off the southeast coast of africa, some 900km’s east of madagascar, is the island nation of mauritius. encompassed by the warm indian ocean, this island paradise juts out of the deep blue like a mirage. with its clear blue waters, white sandy beaches & tropical climate it’s often seen as a newlyweds haven, but don’t let the laid-back stereotypes & island vibes fool you, there’s more to this island utopia.
arguably africa’s wealthiest destination, it’s one of the world’s top luxury destinations. mauritius possesses a wide range of natural wonders, enjoys a tropical climate with clear warm sea waters, tropical fauna & flora complemented by a multicultural population that is extremely friendly.
the island is now becoming a hub for sustainable development from eco-resorts to sustainable initiatives, those seeking solace & unrivalled nature will not be disappointed.
flic en flac
our first stop flic en flac is a seaside village on the west coast that attracts tourists & locals alike. known for its beaches & waters sports it was the perfect place for a newbie to spend a few days getting acquainted with the island.
the white sandy beaches are one of the best places on the island to view the famous african sunsets. it was great to see so many locals setting up their deckchairs waiting for the sunset early in theevening while their kids played in the warm shallow waters.
cuisine is a big deal in mauritius, many cultures call this place home from indian food to the local creole fare that can be enjoyed at the awesome creole shack, where there’s no menu just home-cooked meal of the day.
from the moment we arrived, we were humbled by the friendliness & honesty of the locals that always chatted to us with a huge smile on their faces, it made our trip.
le morne & the south west
a little further south of flic n flac is the unesco site of le morne. famous for its powder-white beaches & underwater waterfall we felt this area would be best explored from the water.
heading out from black river we decided to take a dolphin swimming & sightseeing tour with mauritius dolphins. this whole day excursion took us out early in the morning firstly to swim with dolphins, then through the turquoise waters near le mornebefore indulging a grilled lobster lunch on an uninhabited island. it was a life-changing day, having the chance to swim with these majestic intelligent creatures was a dream.
one of the best independent restaurants in the country has to be nomad. this awesome laid-back eatery serves up some of the island’s best cuisine. we came here for lunch & was blown away by the quality of the food. from the ceviche, king prawns &seared tuna to the decadent chocolate fondant it was some of the best dishes we haveever tasted. the vibe of the place is super relaxed, the staff are lovely & attentive.
the north-west
taking day trips from our lodge took us to some of the most spectacular places in the area. the northwest is home to a few the best sights the island has to offer.
the sir seewoosagur botanical gardens are a must-visit. we arrived midday which was a mistake as the humidity was near unbearable, i would advise visiting in the morning. we were super impressed by the giant lily pond & the huge amounts of bird species that call this place home.
along the coast, you’ll find some of the most populated areas on the island from trou-aux-biches to grand baie & pereybere. there is a good reason for this as the beaches & ports here are some of the most beautiful in mauritus, the white sand & shallow waters attract locals & tourists alike all waiting for the epic golden sunsets that grace this part of the world.
while exploring the area we came across what is in my opinion one of the most beautiful cafes in the world, bloom. this al-fresco eatery boasts a vibrant design, delicious food & super friendly staff. a must-visit.
final thoughts…
mauritus was unexpected in some ways. having been to the maldives previously we thought it would be similar, we were wrong. while you can find the picture-postcard beaches & luxury hotels, its the nature here that takes centre stage. this is an island of lush greenery that is only rivalled by the great rainforests of the world.
for those seeking an active vacation on a paradise island, i can truly say there is no better place to visit.
. I’ve never been there, yet, but for sure I’ll need to visit this paradise once!
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