Spotlight on Mauritius
Sian Pages – Travel Planner
Having recently returned home from this incredible island, I thought I’d highlight why visiting Mauritius hits the spot in a way that other islands might not.
Experiences not to be missed
Whilst the resorts offer every luxury and amenity to prevent you from having to leave, it’s always recommended that you explore the island and it really couldn’t be easier. Hiring a car is simple, it’s the same side as the road as the UK, same cars and although the ‘rules of the road’ seem a little more flexible, you can just drive at your leisure and if you need help, you’ll find that the locals are quite happy to lend a hand.
I’ll give you a brief rundown of where to stay and what you can do whilst here.
Where to stay in Mauritius
For those in the know – ‘West is Best’. The west coast offers the calmer ocean, the better beaches and more luxurious choice of hotels. There are so many hotel groups to choose from and each will offer something slightly different, which is why it can be overwhelming when knowing which to choose. It’s important to know exactly what you’re looking for in terms of holiday.
Do you want a variety of watersports available to you?
Do you want a sea view?
Do you want to watch the sunsetting in the evenings?
Is the beach the driving force?
Because all these factors will influence where you stay.
What can you do whilst here?
There is so much to see outside of your resort in Mauritius. I’ll list a few of my favourites below to give you a taste.
1. La Vanille Nature Park
Here, you can feed giant tortoises. I have done this twice now and it never ceases to thrill me. If you time it right, you can also visit their hatchery and hold a baby in your hands. They also have crocodiles and monkeys here, but it’s the tortoises that really sell it.
2. Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth Geopark
This is a wonder of nature. It’s beautiful to behold and worth a visit. It’s very touristy of course, but you can see why from the photos.
3. La Vallees Des Couleurs
This is an attraction park that centres around a geological marvel. You can rent quad bikes, go ziplining or (if you’re brave enough), walk across their suspension bridge.
4. Le Morne Mountain
For those who enjoy hiking, you’ll find immense pleasure in hiking Le Morne. Leaving in the early morning, you experience the sunrising as you climb this majestic mountain.
5. Ile Aux Cerfs and the 5 island tour
A perfect day is spent out on the ocean. This speedboat tour is an entire day’s exploration of islands. You’ll have a BBQ on the beach, and visit some uniquely beautiful islands, along with getting up close and personal with the native monkeys – careful though, they tend to steal food from you!
6. Swim with wild dolphins and go whale watching
Just off the coast, there are many pods of bottlenose dolphins that frequent the area and are happy to play. They swim alongside boats and when you’re in the water will often swim close by to you. It’s a privilege that’s hard to find elsewhere, when you’re interacting with these beautiful animals in their own habitat.
In summary
All of the above are just a sample of what this incredible island has to offer. It feels like paradise, in the same way the Maldives might, with its powdery white sandy beach and aquamarine ocean. But where the Maldives offers an isolated experience, Mauritius delivers the same feeling, but with much more to do outside of the resort.
Get in touch
If you’d like to discuss future travel plans you have in mind, get in contact with our in-house travel consultant, Sian Pages, on sian.pages@notjusttravel.com.
Sian will be more than happy to spend time talking you through your options; remembering her service is delivered at no cost to clients and professional connections of Longhurst.
Happy Adventures!
