Mauritius Island: Your Complete Travel Guide
Your essential guide to the pearl of the Indian Ocean — where sapphire waters meet pristine white sand beaches
Uncover the Wonders of Mauritius
Where is Mauritius?
Bonzour, and welcome to Mauritius.Mauritius, also called Ile Maurice in French, is the island of the dodo and one of the Indian Ocean's brightest travel destinations. It combines beach holidays, city experiences, mountain scenery, culture, food and outdoor activities in one compact island. Mauritius is a multicultural country shaped by African, Indian, European and Chinese influences. The island sits in the Indian Ocean, south of the Equator and east of Madagascar, between longitudes 57°16' and 57°49' east, and latitudes 19°58' and 20°34' south.
Getting there
Whether you arrive with Air Mauritius or connect through Emirates, the first view of sapphire water, white sand beaches, and green mountains sets the tone for the trip. Port Louis, the capital, adds markets, history, shopping and waterfront dining to the beach experience. Mauritius is also a favourite for honeymooners and families, with everything from luxury resorts to simpler guesthouses. If you're into photography or just an Instagram fan, we listed the most iconic Instagram places to visit.
Best beaches and island experiences
Mauritius has much more to offer than a simple beach break. There are many activities to enjoy, including hiking, ziplining, snorkelling, mountain viewpoints and boat trips. Le Morne Brabant is one of the island's most famous outdoor landmarks. Check our top 15 activities guide, rent a car or book a taxi, and explore the island without missing the key stops. Start with the road trip along the south and use our blog guides for practical planning details.
Regularly ranked among the world's favourite island destinations, Mauritius is a place where you can watch sunrise, sunset and mountain views in the same trip. Direct and connecting flights from Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia make it easy to combine a beach holiday with culture, nature and road-trip days.
Most people want to see a Mauritius Map before coming. We made it easier by pointing out the best places to visit.
Map legend
- Beaches — popular & hidden gems
- Activities — tours & experiences
- Nature & hiking — forests & trails
Click a pin for details and links to full guides.
The Pearl of the Indian Ocean
What are the best beaches to visit.
There are many beautiful beaches in Mauritius, and the best one for you will depend on your personal preferences. Explore from the North to the South, the famous beaches and the most beautiful of the islands. If the white sand of Belle Mare on the east is your favourite, why not explore hidden hideaways like Butte a l'herbe. If some prefer to bask on the beach of Mont Choisy, others like more the landscapes of Pointe aux Piments, with its small creeks studded with rocks along the coast, ideal for snorkeling, especially up to Balaclava. Trou aux Biches beach wins all the hearts with the coconut trees and the white sand beach. It is an excellent place to see sea turtles.
What are the best places to visit.
You can spend a month in Mauritius and only scratch the surface, but 1 week is still enough time to dive in the clear ocean, while exploring some of the exciting regions of this small island of the Indian Ocean or some of the overlooked attractions. There are plentiful attractions in Mauritius and a lot of natural places are in the south. Grand Bassin is one of the most visited places and we encourage you to do a road trip from Grand Bassin to Chamarel or even from Le Morne to Mahebourg is ideal for visitors who don't have time to go on tours or if you have rented a car. Port-Louis the capital itself have a few places to visit and many places where to eat. For superb Chinese cuisine, go to China Town, and pick any small resto. Read more about Port-Louis here. Mauritius has no shortage of places to visit. Here are our best places to visit during your visit.
If you want to enjoy the maximum of your trip, check our itinerary explore trip here.
Breathtaking Beaches
Swim in over 50 white sand beaches and relax in world-class resorts. Every visitor is left speechless by the sapphire blue ocean and porcelain white sand.
Adventure Awaits
From hiking Le Morne mountain to ziplining through forests, Mauritius offers so much more than the Maldives or Seychelles.
Perfect for Romance
Regularly ranked in the world's top 10 destinations, Mauritius is a favourite among honeymooners seeking unforgettable sunsets.
Le Morne — dramatic scenery, white sand and turquoise water.
of stunning coastline
endemic species
pristine beaches
year of independence
Must-Visit Places
You can spend a month in Mauritius and only scratch the surface — here are the highlights
Grand Bassin
Sacred Hindu temple by a crater lake
Black River Gorges
Lush national park with hiking trails
Chamarel
Seven Coloured Earth & stunning waterfall
Port-Louis
Vibrant capital with markets & culture
Pamplemousses Garden
Botanical garden with giant water lilies
Cap Malheureux
Iconic red-roofed church by the sea
Essential Information
Languages
English, French, Kreole
Time Zone
UTC+4
Driving
Left side of road
Emergency
Police: 999
Convert your currency to MUR
Use the tools below to see how much your money is worth in Mauritian Rupees (MUR). Rates are indicative.
USD → MUR
Rates are indicative and supplied by XE.
EUR → MUR
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CNY → MUR
Rates are indicative and supplied by XE.
INR → MUR
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Ready to Explore Mauritius?
Ask us where to go, what to see, and we will show you how — this is our mission.