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
Water sports
Lux* Grand Gaube offers many complimentary water sports for guests, including more adventurous activities like water-skiing, stand-up paddle (SUP), snorkelling, or windsurfing, as well as more relaxed activities like pedal boating, aqua gym and glass-bottom boat trips.
Spa
The Lux* Me spa offers personalised beauty and relaxation treatments from around the world, from traditional Chinese medicine to Balinese massages, all in a tranquil and secluded atmosphere. The spa also offers complimentary access to parts of its facilities, including the sauna and steam room, the chilled plunge pool, and the Jacuzzi. Combine your massage with a haircut or facial for a complete day of pampering.
Fitness
Lux* offers guests a complimentary Body Balance Analysis to create a personalised training programme that’s right for you. In addition to the many water sports available at the resort, guests can also stop by the tennis or padel courts for a match or take a stroll through the hotel’s gardens to join a complimentary yoga class.
Movie nights
The hotel organises regular movie screenings, either in the indoor theater or under the starts at the open air cinema (located in the adult-only area). Grab a seat (or a beanbag), some popcorn and enjoy the movie!
Further afield
Horseback riding on the beach
The beach at the hotel is a beautiful stretch of pristine coast, and perfect for horseback riding for equestrians of all levels. Ride on the sand and into shallow water on horseback to experience the beach in a unique, fun way. Ponies are also available for children for those who want to turn horseback riding into a family activity.
Bike riding
Bike tours around Mauritius give you a chance to explore the island outside the resort and experience the island’s vibrant culture. The tour goes through beautiful Palmar beach before continuing on to Trou d’Eau Douce, a charming spot where fishermen sell their freshly catch to the local villagers.
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.
Visit Seven Coloured Earths
This spot has become a tourist favorite 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 hotel
KidsClub: Play
Play, the Lux* Grand Gaube kids club, organises its schedule around themes like “Sports Day,” “Mauritian Day,” “Adventure Land,” or even “Pirate Day.” Over the course of the week, kids divided into different age groups will get to play games like a pirate-themed treasure hunt, volleyball on the beach, listening to Mauritian storytelling, sandcastle competitions, outdoor cooking lessons, glass-bottom boat trips, and so much more. The different themes are designed so even young guests staying for longer will get to try lots of new activities and discover everything that Mauritius and the hotel have to offer. There is also an indoor playroom with plenty of books and toys.
TeensClub: Studio 17
Teenagers can socialise at the hotel’s Club 17, with games like table football, table tennis and board games. The club also organises beach sports, outings around the island and cultural activities like language classes or dances. It’s perfect for older kids (aged 12 to 17) who want to feel independent from their parents and make friends their own age in a safe, fun environment.
Pools and Beach
Lux* Grand Gaube features two beaches and a calm lagoon, perfect for little swimmers. The large family-friendly swimming pool offers beautiful views of the sea and is heated during the winter months.
Glass-bottom boat trip
These complimentary boat rides are a great way for the whole family to discover the underwater world—including babies and children who are still too young to hop into the waves themselves.
Further afield
Horseback riding on the beach
The beach is a perfect spot for families who want to try riding along the sand. The club can accommodate riders of all levels, and ponies are available for smaller children. Beginners can have a guide lead their horse along on foot, whereas more experienced riders can follow a guide on horseback along the beach and into the shallow waves.
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.
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.
