Discovering the Island of Mauritius

  • by Jacqueline van Strijp
  • •
  • 13 Feb, 2023
  • •

Off the east coast of Madagascar, in the Indian Ocean, lies the tropical island of Mauritius. The island is well-known for its beautiful beaches, turquoise waters, sugarcane fields, forests, volcanic rock and the now extinct dodo. Lesser known to those that have not visited the island is the rare blend of cultures originating from its rich multicultural heritage, that includes French, African, Indian, Chinese and British influence. Today, that has turned into a beautiful blend of colour, flavours, people and languages.

The island of Mauritius is filled with unique quirks and charm, including old shop fronts that are full of character and nostalgia, local vendors selling goods on their bicycles or through colourful and eye-catching movable stands, Mauritius is not all beaches and cocktails, there is so much more to see and do. Our Mirjam, Kerstin, Nadine and Chrisna departed from O.R Tambo International Airport to get a real taste of this unique little island and to explore and experience Mauritius the authentic way. Read more about their experience here: 

Arguably one of the best ways to experience a country is through its food and the food of Mauritius is some of the tastiest you will ever try the diverse background of this island makes Mauritius a haven for foodies, with everything from French patisseries to Indian curries or fresh grilled seafood caught by local fishermen.  There are some local dishes and snacks unique to Mauritius most of which you can taste by visiting local street vendors, we highly recommend that you do as these are the most authentic flavours you will try. These include boiled peanuts that are mostly sold on the beach, pineapple that has been marinated in salt, chilli and tamarind, gateau piment or chilli bites - the Mauritian version of falafels, dhal puris, faratas and rotis.

A day onboard a Catamaran is the perfect way to just sit back, relax and see Mauritius from a different perspective and discover the smaller islands scattered off the coast. The most iconic cruises leave from Grand Baie, the touristic hub situated in the north of the island and journey to Coin de Mire, Flat Island and Gabriel Island. With an open bar, a Mauritian feast (think grilled fish and prawns, and a panoply of salads) and all snorkelling equipment on board, this is an opportunity to discover the pristine beaches and marine life away from the main island.

As one of the world's best beach holiday destinations, there are plenty of hotels and resorts in Mauritius to choose from. It promises the quintessential tropical island lifestyle with an endless coastline of beautiful, warm, clear water, soft white sand, and gently rustling palms. So, to help you narrow down the bewildering number of options, we've hand-picked and visited a range of hotels and resorts to suit every travel style. From family fun to romantic bliss, from wellness, nature, fine dining and sports to adventurous thrills, there's something for everyone here's a list of Hotels we really enjoyed:

Discover the history behind Mauritian tea, with an excursion that takes you beyond the beaten track. This divine drink is so much more than a simple beverage. It symbolises the heritage that formed the island’s modern way of life. The impressive Le Domaine des Aubineaux is the first stop on the country’s famed Tea Route and sits above a neatly landscaped lawn backed by giant camphor trees. With its twin turrets, tall shuttered windows and imposing presence, this 1872-builtcolonial home has since been converted into a museum dedicated to the history of Mauritian Tea. Our journey continued to Bois Cheri Tea Factory and Museum the largest producer of tea on the island. Visits to the plantation included a guided tour of the tea factory plus a chance to see the plantation, explore the museum, witness tea making and savour an exclusive tasting in the Chalet.

Followed by an authentic lunch in the colonial house at Le Saint Aubin with its iconic panoramic views of the West coast and refined Creole cuisine, this is one restaurant not to be missed. It’s the perfect way to end your adventures on the West coast this estate is a converted colonial home that dates back to 1819. It is now a drooling restaurant that features a naval museum, a spectacular green botanical garden, a mini farm, an artisanal rum distillery and also a few anthurium greenhouses. Our day came to a close at Hotel Outrigger, located in the Bel Ombre Nature Reserve, this resort puts you next to the stunning Indian Ocean and connects you to the culture and activities that make Mauritius such an incredible destination.

In the Western heights of Mauritius nestles Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth a uniquely beautiful site, that is at the very top of the list of things to do in Mauritius. The visit starts with a breath-taking view of the Chamarel Waterfall undoubtedly the tallest single-drop waterfall in Mauritius at about 100m high and a striking piece of nature standing amid dense vegetation, before making your way to Chamarel's Geopark hidden in the heart of lush vegetation, this unique geological wonder is one of nature's most impressive creations. The colours of the sand dunes evolved through conversion of basaltic lava to clay minerals, causing seven distinct colours in the earth - red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow. Nestled on the mountain of Piton La Porte in Chamarel, our day came to an end at Chalets Chamarel, offering breath-taking panoramic views of the west coast of Mauritius, all the way from the mythical Le Morne to La Tourelle and Tamarin Bay with Bénitiers Island and the turquoise lagoon in between. It is, without a doubt, one of the most stunning views you will enjoy in Mauritius.

From the above and beyond service, location, and hotels and resorts Mauritius has to offer, our exploration of Mauritius was not complete without a visit to Hotel Sugar Beach and Hotel La Pirogue, the chic, modern accommodations surrounded by vibrant tropical gardens takes you far from your everyday worries while providing you with an authentic Mauritian experience and luxurious backdrop to your island holiday.

Lunch was served at the beautiful Le Preskil Hotel with a 'local market' focus. This means that you'll get to sample locally-grown produce and enjoy cuisine from all over the world. The dishes are made in front of you in the open kitchens and are all fresh and flavoursome.

We can't help but reminisce about the welcoming locals of the island that made our visit so special, the delicious food, the inviting resorts, the beautiful mountains, white beaches and turquoise blue waters. If we haven’t quite convinced you to hop on a plane just yet, we don't know what will as this little corner of paradise is absolute heaven.