Mauritius Island

A paradise island in the Indian Ocean, with the Seven Coloured Earths, Île aux Cerfs and the underwater waterfall; listed in TripAdvisor's 2025 solo-travel and honeymoon destinations.

Mauritius is a volcanic island nation in the southwestern Indian Ocean, about 900 km east of Madagascar. The main island covers 2,040 sq km and is ringed by 330 km of coral reef, creating calm lagoons and white-sand beaches. Mark Twain said, "God made Mauritius first and then heaven, copying it." The island is small, and driving across takes only 1.5 hours; it is usually planned by region. In the north, Grand Baie and Péreybère Beach are the lively resort and nightlife areas. The southwest Black River district, with Le Morne, the Seven Coloured Earths, Chamarel Waterfall and Black River Gorges National Park, is the center of natural scenery and the place to see the "underwater waterfall" from the air. On the east coast, Île aux Cerfs and the Belle Mare lagoon have the clearest water and the most resorts. Blue Bay Marine Park on the south coast is good for snorkeling. The capital, Port Louis, and the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden to its north make a half-day cultural outing. The climate is tropical maritime: May–October is the cool, dry southern-hemisphere winter (24–26°C by day, 17°C at night), and September–December is ideal; November–April is hot, humid and rainy, with a risk of tropical cyclones in January–March; the east coast is windy year-round with clear waves from the trade winds, while the west coast is calmer and warmer. Getting there: there are currently no direct flights between China and Mauritius; travelers usually connect via Hong Kong (Air Mauritius), Dubai, Singapore or Kuala Lumpur. Chinese citizens can enter visa-free for 60 days. The airport (MRU) is in the southeast, about 1.5 hours from Grand Baie in the north and about 1 hour from Le Morne in the southwest. The island has no rail network (only the Port Louis light rail), and public buses are slow and do not reach the sights, so renting a car (drive on the left; an international driving permit or notarized license is required) or hiring a driver (about MUR 3,000–4,000 per day) are the main options. We recommend 6–8 days: choose one or two resorts for 3 nights each and add 2–3 day trips. Notes: the lagoon is shallow and coral is exposed at low tide, so wear reef shoes; sunscreen and insect repellent are essential; most resorts are half-board or all-inclusive, and when eating out try Creole curry, dholl puri and fresh seafood; tipping is not mandatory, but 10% is appropriate for good service; use rupee cash in markets, while hotels and restaurants accept cards; drones require a permit at most attractions.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries