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August 04, 2025
Mauritius has always been a popular destination to visit within the Indian Ocean and now, with more direct flights and connections than ever, it is quickly becoming a firm favourite with travellers from the UK and around the world.
The island has something to offer everyone, with a wide range of accommodation from small boutique hotels, large golf resorts, local and international chains as well as luxury villas, you will find something to suit every taste and budget. It is easy to explore with either a rental car or a driver as they drive on the left hand side of the road (same as the UK) and the highways are excellent for getting from one end of the country to the other.
Mauritius offers a wide range of activities and natural wonders to explore, with kaleidoscopic coral reefs, palm-fringed beaches and towering pitons, there are countless reasons to visit the island, but here are our top five!
Mauritius is known for its beautiful beaches. From the iconic stretches of powder soft sand at Belle Mare to the tranquil coves of Le Morne, the island’s coastline is the perfect place to relax in the sun and swim in crystal clear waters.
Belle Mare Beach: The east coast is perfect for catching the sunrise, which is particularly spectacular reflected off the tranquil waters of Belle Mare. This calm lagoon is perfect for both swimming, snorkelling and water sports.
Flic en Flac: Popular among locals and visitors, this beach is lined with Casuarina trees and is well known for its spectacular sunsets, lively atmosphere, and excellent snorkelling.
Le Morne: Set in front of Le Morne Brabant mountain, this south coast beach offers dramatic scenery and is ideal for kite surfers and day trippers. It is a great spot for a boat trip as Le Morne is best viewed from the sea.
The coral reefs that surround the island protect the lagoons, which means that the waters are calm, perfect for families and novice swimmers. For those wanting to experience the underwater world, Mauritius is amazing for snorkelling and diving, with plenty of marine life, shipwrecks, and underwater caves waiting to be explored.
What really sets Mauritius apart from other island destinations is the wonderful blend of cultures. The island’s history has a mixture of African, Indian, Chinese, French, and British influences, creating a society that is welcoming and colourful.
Visiting the capital Port Louis is a must, with bustling markets where you can sample street food, to colonial-era architecture and the vibrant Chinatown district.
Religious diversity is important here, with Hindu temples, Catholic churches, mosques, and pagodas often found close together, reflecting a deep respect for multiculturalism.
Festivals throughout the year, such as Diwali, Chinese New Year, and the Cavadee pilgrimage can give visitors a taste of some of the joyful celebrations around the island.
Sega dancing can be seen at many festivals as well as in a lot of the hotels around the island, it is a vibrant folk dance deeply rooted in Mauritian culture.
The diversity of Mauritius can also be experienced through the food. With a mixture of Indian curries, French pastries, Chinese stir-fries and dim-sum, and Creole flavours, every meal will be something uniquely Mauritian.
Street Food: Try dholl puri (a flatbread stuffed with split peas), gâteaux piments (spicy lentil fritters), or fresh pineapple sprinkled with chilli salt from market stalls all over the island.
Seafood: Mauritius has a wonderful variety of fresh fish and shellfish. Restaurants serve everything from grilled marlin to octopus curry, often in a simple beachside setting.
Fine Dining: For those looking for a special, sophisticated experience, world-class resorts and boutique restaurants offer inventive tasting menus, fusing local ingredients with international flair.
The island is famous for its tropical fruits, lychees, mangoes and passion fruit, which are available at many a street corner. With the island covered in sugar cane fields, they produce some excellent rum that can be sampled at various distilleries including Chamarel and Greys. A new product that has been really taking off over the last few years is a local wine, not made from grapes but lychees!
Mauritius is so much more than a beach destination. The lush interior of the island boasts tall peaks, tropical forests and beautiful viewpoints.
Chamarel Waterfall and The Seven Coloured Earths can be found just inland from Le Morne. This fascinating area is a geological curiosity, with dunes of coloured sand in shades of red, brown, violet and blue swirling together.
The Black River Gorges National park, easily accessible from the south and west coasts, is perfect for hiking lovers and nature enthusiasts, with a range of trails and the chance to spot endemic species such as the pink pigeon and giant fruit bats.
Le Morne Brabant is not only a challenging hike with unparalleled views of the south coast and ‘underwater waterfall illusion’ at the top but also has deep cultural significance and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
You can also explore the island’s volcanic origins through landmarks like Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant crater near Curepipe, or enjoy a leisurely afternoon wandering around the lush Pamplemousses Botanical Garden in the north of the island, known for its giant lily pads and exotic plant species form around the world (including of course the grapefruit from which the area gets its name)
Mauritius is perfect for those looking for outdoor activities both on land and on the ocean, as well as options for true relaxation and pampering.
Water sports are particularly popular. As well as swimming, snorkelling and diving, you can try paddleboarding in the clam waters, deep-sea fishing, kayaking, and world-class kite surfing, especially around Le Morne and the south coast. If you are lucky you may even spot dolphins while you are in this area.
Several Championship golf courses are dotted around the island and attract golfers from all over the world due to the spectacular views from the courses. Some of the most popular include Anahita, Heritage, and Île aux Cerfs.
Catamaran trips are a wonderful way to explore the coast, either during the day or at sunset. Private beach dinners or a picnic on a remote islet can also be arranged.
Many of our villas have access to some of the best resorts on the island, giving visitors the chance to indulge in wellness treatments rooted in Ayurvedic, Balinese, and local healing traditions. Treatments can also be arranged in the privacy of your villa.
Mauritius is so much more than just a beach destination. With the opportunity to savour a vast array of global flavours, explore rugged mountains and underwater worlds, learn more about the different cultures that shaped the island and relax on white sand beaches, it really a destination for all.
If you’re thinking about visiting Mauritius, The Villa Collection has a fantastic portfolio of luxury villas around the island that are the perfect base from which to explore or relax. Take a look at our villas in Mauritius or get in touch to speak to our team about the kind of trip you have in mind.
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