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The Mascarene Islands

Mauritius luxury holidays 2024 & 2025

Soft sands lead into crystalline waters around a palm-fringed coastline: Mauritius is justifiably esteemed as a beach getaway. Having explored the island in detail, our specialists can tailor a holiday to Mauritius to suit your individual tastes, but our recommendations go well beyond lounging in the sun. We can also suggest ways to experience lesser-discovered corners of the island, from Creole villages to volcanic mountains.

Dolphins glide and turtles feed in the aquamarine waters of the Indian Ocean surrounding Mauritius. You can snorkel over coral seascapes and, helped by a dramatic ocean drop-off, explore some memorable dive sites. Inland, hiking trails weave through the rainforest of the Chamarel Mountains, opening out onto waterfalls and inky lagoons. A rich tapestry of Indian, French, African and Chinese influences have made their way to the island, creating a nuanced culinary identity. And, the streets of Port Louis are flanked by colonial villas, while smaller villages host busy markets and cosy cafés.

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Suggested tours for Mauritius

These tours give you a starting point for what your holiday to Mauritius could entail. Treat them as inspiration, as each trip is created uniquely for you.

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Where to stay in Mauritius

We know that where you stay is an important part of your trip. That’s why we’ve hand-picked the best properties in Mauritius, from beachside hideaways to activity-filled family resorts.

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Why travel with Audley?

  • 100% tailor-made tours
  • Fully protected travel
  • Established for over 25 years
  • 98% of our clients would recommend us
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Best time to visit

Our specialists advise on the best months to visit Mauritius, including information about climate, events and festivals.

Best time to visit Mauritius

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Useful information for planning your holiday in Mauritius

about experiences & stays getting there & getting around entry requirements & health
What languages are spoken in Mauritius?

English and French are the official languages of Mauritius, but Mauritian Creole is more commonly spoken. You’ll find English speakers in most hotels but having some basic French will be useful everywhere else.

What's the currency of Mauritius?

The currency of Mauritius is the Mauritian rupee (Rs or MUR). You’ll find ATMs in most towns and credit cards are widely accepted.

What food and drink should I try in Mauritius?

In Mauritius, you should try dholl puri (a thin flatbread made with ground yellow split peas) which is usually served with rougaille (meat or fish in a spicy tomato sauce), pickled vegetables, or cari gros pois (butter bean curry). You’ll see it served on streets stalls all over the islands. Other foods to look out for include boulettes (dumplings), bol renversé (rice and vegetables topped by meat or fish and a fried egg), or mines frites (fried noodles).

Fish and seafood are staples, alongside rice and fruit such as pineapple, bananas, and mangoes. Mauritian food has absorbed influences from France, India, China, and various other African countries and uses spices such as saffron, cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, and curry leaves extensively.

If you like rum, don’t miss the sweet and spicy options from Saint Aubin and Labourdonnais.

How much should I tip in Mauritius?

Tipping is at your own discretion in Mauritius, but as a guideline in restaurants you could leave a tip of 5-10% if a service charge hasn’t already been added to your total. Porters usually expect a small tip, and although taxi drivers don't expect tips, they're gratefully received.

What should I wear in Mauritius?

It’s best to wear light, loose cotton clothing in Mauritius. While beach wear is fine on the beach or by the pool, bring some clothes that cover your shoulders and knees in case you wish to visit a religious site or rural villages. Some hotels will also expect men to wear long trousers for dinner.

Covering up your arms and legs is also a good idea if you’re hiking in the jungle. If you’re visiting in winter (May to October) nights are cooler, so you’ll need something slightly warmer to wear.

Where can I find the latest travel advice for Mauritius?

For the latest travel advice for Mauritius, including entry requirements, health information, and the safety and security situation, please refer to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office website.

What can I experience in Mauritius?

In Mauritius, you can visit temples and pilgrimage sites, hike through lush jungle, snorkel, and dive, or simply laze on a white-sand beach. Mauritius offers lots of variety on a relatively small island and along with surfing, kayaking, and island-hopping trips, you can tour a rum distillery, visit spice and vegetable markets, or take a Mauritian culture and heritage tour to learn about the island’s complex history and rich culture.

For example, you could enjoy lunch with a Creole family, learn to make samosas, or visit tea and sugar museums for an insight into how these crops have influenced the island’s history. There are vibrant botanical gardens to explore, or you could head up into the mountains to hike through the rainforest in the national parks or to see unusual geological formations such as the brightly hued dunes at Seven Coloured Earth.

Where can I stay in Mauritius?

In Mauritius, you can choose to stay in a luxurious coastal resort or small boutique hotel, a characterful guesthouse or a small mountain lodge. The best beachfront resorts offer a spa and water sports, a choice of restaurants and bars, and facilities for families. You’ll also find smaller boutique hotels with a more intimate atmosphere, golf resorts, and mountain lodges that provide a tranquil retreat from the coast. For some more ideas, browse our collection of places to stay in Mauritius.

Where should I go in Mauritius?

Most visitors to Mauritius combine time on the coast with a visit to the capital Port Louis and a trip into the Chamarel Mountains. Most resorts are on the palm-fringed west coast where the beaches are long and sandy and within an easy drive of the shops and markets of historic Port Louis and the forests and dunes of the Chamarel Mountains.

The east coast is wilder and a bit more rugged, but with fewer visitors it feels more tranquil. North Mauritius offers water sports, lava tubes, natural springs, and the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens where you can see sausage trees and giant lily pads, while the south has steep cliffs, an incredible array of marine life at Blue Bay Marine Park, and forest hikes to waterfalls in the Black River Gorge National Park. Inland, the island is quieter with small villages set in dense jungle.

How long does it take to fly to Mauritius from the UK?

It takes around 12 hours to fly from the UK to Mauritius.

What's the time zone in Mauritius?

The time zone in Mauritius is UTC+4 hours. Daylight Savings Time is not observed.

What's the best way of getting around in Mauritius?

The best way to get around Mauritius is by car because the distances between popular destinations are short. We can provide a driver to take you between destinations in comfort. You could also take a boat trip or catamaran cruise around the island to visit lush islets and hidden coves.

Do I need a visa to visit Mauritius?

UK citizens don’t need a visa for Mauritius. You’ll be granted a 60-day visitor permit on arrival as long as you can show evidence of onward or return travel. However, you’ll need to fill in the Mauritius All-in-One travel form before you arrive.

Do I need vaccinations to visit Mauritius?

Your doctor is best placed to provide vaccine advice for Mauritius. You can check the suggested vaccinations on the Travel Health Pro website but you should also ensure you’re up to date with the recommended vaccinations for your home country.

What’s the risk of malaria in Mauritius?

You don't need to worry about getting malaria in Mauritius as there are no malarial mosquitoes in country, but you should consult your doctor before you travel to understand any other risks.

What do I need to check with my passport for travel to Mauritius?

Passports must have at least one blank double page and be valid for the duration of your stay in Mauritius.

Mauritius in pictures

  • Seven coloured earth, Mauritius
    Cycle to the Seven Coloured Earth, a striking natural phenomenon
  • Mauritius
    Beach-hop along the white-sand beaches of the east coast
  • Scuba diving on the reef
    Snorkel or dive to explore the coral reefs that ring the island
  • Red cardinal fody, Mauritius
    Enjoy the waterfalls and birdlife of the Chamarel Mountains
  • Dolphins near the Duke of York Group, Papua New Guinea
    Rent a boat and head out to spot dolphins or snorkel with the exotic marine life

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