Accommodation in this Country

Browse All Accommodation Grand Bay Oasis - Sleeps 2Trou Aux Biches Apartment - Sleeps 4Anahita Residences at L'Adamante - Sleeps 6Belle Vue 1 - Sleeps 6Belle Vue 2 - Sleeps 6Cape Point Apartments - Sleeps 6Grand Bay Oasis - Two bedroom - Sleeps 6La Mignonne - Sleeps 6Pointe aux Piments - Villa 1 - Sleeps 6Trou Aux Biches Penthouse - Sleeps 6Villa Almira - Sleeps 6Villa d'Eden - Sleeps 6Villa Exotica - Sleeps 6Villa Helios - Sleeps 6Villa Kestrel - Sleeps 6Villa La Casa - Sleeps 6Villa La Casbah - Sleeps 6Villa la Perle d’Azur - Sleeps 6Villa Le Petit Bijou - Sleeps 6Villa Les Filaos - Sleeps 6Villa Sol y Mar - Sleeps 6Villa La Romance - Sleeps 7Bay View Villa - Sleeps 8Beau Manguier Villa - Sleeps 8Belle Plage 2 - Sleeps 8Deluxe Tamarin Golf Villa - Sleeps 8Island Villa - Sleeps 8La Belle Creole - Sleeps 8La Croisette - Sleeps 8Pointe aux Piments - Villa 4 - Sleeps 8Pointe aux Piments - Villa 6 - Sleeps 8Pointe aux Piments - Villa 7 - Sleeps 8Pointe aux Piments - Villa 8 - Sleeps 8Premium Tamarin Golf Villa - Sleeps 8Superior Tamarin Golf Villa - Sleeps 8Tropical Cove - Sleeps 8Villa Azur - Sleeps 8Villa Caprice - Sleeps 8Villa Cazalines - Sleeps 8Villa La Belle Creole - Sleeps 8Villa Le Paille-en-Queue 1 - Sleeps 8Villa Le Paille-en-Queue 2 - Sleeps 8Villa Océane - Sleeps 8Villa Sublime - Sleeps 8Villa Sunflower - Sleeps 8A Thatched Charm - Sleeps 10Anahita Lunea Premium Villas - Sleeps 10Villa Athénée - Sleeps 10Villa Tiara - Sleeps 10Sea Breeze - Sleeps 12Villa Champagne - Sleeps 12Villas Hermes 1 & 2 - Sleeps 14The Oberoi Mauritius - Sleeps 150Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa - Sleeps 200 Show All Accommodation in Mauritius

Luxury Villas sleeping less than 10 Grand Bay Oasis - Sleeps 2Trou Aux Biches Apartment - Sleeps 4Belle Vue 1 - Sleeps 6Belle Vue 2 - Sleeps 6Cape Point Apartments - Sleeps 6Grand Bay Oasis - Two bedroom - Sleeps 6La Mignonne - Sleeps 6Pointe aux Piments - Villa 1 - Sleeps 6Trou Aux Biches Penthouse - Sleeps 6Villa Almira - Sleeps 6Villa d'Eden - Sleeps 6Villa Exotica - Sleeps 6Villa Helios - Sleeps 6Villa Kestrel - Sleeps 6Villa La Casa - Sleeps 6Villa La Casbah - Sleeps 6Villa la Perle d’Azur - Sleeps 6Villa Le Petit Bijou - Sleeps 6Villa Les Filaos - Sleeps 6Villa Sol y Mar - Sleeps 6Villa La Romance - Sleeps 7Bay View Villa - Sleeps 8Beau Manguier Villa - Sleeps 8Belle Plage 2 - Sleeps 8Deluxe Tamarin Golf Villa - Sleeps 8Island Villa - Sleeps 8La Belle Creole - Sleeps 8La Croisette - Sleeps 8Pointe aux Piments - Villa 4 - Sleeps 8Pointe aux Piments - Villa 6 - Sleeps 8Pointe aux Piments - Villa 7 - Sleeps 8Pointe aux Piments - Villa 8 - Sleeps 8Premium Tamarin Golf Villa - Sleeps 8Superior Tamarin Golf Villa - Sleeps 8Tropical Cove - Sleeps 8Villa Azur - Sleeps 8Villa Caprice - Sleeps 8Villa Cazalines - Sleeps 8Villa La Belle Creole - Sleeps 8Villa Le Paille-en-Queue 1 - Sleeps 8Villa Le Paille-en-Queue 2 - Sleeps 8Villa Océane - Sleeps 8Villa Sublime - Sleeps 8Villa Sunflower - Sleeps 8

Luxury Villas sleeping 10 or more A Thatched Charm - Sleeps 10Anahita Lunea Premium Villas - Sleeps 10Villa Athénée - Sleeps 10Villa Tiara - Sleeps 10Sea Breeze - Sleeps 12Villa Champagne - Sleeps 12Villas Hermes 1 & 2 - Sleeps 14The Oberoi Mauritius - Sleeps 150Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa - Sleeps 200

Spa Hotels Anahita Residences at L'AdamanteMaradiva Villas Resort & SpaThe Oberoi Mauritius

Areas

• East Mauritius
• North Mauritius
• West Mauritius

Country Fact List

Capital: Port Louis

Currency: Mauritian rupee (MUR)

Languages: English

Time Zone: GMT + 4

Country Description

Mauritius is a tropical island located off the coast of Africa in the southwest Indian Ocean, about 900 kilometers (560 miles) east of Madagascar. Mauritius is an island nation which includes the islands of St. Brandon, Rodrigues and the Agalega Islands, known as part of the Mascarene Islands. This archipelago was formed in a series of undersea volcanic eruptions, as the African plate drifted over the Réunion hotspot. Mauritius and Rodrigues were formed 8-10 million years ago, they are no longer volcanically active, and the hotspot now rests under Réunion. The island of Mauritius itself is formed around a central plateau, with its highest peak in the southwest, Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire at 828 metres (2,717 ft). Mauritius is 1,864 sq. Km (720 square miles) in area, its capital and largest city is Port Louis, in the northwest. Other important towns are Curepipe, Vacoas, Phoenix, Quatre Bornes, Rose-Hill and Beau-Bassin.

Mauritius is surrounded by amazing white sandy beaches, blue lagoons, palm trees and coral reefs. The beauty of the island is overwhelming. Those who love nature will be absolutely astonished by the radiance of the mountains, nature reserves and wildlife parks, there is something for everyone on this beautiful island. The contrast of a multitude of colours and tastes, the island, set in its turquoise sea, is an oasis of peace and tranquillity. Mauritius, a melting pot where past and present are smoothly blended together.

Due to the volcanic origin of Mauritius, it is generally sheltered by barriers of coral reefs which have formed natural, safe, crystal clear lagoons, perfect for exploring the multi-coloured fish, providing excellent snorkelling and diving opportunities. Experience a unique sight on the Mauritian coast, black dolphins and long beaked dolphins have chosen Tamarin Bay on the west of the island as their home. December and March are the best months for diving, when the waters are at their clearest; June to August is best for surfing; and October to April is excellent for big game fishing, when the large predators feed close to shore.

Mauritius has long been a dream destination. It has been known to the Arabs as early as the 10th century, but was officially discovered in 1505 by the Portuguese navigator Pedro Mascarenhas. The island was occupied successively by the Dutch (1598-1712) and the French (1715-1810), and was ceded to Great Britain in 1814 through the Treaty of Paris. On 12 March 1968, Mauritius became Independent. Republic Day was proclaimed on 12 March 1992. Due to its history of ownership, culture and mixture of religions, English is the official language of the island, though you're bound to hear French, Mauritian Créole (or MC, a melange of French, English, Indian, Malagasy and Chinese words) and a smattering of Indian languages. Likewise, the cuisine of Mauritius is a blend of Indian Cuisine, Creole, Chinese and European. It is not uncommon for a combination of cuisines to form part of the same meal. The "cari poule" or chicken curry, for example, is a very popular dish. The "mine-frit" (Chinese fried noodles) and "niouk nien" (dumplings) are loved by all and readily bought by the Mauritian community either in restaurants or on the sidewalks of main streets. 'Alouda' (a milk-based drink with basil seeds) has become a typical Mauritian drink and the 'dholl puri' can be considered a favourite with all communities.

Créole séga is a dance invented by Mauritians of African origin with slaves which involves foot-shuffling and swaying of the hips that is generally performed on the beach to the rhythm of Latin American, Caribbean and African pop. There are now several types of sega in Mauritius however, in standard sega use the instruments the ravanne, the maravanne and the triangle.

Climate

The local climate is tropical, modified by southeast trade winds; there is a warm, dry winter from May to November and a hot, wet, and humid summer from November to May. Cyclones affect the country during November-April, although direct hits are rare, cyclones out at sea can bring days of squally rain. The climate varies considerably across the island, temperature on the coastal areas varies between 25°C to 33°C (77-91°F) in summer and 18°C to 24°C (64-75°F) in winter. The sea temperature varies between 22°C and 27°C. On the highland, further inland, it will be some 5°C (41°F) cooler. The highlands are also the wettest part of the island - it can rain here at any time of year and, even when it's not raining, the area can be covered in low cloud. The western and northern regions are warmer and relatively drier than the East and the South. The winds are at their strongest during July and August - it can be blustery on the east coast, though the breeze brings welcome relief in summer.