Mauritius
Turquoise lagoons, Le Morne's mountain, Creole and Indian flavours, and resorts that suit families as well as couples.
In this guide
When to go
Mauritius is in the southern hemisphere, so its seasons run opposite to ours. May to November is the cooler, drier winter, with highs of 23 to 27°C, which is ideal for hiking and sightseeing; July and August can be breezy on the east and south coasts. October to December is warm and sunny with calm lagoons. January to March is hot, humid and cyclone season, although direct hits are rare.
The UAE summer holidays fall in the Mauritian winter, which suits families escaping Dubai's heat. Diwali, Christmas and New Year are busy and expensive.
Where to stay
Choose your coast by season and style. The north around Grand Baie is lively and sheltered. The east around Belle Mare has long beaches and wide lagoons, best from October to April. The west at Flic en Flac and Tamarin has the best sunsets and the calmest winter weather. The southwest at Le Morne is dramatic and the island's kitesurfing hub.
Our Mauritius beach escape pairs a resort stay with a full day exploring the south. Mariam Al Falasi and Daniel Okafor can match the right resort to your family, from kids' clubs to adults-only quiet.
Things to do
- Catamaran day to Île aux Cerfs with a lagoon barbecue lunch
- Chamarel's Seven Coloured Earth and its tall waterfall
- Hike Le Morne Brabant at sunrise with a local guide
- Black River Gorges National Park viewpoints and forest trails
- Watch spinner dolphins off Tamarin early in the morning
- Port Louis Central Market and the Caudan waterfront
- Grand Bassin, the sacred crater lake
- Pamplemousses botanical garden and its giant water lilies
Food, money and practical tips
Around a sixth of Mauritians are Muslim, so halal food is easy to find, from street dholl puri to resort restaurants with halal kitchens. Cards are widely accepted; keep rupees for markets, taxis and street food. Driving is on the left and car hire is simple, though island roads are slow. Tipping is not compulsory, but 5 to 10 percent for good service is appreciated. Most hotels use UK-style plugs. Pack a light jacket for winter evenings and reef shoes for coral beaches.
Rules change; we confirm the current requirements before you apply.
Mauritius holidays from Dubai
Visa services for Mauritius
Mauritius: questions we are asked
Do UAE residents need a visa for Mauritius?
What is the best month to visit Mauritius?
How many days do we need?
Is Mauritius good for families?
Is halal food available?
What is the weather like in Mauritius in July?
Travellers back from Mauritius
Beautiful beach and genuinely warm staff. The drive from the airport to our resort took about an hour and a half after a long flight, more than we had pictured. Catamaran day to Île aux Cerfs was superb, and so was the dholl puri from a roadside stall in Port Louis.
Six nights on the east coast with a day trip to Chamarel and the Seven Coloured Earth. We were upgraded to half board at no extra cost during a promotion. Île aux Cerfs by speedboat, then lunch with our feet in the sand. Exactly the rest we needed.
Luxury done properly. Private plunge pool, a spa credit we did not have to ask for, and a chef's table dinner on our last night. Daniel arranged a private car for the Port Louis market so we could take our time instead of following a group. Worth every dirham.
