fbpx

Mauritius

A volcanic island off the east coast of Africa, Mauritius has long lured travelers to its pristine beaches and sapphire waters.

CapitalPort Louis
CurrencyMauritius Rupee (MUR)
LanguageEnglish, French & Creole
Time DifferenceUTC+04:00

A volcanic island off the east coast of Africa, Mauritius has long lured travelers to its pristine beaches and sapphire waters. With its diverse cultural history, the island has not only become famous for its beaches and warm waters but also its culinary journeys. Thus, it comes as no surprise that the writer, Mark Twain once compared Mauritius to heaven. Beyond the idyllic beaches and islets, you’ll find lush mountainous interiors, cascading waterfalls, humming markets, blooming botanical gardens, and historic plantation houses. Spend your days discovering the island on foot, diving off the coast of Flic en Flac, cycling through the markets of Port Louis and summiting the peak of the Unesco World Heritage Site, La Morne Brabant.

Location

Located 1,731 miles off the east coast of Africa you will find the island nation of Mauritius. The archipelago was formed by volcanic eruptions some 8 million years ago, leaving a wake of vibrant coral reefs just off its shore. Mauritius covers an area of 790 square miles and boasts over 100 miles of white sandy beaches.

What type of wildlife will we see?

Once home to the legendary Dodo Bird, Mauritius is home to some of the most unique animals and plant species in the world. From giant Aldabra tortoises to the rare pink pigeon, île aux Aigrettes is a sanctuary for endemic and endangered species of the island nation and should not be missed on your visit to the island. Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius’ premier wilderness destination, hosts an array of rare bird species such as the Mauritius kestrels, echo parakeets, and Mauritius cuckooshrikes. Below the waters, you will find over 430 difference marine creatures in the coral gardens surrounding the island, including turtles and dolphins.

Best time to go and why?

Host to a classic tropical island climate, the island of Mauritius boasts warm weather year-round. The island destination has 2 seasons – hot and sticky summers, and sunny and dry winters. We recommend visiting the island outside of the cyclone season that runs from January to March.

When is high season?

Low season on the island falls from May to September. The weather during this time is cooler than the tropical summer and the rougher seas create poor visibility for diving and snorkeling. We recommend avoiding the east coast in July and August when the coastal winds are at their strongest.

When is low season?

February – April and October – November would be the low season in Mauritius. This is a time when great experiences can be achieved at lower cost.

When is the best weather?

The shoulder season, from March to April and October to November, sees fewer visitors to the island. Expect warm weather, sunny skies and uncrowded beaches and some of the best diving conditions of the year. In the month of March, creeping into April, there is the rare possibility of experiencing a tropical cyclone.

Mauritius Inspiration