Meeting time	7am
Meeting point	Round-about Hotel Le Paradis/MCB parking
What to wear	Sport or trekking shoes, sport clothing and hat.
Do not forget	Sunscreen
Lunch: Included	Lunch box : sandwich, fruit and water

Trekking under Trois Mamelles Mauritius:

A wild treasure for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers.

At the heart of Yemen property, a large 4,500-hectare hunting reserve in the west of the island, prepare for a thrilling itinerary.

You make your way through a tunnel which goes deep down into the mountain, and discover pristine forests of stunning multi-centenary trees; you then skirt round Rempart mountain and dominate African savannas in the reserve.

In another valley, you navigate Rivière Papaye across a canyon, which meanders about 200 metres, with walls nearly 60 metres high.

This crossing takes you round the safari park, where you meet African antelopes, zebras, Java deer, etc.

Age	As from 15 years old
Difficulty level	Difficult
Duration	6-7 hours
Meeting time	8h30am
Meeting point	Casela Yemen
What to wear	Sport or trekking shoes, sport clothing and hat
Do not forget	Sunscreen and mosquito repellent
Lunch: Included	Lunch box: sandwich, fruit and water

Trekking on Mamzel Zabeth “Rando Fun” Mauritius:

Age	As from 15 years old
Difficulty level	Difficult
Duration	6-7 hours
Meeting time	8h30am
Meeting point	Casela Yemen
What to wear	Sport or trekking shoes, sport clothing and hat
Do not forget	Sunscreen and mosquito repellent
Lunch: Included	Lunch box: sandwich, fruit and water

Trekking along zip lines “Les Cerfs Volants” Mauritius:

For those who have always dreamt of flying

Set in the inland south of Mauritius, an original and fascinating site waits for you.

You will discover Rivière-des-Galets, its banks and numerous waterfalls, through an exciting journey. There are several zip lines opportunities to make you admire nature in flight... just like a bird.

A nice break by the river will leave you time to swim in the natural river beds and freshen up under the waterfall.

A typical Mauritian menu is served at our table d’hôte. Right in this spring water bed, you’ll end this unforgettable day full of pleasant memories.

Age	As from 4 years old
Difficulty level	Easy
Duration	4-5 hours
Meeting time	1st session 8H30 am – 2nd session 13h00
Meeting point	Chazal, St Felix
What to wear	Sport shoes and clothing, hat and swimsuit
Do not forget	Sunscreen and mosquito repellent
Lunch Included	Traditional Mauritian menu: Chicken curry, beans or lentils, vegetables, steamed rice, “faratas” and tomato chutney. Dessert : Banana flambé or other

Trekking in a river “Riviere-des-Galets” Mauritius:

For years now the water coming down Rivière-des-Galets has irrigated hundreds of hectares of sugarcane in the south of Mauritius.

Today, you can experience a unique excursion and have the chance to refresh yourself in fresh tropical waters before going down natural slides, jump from rock tops, have a massage under waterfalls and swim in canyons.

This aquatic trek is a wonderful discovery of the aquatic fauna and flora surrounded by tropical vegetation (raffia, palm trees, creepers and beautiful dense ferns). This excursion is for those who are physically fit and can swim.

A very good break and change from your beach holiday.

To regenerate your efforts from the river trek, you can relax at Chazal guest house and taste the traditional Mauritian chicken curry served with vegetables from the garden.

Age	As from 15 years old
Difficulty level	Must be physically fit
Duration	3 to 3½ hours
Appointment	On request
Meeting point	Chazal, St Felix
How to dress	Swimsuits and water or sport shoes
Equipment	Diving suit and helmet provided
Lunch Only on booking	Traditional Mauritian menu: chicken curry, beans or lentils, vegetables, steamed rice, faratas and tomato chutney. Dessert: Banana flambé or other

Trekking on Pieter Both Mauritius:

Let yourself be surprised by the highest peak of Mauritius in the north... Pieter Both offers stunning panoramic views.

From the top, you’ll admire the scenic diversity, gaze at the many northern islets, and contemplate the east and west coasts and the mountain ranges in the south. History and geography will take shape just in front of you.

On this huge volcanic rock, you are on top of the world!

Age	As from 16 years old
Difficulty level	Difficult
Duration	6 - 7 hours
Meeting time	8h30
Meeting point	Mon Desert Alma Sugar Estate’s roundabout - Moka
What to wear	Pants, sport or trekking shoes, sport clothing and hat.
Do not forget	Sunscreen and mosquito repellent
Lunch Included	Lunch box: sandwich, fruit and water

Sailing on Nouski in Mauritius:

One of the most beautiful lagoons of Mauritius: the lagoon of Mahébourg.

On an authentic Mauritian wooden pirogue, sail on the blue turquoise waters of the South East lagoon. NOUKSI offers you rest, calm and the discovery of marine parks, coral reefs and landscape of historical islands (Ile au Phare, Ile de la Passe). Visit Ile-aux-Aigrettes preserved by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation with enormous tortoises, birds and endemic trees, bushes, etc. - (on reservation only). On board, snorkeling equipment is available to swim and see fish and corals. And of course a delicious lunch pause on water.

Nothing to bring, just good sun lotion!

Duration	5 to 6½ hours
Meeting point	Pointe Jérôme Pier, opposite Ile-aux-Aigrettes
Do not forget	Sunscreen
Lunch Included	Salads, grilled fish and chicken

Deep Sea Fishing in Mauritius:

Big Game Fishing in Mauritius:

Mauritius – a paradise for amateur fisherman !

The water of the lagoon and ocean teem with a huge variety of fish.

And the dream of every fishing fan is to catch one of the most famous Blue Marlins!

Otherwise, there are plenty of Yellow Tuna, Dorado, Bonita, Barracuda. Mauritius is also famous for its yearly deep sea fishing competition. The private deep sea fishing competition can also be arranged for those traveling in groups!

The best sports for deep sea fishing are on the north, south-east and south-west coasts!

The minimum rent for a boat is for 6 hours in the morning or afternoon, and the maximum – 9 hours from morning to 16h00.

The usual capacity of a boat is up to 9 persons. Soft drinks, beer and sandwiches are served on the boat during the trip.

Hot food is available on request with extra charge.

And if you bring back a wish, your hotel’s chef will cook a very nice dish for you.

You can also request to have the caught fish stuffed at an extra coast.

No matter whether you catch a marlin or not, the adventure is worth the pleasure and experience.

History of Mauritius:

The island was known to Swahili, Arab, and Malay sailors as early as the 10th century and was originally named Revis Island by the Arabs. The Portuguese sailors first visited it in 1507 and established a visiting base leaving the island uninhabited. Five ships of the Dutch Second Fleet were blown off course during a cyclone while on their way to the Spice Islands and landed on the island in 1598, naming it in honor of Prince Maurice of Nassau, the Stadtholder of the Netherlands.

In 1638, the Dutch established the first permanent settlement. Because of tough climatic conditions including cyclones and the deterioration of the settlement, the Dutch abandoned the island after nearly a century in 1710. France, which already controlled the neighboring Île Bourbon (now Réunion), took control of Mauritius in 1715 and later renamed it Île de France (Isle of France). Under French rule, the island developed a prosperous economy based on sugar production.

In the Napoleonic Wars (1803–1815) the British set out to gain control of the island. Despite winning the Battle of Grand Port, Napoleon's only naval victory over the British, the French surrendered to a British invasion at Cap Malheureux three months later. They formally surrendered on 3 December 1810, on terms allowing settlers to keep their land and property and to use the French language and law of France in criminal and civil matters. Under British rule, the island's name reverted to the original one. Mauritius then went on to become independent in 1968. It became a republic in 1992.

Politics of Mauritius:

Mauritius is a vibrant democracy with a regular change of governments. The Government is elected on a five-year basis. The most recent general elections took place on May 5, 2010 in all the 20 mainland constituencies, as well as the constituency covering the island of Rodrigues. Historically, elections have tended to be a contest between two major coalitions of parties. In international affairs, Mauritius is part of the Indian Ocean Commission, the Southern African Development Community and the Commonwealth of Nations and La Francophonie (French speaking countries), amongst others. A more complete list can be found in the main Politics of Mauritius article.

In 2006, Mauritius asked to be an observing member of Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) in order to become closer to those countries.

According to the 2009 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, which measures governance using a number of different variables, Mauritius' government earned the highest rank for "participation and human rights" and "sustainable economic opportunity", as well as earning the highest score in the index overall. Mauritius came second in "rule of law", and fourth in terms of "human development"

Religion in Mauritius:

Hindus make up 52%, Roman Catholic 27.5 %, other Christians 8.6%, Muslims 16.6% and non-religious 0.4% while other religions up to 2.5%, and an additional 0.3% didn't specify their religious beliefs.

Most Franco-Mauritians and Mauritian Creoles are Christian. A small minority of the Muslim and the Hindu population are of South Asian origin. However, many Mauritians are of mixed descent; this is due to the fact that many of the slaves were mixed up causing many 'mixed races’. These languages are still preserved through the existence of different socio-cultural organizations and with the school systems obliging primary schools' students to study an oriental language. A minority of people are of Chinese descent, many of whom have embraced Christianity, following mainly Roman Catholicism. Some follow Buddhism and Confucian traditions.

Language in Mauritius:

The Mauritian Constitution makes no mention of an official language and its one million citizens speak mostly Mauritian Creole, a French-based creole, English and French. It is only in the Parliament that the official language is English but any member of the National Assembly can still address the chair in French. However, English is generally accepted as the official language of Mauritius and as the language of government administration, the courts and business. The lingua franca is Mauritian Creole. In Mauritius, people switch languages according to the situation. French and English, which have long enjoyed greater social status, are favored in educational and professional settings. Also, most newspapers, such as Le Mauricien and L'Express, and media communications are in French. Mauritian Creole, which is spoken by the majority of the population, is considered to be the native language of the country and is used most often in informal settings. It was developed in the 18th century by slaves who used a pidgin language to communicate with each other as well as with their French masters, who did not understand the various African languages. The pidgin evolved with later generations to become a casual language. Mauritian Creole is a French-based creole due to its close ties with French pronunciation and vocabulary.

Other languages spoken in certain parts of Mauritius by a limited number of people include Rodriguan Creole and Swahili. The school system of the country make it compulsory for all primary school students to study an oriental language which can be an Indian language (mostly being Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Marathi, or Bhojpuri) or a Chinese language (either Hakka or Mandarin), Arabic or an African language such as Swahili. Most Mauritians are at least bilingual, if not trilingual.

Religious and Others:

Triolet Shivala, the biggest Hindu temple of the islands was built in Triolet in 1819. The temple is dedicated to the Gods Shiva, Krishna, Vishnu, Muruga, Brahma and Ganesha. This place is also the longest village on the island. Other noted pilgrimage sites include the Pere Laval shrine and Lake Bassin.

There are many tourist spots which are known for their recreational value. These include the Ile Anx Cerfs on the east coast, which attracts a lot of tourists for its water sports, dining and shopping options. The Pamplemonsses Garden was created in the 18th century in the estate of the French Governor Mahe de Labourdonnais. The beautiful garden has a rich collection of plants including the Victoria Amazonica lilies.

Port Louis is the capital and one of the major tourist attractions in Mauritius. The city, apart from being the headquarters of administration, is home to a large number of interesting tourist spots. These include 18th century structures like the Government house and the Municipal Theater. The Supreme Court and the Natural History Museum are the other important sites in the city. Besides, there are two cathedrals, and a mosque that demand a visit. The mask museum is an interesting museum displaying a large number of masks collected from all over the world.

Culture of Mauritius and Music of Mauritius:

The cuisine of Mauritius is a blend of Indian, African, Chinese and European influences. It is common for a combination of cuisines to form part of the same meal.

The production of rum, which is made from sugar cane, is widespread on the island. Sugarcane was first introduced to Mauritius by the Dutch in 1638. The Dutch mainly cultivated sugarcane for the production of "arrack", a precursor to rum. However, it was during the French and British administrations that sugar production was fully exploited. Pierre Charles François Harel was the first to propose the concept of local distillation of rum in Mauritius, in 1850. Beer is also produced on the Island, by the Phoenix Brewery.

The sega is a local folklore music. Sega has African roots and the main traditional instruments for producing the music are goat-skin percussion instruments called ravanne, the West African Djembeand metallic clicks using metal triangles. The songs usually describe the miseries of slavery, and has been adapted nowadays as social satires to voice out inequalities as felt by the blacks. Men are usually at the instruments while women perform an accompanying dance. The origin of Sega is not completely known however it is likely to have come from West African countries such as Ghana due to the similarities in the music.

In 1847, Mauritius became the fifth location in the world to issue postage stamps. The two types of stamps issued then, known as the Mauritius "Post Office" stamps, consisting of a "Red Penny" and a "Blue Two Pence" denomination, are probably the most famous and valuable stamps in the world.

When it was discovered, the island of Mauritius was the home of a previously unknown species of bird, which the Portuguese named the dodo (simpleton), as they appeared to be not too bright. By 1681, all dodos had been killed by the settlers or by their domesticated animals. An alternate theory suggests that the imported wild boars that were set free destroyed the slow-breeding dodo population. The dodo is prominently featured as a supporter of the national coat-of-arms.

The island has also given rise to a diversified literature in French, English and Creole. Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio, the 2008 recipient of the Nobel Prize in Literature, is of Franco-Mauritian origin and lives on the island for part of each year.

In Mauritius, the following festivals — Diwali, Mahashivratri, Christmas, Cavadee, Chinese New Year, Père Laval, and Eid Al-Fitr — are celebrated.

Recreational activities in Mauritius are quite varied to support the local tourism industry. Water sports are facilitated as the island is surrounded with coral reef, providing plenty of relatively shallow and calm water. Activities such as deep sea fishing, surfing, windsurfing, water-skiing, cruising in yachts and even submarines are some of the many water based recreations available. Although it seldom breaks, Tamarin Bay is one of the world's most famous surfing spots. Land-based leisure activities include golf, tennis, skiing, sea diving, deer hunting, quad & mountain biking, abseiling, zip lining, horse riding and trekking.