The Best Destinations For 2022: Mauritius

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(Or The Seven Wonders Of The World, Part 2)

You hear Mauritius and you think of an idyllic honeymoon destination. And, you’d be right. However, it’s not just the perfect place for a couple in love, as you’ll soon see ...

The Beaches

Ok, let’s kick off with the obvious. Mauritius is nothing if not a top spot for beaches, and here are the best of the best:

• Trou Aux Biches. As well as gentle sands, crystal-clear water and coast-line cafés, this slice of heaven is best-loved for snorkeling.
  
• Belle Mare Plage. A choice location for enjoying the sunrise, this beach is also a must for windsurfing. And if you love a bit of golf, you could do a lot worse than the experience of an 18-hole course surrounded by stunning views.
  
• Pereybere. The breathtaking corals and marine life here is a serious treat for the deep-sea divers among you.
  
• La Cambuse. If the idea of adventurous water sports gets your blood pumping, this white-sand, clear-water beach should tick all the boxes.
  
• Le Morne. Situated in a secluded part of Mauritius, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is not only pretty to look at, with its white sand and turquoise lagoons, but great to enjoy water sports on, too! Another fantastic highlight here is taking the hike to the top of Le Morne mountain for the most beautiful vistas.
  
• La Cuvette. An incredibly popular beach in Mauritius - whether you’re with a partner, family or even by yourself.
  
• Flic En Flac. Another highly-regarded option, thanks - in part - to the sensational coral reefs, fine white sand and luxury resorts. Explore the area on a speedboat tour!
  
• Mont Choisy. A mesmerizing mix of water and corals in the northern part of the island will render you speechless - the perfect choice for an uber relaxing experience.
  
• Poste Lafayette. Bordered by palm trees and carpeted with glistening water, this is another good option for water sport enthusiasts.
  
• Tamarin. This charming-yet-no-frills little beach offers what is arguably the best scenic backdrop on the whole island, along with endless watersports.
  
• Point d’Esny. This incredible stretch of white sand, coupled with a well-preserved blue lagoon, offers endless opportunities to snorkel and dive, making it one of the most popular beaches on the whole island.

The Islands

After an even bigger slice of paradise? You’ve just found it.

• Île aux Aigrettes. Made entirely of coralline limestone, this tiny island of striking beauty may be just  27 hectares, but it certainly should not be judged on its size alone. Fun fact: It is believed to have been the final resting place of the Dodo and scientists are still working tirelessly to reintroduce some of the world’s rarest species and restore it to its former glory. In the meantime, you’ll still enjoy getting up-close-and-personal with the giant tortoises and pink pigeons. Explore the island
  
• Ilot Gabriel. A surprisingly small number of people know about this idyllic spot, and you can hop here from a number of the other beaches on a relaxing catamaran cruise.
  
• Rodrigues. Delicious food, relaxing vibes and adrenaline-pumping activities make up this unforgettable island.
  
• Le Plate. Also known as Flat Island, you can expect incredible vistas no matter where you are - along with an array of water sport activities.
  
• Île aux Cerfs. Also known as Deer Island, this picture-perfect slice of paradise is famous for its white sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, breathtaking lagoons and impressive selection of activities, such as snorkeling. Explore the island

The Mainland

Ah-ha - bet you didn’t know there was more to Mauritius than the incredible islands, hey? But if you like your beach vacation with a side of city life, check out these options:

• Mahébourg. Venture to this ancient capital to experience old Mauritius. Built at the end of the 16th century, you’ll find rustic restaurants, a vibrant marketplace, delicious street food, beautiful beaches and a whole host of historical museums, such as the Naval Museum, that you can enjoy as part of an E-biking tour! Check out more information about its market a bit further on in this post!
  
• Grand Baie. Once a small fishing village, this is now considered to be the main tourism hub on the island, packed with beaches, shops, markets, watersports, museums, restaurants and more nightlife options than you’ll know what to do with.
  
• Lighthouse Of Albion. Set apart by its unique architecture, this is an important landmark representing the rich history of Mauritius and serves as one of the most popular tourist spots in the country.
  
• Château de Labourdonnais. A famous heritage spot that hints at colonization in Mauritius, it is showcased by the exquisite antique designs, vintage furniture and beautiful gardens. Book a Rum Tasting Tour here!
  
• Port Louis. The vibrant capital city of Mauritius attracts many people each day, thanks to an abundance of stores, eateries, casinos, theaters and museums. Book a half-day tour
  
• Eureka Creole House. Built in 1830 in magnificent gardens surrounded by waterfalls, this well-preserved French colonial mansion - once owned by the island’s biggest sugar baron -  is said to be one of the largest houses on the island and is open to the public as a museum, boasting elements of art, music, maps and Chinese & Indian homeware.

The Nature

Between exotic animals, wonderful wildlife and beautiful flowers, there’s something for every nature lover:

• Casela World Of Adventures. An absolute must-visit if you love the idea of open jeep rides, elephant encounters and face-to-face meetings with lions, leopards, tigers, zebras, giraffes, hippos and ostriches. Thousands of birds, exotic flowers and a plethora of plants all add to the overall diversity of the place. Get your tickets here
  
• Tamarind Waterfalls. Seven waterfalls make up this natural wonder and you can enjoy hiking, swimming, bird-watching and jumping off cliffs here (if you’re brave enough!).
  
• Rochester Falls. Another spot of beauty, owing to the picturesque flora, lush greenery and surrounding rocks. Take a dive in the cool waters and eat the fresh tropical fruits around - you won’t regret coming here.
  
• La Vanille Crocodile Park. As you might expect, crocodiles are the main event of the park, but you’ll also see other reptiles, such as giant tortoises, butterflies and plants. Get your tickets here
  
• Le Pouce. Reaching a height of 812 meters above sea level, this is the third-largest mountain in Mauritius and another incredible experience for nature lovers. Fun fact: It’s believed that Charles Darwin was the first to scale this mountain back in 1836 and it has since, er, evolved as one of the most popular peaks to conquer. The hike is not all that challenging, meaning the resultant views from the top are easily accessible to most.
  
• Grand Bassin. This serene lake is one of the most sacred Hindu sites, thanks to several temples that are located here.
  
• Le Souffleur. A huge cliff offering insta-worthy views of natural springs and a 20 meter-high geyser fountain, this is one of the hidden gems of Mauritius that will definitely enhance your vacation.
  
• Black River Gorges National Park. Encompassing an area of over 6,500 hectares, this rainforest  was constructed to save the natural vegetation of the island, making it one of the most important - and spectacular - sites to visit. Lush greenery, wildlife species, picnic areas and 60 kilometers of trails await. Just make sure you’re wearing your best hiking shoes! Book a full-day trek
  
• Chamarel Park. A stunning geological wonder awaits here - the only place in the world where you can find seven colors of sandy earth in one place. In case that wasn’t enough, this is also home to the Waterfall of Chamarel - considered by many as the biggest and best on the island, boasting a free fall of 100 meters. A truly out-of-this-world experience that you can reach by stairs up to a viewing platform, before having a splash in the shallow water below. Explore a rum distillery here!
  
• Trou aux Cerfs. This 605 meter-high crater gives the most spectacular view of the island.

The Shopping

Because what vacation is complete without it?

• Port Louis Market. From fresh food to home décor; herbs to bamboo products, you’ll find everything you could possibly need in one of the island’s largest markets - breaking up the day with some much-needed refreshments, courtesy of the impressive dining establishments and coffee shops.
  
• Mahebourg Market. Also known as the Monday Market, thanks to its unique business model of operating only one day a week, you’ll find some amazing souvenirs and hand-crafted goodies to take home with you.
  
• Le Craft Market. Offering some of the most unique craft collections on the island, the eclectic mix of stalls has everything from intricately detailed baskets to woodwork; seashells to glass - and everything in between.
  
• Quatre Bornes Market. The place to go for all your clothing and textile needs (or - let’s be honest - wants. You are on vacation, after all!)
  
• Flacq Market. Made up of stalls bursting with clothes, accessories, spicy food and souvenirs, the variety is endless here in the biggest open-air market in Mauritius.
  
• Bagatelle Mall. Calling all shopaholics! Locals and tourists alike can’t get enough of this shopping haven, and - between the branded stores and delicious food options on offer - you’ll soon see why.
  

Still think it’s only for honeymooners? We’ll see you there!