An exotic island with powder white beaches surrounded by the warm, turquoise Indian Ocean, Mauritius offers all the ingredients for a fun, action-packed family getaway. Although the island is a worthwhile standalone destination, it can also easily be combined with a safari holiday in the Kruger National Park in South Africa, offering families both a wildlife safari and an exotic beach getaway in one holiday.
With year-round sunshine and moderate sea temperatures, Mauritius is best known for its unforgettable tropical beach holidays. The island boasts some of the most luxurious holiday resorts in the world, such as the prestigious Oberoi. The Oberoi's private villas offer travelers unsurpassed luxury and privacy with private courtyard gardens, from where guests can immerse themselves their own swimming pool or simply enjoy spectacular sea views.
But, also for more budget-conscious travelers, Mauritius has some amazing resorts, such as Sugar Beach Resort. Sugar Beach is ideal for families, as it offers an extensive choice of sports on land and sea as well as activities, a kids' club and several restaurants.
Mauritius is a mecca for watersports enthusiasts, offering limitless adventure opportunities for families with kids. Most resorts on the island have a wide array of watersports activities on offer, from windsurfing to waterskiing, diving and snorkeling. For those who want to venture out a bit farther, a half-day sea kayaking trip to Ile D'Ambre, an islet located within the northeastern lagoon off the coast of Mauritius, is the answer. Entering the near-pristine mangrove of Ile d'Ambre is like discovering Mauritius off the beaten track, away from the luxury resorts and the hustle and bustle of tourism. Travelers can paddle through the mangroves of Ile d'Ambre and soak in the peace and quiet.
Also on land, Mauritius has a lot to offer families, such as the Domaine des Pailles. This former 18th century sugar estate has been transformed into a theme park. Travelers can visit the ox-driven Sugar Mill, which still produces tropical cane sugar, or the 1758 Queen Distillery, where rum is being produced to this day. Kids will love the opportunity to visit the estate by horse-drawn carriages or by a train from a bygone era. There is also a selection of upmarket restaurants.
For animal lovers, the Vanille Reserve des Mascareignes nature park, located in the south of Mauritius, boasts the largest captive group of Aldabra tortoises in the world. Initially, the tortoises were reportedly abundant on all of the islands; however, their numbers were rapidly reduced due to intensive harvesting. The Aldabra giant tortoise is the last surviving giant tortoise species; it can reach a weight of 550 pound, and its shell can grow to 50 inches in length.
One of the best experiences the island has to offer is its rich culture and its culinary tradition. Mauritius is a country that appears to be at a crossroads with many other lands. There are people of Indian descent, those of Creole lineage, families of Sino-Mauritians from the Far East and even Franco- and Anglo-Mauritians.
The diversity of its people has translated in the island's diverse cuisine, which is a blend of Creole, Chinese, European and Indian. Local chefs are known for their creativity and savoir-faire, using traditional and local ingredients to create modern fare for some of the island's most famous hotels. However, one of the best ways to experience the pleasure and flavors of truly local fare is to visit a typical table d'h'te. Do not hesitate to try the local favorite snacks, including dholl purri, which are wheat pancakes stuffed with dholl and served with curry and tomato sauce; faratas; gateaux piments (chili bites); and samosas.
Need to know
How to get there: Air Mauritius provides regular flights from Johannesburg to Mauritius and from Dubai to Mauritius.
Visas: A valid passport, onward/return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds are required. The passport should be valid for the duration of stay and have at least one blank visa page. Travelers must provide a local address where they will be staying in Mauritius. Visas are issued at the point of entry.
Language: English is the official language. French and Creole are commonly used. Hindi & Bhojpuri are also spoken, and many hotel employees are fluent in German, Italian and Spanish.
Currency: The Mauritian Rupee (MRU) is the currency in Mauritius. Change counters are available at the airport. Foreign currency notes, drafts and travelers' cheques may be carried to Mauritius without restriction. Nearly all tourist shops and the more upmarket restaurants and hotels accept payment by credit card, as do car-hire companies, tour agents and so forth. Businesses outside the main tourist haunts still expect payment in cash, as do many small businesses.
Climate: Mauritius enjoys a relatively mild climate. Although temperatures are rather moderate throughout the year with occasional rainfall, the most pleasant times to visit the island are between the months of April and June and between September and December. As Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, the summer and winter months are opposite to seasons in the U.S.
Health: Medical facilities are available throughout the island, but are more limited than in the U.S. Emergency assistance is limited. While public hospitals provide free care, visitors may choose to be treated by private doctors and clinics. Prescription and over-the-counter medicines are generally available, though they may not be specific U.S. brand names.
Outbreaks of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus and dengue virus have been reported in recent years. For more information, please see the CDC's fact sheets on chikungunya and dengue.