Mauritius Island: the paradise on the African coast.
Does your family enjoy adventure and being in contact with nature? Mauritius is an excellent vacation destination to have fun and further strengthen your bond with your children.
By Mari Campos
Poetic descriptions of the Mauritius Islands are not rare. This small archipelago in the Indian Ocean, a short distance from the African coast, does indeed have beautiful beaches surrounded by tropical vegetation and rows of palm trees that permeate the popular imagination of a “paradise.”
But Mauritius goes beyond that: it is a very particular mixture of Africa with Asian spice, with natural attractions that go far beyond life by the sea and its excellent resorts. Despite its reputation as a honeymoon destination, it is also perfect for family exploration (a great combo, for example, with a trip to South Africa) and can be visited year-round, with average temperatures of 26 degrees.
Discovered by the Portuguese in the early 16th century (its name was a tribute to Maurice of Nassau), the Mauritius Islands were later colonized by the Dutch and the French, until the arrival of British rule – which lasted until 1968, when they became independent. Under British rule, it received many workers from India, which greatly influenced not only the population’s racial mix witnessed to this day, but also the island’s culture and cuisine, which are so characteristic.
With impeccable hotel infrastructure, many natural beauties, and turquoise sea beaches, the great cultural mix is one of its greatest charms. Mauritians are genuinely kind and hospitable, and whether through English, French, local Creole, or even gestures, they quickly make any tourist feel welcome.
Nature's overwhelming beauty from the coast to the interior
Idyllic beaches, botanical gardens, endless tea plantations, volcanic craters, and impressive Hindu temples are everywhere, creating a vast natural park for the whole family. Its Pamplemousse Garden (formally Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden), created in the 18th century, occupies 37 hectares covered with various plant species, including trees planted by historical figures such as Nelson Mandela and Gandhi – and it’s open every day.
Along the seaside, with a profusion of palm trees that seems to have no end, it’s difficult to choose the most beautiful beach. With almost two kilometers long, Trou-aux-Biches is the one that appears most frequently in the rankings of “most beautiful beaches in the world”. It has warm and calm turquoise waters and a charming homonymous village that is also worth a visit.
With white sand, Belle Mare is also a favorite of families in Mauritius: it has excellent infrastructure to spend the day by the Indian Ocean and is an excellent stop in the evenings to admire the sunset.
La Prairie and La Baie du Cap are also delightful beaches, with an important addition: they are perfect for water sports, such as kitesurfing. Le Morne, with its namesake mountain dominating the landscape, has calm waters and is often well served by food trucks with local snacks that kids tend to enjoy.
The mountain Le Morne, in fact, is one of the most visited attractions in Mauritius by trekking enthusiasts – the panoramic view from the top is breathtaking! As the hike is challenging for young children, a delightful program, without losing sight of the mountain, is to walk through the fishing village of the same name and have a nice picnic on the white sand, under the shade of the trees. An experience that will certainly bring excellent memories. Another unforgettable trip is to take a boat ride and see dolphins at sunset…
Chamarel (or Chamarelle) is the most famous waterfall on the island, surrounded by a geopark of impressive sand dunes of seven different colors (thanks to a geological phenomenon), making it one of the great postcards of Mauritius. The trip to Chamarel can be easily combined with a visit to an area that maintains some giant turtles from the Seychelles.
The Tamarind Falls – also known as the Seven Cascades Valley – are spectacular waterfalls at different altitudes that can be visited through hikes and stops for swimming in lagoons and rivers. It’s a great program for sporty and adventurous teenagers.
Faith, sugar, and gastronomic affection
The different religions of the country (with 44% Hindus, 33% Christians, and 16% Muslims) have also given rise to various architectural feats in churches, temples, and mosques, permeating the paradise-like landscape of the island – such as the Hindu temple Shri Prasanna Venkateswara, surrounded by sugarcane fields.
The most famous and must-visit is undoubtedly Ganga Talao, built in Grand Bassin, a naturally formed lake in one of Mauritius’ three volcanic craters, 550 meters above sea level. In addition to the stunning natural beauty of the region, the location is also the holiest on the island for Hindus (belief has it that it is connected underground to the Ganges River). A beautiful temple dedicated to Shiva (as well as other secondary temples) was built there, which receives over 300,000 pilgrims during Shivaratri, Mauritius’ largest public festival.
Not visiting the capital Port Louis would be a mistake. Its municipal market is a must-see, with stalls selling the island’s fragrant vanilla, exotic spices, and delicious regional treats (as well as souvenirs of all kinds, of course). It’s no coincidence that the market receives various family-friendly food tours, and many of them are concluded with the unmatched experience of a cooking class in a local family’s home.
Tea is also an integral part of the local culture. Its Tea Route includes three producing properties – Domaine des Aubineaux, Domaine de Bois Chéri, and Domaine de Saint-Aubin – as well as stops for gastronomic breaks and rum tastings, a playground, and experiences surrounding vanilla.
And since sugar occupies a fundamental place in the history of Mauritius up to the present day, the Sugar Adventure museum is a quite playful option for family fun and learning. Through an interactive adventure-like journey, visitors can learn about the island’s history and its special relationship with sugarcane – with tastings at the end. Because a family trip to paradise is made up of beautiful beaches and lush tropical nature, but also of precious gustatory and olfactory memories that never leave us.
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How to get there:
A trip that pairs well with the destination of South Africa. There are direct flights available from Johannesburg.
The travel agencies Viajar com Crianças (Kids) or Viajar com Adolescentes ( Teens) can organize a great trip for your family.
Where to stay:
The Mauritius Islands have excellent hotel infrastructure, with a wide range of properties to suit different niches and budgets. For those traveling with family, especially with young children, opting for one of the excellent resorts in the destination is a guarantee of peace, comfort, and a perfect base to start and end each day. The Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, a pioneer in hospitality on the island, is the largest hotel group on the island, with eight distinct properties located in different parts of Mauritius.
Club Med also has its local unit, the La Pointe aux Canonniers Resort, with various dining options and a huge kids club adapted for different age groups, as well as a wide range of water sports activities.
The Shanti Maurice Resort & Spa is one of the most luxurious properties on the island, with only 61 accommodations spread over 15 hectares of tropical seaside gardens, a mini club, a baby club, high-end gastronomy restaurants, and a spectacular spa for adults.
Another luxurious option for the whole family is The Residence Mauritius, located on the white sands of Belle Mare, with colonial-style accommodations, great restaurants, a large leisure area, and a complete kids club.
Things the Way Family love to pack in their suitcase:
Gate
Eletronics for the travel: smartphone, drone, câmera, charger,…
Destiny
UV clothes, bikinis, caps, diving goggles, snorkel mask and other accessories…
