Our experiences on Mauritius

This penthouse apartment sits quietly between Mont Choisy and Trou aux Biches, both beaches are about a 5-minute walk away, and there's a cozy café just around the corner for the first coffee of the day. For around €130 a night, you get a spacious, tastefully furnished apartment with its own rooftop terrace, private pool and a dreamy ocean view.

Very quietly located, extremely clean and well kept, plus warm, easy communication with our host Karine, we felt welcome from the very first moment. Honestly, there was nothing that bothered us.

An absolute dream spot to unwind. The combination of location, style and privacy was simply unbeatable, we'd book this place again anytime and can recommend it without reservation.

Centrally located in Flic en Flac, just a few minutes from the beach and restaurants, with good security and its own garage. For around €63 a night the ambiance was pleasant, though the apartment is pretty poorly soundproofed, you can hear the neighbors talking, eating and washing up.

The water supply was unfortunately unreliable, at times there was no water at all, and hot water usually only for one person. The rooftop terrace also has no seating, which makes it barely usable.

For a short stay the apartment is fine, mainly for the location and security. For a longer holiday, though, we wouldn't recommend it, the comfort suffers too much from the noise and water issues.

Right on the northeast coast at Anse La Raie with a lagoon view, for around €239 a night on half board. The property is spacious and well kept, with plenty of restaurants, friendly and attentive staff, and a large parking area.

Many activities are included in the price: kayak, glass-bottom boat tour, snorkeling trip, stand-up paddling, tennis, padel and gym. A reservation is usually needed for the à la carte restaurants though, unfortunately nothing was free during our entire stay, so we could only eat at the buffet restaurant. Snorkeling and kayaking also have to be booked in advance, both were fully booked; we only got a spot for the snorkeling trip on our departure day, and the boat even left 15 minutes early, without us and two other guests.

Despite the minor booking hiccups, our stay was thoroughly lovely, a great mix of relaxation, comfort and activity that we'd happily recommend.

Trou aux Biches sits on the northwest coast, about 10 km north of Grand Baie, easily reached by car or taxi. The beach stretches for several kilometers with fine, light sand, the water is shallow and clear, perfect for snorkelers.

We especially loved the street food stalls along the beach with fresh snacks and local specialties. On the beach you can also try snorkeling, kayaking and paddleboarding, and boats can be rented for short trips too.

For us, Trou aux Biches was our favorite beach on all of Mauritius: calm, clean water, fine sand and a genuine culinary highlight at the stalls. Despite its popularity, it never felt crowded.

On the west coast, about 25 km south of Port Louis, easily reached by car, bus or taxi, and with plenty of hotels, restaurants and small shops. The beach is one of the island's longest, the sand is a bit coarser than at Trou aux Biches, but thanks to the offshore reef the water is clear and calm.

In the northern part of the beach there are several street food stalls with fair prices, our tip: definitely head north for the best street food, the southern area near the hotels was pricier and less convincing. Snorkeling, diving, kayaking and small boat tours are also on offer.

Flic en Flac won us over with its lively atmosphere, clear water and spectacular sunsets, especially lovely on weekdays when it's quieter. Water shoes can be helpful, the seabed is rocky in places.

In the southwest of Mauritius, at the foot of Le Morne Brabant (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), easily reached by car with plenty of free parking. One of the island's most beautiful beaches: expansive, quiet, with a breathtaking view of the mountain, light, fine sand and crystal-clear water thanks to the offshore reef.

Ideal for stand-up paddling and snorkeling, and a walk along the coast is worthwhile too. The natural beauty and peaceful atmosphere impressed us deeply, and despite its popularity the beach never felt overcrowded. In the late afternoon, when the sun sinks behind the mountain, the mood turns almost magical.

For us, one of the island's most beautiful spots, perfect for relaxing, snorkeling and simply soaking it in.

On the east coast, about an hour's drive from Port Louis, easily reached by car. One of the island's longest and most beautiful beaches: fine, light sand and crystal-clear turquoise water, plus plenty of palm trees providing natural shade.

Ideal for swimming, snorkeling or long walks along the miles of coastline, and stand-up paddling works great in the calm water too. The incredibly clear water and peaceful atmosphere impressed us, and despite its size the beach never felt overcrowded.

For us, one of the most beautiful beaches on Mauritius, perfect for anyone who loves peace, open space and turquoise water.

In the north of Mauritius, between Grand Baie and Cap Malheureux, easily reached by car, though parking is limited, especially on weekends. A rather small, compact beach with fine sand and calm, clear water, scenically it doesn't quite match beaches like Trou aux Biches or Belle Mare.

Right on the beach there are a few street food stalls with fresh juices, snacks and typical Mauritian dishes. A nice spot for a short stop or half a day, though smaller and busier than many of the island's other beaches.

On the northwest coast, between Trou aux Biches and Grand Baie, easily reached by car or bus, with plenty of free parking along the coastal road. The long, gently curving beach is lined with numerous casuarina trees that provide pleasant shade, the sand is light but not quite as fine as at other beaches on the island.

The atmosphere is relaxed and rather quiet, usually very peaceful on weekdays, while more locals stop by on weekends for a picnic or the sunset. Not one of the island's highlights, but a lovely spot to escape the bustle and simply enjoy nature.

Location: Coastal Road, Mont Choisy / Trou aux Biches. A small, cozy café just a few minutes from the beach, perfect for a relaxed breakfast or a quick coffee break. The coffee was excellent and carefully prepared, and we especially loved the variety of breakfast dishes, fresh pastries and sweet treats.

An absolutely recommendable café with delicious coffee, fresh pastries and friendly service, a genuine insider tip for anyone who loves breakfast.

Location: Black River Road, La Preneuse, Black River. We discovered this café rather by chance and were instantly won over: coffee, freshly pressed juice and breakfast to go were all delicious, with a varied and high-quality selection of drinks, snacks and food.

The staff were very friendly and attentive, and the modern, cozy atmosphere makes you feel at home right away, perfect for a quick snack or a relaxed start to the day, whether to go or for a leisurely breakfast on site.

Location: Racket Road, Chemin du Grand Bazaar, Grand Baie. A cozy café with friendly staff and an impressive selection of sweet and savory crêpes and waffles. We tried several sweet varieties and were thrilled, freshly made, delicious and beautifully presented.

A must for any crêpe lover: a big selection, friendly service and fair prices. Card payment is accepted, and it's especially worth a visit in the afternoon for a sweet snack or coffee.

At Le Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis. The dumplings here are incredibly delicious, definitely the best we've ever eaten. The staff are friendly, the vibe relaxed and easygoing.

Anyone spending time in Port Louis should absolutely stop by, perfect for a quick but unforgettably good meal.

Very friendly staff and really good pizza, the pizzeria is correspondingly popular and well visited in the area. We were told upfront that the pizza would take about 50 minutes, totally fine, we made good use of the time for other things.

Especially handy: you can eat on site, order the pizza to go, or even pre-order via WhatsApp and get notified once it's ready. Tasty pizza, fair prices and exceptionally friendly service, we'll definitely be back.

A small, unassuming snack stand with genuinely delicious food: a large selection of Mauritian snacks and dishes like roti, samosas and fried rice. A big plus: almost everything is available in vegetarian versions too.

Delicious and affordable street food with plenty of vegetarian options, ideal for anyone who wants to enjoy local cuisine in a relaxed, no-frills way.

We tried the vegetarian roti here and were very impressed: freshly made, well seasoned and really filling. The staff were friendly and attentive, the atmosphere simple but welcoming.

A clear recommendation for anyone who wants to try authentic Mauritian street food, the vegetarian options in particular are delicious, fresh and fairly priced.

The staff are very friendly, the ice cream tastes fantastic, and there's a good selection of flavors. Card payment is accepted, which makes stopping by especially easy.

The perfect spot for a refreshing treat after a hot beach day.

In the southwest of Mauritius, surrounded by green hills and tropical vegetation, about 40 minutes by car from Flic en Flac. On site, a fascinating hilly landscape awaits in various shades from red and brown to violet and blue, the colors were a bit less intense than expected, but the natural phenomenon was still impressive and definitely worth a stop.

Admission (about €5–6) also includes access to the roughly 100-meter-deep Chamarel Waterfall as well as a small tortoise enclosure with Aldabra giant tortoises, plus a café and a souvenir shop. It's best to visit the Seven Colored Earth in the morning, when the sun is high enough for the colors to really pop.

Just a few minutes from the Seven Colored Earth, about 40–45 minutes by car from Flic en Flac, no reservation needed. The guided tour (Rs 650, about €12 per person) gives insight into rum production, from processing the sugarcane to distillation, including a tasting of several varieties.

During our visit it was unfortunately quite crowded, the noise meant we could only partly follow the guide's explanations, and personally the rum wasn't quite as good as at other tastings we've done. The visit is still worthwhile for the beautiful estate, best in the morning or early afternoon when it's less crowded. Open Monday to Saturday, 9:30am–4:30pm.

Inland among the green hills of the Moka region, about 30–40 minutes from Flic en Flac or Curepipe. The tour, bookable online (about €8.50 per person, about 1 hour), gives insight into growing and processing vanilla, spices, fruit and vegetables, with tastings of sugarcane juice, jams and coconut balls at the end.

The pace felt a bit rushed overall, with barely any time for photos, and the souvenir shop had a clear focus on selling, some products like coffee also don't come directly from the plantation, though they were up to 50% cheaper in supermarkets. Anyone interested in vanilla farming will find the visit informative, but should compare prices in the shop.

Departing from La Prairie Beach, organized by lagoonFLIGHT, about 30–50 minutes by car from Flic en Flac or Grand Baie. Best booked early via WhatsApp or email, the 15-minute flight costs around €149 per person.

The flight was a once-in-a-lifetime experience: the view of the turquoise sea, the coral reefs and the legendary underwater waterfall is breathtaking. The staff were very friendly and helpful, and we were quickly informed via WhatsApp about any last-minute changes.

One small downside: our flight schedule was changed several times, so we couldn't fly together and instead each flew with a different passenger. Still an absolute highlight that we can highly recommend.

Departing from Flic en Flac on the west coast, check-in 7:45am, departure 8:00am. The tour (Rs 2000, about €45 per person) starts with the dolphin encounter around 8:30am, then continues to snorkeling at Crystal Rock and on to Île aux Bénitiers, where lunch with grilled fish, chicken, salads and vegetarian options is served right on the beach.

This tour is one of the best we've ever done: perfectly organized, the team incredibly friendly and warm, the whole tour completely stress-free. On Île aux Bénitiers we had plenty of time to relax, swim and explore, and no one was rushed during snorkeling.

Departing right from our accommodation, no transfer needed, the tour lasts about an hour and follows the coast over the coral reefs. Through the glass bottom you can watch colorful corals, tropical fish and other sea life without getting wet, included in the price of our accommodation.

We found the tour completely relaxing and impressive, the coral reefs look even more spectacular through the glass bottom. A wonderful, stress-free experience we'd happily do again.

In the southwest of Mauritius, only about a 5-minute drive from the seaplane departure point at La Prairie Beach, ideal for a short stop afterward. The viewpoint offers an impressive panorama over the west coast, the lagoons and the clear, turquoise sea.

For us, the stop was perfect for stretching our legs, taking photos and enjoying the landscape from a different perspective, the combination of coast, sea and hills is simply stunning.

Port Louis is the lively capital of Mauritius. The area around the Waterfront feels like a small open-air shopping center, one highlight is the street with the decorative parasols. Just a few minutes' walk away is the Central Market with fresh fruit, vegetables, spices and local specialties.

We found the trip really enjoyable, since everything is within easy walking distance, a great chance to shop, discover souvenirs and soak up the lively capital atmosphere at the same time. We parked our car at the Waterfront, conveniently located right by the water. It's best to arrive early if you want to explore the market at leisure, and bring cash for smaller purchases.