Photo by Laura Parker
© All Rights Reserved
In Europe the quickest route to an off season holiday without breaking your bank account or getting jet lag is to fly south to Mauritius. Here, you’ll find a tropical island complete with swaying palms, warm breezes and some of the world's best beaches.
Places to stay range from tidy little bungalows and budget apartments to the most impressive five-star beach resorts in the world. So, come settle in for a few of weeks of well deserved rest on an exotic Mauritius beach.
At Belle Mare, enjoy the crystal clear water right in front of your upscale room - or slip in from that modest villa you rented nearby. Take a dip in the beautiful lagoon at Trou d’Eau Douce or swim at Blue Bay, named for its azure hue. But you won't be alone as bathers from all over the island come to these popular Mauritius beaches. For a more peaceful outing try Ile Aux Cerf, an idyllic islet just off the coast that can be reached by boat.
For a favorite Mauritius beach on the west coast head for Flic-en-Flac. This usually sunny spot fringed by shade trees has a variety of local bistros to keep any wine sipper content the entire day. For other active tourist areas, visit the rest of the Mauritius beaches along this same coast - including Grand Baie, Mont Choisy or Pereybère.
To enjoy a truly unique experience, try the up-market Paradis Hotel with its own beach on a peninsula that juts out into the Indian Ocean. Just raise that flag next to your lounger and as if by magic the hotel attendant will appear.
"If you'd be so kind, another lemon squash please."
Now that's what I call living!
Photo © iofoto - Fotolia.com
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| Region | Country | Best Season | |||||
| Indian Ocean | Mauritius | August - December | |||||
| Belle Mare | Type | Waves | Water | Sand | Swimsuits | Food | Rating |
![]() | Relaxed | Small | Crystal | White | Required | Yes | 10 |
| A tranquil beach with upscale accomodations. "If you can't forget him here, you won't forget him anywhere."
Nearby Accoms: Belle Mare Plage, Le Saint Geran, The Residence Photo: Belle Mare Plage Hotel © All Rights Reserved | $ | Hotel Rates | |||||
| Blue Bay | Type | Waves | Water | Sand | Swimsuits | Food | Rating |
![]() | Active | Small | Crystal | Fine | Required | Yes | 8 |
| A large semi-circle beach on the south coast popular with swimmers, windsurfers and yachts.
Once a pirate's cove. "Arrh...matie!" Nearby Accoms: Blue Lagoon Hotel, Le Preskil. Photo by Jan Erik Johnsen © All Rights Reserved | $ | Hotel Rates | |||||
| Flic-en-Flac | Type | Waves | Water | Sand | Swimsuits | Food | Rating |
![]() | Active | Small | Crystal | White | Required | Yes | 9 |
| A popular tourist beach with plenty of restaurants, bars and hotels. Storms can create large waves.
Nearby Accoms: Escales-Vacances, Hilton, Sofitel Impérial. Photo by Isabelle de Speville © All Rights Reserved | $ | Hotel Rates | |||||
| Grand Baie | Type | Waves | Water | Sand | Swimsuits | Food | Rating |
![]() | Active | Small | Crystal | Fine | Required | Yes | 8 |
| The primary tourist beach in Mauritius. 24/7 action on the beach and in the local night spots.
Nearby Accoms: Grand Bay Resorts, Chez Vaco, Ti Fleur Soleil. Photo by Abhishek Arun © All Rights Reserved | $ | Hotel Rates | |||||
| Mont Choisy | Type | Waves | Water | Sand | Swimsuits | Food | Rating |
![]() | Active | Small | Crystal | Fine | Required | Yes | 8 |
| Another popular beach not far from Grand Baie that is frequented by both tourists and local islanders. Nearby Accoms: Casuarina Hotel, Coralia, Villas Mont Choisy. Photo by Elisabetta Mazzoli © All Rights Reserved | $ | Hotel Rates | |||||
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| Paradis Beach | Type | Waves | Water | Sand | Swimsuits | Food | Rating |
![]() | Private | Small | Crystal | White | Required | Yes | 10 |
| Part of the Paradis Hotel resort, this is one of the best Mauritius beaches.
The perfect place to chill if money is no concern. "My Swiss bank draft bounced?" Photo from Paradis Hotel © All Rights Reserved | $$$$$ | Hotel Rates | |||||
| Pereybère | Type | Waves | Water | Sand | Swimsuits | Food | Rating |
![]() | Active | Small | Crystal | Fine | Required | Yes | 9 |
| This is a popular beach with the younger set and is especially busy during school holidays.
Nearby Accoms: Elysium, Grand Bay, Hibiscus. Photo by Emily & Morgan Ritchie © All Rights Reserved | $ | Hotel Rates | |||||
| Trou-aux-Biches | Type | Waves | Water | Sand | Swimsuits | Food | Rating |
![]() | Active | Small | Crystal | White | Required | Yes | 9 |
| Trou-aux-Biche (deer watering hole) is where you can find good restaurants, reasonable hotels and even a supermarket.
Good family fare. Nearby Accoms: Le Palmiste, La Colombe, Le Sakoa, Rhapsodie. Photo by Trou-aux-Biches Hotel © All Rights Reserved | $ | Hotel Rates | |||||
| Trou d'Eau Douce | Type | Waves | Water | Sand | Swimsuits | Food | Rating |
![]() | Relaxed | Small | Crystal | White | Required | Yes | 9 |
| On the east coast, known for upscale hotels, this area offers some value accommodations for the budget minded traveler.
Nearby Accoms: Bougainville, Silver Beach. Photo by Jan Erik Johnsen © All Rights Reserved | $$ | Hotel Rates | |||||
| Ile Aux Cerfs | Type | Waves | Water | Sand | Swimsuits | Food | Rating |
![]() | Remote | Small | Crystal | White | Required | Yes | 9 |
| This island of exceptional beauty just off the east coast is visited by adventurers every day.
One hotel here. You can also stay on the coast at the Emeraude, Bougainville, Le Touessrok, Palmar, Silver Beach. Photo by Laura Parker © All Rights Reserved | $$ | Hotel Rates | |||||
| CLICK HERE FOR EXPLANATION OF TERMS | |||||||
| Let's keep it safe out there! Because ocean conditions change daily, follow these rules: (1) Always check with 'locals' about hazards before entering the water, (2) Obey all 'warning flags', (3) Swim inside 'safety areas' provided, (4) Never swim alone, and (5) Never swim far out. Finally, when in doubt, don't go in. | |||||||
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