Mauritius - a complete guide: resorts, beaches, hotels and the main tips

Mauritius is a true cocktail of cultures, nature and paradise beaches. It is emerald mountains, luxurious beaches and Creole flavours. A country seemingly lost among the waters of the Indian Ocean - it is not so easy to find it on the map. The island is surrounded by a magnificent coral reef, which is the third largest in the world. And that is far from its only advantage. We have prepared a guide that will help you discover Mauritius.

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When to go to Mauritius: weather and climate

Mauritius has a tropical climate, which means it is warm here all year round. Temperatures stay within a comfortable range of +25°C to +30°C. But there are important nuances:

May - December. Dry season, ideal for all kinds of holidays. This is the Mauritian "winter" and the most comfortable time. The weather is dry, sunny and without exhausting heat. The ocean is calm, the sky is clear. Perfect for beach holidays, snorkelling, diving and exploring the island from one end to the other.

January - April. Hot and humid season, "summer" with high humidity. This is also cyclone season. Usually these are powerful but short tropical downpours, after which the sun comes out again. On the other hand, nature is especially lush and emerald-green at this time, and the waterfalls are at their fullest.

Season for surfers - from July to September. This is your season if you dream of catching a wave in Mauritius. On the south-east coast, especially around Le Morne, steady winds blow and create ideal conditions for surfing and kitesurfing.

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Arrival and visa requirements in Mauritius

The island’s only international airport is Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport (MRU).

Visa: for citizens of most countries, including Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and EU countries, no visa is needed for Mauritius for tourist stays of up to 60-90 days. The main requirement is that your passport must remain valid for at least 6 months after your planned departure date.

Before departure, every tourist must fill in the online "Mauritius All in One Travel Form" in advance. This is a digital health form and immigration card. At the border, be ready to show a return ticket, proof of hotel booking or other accommodation, and valid travel insurance.

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Where to stay in Mauritius: a guide to the coasts

Choosing where to stay in Mauritius is a key decision. The island can roughly be divided into:

• North and West (Grand Baie, Flic-en-Flac areas). The heart of tourist life. Here you will find the best beaches for swimming, the most beautiful sunsets, plenty of restaurants, bars, shops and nightlife. Perfect if you like having everything close at hand and want to combine beach holidays with lively evenings.
• East (Belle Mare, Trou d'Eau Douce areas). The coast of paradise lagoons in true "bounty" style. This is where the most luxurious hotels, golf courses and the famous Île aux Cerfs are located. But be prepared for the east coast to be windier than the west.
• South (Le Morne, Bel Ombre areas). This is wild, authentic and incredibly photogenic Mauritius. The scenery here is breathtaking: rocky shores, green mountains and sugar cane plantations. Many beaches here are not suitable for swimming because of strong currents, but it is a true mecca for lovers of nature, hiking and kitesurfing.

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Beaches of Mauritius: some of the most popular

There are 58 official beaches on the island, so when choosing a hotel on the coast it is easy to feel overwhelmed - there are more than enough of them. Pay attention to some of the island’s most stunning beaches.

• Le Morne. Considered the most beautiful coastline in Mauritius. On one side stands the majestic Le Morne Brabant mountain, on the other - a turquoise lagoon. A breathtaking landscape. The most postcard-perfect views are from LUX Le Morne and Paradis Beachcomber. Nearby there is another magnificent beach - La Prairie. This whole corner of the island is a true gem, still not overshadowed by mass tourism.
• Trou aux Biches. A perfect sandy beach in the north-west, framed by coconut palms. The calm lagoon is ideal for swimming and snorkelling. It is also one of the best places where you can swim with sea turtles - they are often seen near the shore close to the hotel Trou Aux Biches Beachcomber
• Flic-en-Flac. A very long and popular beach on the west coast. Easy to access, with calm water, and the shade from casuarina trees makes it ideal for a comfortable day by the sea.
• Mont Choisy beach. This beach in the north is simply huge. It lies right by the road, but at the same time is surrounded by wild nature. A curved stretch of sand, casuarina trees and a turquoise lagoon - it is truly wonderful here.
• East coast beaches - Belle Mare, Palmar, Blue Bay, Pointe d'Esny. Beautiful coasts, excellent for rest and walks, but from May to September it is very windy here.
• North beaches - Bain Boeuf, Butte à L'Herbe, Anse La Raie. There are several beautiful gems here. Butte à L'Herbe is a very quiet beach with a magnificent lagoon. Bain Boeuf offers a village atmosphere. Anse La Raie is popular with kitesurfers.
• Tamarin. A popular place, a true paradise for surfers and lovers of authenticity. It lies at the mouth of the river, with views of the mountains. Powerful waves make this beach one of the best surf spots.
• Gris-Gris. Completely different from all the others. There is no lagoon and no reef here, so giant waves crash with a roar against black cliffs. Swimming is forbidden, but the spectacle is incredible.
• La Cambuse. A little-known wild beach in the south-east with relic shrubs resembling bonsai. You need to swim carefully because of the currents, but at the end of the beach there is a natural pool among the rocks.

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Tips for a beach holiday

1. Study the tide chart. On some beaches, during low tide the water goes very far out, exposing a rocky seabed, and swimming becomes impossible.
2. Use reef-safe sunscreen. If you plan to swim with a mask, take care of marine life. This type of sunscreen does not contain harmful chemicals that damage coral reefs.
3. Do not touch corals and do not take shells away. Nature is Mauritius’s greatest treasure. Exporting them is prohibited by law.

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Hotels in Mauritius: how to choose the perfect option

The coastline of Mauritius stretches for 330 kilometres. Of course, among its many beautiful beaches you can find hotels in every segment - from luxury resorts with All Inclusive and world-class service to small cosy villas for a quiet holiday. Here are some of the most popular with travellers:

Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury

Royal Palm is located on the calm north-west coast, where it is sunny almost all the time. The hotel is small, with only 69 rooms, so it is quiet here. The service is impeccable, and the infrastructure is quite extensive: three pools, a wide calm beach, a fitness centre, tennis courts, water sports and a Clarins spa.

For children - a kids club, educational activities and babysitting on request. Dining: high-end à la carte cuisine, without all inclusive.

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Constance Prince Maurice

A tropical hideaway tucked among jungle and mangroves. Constance Prince Maurice was designed around harmony with nature, with ocean all around and absolute silence. The hotel’s main highlight is the floating restaurant in the lagoon. Guests have access to two large pools, an equipped beach, a kids club, several restaurants, a wine cellar, a water sports centre, and nearby golf courses.

Constance Prince Maurice

Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa

The main feature of the hotel is its incredible location at the foot of Le Morne mountain. Simply magical scenery. It has one of the best spas on the island, hidden in a quiet zen garden. A pleasant bonus: guests of Dinarobin Beachcomber can freely visit the neighbouring Paradis and use all of its restaurants and beaches.

The infrastructure includes several pools, a long beach, an 18-hole golf course, a water sports centre, fitness, and a spa with separate pavilions.

For children there is a kids club and a water sports school.

Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa

The St. Regis Le Morne Resort, Mauritius

An elegant colonial-style hotel, but with many modern activities. Five restaurants, tennis, yoga, and one of the best kitesurfing locations on the island. Each room has its own butler. This is an excellent option for families or couples who want to combine a beautiful holiday with entertainment close at hand. Choose The St. Regis Le Morne Resort for a luxury holiday in Mauritius.

The St. Regis Le Morne Resort, Mauritius

So Sofitel Mauritius

Luxurious eco-design surrounded by the wild nature of the south coast, a secluded beach - the perfect place to escape the bustle. The focus is on creative cuisine and vivid experiences. Infrastructure: a designer pool, a quiet beach in the bay, a modern spa complex, a signature restaurant, fitness, yoga by the ocean, and nature walks. So Sofitel Mauritius creates unforgettable impressions.

So Sofitel Mauritius

The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius

The Oberoi is an elegant hotel offering luxury, comfort and a private atmosphere. There are no standard blocks here - only pavilions and villas with private gardens and pools. You can spend your whole holiday almost without meeting other guests.

Infrastructure: a refined restaurant, several pools, a spacious beach, yoga, spa pavilions and an art studio. For children there is an entertainment club.

The Oberoi Beach Resort, Mauritius

Shanti Maurice Resort & Spa

This is not just a hotel, but a wellness resort on the wild south of the island. The main pride of Shanti Maurice is its huge spa complex with full programmes: Ayurveda, yoga and detox. The resort focuses only on healthy cuisine and wellness menus. The rooms are spacious, and every villa has its own pool. On the grounds there is a large shared pool, private villa pools, a quiet beach, a huge spa centre, and running and walking trails.

Shanti Maurice Resort & Spa

What you need to know before travelling to Mauritius

1. Book in advance. Especially if you are travelling in high season, from November to January. This applies to hotels, car rental and popular excursions, for example swimming with dolphins. This way you will save both money and time.
2. Insurance is non-negotiable. Medical care in Mauritius is good, but expensive. Your travel insurance should cover everything, including emergencies.
3. Currency: cash + card. The local currency is the Mauritian rupee (MUR). It is best to bring euros or dollars with you and exchange them on the island, preferably at the airport, where the rate is good. Cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and supermarkets. But for markets, street food and small shops, cash is essential.
4. Buy a local SIM card. Right at the airport on arrival, get a SIM card from one of the local operators, Emtel or My.t. For a small price, you will get gigabytes of internet.
5. Rent a car. This is the best, most convenient and ultimately the most cost-effective way to explore the island. Taxis are expensive, and buses will take up a lot of your time.
6. In Mauritius, traffic is on the left. If you do not have experience with this, the first few hours will feel unusual. Definitely choose a car with automatic transmission.
7. Drink only bottled water.
8. Sunscreen with SPF 50+ even in cloudy weather.

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