Mauritius Travel Guide – La Jolla Mom

Mark Twain said, “Mauritius was made first, then heaven and that heaven was copied after Mauritius.” He was right.

Mauritius offers travelers a relaxing and culturally diverse vacation amid gorgeous beaches and lush native forests.

Located about 1200 miles off the African coast in the Indian Ocean, the island nation is made up of Mauritius’s main island and the smaller islands of Rodrigues, the Agalegas, and the Cargados Carajos Shoals.

Only a handful of airlines service Mauritius and Air France is one of them.

Where to Stay in Mauritius

There is no shortage of Mauritius luxury hotels and other unique accommodations. Figuring out where to stay is just as easy as figuring out how to get there.

One & Only Le Saint Geran

One and Only le Saint Geran in Mauritius

In front of One & Only Le Saint Géran lies one of Mauritius’s most beautiful beaches, a private peninsula just for guests of this luxury resort. It’s also known for culinary excellence and a wide range of activities including a state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor fitness center, volleyball courts, a kids’ club, and so much more.

Oberoi Mauritius

Located in the Bay of Turtles’ natural marine park, Oberoi Mauritius is another excellent choice for luxury travelers. Find combed white sand beaches, four national monuments dating back to French Colonial times, twenty acres of lush subtropical gardens, fine international cuisine, daily complimentary activities, and more here.

Bubble Lodge

It’s almost like the Bubble Lodge, nestled in the tea plantations of Bois Chéri (the most famous tea estate on Mauritius), was made for Instagram. Accommodations are as they sound, in clear bubblelike enclosures that provide prime stargazing and enjoyment of nature.

The bubbles are made from recycled materials and are air-conditioned inside. There is another Bubble Lodge on Deer Island underneath a sprawling banyan tree.

Things to Do in Mauritius

Now that you know how to get to Mauritius and where to stay, you can pack your itinerary with these things to do.

Port Louis Central Market

Port Louis is Mauritius’s capital city and home to an outdoor covered market that tops most to-do lists. Find local foods (fritters, roti, curries, dumplings), herbs, preserves, rum colorful textiles, and more at Port Louis Central Market. Try to visit in the early morning before the crowds arrive.

Eureka House

Things to do in Mauritius: Eureka House

This authentic colonial house was built in 1830 and houses many antiques and memorabilia from colonial life. Eureka House is one of the largest houses on the island and has 109 doors and windows.

People also visit to enjoy nature as the house is located by the river Moka and surrounded by small waterfalls and exotic plants.

Île aux Aigrettes

The Île aux Aigrettes is a 26-hectare nature preserve that serves as a sanctuary for rare and endangered wildlife. Arrive at the coral island on a tour, which begins with a 1.5-hour boat ride from Mauritius. Look out for the rare pink pigeon and, of course, giant tortoises. Eighteen plant species on the island are classified as endangered or very rare. Proceeds from tours are reinvested in the preserve’s conservation.

Deer Island

Deer Island Mauritius

Visiting Deer Island is one of the most popular things to do in Mauritius. Its blue lagoon offers some of the area’s best snorkeling. Fuel up at one of the two restaurants here.

Masala serves Indian food or go to Paul and Virginia for seafood. Arrive by ferry and don’t forget to see the waterfalls. Deer once populated the island.

Jardin Botanique Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam

Things to do in Mauritius: Botanical Gardens

Visit one of the oldest botanic gardens in the southern hemisphere at Jardin Botanique Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam. One of its most photographed spots is the giant lily pond, but there are other flowers, trees, spices and more to be viewed across its 33 hectares. The garden is named for the prime minister who led the island to independence.

Mauritius Restaurants

Where to eat in Mauritius

La Ravanne

Go to La Ravanne inside the Beachcomber Paradis Hotel for delicious traditional Creole recipes in an open-air setting. You’ll board a pirogue for a quick sail over to the restaurant’s private jetty.

Dine under thatched kiosks with the sounds of the ocean as your romantic backdrop. They also have an on-site bar with a wide range of cocktails featuring Mauritian rum.

The Pescatore

Fresh seafood and local produce reign supreme at The Pescatore. Its large terrace overlooks fishing boats and the beautiful bay of Trou-aux-Biches. Go also for excellent service at this fine dining establishment. Highlights include crabs, prawns, hearts of palms, foie gras, and more.

Chez Tante Athalie

Serving traditional Mauritian food, Chez Tante Athalie offers a unique dining experience among the restaurant owner’s restored vintage cars. The popular restaurant came to be after his aunt discovered an old recipe book and the rest is history. Favorite dishes include crab tartare, fritters and more. It’s near the botanical gardens as well

Getting to Mauritius

Air France offers weekly flights to Mauritius via Paris, landing in the capital of Port Louis. It’s time to start planning your trip to paradise.

Where to eat, things to do and where to stay in the island paradise of Mauritius.