Custom travel to Mauritius

Mauritius is one of the Indian Ocean's most iconic destinations: a 2,040-km² volcanic island 800 km east of Madagascar, home to 1.3 million people. Its multicultural society blends Indo-Mauritians, Creoles, Sino-Mauritians and Franco-Mauritians, with Creole, French and English spoken daily. Beaches rank among the finest in the Indian Ocean: Belle Mare's 8-km stretch in the east, Trou aux Biches in the north, and Le Morne in the southwest, a world-class kitesurfing spot. Highlights include the UNESCO Le Morne peninsula, symbol of maroon slave resistance, Black River Gorges National Park, Chamarel's Land of Seven Colors, and Île aux Cerfs' turquoise lagoon. Fusion cuisine (chicken curry, dholl puri, rougail) rounds out this upscale destination. Plan 7 to 10 days to combine beach and nature.

Highlights

• Le Morne (UNESCO, legendary peninsula)
• Black River Gorges (endemic wildlife)
• Chamarel: Land of Seven Colors
• Île aux Cerfs (private beach island)
• Belle Mare and Trou aux Biches (beaches)
• Unique Mauritian fusion cuisine

Sample itineraries

When to go

April-June and September-November are the best periods (ideal 22-28 °C climate, little rain, calm sea). Avoid January-March (hot-humid austral summer 30 °C+, possible cyclones, especially January-February). July-August: stronger southeast trade winds, cool (20-26 °C, ideal for kitesurfing at Le Morne).

• Austral spring (September – November), All sites, beaches, optimal diving
• Austral winter (kitesurfing) (June – August), Kitesurfing at Le Morne (world season), Black River hikes
• Hot austral summer (December – March), Beach and palace, but unstable weather
• Austral autumn (April – May), All sites, advantageous prices

Practical information

One of the world's safest countries (almost zero crime, low corruption). No visa for French citizens (stay < 90 days). Cards accepted everywhere. Tap water drinkable (British heritage). English and French omnipresent (Mauritian Creole is used between Mauritians, but they speak French to Europeans). Left-hand drive (British heritage). Tipping: 10% appreciated in restaurants (sometimes included in service charge). Possible cyclones January-March (rare but can disrupt a stay).

Frequently asked questions

When?

April-June and September-November remain the best windows, with an ideal 22-28 °C climate, little rain and a calm sea, perfect for diving and snorkeling. July-August bring stronger southeast trade winds and cooler temperatures (20-26 °C), the ideal season for world-class kitesurfing at Le Morne. Avoid January-March, the hot and humid austral summer (30 °C and above), a period at risk of cyclones, particularly in January-February; it's also the festive high season (December-January), with higher prices despite unstable weather.

How long?

Allow 8 days minimum to fully enjoy Mauritius: 7 nights in a 5★ beachfront palace (Belle Mare east coast or Le Morne west coast), with daily excursions to Black River Gorges, Chamarel and Île aux Cerfs. To combine beach relaxation with volcanic hiking, add 6 nights in Reunion (just a 30-minute flight), 14 days total: the Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie cirques and Piton de la Fournaise offer a total contrast to the Mauritian beaches. For an ultra-luxury trip between two iconic palaces (One&Only Le Saint Géran then Constance Belle Mare Plage or Le Prince Maurice), allow 10 days.

Budget?

Allow €3,200 per person for the Comfort tier (8 days, 7 nights in a 4★ hotel like Solana Beach or Hilton Mauritius Resort, private car with driver, all excursions included). The Premium tier (from €5,500, 8-10 nights) upgrades to iconic palaces like Constance Belle Mare Plage, Royal Palm Beachcomber, Four Seasons Anahita or Shangri-La Le Touessrok. The Exclusive tier (from €9,500) targets One&Only Le Saint Géran in a Royal Suite or Constance Le Prince Maurice. Add €800-€1,200 per person for a non-stop Paris-Mauritius round-trip flight (Air France, Air Mauritius).

Visa?

No visa is needed for French citizens, nor for EU, UK, US or Canadian citizens, for a stay under 90 days. No vaccine is mandatory to enter the island. Tap water is drinkable everywhere, a legacy of British infrastructure, a real comfort compared to other tropical destinations.

Family?

Yes, Mauritius is one of the Indian Ocean's best family destinations. Lagoon beaches, protected by the coral barrier, offer shallow, calm water, ideal for young children, notably at Belle Mare and Trou aux Biches. Most palaces (Constance Belle Mare Plage, Royal Palm Beachcomber, Four Seasons Anahita) have supervised kids clubs and dedicated pools. Excursions like Île aux Cerfs by catamaran, the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden or visiting the giant tortoises at Île aux Aigrettes delight children. Only the Le Morne ascent (4-h round trip, roped sections) requires sufficient age and fitness, better suited from age 10-12.

How to get around?

A private car with driver remains the most comfortable solution, especially for excursions to Chamarel, Black River Gorges or Le Morne. Mauritius inherited left-hand drive from the British, making driving relatively simple for confident travelers wishing to rent a vehicle. The island being small (2,040 km², crossed in 2-3 h), there are no domestic flights. In Port Louis, taxis are convenient; the public bus is cheap but slow and poorly suited to one-off excursions. For Île aux Cerfs, catamaran or boat from Trou d'Eau Douce (15 minutes).

Mauritius or Seychelles?

Mauritius: iconic palaces, accessible prices (€4,500-€8,500), Francophone, livelier. Seychelles: preserved nature, more exclusive (€5,500-€12,000), more expensive, English-Creole. Mauritius ideal family, Seychelles ideal honeymoon.

How do you pay on the ground in Mauritius?

The official currency is the Mauritian rupee (MUR), but euros and US dollars are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants and tourist shops. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, including small shops. Bring rupee cash for local markets (Port Louis central market), tipping and small purchases outside tourist areas.

Which region to choose for a first Mauritius stay?

The east coast, around Belle Mare, gathers the biggest palaces (One&Only Le Saint Géran, Constance Belle Mare Plage) and the longest beaches (10 km of sand), with easy access to Île aux Cerfs in a 15-minute boat ride: it's the simplest choice for a first stay. The west coast, around Le Morne, offers more spectacular scenery (UNESCO mountain, world-class kitesurfing) and direct access to Chamarel and Black River Gorges, but suits active travelers better. The north coast (Trou aux Biches, Grand Baie) is the liveliest, with nightlife and excursions to the northern islands, a good compromise for travelers who like going out in the evening.

Combine?

Yes: Mauritius + Reunion (30-min flight, ideal), Mauritius + Seychelles (1 h 30 flight), Mauritius + Madagascar.

Cyclones: risk?

January-March season. Rare (1-2 strong cyclones per decade). Mauritius is well prepared. Avoid these months if possible.

Tips?

10% appreciated in restaurants (sometimes included in service). Appreciated in hotels.