Luxury Mauritius Holidays

There’s an entire underwater world to discover off the Mauritian shores, whether it’s with a snorkel between your teeth or an oxygen tank on your back. If you’re curious about scuba diving, opt for a PADI beginner dive for a quick and easy introduction – or become certified to go longer and deeper. Swim with butterfly fish, turtles, reef sharks and dolphins in and beyond the island’s turquoise lagoon.

On an island famed for its flora and fauna, you’re never far from exceptional vistas. Get close to nature at the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens, which is full of exotic and indigenous plants, including talipot palms and giant water lilies. Elsewhere, ride a horse through verdant forests or discover colourful sand dunes formed from volcanic rock. On a jeep safari through the hills, look out for monkeys and wild boar.

An electrically assisted bicycle is the very best way to experience the islands beauty and meet hospitable locals. Enjoy stunning scenery, sandy beaches, sugarcane fields, rolling hills and lively towns at your own pace.

Browse local textiles, clothing, fresh produce and handicrafts at the bustling markets of Port Louis and Mahebourg. Interact with locals and haggle for a bargain on a souvenir – maybe you’ll get the chance to practise your French. In Grand Baie, pick up labelled goods in the shiny, modern La Croisette mall. The range here includes French and international brands, and covers everything from appliances to kids’ fashion.

Embrace laid-back island life fully by unwinding at one of the Mauritius’ luxury spas. Work up a sweat in the sauna or steam room, then indulge in an African Creole treatment with local flowers and herbs, or treat yourself to a manicure or soothing facial. When you’re blissed out to the max, sit back and absorb a pink and-orange Mauritian sunset under a swaying palm tree. It’s rest and recuperation at its best.

Ready to have your taste buds tantalised? Mauritian cuisine is comprised of Creole, Chinese, French and Indian cuisine – cue lots of delicious dishes for you to sample. The variety is extensive: you’re just as likely to find yourself feasting on coq au vin as a spicy chicken curry with roti and Indian flatbread. Fresh seafood is a prominent fixture on Mauritian menus – try vindaye, a pickled octopus, or fish dish served hot or cold over rice.

Mauritius is a fantastic choice for your family holiday, many hotels have fantastic children's facilities as well as superb family rooms.

Mauritius’ sand is soft and its waters are clear – perfect conditions for lounging and bathing. If the mood takes you, spend an entire day taking dips in the lagoon and feeling the powdery sand beneath your toes. Head to Flic en Flac, the island’s longest stretch of beach, with its blue lagoon. At Belle Mare, on the east coast, you’ll find grassy sections with tall palm trees for shade.

Join the locals and take part in the biggest religious celebrations in Mauritius. Maha Shivaratri, which translates as the “Great Night of Lord Shiva”, is an annual Hindu festival that celebrates Lord Shiva. Maha Shivaratri takes place in February/March and involves devotees carrying handmade structures known as kanwars, often made from colourful bamboo, from their homes to Ganga Talao – which is a sacred lake. At the lake’s water, devotees will offer prayers and collect the sacred water.

Get involved with Diwali, also known as the festival of lights, held in November 2020. Mauritians celebrate Diwali for five days, with the final day being considered a public holiday, where locals will clean their homes in preparation to welcome Lakshmi. Diwali in Mauritius is unlike any religious festival and involves the locals decorating their homes, the streets and the squares with brightly coloured lights to welcome light into their homes and lives. You can also expect to see a dazzling firework display, sample delicious homemade sweets and dishes and speak to the locals.

Learn about the Mauritian National Day on the 12th March, which marks the date when Mauritius claimed its independence from Britain in 1968. This day also celebrates the creation of the Republic of Mauritius, which took place in 1992. Across the island, Mauritians display the pride they have for their nation by putting up their country’s colourful flag, attending an official flag raising ceremony, watching military parades and listening and dancing to live music.

Don’t miss the Thaipoosam Cavadee religious festival in Mauritius. The festival takes place in January/February and is a colourful, exciting experience where native Tamil devotees purify and cleanse their souls for 10 days. During Thaipoosam Cavadee, you’ll get the chance to see devotees engaging in ablution rituals where they go down to the riverbanks and purify their souls.

Dholl Puri is arguably the Mauritian people’s favourite type of street food. These flat breads are similar to a pancake and are filled with ground yellow split peas, seasoned with cumin and turmeric. They are also wrapped around cari gros pois (butter bean curry) with rougaille (a spicy tomato sauce). 

Try a Samosa while you’re in Mauritius, these delicious deep fried pastry cones are filled with spicy curried potatoes. You’ll be able to find these tasty treats, which have a meat and a vegetable option, on street stalls or in local restaurants.

Indulge in these divine Chinese/Mauritian boiled noodles. You’ll often find this dish in local restaurants. Mauritian’s love these noodles and they make the perfect accompaniment to chicken, beef or vegetables.

Make sure you try the mouth watering Mauritian Biryani, which is a rice dish made from long grain rice, meat (either chicken, beef, lamb, fish, or alternatively it can be made with vegetables), yoghurt and a mixture of spices.

If you enjoy a bit of spice, you need to taste a Gato Pima. These delightful deep fried balls are made from dried yellow peas and chili and can be found at most food stalls on the streets and also in restaurants.

To really get a feel of Mauritius, you need to get your hands on the popular Rougaille-poisson-salé dish. This hearty meal is made from chunks of dried salted fish and is cooked with chopped onions, fresh tomatoes and chillies. 

Mauritians love nothing more than dipping into a Bouillon Brède Mouroum, especially if they aren’t feeling well. This dish involves a Moringa tree leaves broth, which is known for its medicinal properties. The leaves are boiled and accompanied by a garlic ginger paste and chopped onions.

Treat yourself to a Roti and Cari Poisson dish, which is a fish curry (Mauritian style). This flavoursome dish is served with Indian flat bread and is sure to hit the spot after a day spent exploring the island.

Another Mauritian dish that is packed with flavour is the Manioc & Chatini Cotomili dish. The Cassava tree root is boiled in hot salted water, ensuring it becomes tender and creamy. The dish is then served with "Chatini-Cotomili", which is a type of chutney made from mixed tomatoes, a pinch of salt, chillies and coriander leaves.