Mauritius: diving, golf, luxury hotels, and tropical honeymoons in paradise.
Holidays in Mauritius
Arab traders knew about the existence of Mauritius as early as the 10th century, but they never tried to colonize it. Portuguese voyagers with Vasco da Gama’s expedition landed here after rounding the Cape of Good Hope in 1498. However, apart from rats and monkeys they introduced, the Portuguese left nothing on the island. The Dutch were the next to settle on the island. In 1598 Vice‑Admiral Wybrandt van Warwijck landed on the island, annexed it to the possessions of the Netherlands and named it after his ruler Maurice, Prince of Orange. For about forty years there was no Dutch colony here, only a trading post for ships en route to the island of Java. The established colony did not prosper, and in 1710 the Dutch left the island, leaving behind introduced African slaves, Javan deer, feral pigs, tobacco and sugar cane.
Tourists in Mauritius can expect an unforgettable holiday: beautiful golf courses and tennis courts, virtually every type of water sport — surfing, paragliding, water‑skiing, diving, yachting — and exciting blue marlin fishing. Tropical exoticism here blends successfully with a very high level of service. The island is one of the favorite vacation spots of many world celebrities. European royalty, world‑famous actors and business figures often relax here. The beautiful nature of Mauritius harmonizes perfectly with unusual beaches and luxurious ocean views.
Tours to Mauritius are a more suitable option for people accustomed to luxury. Mauritian hotels can offer you a very luxurious room that will satisfy even the most fastidious guest. Mauritian hotels rightfully rank among the best hotels in the world and strive to maintain that status.
The service sector in Mauritius is also well developed. Lovers of an active lifestyle will not be bored during their stay in Mauritius. The island has many casinos, upscale nightclubs and fashionable restaurants. You will also be captivated by world‑famous spa salons, professional tennis courts and golf courses.
The northern district of the island is the most touristic — a number of luxury hotels are located on beautiful sandy beaches along warm, clear lagoons. A full range of entertainment and water sports is offered: snorkeling, water‑skiing, swimming, and big‑game fishing. West of Grand Baie lies the public beach Mont Choisy, which stretches along the coast and includes the Canonnier spit. It is interesting to visit Cape Malheureux, where the landscape is rather wild and a stretch of beautiful beach is almost deserted. Opposite the Diu Mir mountain a picturesque rocky islet rises from the ocean. The town of Rose Hill got its romantic name because of the magnificent sunsets against the backdrop of Mount Corps de Garde, on which stands a church known as Mauritius’s Montmartre. Here you can take photos while honeymooning in Mauritius.
Mahabi Belomb Forest is the largest natural reserve in Mauritius, with rich and very diverse tropical vegetation. Rivière des Anguilles Park allows you to see crocodiles, giant tortoises, chameleons, monkeys and bats among the lush tropical vegetation: bamboo, lianas, orchids, coconut palms, etc. In the town of Flacq there is a beautiful Hindu temple worth visiting. In Goodlands there is a factory making models of famous ships, which are in great demand with tourists.
Deer Island (Île aux Cerfs) is a magnificent, idyllic place with fine beaches and a clear lagoon. Various sports are practiced here: sailing, snorkeling, water‑skiing. If you want seclusion, you can always find excellent small coves where there is no one. Mauritius does not use a five‑star hotel classification system. Hotel categories are defined conventionally, in accordance with the standards of the Swiss Hotel Association. Any hotel in Mauritius can be booked on request.
You can diversify your holiday in Mauritius with deer hunting, diving, horseback riding and, of course, fishing. All this will make your stay in Mauritius very varied. You can book not only tours to Mauritius but also trips to nearby islands, for example to Rodrigues. This island, located not far from Mauritius (a little over an hour by plane), is like a piece of paradise preserved in its pristine state. Covering an area of 300 square kilometers, it embodies all the most beautiful things that nature can create. Rodrigues, being part of the state of Mauritius, is perfectly suited for escaping daily routine and rejuvenating the soul.
The island’s culture was formed under the influence of civilizations that ruled here at different periods of history. The island was first discovered by Arabs in 975 and named Dinarobin, which means “Silver Island.” The Arabs left no other traces. Only five centuries later, in 1510, the Portuguese landed here; later the island was controlled by the Dutch, the French and the British. In addition to the main European cultures, the formation of modern Mauritius was influenced by many Africans, Indians and Chinese who worked here. Therefore the island’s culture is rich in the traditions of all these peoples.
The nature of Mauritius is an unusual combination of tropical vegetation, cliffs, hills, waterfalls and the craters of extinct volcanoes. There are sandy beaches for every taste: quiet coves with clear water protected from ocean waves by coral reefs, or, conversely, beaches with high waves beloved by surfers.
The best time to travel to Mauritius depends not only on the season (it is hotter and rainier here from January to April) but also on what you plan to do on your holiday. The best time for diving is from December to March, when the water is clearest; for surfing — July‑August; for deep‑sea fishing — October‑April, when large fish come closer to shore.
Mauritian hotels have already become a common venue for wedding ceremonies for lovers from around the world. Almost everyone wants to celebrate the formation of a family in Paradise, in a romantic, secluded atmosphere. A beautiful and extraordinary wedding ceremony can be held in the presence of local civil officials with the issuance of an official registration document that serves as legal proof of marriage. A candlelit dinner in a gazebo on the ocean shore to the murmur of the waves and the light of exotic stars. An exotic couple’s oil massage, a sauna in the hotel health club. All hotels offer special discounts for brides and, of course, wedding gifts. These may include champagne, fruit, wine, T‑shirts, pareos, a cake, flowers. Couples who have been together for many years come here to celebrate anniversaries of married life in Paradise.