Tailor-made trip to Mauritius

Contrary to popular belief, Mauritius is not just about long white-sand beaches fringed by a turquoise lagoon and luxury hotels — it also offers plenty to fill your days if you’re the active type!
Walks off the beaten track reveal the island’s true face and its warm, genuine people. Spectacular panoramas, native forests, lush valleys and endemic birds will give you a taste of the island’s flora and fauna.

Bois Cheri, Ripailles, Souillac or Pamplemousses — so many evocative names where you can wander through flower and spice markets.
Not to mention the Chamarel site, known for its Seven Coloured Earths and its 100-metre-high waterfall, followed by a visit to the Chamarel rum distillery for a flavourful tasting!

Here you’ll find a generous landscape, highlands covered in lush tropical forest, exceptional views and a wide range of activities: hiking in Black River Gorges National Park, the Chamarel adventure park, scuba diving or snorkelling, submarine excursions, deep-sea fishing or speedboat trips, quad biking, mountain biking, horse riding, and more.

Admire the majestic Le Morne Brabant, a sacred site and UNESCO World Heritage listing, symbolising hope and freedom and the resistance of the Maroons who fled slavery.
Follow the coastal road to the picturesque villages of the south, including Souillac.
Explore Gris-Gris and its sheer cliffs, and the Saint Aubin estate: visit the vanilla house, the anthurium greenhouse, the spice garden, the distillery and a rum tasting.
Try the famous Dholl Puri at the colourful Mahébourg market or enjoy fresh fish of the day… and to finish in style, dive into a natural aquarium at Blue Bay, known for its vividly coloured lagoon and seabed, best explored with a mask and snorkel.
There’s no shortage of activities — or ideas.

Sheltered from the rain, the west and north coasts enjoy strong sunshine and a relatively dry climate, even during the wet season.
The water is also warmer than on the east coast, making swimming pleasant most of the year.
These coasts are more sheltered from the wind too, ideal for lounging in the sun.
For diving, head to these coasts during the austral summer, in November–December or March–April. The sea is generally warmer and calmer there.

More exposed to the wind, the east and south coasts enjoy slightly cooler temperatures, thanks in particular to the trade winds that blow regularly.
This is also an advantage during the austral summer, when the wind makes the atmosphere less humid and more bearable.
Rainfall is more frequent in this area, however, though it usually comes as a quick-passing shower.

During the austral winter, from May to October, these coasts are very windy and become a vast playground for surfing and kitesurfing enthusiasts.
The beaches, wilder here, are not as well suited to swimming.
It’s best to avoid the east and south coasts in winter and opt for the west and north coasts instead.

Perfectly suited to keep the little ones happy! Mauritians have long understood that the island has plenty going for it as a family destination (hotels, direct flights, French-speaking, low cost of living, hospitality) and have developed a wide range of activities for the youngest travellers.
You can get your fill of thrills at Casela Nature & Leisure Park and take in the island’s beauty by quad bike, buggy, or Segway, or head off on an adventure on zip lines (including the longest zip line in the Indian Ocean), suspension bridges and plenty of other surprises.
Zebras, giant tortoises, monkeys and many other animals might just cross your path.

In Chamarel, discover the art of trompe-l’oeil and optical illusions at the Curious Corner of Chamarel, a unique and playful concept for young and old alike.
La Vanille Nature Park is home to many extraordinary creatures, such as Aldabra giant tortoises, which you can get close to, or the park’s crocodiles, which you can feed.

For more educational discoveries, head to the Sugar Museum, whose interactive factory will leave children fascinated as they learn about the history of sugar. The final tasting of a good dozen types of brown sugar is always a hit with kids!
They’ll also learn the history of tea on a visit to Bois Chéri, the island’s largest tea producer.

Among the water-based and underwater activities, a submarine trip, glass-bottom boat ride, underwater walk (with a diving helmet) and pirate boat cruise are sure to delight your children.
If you’re dreaming of a family catamaran outing, consider Îlot Gabriel, Îlot Bernache or Île d’Ambre, which are far less touristy than Île aux Cerfs and just as beautiful.
In the Blue Bay marine park, you can snorkel with mask and tube to observe countless fish of every colour and a wide variety of corals.

The list doesn’t end there! A visit to the Mauritius Aquarium, a pony ride at Domaine de L’Étoile and many other activities are also on offer. Just tell us about your plans and what you’re looking for!