Mauritius is a small island in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Africa. It is known for its gorgeous beaches, multicultural heritage, and stunning volcanic landscapes. The island’s lagoons are protected by the world’s third largest coral reefs, making it an amazing place to dive, snorkel, swim with dolphins, and even whale watch.
Mauritius’ geographic location and colonial history—it was colonized by the Dutch, the French, and the English throughout its history—make it a culturally and ethnically diverse country, and its cuisine reflects this, often combining Indian, Creole, Chinese and European flavors. The island is also known for its rum, and visitors can tour the Chamarel Rum Factory to learn more about the island’s history.
The capital city of Port-Louis is a bustling port with lots of museums, markets and architectural gems to visit. Don’t miss the Port-Louis market, known for its varied products and competitive prices.
Driving across the island only takes an hour. It’s easy to travel from places like the Black River Gorges National Park, which protects much of the island’s remaining rainforest in the southwest, to the picturesque town of Cap Malheureux at the northern tip of the island. No matter where you decide to stay on the island, you’ll find many activities within easy driving distance.
Activities for adults
At the resort
Spa
Spoil yourself at the Iridium spa, where you can book a wide range of body treatments while listening to the gentle sound of the waves. Treat yourself to a manicure or pedicure in one of the al fresco treatment rooms or relax in the on-site steam room.
The Watersports centre
The Watersports Centre is located on-site and offers many different complimentary activities, including adventurous water sports like water skiing or windsurfing, and more relaxed activities like snorkelling, pedal-boating, and more.
Stand Up Paddling
If the wind is interfering with your windsurfing plans, stand up paddleboarding (SUP) is a great way to explore the clear turquoise waters of Le Morne Lagoon. Don’t forget to make a reservation.
Gym
If you want to stay in shape while you travel, the state-of-the-art gym facilities are open 24/7, and also offer personal training (at a cost) from 08:00 am – 07:30 p.m. The gym includes cardio and weight machines, as well as free weight and stretching areas.
Tennis
A good way to stay in shape is to take advantage of the hotel’s well-lit, modern tennis courts. The resort offers complimentary racket rentals to guests, and can also provide private lessons on request. Make sure to book the courts at least 48 hours in advance at the Fitness Club.
Kitesurfing
Le Morne is steps away from “One Eye,” the best kitesurfing spot on Mauritius, and the ION CLUB Prestige kitesurf club offers guests with all levels of experience the chance to venture out onto the lagoon. The ION Club offers gear rental, classes, and local knowledge on the best kitesurfing spots.
Excursion to Le Morne Mountain
Take a break from the beach with a hike to Le Morne Mountain, a towering, rugged volcanic rock that creates a striking contrast to the nearby clear ocean waters. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the mountain served as a shelter for runaway slaves, who created small settlements in its many caves. Le Morne became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008.
Further afield
Trek to Black River Gorges
When you’re tired of the beach, the Black River Gorges National Park has more than 60 kilometres of hiking trails to choose from. It’s the perfect spot to plan a picnic and see wildlife, including wild boars, rusa deer and macaque monkeys. The park is also home to many of the island’s endemic birds, like the Mauritius kestrel, the pink pigeon, and the Mauritius parakeet.
Horseback Riding on Le Morne Beach
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway along the beach, try horseback riding on the sand in the shadow of the Le Morne mountain. There are several horseback riding centers near the hotel to choose from.
Visit Seven Coloured Earths
This spot has become a tourist favourite in recent years, but even with the increased crowds it’s a must-see attraction on the island. Visitors can see the dunes from several platforms set up for that purpose. The walk from nearby Chamarel takes you past an 83-metre waterfall, so make sure to plan enough time to make the detour.
Visit Port Louis
The Mauritian capital of Port Louis is a wonderful island city with plenty to see and do. Its most famous attraction is probably the central market, where locals and tourists alike shop for everything from vegetables, fruits and spices to clothes and souvenirs. La Place d’Armes, the city’s main square, connects the imposing building of the Government House to the seafront. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Aapravasi Ghat commemorates the place where indentured labourers from India first arrived on the island. The city also has plenty of small museums, restaurants and shopping to explore.
Vist L’Ile aux Cerfs
L’Ile aux Cerfs is an 87-hectare island off the east coast of Mauritius. It’s famous for its 18-hole championship golf course, which is considered one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. There are several restaurants and bars on the island, as well as long stretches of pristine white sand beaches. L’Ile aux Cerfs is accessible by boat from Port Maurice. Shuttles leave every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Activities for kids
At the resort
Kite Flyers Club
The hotel’s kids club, the Kite Flyers Club, is the perfect place for younger guests to play and explore. The club includes a splash pool with a slide and a spacious playroom with an arts and crafts area. It’s open from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily and is complimentary for children aged 4-12. Children can eat lunch and dinner at the Kite Flyers Club, and the staff also takes the children on scheduled field trips to discover areas around the resort. The full schedule of activities will keep even the most restless children entertained all day long.
The Drawing Room
The Drawing Room is designed for teenagers who want a break from the beach. The room has a variety of games that appeal to teens, including table football, Playstation 3, table tennis, pool table, and more. The hotel will also occasionally organize group activities like soccer or beach volleyball when there is enough demand.
Beach and Pools
The hotel is surrounded by golden beaches with crystal clear, turquoise water, perfect for families who want to play, build sandcastles, or splash in the ocean together. The hotel also has 2 outdoor swimming pools.
Snorkeling
The hotel takes guests on a daily snorkeling trip to a nearby reef, which is a short 5-minute boat trip away. This is a great activity for older children who are comfortable in the water to want to peek under the waves and discover the amazing underwater world of Mauritius.
Swimming with Dolphins
Swimming with wild dolphins in their natural habitats is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for adults and children alike. Early-morning excursions visit the west coast of the island where the dolphin pods come to play, socialize and feed. There are 2 species of dolphins in the area: the spinner dolphins travel in large pods and love playing underwater; the bottlenose dolphin are larger and calmer, and are easier to swim with.
Glass-bottom Boat Trips
The resort offers complimentary glass-bottom boat trips for guests. The boat trips are a great way to get a glimpse underwater without having to get wet, and are especially good for families with small children who don’t feel confident swimming yet.
Further afield
Casela World of Adventures
This wildlife adventure park has fun activities for the whole family. Casela started as a bird park but now visitors can discover all kinds of animals, from big cats to llamas, monkeys, giraffes, and of course, birds. Most of the animal attractions are included in the ticket price, and a set of premium activities that include things like ziplines and segway tours are also available. The park is very child-friendly, and many of the activities are suitable for kids of all ages.
Whale Watching in Tamarin
For children who love animals, whale watching is a magical experience. If you’re visiting Mauritius between July and November, choose a humpback whale tour and see if you can spot one of the majestic creatures as they travel towards their breeding grounds near the equator. If you’re visiting at a different time of year, you can also spot sperm whales off the western coast of Mauritius all year long.
La Vanille Nature Park
This conservation park is home to over a hundred giant tortoises, as well as lemurs, crocodiles, and more. It’s a great place for kids excited about animals to learn more about the environment through fun activities like feeding one of the giant tortoises or the baby crocodiles, meeting Octar the resident iguana, and much more. The park also has an insectarium, an aquarium and a fossil museum to explore.
Ride a horse on Le Morne Beach
For older children, horseback riding along Le Morne peninsula is a wonderful way to see the area differently, riding along the beach and up towards Le Morne mountain. Some tour operators have ponies available for children, and several also offer optional add-ons like riding in the waves on horseback.
Visit Pamplemousses Botanical Garden (North)
This garden is one of Mauritius’ most famous sites, and dates all the way back to the 18th century. Opt for a guided tour for a more informative experience, or simply stroll through the plants and discover species from all over the world. Kids will particularly like the many animals who wander in the park freely, including tortoises, birds, butterflies, mongooses and more.
L’Aventure du Sucre (North)
Sugar has an important place in Mauritian history. This tour takes visitors through a refurbished sugar mill, where they can learn about the history of the island and taste different Mauritian products like unrefined brown sugar and jam. Kids will love exploring the cavernous space and old machinery that’s on display.
