Mauritius

Mark Twain once wrote that ‘Mauritius was made first and then heaven, heaven being copied after Mauritius’. For the most part, it’s true: Mauritius is rightly famed for its sapphire waters, powder-white beaches and luxury resorts. But there’s so much more attraction to Mauritius than the beach, and it's the kind of place that rewards even the smallest attempts at exploration. There’s hiking in the forested and mountainous interior and world-class diving and snorkelling offshore. There are boat trips to near-perfect islets and excursions to botanical gardens and colonial plantation houses. Mauritius is a fabulous culinary destination with great wildlife watching thrown in. And the real Mauritius away from the beach resorts – a hot curry of different cultures and quiet fishing villages – is never far away.

Explore Mauritius

Île aux Aigrettes
This popular ecotourism destination is a 26-hectare nature reserve on an island roughly 800m off the coast. It preserves very rare remnants of the coastal…
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens
After London's Kew Gardens, the SSR Gardens is one of the world's best botanical gardens. It's among the most popular tourist attractions in Mauritius and…
Vallée de Ferney
Protecting a 400-year-old forest, this reserve is an important habitat for the Mauritius kestrel, one of the world's most endangered raptors, and a visit…
Blue Penny Museum
Although dedicated to the world-famous Mauritian one-penny and two-pence stamps of 1847, the Blue Penny Museum is far more wide-ranging than its name…
Eureka
If you're only going to visit one attraction related to Mauritius' rich colonial history, choose Eureka. This perfectly preserved Creole mansion was built…
Père Laval's Shrine
The shrine of French Catholic priest and missionary Père Jacques-Désiré Laval is something of a Lourdes of the Indian Ocean, with many miracles attributed…
Tamarin Beach
Locals like to wax nostalgic about Tamarin Beach and its surfing heyday, and in many ways this sandy cove still feels like a throwback to earlier times,…
Monday Market
Don't miss the central foire de Mahébourg, near the waterfront. The initial focus was silks and other textiles, but these days you'll find a busy produce…
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National History Museum
This terrific museum is one of Mauritius' best. It contains fascinating early maps of the island and Indian Ocean region, paintings from colonial times,…

Île aux Aigrettes
This popular ecotourism destination is a 26-hectare nature reserve on an island roughly 800m off the coast. It preserves very rare remnants of the coastal…
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens
After London's Kew Gardens, the SSR Gardens is one of the world's best botanical gardens. It's among the most popular tourist attractions in Mauritius and…
Vallée de Ferney
Protecting a 400-year-old forest, this reserve is an important habitat for the Mauritius kestrel, one of the world's most endangered raptors, and a visit…
Blue Penny Museum
Although dedicated to the world-famous Mauritian one-penny and two-pence stamps of 1847, the Blue Penny Museum is far more wide-ranging than its name…
Eureka
If you're only going to visit one attraction related to Mauritius' rich colonial history, choose Eureka. This perfectly preserved Creole mansion was built…
Père Laval's Shrine
The shrine of French Catholic priest and missionary Père Jacques-Désiré Laval is something of a Lourdes of the Indian Ocean, with many miracles attributed…
Tamarin Beach
Locals like to wax nostalgic about Tamarin Beach and its surfing heyday, and in many ways this sandy cove still feels like a throwback to earlier times,…
Monday Market
Don't miss the central foire de Mahébourg, near the waterfront. The initial focus was silks and other textiles, but these days you'll find a busy produce…
N
National History Museum
This terrific museum is one of Mauritius' best. It contains fascinating early maps of the island and Indian Ocean region, paintings from colonial times,…

Latest Stories from Mauritius

Beaches 7 of the best beaches in Mauritius
Dec 11, 2022 • 6 min read
Get a feel for island culture with this guide to Mauritius' varied and fantastic beaches.
Story Mauritius is providing free vaccines to long-term visa holders
Mar 11, 2021 • 2 min read
Visitors holding a premium visa can stay for a year and are eligible to receive their vaccinations free of charge.
Story Mauritius aims to attract remote workers with a long-term stay visa
Oct 28, 2020 • 2 min read
The tropical island is introducing a renewable premium travel visa to eligible non-citizens for a maximum of a year.
Camping Escape into nature and isolate yourself in a luxurious pod
Jun 2, 2020 • 2 min read
A company has unveiled Seedpods that allow you to escape to nature to sleep and dine in isolation.
Festivals & Events How to explore Mauritius on a budget
Mar 12, 2020 • 3 min read
It’s easy to assume that a holiday to Mauritius comes with a hefty price tag, but you can enjoy this island paradise on a budget. Here are our top tips.
History 'Lost continent' found in the Indian Ocean beneath Mauritius
Feb 6, 2017 • 2 min read
A South African research team has discovered a section of ancient continent lurking beneath the island of Mauritius.
Romance More to Mauritius: adventure activities await
Jun 14, 2016 • 6 min read
Stunning beaches, diverse culture and rich cuisine – much is made of this nation’s sedate attractions. And for good reason – they are worth a trip in…
Food Beyond the beaches: exploring Mauritius
Oct 13, 2014 • 5 min read
There is no questioning the beauty of Mauritius' beaches. And the famous powder white sands, which slope gently into sapphire blue waters, have long lured…
Food A taste of Mauritius: the food lover's guide
Oct 13, 2014 • 5 min read
Mauritius has a unique identity. Visited by the Portuguese in the early 1500s, and subsequently colonised by the Dutch, French and British, its long…
Story Mauritius’ ultimate surfing spots
Apr 17, 2012 • 3 min read
Famed for its brilliant coastlines of peach-tinged sand and crystalline water, Mauritius is an island idyll par excellence. And with such a strong focus…

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Mauritius.

See
Île aux Aigrettes
This popular ecotourism destination is a 26-hectare nature reserve on an island roughly 800m off the coast. It preserves very rare remnants of the coastal…
See
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens
After London's Kew Gardens, the SSR Gardens is one of the world's best botanical gardens. It's among the most popular tourist attractions in Mauritius and…
See
Vallée de Ferney
Protecting a 400-year-old forest, this reserve is an important habitat for the Mauritius kestrel, one of the world's most endangered raptors, and a visit…
See
Blue Penny Museum
Although dedicated to the world-famous Mauritian one-penny and two-pence stamps of 1847, the Blue Penny Museum is far more wide-ranging than its name…
See
Eureka
If you're only going to visit one attraction related to Mauritius' rich colonial history, choose Eureka. This perfectly preserved Creole mansion was built…
See
Père Laval's Shrine
The shrine of French Catholic priest and missionary Père Jacques-Désiré Laval is something of a Lourdes of the Indian Ocean, with many miracles attributed…
See
Tamarin Beach
Locals like to wax nostalgic about Tamarin Beach and its surfing heyday, and in many ways this sandy cove still feels like a throwback to earlier times,…
See
Monday Market
Don't miss the central foire de Mahébourg, near the waterfront. The initial focus was silks and other textiles, but these days you'll find a busy produce…
See
National History Museum
This terrific museum is one of Mauritius' best. It contains fascinating early maps of the island and Indian Ocean region, paintings from colonial times,…

Guidebooks

Purchase our award-winning guidebooks

Get to the heart of Mauritius with one of our in-depth, award-winning guidebooks, covering maps, itineraries, and expert guidance.