9 Reasons to Explore Mauritius beyond the Beaches

Often referred to as the Pearl of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is a stunning island nation situated to the east of Madagascar in Africa. With over 300 km of coastline, it is one of the top beach destinations as well as among the best honeymoon destinations in the world. Besides its beaches, this tiny island paradise in the Indian Ocean has so much to offer for its traveller as it is a perfect blend of diverse cultures, tropical climate, luxury resorts, varied cuisine, coral reefs, and of course the scenic beauty. Here are the 9 reasons why you should visit Mauritius on your next trip.

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Striking Natural Beauty

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Mauritius is unquestionably one of the most beautiful islands in the world with abundant natural beauty. Away from the gorgeous beaches, the volcanic island’s interior is also stunning with the endless fields of swaying sugar canes, extinct volcanoes, lush tropical forests, dramatic mountains, and wild waterfalls. Only found in Mauritius, the magnificent Seven Coloured Earths of Chamarel is the perfect illustration of wild nature and is one of the top places to visit in Mauritius. It is a geological phenomenon caused by tropical weather conditions where the soil is marked by vibrant swirls and strips of red, green, yellow, indigo and violet colours. Mauritius has around a dozen nature reserves and botanical gardens to explore.

Fascinating Heritage

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Apart from the beaches, Mauritius is also known worldwide for its fascinating history as it has been colonized by the Dutch, French and British till 1968. The history of this island country is full of battles and the traces of these battles are still kept alive in several museums and tourist sites of Mauritius. The Blue Penny Museum, a must include place in Mauritius Tour Packages, in Port Louis has kept many objects which belonged to the British and French. Mauritius is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site with two sites Le Morne Brabant and the Appravasi Ghat. Le Morne Brabant used to be a shelter for the maroon slaves who fled due to the harsh treatment of their masters while the Appravasi Ghat is the Immigration Depot where the first laborers that came from India, Eastern Africa, China and South East Asia landed. One can also visit some popular historical attractions like Government House, Fort Adelaide, Champ de Mars, Balaclava ruins, European ruins and the Dutch ruins at Vieux Grand Port.

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Cultural Diversity

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Mauritius is a religiously diverse nation and there is no official religion in Mauritius. The inhabitants of the island range from people of Indian, French, Creole and, Chinese descent and they are living in peace and harmony despite their diverse backgrounds. This cultural diversity is one of the main attractions of this island where you get to discover the different festivals and the beauty of sharing. Port Louis, the capital of the island is rich in culture and is very common here to find religious monuments of different ethics on the same street. Chinese Lunar New Year, Maha Shivaratri, Mauritius National Day, Crossroads of Flavours, Eid-Ul-Fitr, Kiteival, and the Festival International Kreol are the popular festivals celebrated in Mauritius. Mauritian cuisine is one of the most diverse in the world, with influences from French, Indian, African, Chinese and Creole kitchens coming together to create its unique flavours.

Endless Activities

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The island nation of Mauritius is home to a plethora of activities to keep you entertained throughout the day. Surrounded by crystal clear water, Mauritius is a real paradise for any sea and water excursions that offer the largest selection of activities like kayaking, windsurfing, kite surfing, paddle boarding or sailing, snorkeling and diving. Mauritius also offer some adventure activities for non-water lovers like golfing at the fourth oldest golf course in the world and exploring the island via quad bike or buggy, by horseback, on mountain bike or on foot. One can go zip lining or hiking through the rainforest or try canyoning in the waterfalls during your Mauritius Tour.

Must Read: 7 Best Beach Destinations in Asia

Favourable Climate

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Mauritius offers a warm and pleasant climate throughout the year due to its ideal geographical location. With pristine beaches, panoramic sunsets, warm, pleasant nights and palm trees to boot make Mauritius a year round destination for travellers who want to soak up the sunshine and relaxing on the beach. It has two seasons – summer from October to April and winter from May – September. The warmest weather occurs during the month of February while the coolest temperatures tend to hit during July.

Breathtaking Underwater Life

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The underwater world of Mauritius is breathtakingly beautiful with hundreds of bright-colored fish, coral reefs and other marine life. There are about 4,000 species of fish and shellfish that live around the coastline of the island. Many of the reefs and surrounding areas of the island are protected by the Mauritius Marine Conservation Society. Belle Mare, Grand Bay, Blue Bay, Flic en Flac, Trou aux Biches, and Ile aux Cerfs are the best places to experience the rich underwater life of Mauritius. From Glass Bottom boat ride to the Underwater Submarine and from the Underwater Sea Walk to snorkeling and scuba diving, there various possibilities to discover the marine world.

Blissful Luxury & Budget-friendly Accommodation

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With an affordable standard of life, Mauritius offer world class resorts at very competitive prices. These resorts attract honeymooners as it offers seafront infinity pools, top-notch spas, and private helicopter transfers. Besides, there are hundreds of resorts and accommodation options where you can easily find a place to suit every budget ranging from three-star properties to lovely Airbnb places. Holiday packages and deals are offered all throughout the year, especially during summer time where you can get to choose between a wide range of aqua sports for your leisure as most of the hotels are built in coastal regions.

Liberal Visa

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Indian Nationals who are travelling to Mauritius for tourist or business purposes do not need Visa to stay up to 60 days but one need to provide their valid return tickets, a confirmed booking for accommodation in Mauritius, and sufficient funds for expenses during their stay. Persons, who are wishing to spend more than 60 days in Mauritius, will need to apply for a visa prior to departure. And also, most of the foreign nationals don’t need Mauritius Visa (including Australians and New Zealanders).

Best Honeymoon Destination

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With marvelous beaches and world class resorts, Mauritius attracts couples looking for some quiet time to reconnect. It is also a great spot for a romantic honeymoon as it is humming with laid-back elegance and secluded, tropical bliss. With matchless romantic spots, Mauritius was voted the World’s best honeymoon destination in 2013 by World Travel Awards. Many resorts and hotels in Mauritius offer perfect honeymoon packages in a surreal setting along with unique hospitality.

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