Where to look
Honeymooners & Romantic Couples
Honeymooners · Anniversaries · Luxury beach lovers · Special occasions Mauritius has long been one of the Indian Ocean's premier honeymoon destinations, and for good reason. The combination of outstanding luxury resorts, genuinely warm Mauritian hospitality, protected lagoon beaches, and dramatic scenery makes it a natural choice for couples celebrating together. The island's flagship beach hotels consistently rank among the finest in the world, with private beach sections, overwater bungalows, couples' spas, and dedicated butler service. Le Morne in the south-west is the single most romantic area on the island. The UNESCO World Heritage Le Morne Brabant mountain — a dramatic basalt monolith rising 556m from a narrow peninsula — provides an extraordinary backdrop to a powder-white beach and a brilliantly turquoise lagoon. The north-east coast around Belle Mare combines the island's widest and most pristine white-sand beach with a tranquil, unhurried atmosphere and several of Mauritius's most celebrated five-star resorts.
Beach & Water Sports Enthusiasts
Swimmers · Kitesurfers · Windsurfers · Snorkellers · Lagoon explorers Grand Baie on the north coast is Mauritius's water sports capital — the most developed beach hub on the island with constant trade winds, a wide, sheltered bay, and every watersport available within walking distance. Parasailing, jet-skiing, glass-bottom boat tours, dolphin-watching excursions and catamaran day trips all depart from Grand Baie. The bay itself is popular for swimming and the coral reefs immediately offshore are good for snorkelling. Le Morne on the south-west coast is a world-class kitesurfing and windsurfing destination, consistently ranking among the top spots on the planet. The wide, flat lagoon and reliably strong trade winds create ideal conditions from May to November. Flic en Flac on the west coast has the best reef snorkelling accessible from shore, and is the main departure point for scuba diving along the west coast reef wall. Blue Bay Marine Park in the south-east is the finest protected snorkelling area in Mauritius.
Beach Purists & Quiet Relaxation
Solitude seekers · Readers · Slow travellers · Couples wanting peace Belle Mare on the east coast offers what many consider to be the finest beach in Mauritius — a 9km stretch of fine white sand backed by casuarina trees, fronted by a calm, clear lagoon in extraordinary shades of turquoise and aquamarine. The east coast receives the trade wind but is sheltered by its offshore reef, creating a lagoon that is calm enough for leisurely swimming while remaining beautifully clear. Development is more restrained than the north, with resorts set well apart and no street-side beach bars or vendors. Pointe d'Esny and Mahebourg in the south-east offer a quieter, more authentically local atmosphere. The beach at Pointe d'Esny is narrow but immaculate, and proximity to Blue Bay Marine Park makes it ideal for snorkelling enthusiasts. The town of Mahebourg has a pleasant seafront promenade and the excellent National History Museum of Mauritius, housed in a colonial manor. This corner of the island is less developed and far less touristed than the north or west.
Nightlife, Dining & Social Scene
Foodies · Bar hoppers · Social travellers · Young couples · Groups Grand Baie is the uncontested social hub of Mauritius. La Croisette, the main waterfront strip, is lined with restaurants, bars, boutiques and nightclubs. The restaurant scene spans authentic Mauritian curry houses, French bistros, seafood restaurants serving freshly caught marlin and tuna, and lively cocktail bars. Grand Baie also has the island's main supermarkets and the most varied shopping. It is the liveliest part of the island for independent travellers who want choice and flexibility without being confined to a resort. Port Louis, the capital (pop. 150,000), deserves a full day from any base on the island. The Central Market is one of the most vivid in the Indian Ocean — Indian spices, Creole street food, fresh tropical fruit, and a fascinating mix of Hindu, Muslim, Creole and Chinese vendors. The Caudan Waterfront has upmarket restaurants and the Blue Penny Museum (housing the famous 1847 Mauritius Post Office stamps). The Champ de Mars racecourse (one of the oldest in the southern hemisphere) runs race days from May to November.
Nature & Wildlife Explorers
Birdwatchers · Botanists · Nature lovers · Conservation-minded travellers Mauritius has a remarkable natural heritage shaped by its volcanic origins and long isolation — the island is famous as the home of the now-extinct dodo, and conservation work to protect and restore the native ecosystem is world-leading. The Black River Gorges National Park in the south-west covers 6,574 hectares of native forest with endemic bird species including the Mauritius Kestrel, Pink Pigeon, Echo Parakeet and Mauritius Fody — all brought back from the brink of extinction by one of conservation biology's most celebrated programmes. Ile aux Aigrettes, a small coral island off Mahebourg, has been restored to a pre-human state with giant Aldabra tortoises, endemic lizards and native forest vegetation — guided tours show how the island looked before human settlement. The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden (one of the oldest in the southern hemisphere) in the north has vast lily ponds, giant water lilies, 650 labelled palm species, and a collection of spice plants. The Casela Nature Park in the west offers a different experience with zip lines, safari drives and bird gardens.
Families with Children
Families · Young children · Parents wanting safe swimming and activities Grand Baie is the best all-round family base in Mauritius, combining safe lagoon swimming, a wide range of activities, good beach facilities, and easy access to restaurants and shops. The beach at Trou aux Biches, a short drive from Grand Baie, is one of the safest and calmest for young children — a wide, shallow lagoon with gentle waves and a long sandy bottom. Grand Baie itself has glass-bottom boat tours, dolphin-watching trips and snorkelling excursions that work well with children. Many of the large resort hotels in Mauritius have excellent kids' clubs and dedicated family facilities, including pools with water slides, supervised children's activities, and babysitting services. Flic en Flac on the west coast is slightly quieter than Grand Baie but has a long, calm beach suitable for families, good snorkelling accessible from shore, and the Casela Nature Park nearby with its zip lines and animal encounters that older children love.
Budget & Independent Travellers
Backpackers · Long-stay visitors · Independent travellers · Cost-conscious explorers Mauritius is predominantly a luxury destination and the all-inclusive resort model dominates. However, independent travellers on tighter budgets can manage well by staying in guesthouses and self-catering apartments, eating at local Creole restaurants and market stalls, and hiring a car to explore freely. Grand Baie has the best range of mid-range apartments and guesthouses, while the area around Flic en Flac also has good-value self-catering options. The south and south-east of the island — Mahebourg, Blue Bay, Pointe d'Esny — are significantly cheaper than the north and have genuine Mauritian village atmosphere. Local bus routes connect most coastal towns at very low fares. Hiring a car for a day to drive the scenic coastal road from Mahebourg through Souillac, Chamarel and Riviere Noire to Flic en Flac costs far less than a resort excursion and covers more ground. The interior highlands around Curepipe and Quatre Bornes have affordable guesthouses convenient for exploring the interior.
🏈 Grand Baie (North)
The island's main tourist hub. Widest range of restaurants, bars, shops, watersports. Busy and social. La Croisette waterfront strip. Good for independent travellers. Social · Watersports · Dining
🏖️ Flic en Flac (West)
Long, wide beach with good sunset views. Best diving on the island. Quieter than Grand Baie, with a local village feel and good value accommodation. Diving · Sunsets · Relaxed
🏖️ Belle Mare (East)
9km of pristine white sand, calm turquoise lagoon. Mauritius's finest beach. Upscale, quiet, with flagship five-star resorts. Best for pure beach holidays. Luxury · Beach · Quiet
🏔️ Le Morne (South-West)
UNESCO World Heritage site. Dramatic basalt mountain backdrop. Kitesurfing world-class. Secluded luxury resorts with private beach. Most romantic area. Romance · Kitesurfing · Luxury
🏠 Trou aux Biches (North)
Calm, shallow lagoon ideal for families and young children. Quieter than Grand Baie, just 10 minutes south. Good beach and reef snorkelling. Families · Calm · Snorkelling
🌐 Mahebourg (South-East)
Authentic Mauritian market town. Gateway to Blue Bay Marine Park and Ile aux Aigrettes. Budget-friendly, local atmosphere, historic seafront. Culture · Budget · Nature
🏙️ Port Louis (Capital)
Capital city (150,000). Central Market, Caudan Waterfront, Blue Penny Museum, racecourse. Best as a day trip from coastal bases rather than an overnight stay. Culture · Food · History
🌳 Black River Gorges
6,574ha national park with endemic birds and native forest. Best wildlife in Mauritius. Accessible from Riviere Noire on the west coast or Chamarel village. Nature · Birdwatching · Hiking
Tips for booking
- Book a minimum of 7 nights at a luxury resort for the true Mauritius honeymoon experience. Most high-end resorts include romantic add-ons (beach dinners, sunset cruises, rose petal turndowns) as standard for honeymoon packages. Declare your honeymoon at booking — resorts routinely upgrade couples at no charge during quieter periods.
- The east coast at Trou d'Eau Douce is the departure point for Ile aux Cerfs, a beautiful island in the lagoon with long sandy beaches and the island's finest golf course. A 5-minute ferry from Trou d'Eau Douce landing. Arrive early — the beaches fill quickly with day-trippers from resort catamaran tours.
- The east coast is windier than the north and west. Trade winds blow consistently from the south-east, making the east coast feel breezy — pleasant in summer but occasionally strong. Lagoon swimming remains calm behind the reef. If you prefer absolute stillness, the north coast (Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches) or west coast (Flic en Flac) is calmer in the late afternoon.
- For the best local Mauritian food, eat at the Port Louis Central Market or a roadside dholl puri stall. Dholl puri (split pea flatbread with curry and chutney) is the national street food — delicious, filling and very cheap. The market also sells freshly squeezed sugar cane juice, samossas, gateaux piments (chilli cakes) and roti with various curries. Resort restaurants are good but cannot match the authenticity or value.
- Birdwatchers should base themselves near Black River Gorges for a full experience. The Mauritius Wildlife Foundation runs guided birdwatching tours into the national park, increasing the chance of seeing all four endemic forest birds. Dawn is the best time — go before 7am for the highest activity. The Riviere Noire (Black River) area on the west coast is the closest resort base for park access.
- Resort kids' clubs in Mauritius are generally excellent. Most four- and five-star resorts on the island run daily supervised programmes for children aged 3-12, including beach games, craft activities and marine biology sessions. This allows parents time to relax while children are professionally supervised. Check age ranges and operating hours before booking if this is important for your trip.
- Renting a car for at least 2-3 days unlocks Mauritius for independent travellers. The island is small enough (roughly 65km x 45km) to cover most highlights in a few driving days. Roads are in good condition and driving is on the left (British inheritance). See our Mauritius Car Rental guide for tips on hiring locally.
Some links are affiliate — they help keep IslandGuide free.