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 hotel
Spa
The hotel’s spa takes its inspiration from Mauritius’ beautiful natural surroundings to create treatments that are relaxing and harmonious with the environment. With 8 massage rooms, a hammam, heated pool, and relaxation area, the spa has a variety of rejuvenating options for all their guests’ needs.
Gym/Sports
From aquagym to tennis to beach football, there are lots of sports available for guests to stay active during their tropical vacation.
Pirogue Trip at Sunrise
Join a local fisherman on an unforgettable sunrise sail across the lagoon on a traditional pirogue. See the water light up in green and blue hues, and enjoy a Mauritian breakfast on a nearby island as the day breaks.
Stand Up Paddle (SUP)
Enjoy a day on the water and see the lagoon from a different perspective with a stand up paddle outing.
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 hotel
Splash Time
Enjoy Mauritius’ sunny weather with some family pool time. The hotel has 4 different pools to choose from, including a splash pool for kids and a beach pool.
Kids Club
The hotel kids club is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for children aged 3 to 12. Activities include treasure hunts, crafts, glass bottom boat trips, playing in the pool, and lots more. Children can also eat dinner with the kids club so parents can enjoy a romantic meal together.
Beach
The hotel is just steps from the beach , with lots of water sports and beach activities available. Step outside for a fun day of beach volley, glass bottom boat trips, snorkelling, building sand castles, and splashing in the waves.
Sports
There are lots of ways for kids to stay active at the Zilwa Attitude, including playing tennis on the floodlit tennis court, beach football, kayaking, and windsurfing.
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.
