Mauritius, island life with substance

Mauritius sits in an interesting spot between a beach holiday and a real destination. The lagoons and beaches match anything in the Indian Ocean, but unlike the Maldives you can get in a car, drive across the island, walk a waterfall trail, visit a market and eat somewhere that is not your hotel.

For Indian travellers there is also a strong cultural connection. Around half the population is of Indian origin, Hindu temples are everywhere, Ganga Talao is a major pilgrimage site, and Indian food is a normal part of daily life rather than a tourist concession.

The island is compact, roughly sixty kilometres across, so you can base yourself in one place and see everything on day trips. We usually recommend north or west coast for a first visit, and we will tell you honestly which resorts deliver on their photographs.

Why Mauritius works for travellers from Tamil Nadu

• Beach quality comparable to the Maldives, with a real island to explore
• Visa on arrival for Indian passport holders
• Large Indian-origin population, so Indian food and Hindu temples are everywhere
• Excellent for honeymoons and for families, which is an unusual combination
• Good range from mid-range hotels to genuine luxury resorts

The best time to visit Mauritius

There is no single right month, only the right month for what you want. Here is how the year breaks down, and what each window means for weather, crowds and price.

May to December	The cooler dry season and the best overall window. September to November is particularly good.
January to March	Hot, humid and the cyclone season. Rates are lowest but weather is unpredictable.
April	Transitional and often excellent, with warm water and fewer visitors.
June to August	Coolest months, pleasant for touring, with some wind on the east coast.

What to do in Mauritius

Choosing your coast

North around Grand Baie is lively with restaurants and boat trips. West around Flic en Flac has the best sunsets and calm swimming. East is quieter and windier, with the most exclusive resorts. South is dramatic and least developed. For a first visit we usually suggest north or west.

Chamarel and the south-west

The seven-coloured earths, the Chamarel waterfall and the Black River Gorges viewpoint make one excellent full day. Add the Rhumerie de Chamarel if that interests you. This is where Mauritius stops looking like a beach brochure and starts looking like a real place.

Ile aux Cerfs

A day trip by catamaran to an island with excellent beaches, usually including a barbecue lunch and a stop at the Grande Riviere Sud-Est waterfall. It is the most-booked excursion on the island and it deserves to be.

Port Louis and the central plateau

The Central Market, the Caudan Waterfront and Aapravasi Ghat in the capital, then up to Ganga Talao, the sacred crater lake with the tall Shiva statue. Many of our travellers plan this as their temple day.

Underwater without diving

The undersea walk and the submarine trip both let you see the reef without a diving certificate, and both work well for families with older children. Snorkelling at Blue Bay is excellent and much cheaper.

Food worth planning around

Creole, Indian, Chinese and French influences all at once. Street food at Port Louis market, a proper Creole dinner, and seafood at the coast. Vegetarian food is easy to find because of the large Hindu population.

A sample Mauritius itinerary

A starting point, not a fixed plan. Every MilesBeyond itinerary is rebuilt around your dates, your group and the pace you actually want.

Day 1	Arrive, transfer to the north or west coast, settle in.
Day 2	Beach day and an afternoon catamaran along the coast.
Day 3	Ile aux Cerfs full day with lunch and the waterfall stop.
Day 4	Chamarel, seven-coloured earths and Black River Gorges.
Day 5	Port Louis, Ganga Talao and the central plateau.
Day 6	Free day, undersea walk or spa.
Day 7	Last morning and airport transfer.

Who this trip suits

Mauritius is the destination we recommend when a couple wants a beach honeymoon but would be bored on a single Maldivian island. It is equally strong for families, because there is enough to do that children do not run out of ideas on day three.

Mauritius at a glance

Ideal duration	5 to 7 nights
Visa	Visa on arrival for Indian passport holders
Currency	Mauritian Rupee. Cards widely accepted
Flights from Coimbatore	One stop, usually via Chennai, Bengaluru or Mumbai
Time difference	1 hour 30 minutes behind India
Best suited to	Honeymooners, families, couples wanting beaches plus sightseeing

What a Mauritius package includes

Unless your quotation says otherwise, our packages include return flights, accommodation on twin sharing, airport and inter-city transfers, the sightseeing listed in your itinerary, daily breakfast, visa or permit assistance where applicable, and our planning and on-trip support.

They exclude personal expenses, meals not specified, optional excursions, tips, travel insurance and anything arising from delays outside our control. Every quotation lists inclusions and exclusions separately, so you know exactly what you are paying for before you pay anything.

How we plan your Mauritius holiday

You tell us your travel month, how many people are coming and roughly what you want to spend. We come back with a written itinerary showing the hotels by name, the transfers, and a clear price. If something does not suit you, we change it. There is no obligation, and we do not take a booking until you are happy with the plan on paper.

Once you travel, you have a real person on WhatsApp for the length of the trip. Flight delay, a hotel that is not as promised, a change of plan on day four: one message and we handle it from Coimbatore.