Beautiful beaches, great food, some adventure and lots of romance!
If I had to describe Mauritius in a few words they would be sunshine, blue water, great food and romance. Lots of romance!
In the middle of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is a destination with something for everyone. From beautiful white-sandy beaches and luxury resorts to challenging golf courses and rugged mountain trails, historic sites and bustling markets and more than enough water activities to keep even the most energetic of travelers occupied for hours on end, Mauritius is a small island with a big personality.
Then of course there is the food! This is going to be good!
Mauritius is also known as Love Island and 70% of visitors to the island are on honeymoon. Think of sunset cocktails on the beach, barefoot walks along the sand, romantic dinners on the beach and of course lots of opportunity to enjoy more of the fantastic Mauritian food. This is not just a beach holiday and as you will find out, there is so much more to do on this little island with a big personality.
Don’t be deceived into thinking that there is nothing more to do than lounging around by a pool with a cocktail in your hand. There is so much more to Mauritius.
A little island with a big personality
Mauritius is home to around 1.3 million people and is a melting pot of different cultures, traditions and flavors. It is home to people of Indian, Creole, Chinese and European origin.
You will hear English, French and Mauritian Creole, as well as several other languages including Hindi and Tamil. This cultural diversity can be found in the architecture, markets, festivals and in the numerous restaurants on the island.
The food of Mauritius is also very diverse. It is possible to have a French-style croissant for breakfast, a very spicy street-food-style snack for lunch and then a Chinese-inspired seafood dish for dinner. This is the beauty of this little island.
Port Louis – where old meets new
The capital of Mauritius, Port Louis, is also one of my favorite spots to visit. This is where old meets new and where there is plenty of history and character to explore.
What I find most interesting about the capital of Mauritius is that there is a mix of modern and older buildings. Some of the older buildings look rather rickety, but they have so much history. It would be a shame to tear down these old buildings in order to make room for more modern structures. Many of the buildings in Port Louis have a slightly worn, lived-in feel and that is what I find so interesting.
And if, like me, you are a street-food enthusiast, then you are in for a treat. There are many markets and stalls selling a vast array of tasty snacks, most of which can be purchased on the spot and eaten on the go. Of course, you have to consider food hygiene but generally most of the stalls are very busy so the food is prepared on the spot and is handled with care.
The Natural History Museum was another stop-off on our tour and whilst it could do with some TLC, it is an extremely informative place to visit. I have always had a soft spot for museums and the like, that haven’t been over-sanitized and still have that slightly musty, old-fashioned charm.
My favorite part of the Natural History Museum was the dodo exhibit. I half expected the paper-mâché dodo egg to hatch while I was standing there looking at it. The dodo is Mauritius’ most famous extinct species and is the symbol of natural history for the island.
Now, let’s talk about the food!
I warned you this was coming.
This is another reason why Mauritius is such a great place to visit for those who love good food. There are so many different types of food on the island, such as the many different types of curry, as well as Chinese, French, and other types of dishes.
In addition, there is a lot of fresh seafood on the island.
As for the food we sampled, we enjoyed some barbecued fish (such as snapper and dorado) as well as prawns, octopus and lobster. It was so delicious to be eating fresh seafood while sitting on the beach, looking out to sea.
And after a long day of exploring, a cold Phoenix beer is just what the doctor ordered. I also had to try the local Green Island rum as part of my ‘experience’ of Mauritius.
I had some of the best Chinese food on the island and some of the best croissants too! They were huge, buttery and very flaky. It would have been easy to have eaten them every day.
And at some point you have to balance all of this food with exercise. Which brings me to the sea!
Trou aux Biches – time to put on those fins
I was off to the sea for some snorkeling at Trou aux Biches Beach after all that eating.
The beach is lovely, with white, soft sand and crystal-clear water that invites you to take a dip.
However, the coral reef is located farther out from the shore and depending on the tide and wind, one might have to swim out quite a distance to find good snorkeling spots.
The underwater world is worth the effort though. The variety of colors, fish and coral is amazing. You can spend hours just floating above the reef and watching the different creatures go about their daily lives.
It is amazing how quickly you can forget about other things and be completely absorbed by the marine life while floating above a reef. Please note that you should only go snorkeling in areas that are recommended by the local tourist office, use only reef-friendly sun protection and be careful not to touch or stand on any of the corals.
And if you’re not a great snorkeler, then there are plenty of other things to do in the water. Kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, or a catamaran cruise there are plenty of things to do on the water.
So, what should you see and do?
As Mauritius is a relatively small island, you can easily experience everything that it has to offer within a week. There is much to explore outside of the resort gates: history, nature, culture and some of the most stunning landscapes you will ever see.
Here are a few places and experiences I would put on your list:
Le Morne Brabant
Le Morne Brabant is a spectacular mountain on the southwestern tip of the island, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was a refuge for escaped slaves and is a very historical and scenic place. If you are interested in hiking, guided walks up to the summit of Le Morne are available but can be very challenging and should only be undertaken in good weather.
Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth and the Rum Distillery
Chamarel is also home to the famous Seven Coloured Earth, rolling fields of earth of different colors of red, brown, violet, etc. It is a very interesting natural phenomenon and can be visited as part of a tour of the southwest of the island. On the same tour you can visit the local rum distillery, learn about the making of sugar-cane-based spirits and taste some of the local rum too.
Champ de Mars, Port Louis
As for other things of interest in Mauritius, Champ de Mars is the oldest horse racing track in the Southern Hemisphere, and racing can be seen here on most weekends.
Black River Gorges National Park
Another area of the island that is well worth a visit is Black River Gorges National Park. This beautiful area of forest is full of trails, viewpoints and native vegetation and is also home to many of the island’s endemic birds. Remember to bring comfortable shoes, plenty of water and a camera to take lots of photos of the stunning scenery.
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden at Pamplemousses is another wonderful place to visit. The gardens are full of tropical trees and palms and are also home to the famous giant water lilies. It is a wonderful place to escape to and wander beneath the shade of the trees and appreciate the beautiful botanical treasures of the island.
A day exploring Port Louis
Make sure to explore the markets, historic streets, restaurants and the Natural History Museum in Port Louis. Put on your walking shoes and be prepared for plenty of walking and plenty of eating.
Dolphin watching and a catamaran cruise
A trip on the water can be a great way to explore the island, whether that be cruising the coastline or visiting some of the nearby islands. Depending on the trip you choose, there may also be an opportunity to go for a swim or do some snorkeling, and you may even get to see some dolphins too.
However, please note that dolphins are wild animals and as such there is no guarantee that you will see them on your trip. Look out for responsible operators who care for the animals and keep a safe distance from them.
Grand Baie – my favourite place to watch the sun go down
My favorite place on the island to watch the sun go down is Grand Baie in the north of the island. I love this place; it has so much character and so much to offer. I love the sunset here; it is just so beautiful and it gives you that special feeling at the end of the day.
Grand Baie is a great location with plenty of restaurants, cafes, shops and boat trips available. You can easily spend the day exploring, then sit down for a leisurely meal before finding the perfect spot to watch the sun go down over the water.
As I mentioned before, the entire island has a beautiful coastline and each section has its own unique character. Whether you are looking for lively evenings, quiet beaches, water sports, or a mix of all, you will find the perfect area to base yourself in Mauritius. The east, west, north and south all have their own attractions.
Mauritius can be as active or as laid back as you wish and there is so much more to the island than beautiful beaches.
My final thoughts
Mauritius is much more than beautiful beaches and honeymoon resorts. For me, the best part of Mauritius is the combination of all the different elements such as the culture, the history, the nature and of course the food!
The beauty of this island is that you can explore the historic town in the morning, go snorkeling on a reef in the afternoon and then enjoy freshly grilled seafood on the beach in the evening. Or, you can do absolutely nothing, reading, swimming and deciding on your next cocktail.
Mauritius is the perfect destination for couples, families and even for people who have just finished an African safari and are looking for something different.
In summary, don’t just book a lovely resort and spend your holiday there. Go out and taste something different, see something different, watch the sun set in a different place.
And do leave room for one more croissant.
Answer the Call of Africa and discover your own little piece of island paradise in Mauritius.
