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Mauritius

Land of sugar and smiles

Lying in the Indian Ocean, some 1,800 kilometres off the east coast of Africa, Mauritius is an outstandingly beautiful tropical island.

Its 330-kilometre coastline of sandy beaches is almost entirely surrounded by one of the largest unbroken coral reefs in the world, home to more than a thousand species of fish. The interior rises to a central plateau, overlooked by mountains reaching up to more than 800 metres. Of volcanic origin and generally sheltered by barriers of coral reefs forming natural, safe, crystal clear lagoons, Mauritius has long been a dream destination.

Known to the Arabs as early as the 10th century, but officially discovered in 1505 by the Portuguese navigator Pedro Mascarenhas, the island was occupied successively by the Dutch and the French and was then ceded to Great Britain in 1814. Mauritius became Independent in 1968.

Mauritius will enchant you and will uplift your soul by making you feel that you belong to the chosen few. Every visitor enjoys personal attention and behind each smile lies the promise of a unique holiday. The contrast of a multitude of colours and tastes, the island which is set in a turquoise sea, is an oasis of peace and tranquillity. Mauritius fulfils every visitor’s dream of a tropical island – swaying palms, a dazzling blue ocean, white sand beaches, sugarcane fields, towering mountains and the leisurely Mauritian way of life combine to make a truly idyllic setting. Add to this the attractive resorts – ranging from the luxurious to the pleasantly informal, from the intimate (perfect for weddings and honeymoons) to those offering entertainment and activities for all the family. Mauritius offers superb diving and many resorts have professionally-run dive schools, with courses catering for everybody from novices to those seeking night dive and open water qualifications and most provide instruction in several languages.

Sightseeing Pamplemousse Botanical Gardens has a vast collection of indigenous and exotic plants; Trou aux Cerfs is the spectacular crater of an extinct volcano; and Black River Gorges National Park offers breathtaking vistas.

Accommodation
Resorts range from luxurious to pleasantly casual, from the intimate to family-friendly. 

Family activities
Most resorts have comprehensive ‘kids clubs’ offering a full range of age-appropriate indoor and outdoor activities, computer rooms and other attractions; the Casela Bird Park is home to a wide variety of tropical birds and animals.

Shopping
What you can buy – Local handicrafts and artefacts, designer casuals, beachwear, hand-crafted ship models and curios.
Where you can buy – The lively Caudan waterfront in Port Louis, Grand Baie, Curepipe, Mahébourg and Belle Mare.

Entertainment
Most hotels offer nightly live entertainment, resident bands, theme buffets and entertainment shows such as Sega, African and Indian dancers. Casinos are found in some hotels, as well as at Caudan waterfront. Grand Baie has the largest choice of lively restaurants, bars, karaokes and discothèques.

Sports and leisure
Water sports – Sailing, deep sea fishing, parasailing, windsurfing, scuba diving and snorkelling; boat cruises, catamaran sailing and glass-bottomed boat rides.
Golf courses – The island has several championship and 9-hole golf courses. Spa – Mauritius offers several world-class spas and beauty treatments in the world.
Active sports – Biking, trekking and tennis.

Honeymoon
A range of charming, intimate hideaways and super luxurious resorts offer honeymooners special gifts, amenities and romantic candlelit dinners in a dream setting.

Exploring by road
It is easy to rent vehicles and explore the island.

Holiday Planner

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