Mauritius is the Indian Ocean island for people who want a beautiful beach and something to do beyond it. Unlike the Maldives, it is a real country with mountains, sugar-cane fields, tea estates, Hindu temples, Creole villages and a Chinese quarter in Port Louis, all within a 90-minute drive of each other. The direct flight from Dubai is about six and a half hours, which means a morning departure lands you mid-afternoon with the time difference of zero.
We base you on the east coast at Belle Mare, for three reasons. The lagoon here is long, calm and protected by the reef, so swimming is excellent on most days. The beach is one of the longest white-sand stretches on the island. And it is perfectly placed for Île aux Cerfs, the island lagoon trip everyone wants, which we do by catamaran rather than crowded speedboat, with a barbecue lunch on board and a stop at the Grand River South East waterfall.
The south-island day is chauffeured and private, so you set the pace. It starts at Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant crater above Curepipe, then Grand Bassin, the sacred lake with its towering statue of Shiva, and the Black River Gorges viewpoints over the forest. After lunch comes Chamarel: the Seven Coloured Earth dunes and the 100-metre Chamarel waterfall. Driving times are short but roads are winding; allow the whole day.
This is a luxury package, so even the standard tier is a polished 4-star resort, and the superior and deluxe tiers move you into 5-star properties with butler service, larger rooms and beach suites. Mauritius is very welcoming to families and Muslim travellers, with halal food widely available because of the island's large Muslim community. Daniel Okafor's insider tip: the east coast catches the trade winds from June to August, which is lovely in the heat of the day but cool in the evening, so pack a light jumper, and book Île aux Cerfs for a weekday when it is quieter.
Highlights
- Six nights on the calm, reef-protected Belle Mare lagoon
- Catamaran day to Île aux Cerfs with barbecue lunch on board
- Grand River South East waterfall by boat
- Private south-island tour to Chamarel's Seven Coloured Earth
- Grand Bassin sacred lake and Black River Gorges viewpoints
- Trou aux Cerfs volcanic crater above Curepipe
Day by day
Day 1Fly to Mauritius, transfer to Belle Mare
The direct flight from Dubai takes about six and a half hours, and Mauritius shares Dubai's time zone. Your driver meets you at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam airport in the south-east for the drive to Belle Mare, about 50 minutes through sugar-cane fields and small villages. Check in, take a first swim in the lagoon and watch the light change over the water. Dinner at the resort. Overnight Belle Mare.
Day 2Beach day on the Belle Mare lagoon
A day to unwind. Mornings on the east coast are usually still and bright, perfect for snorkelling over the reef flats or taking a kayak or paddleboard out across the lagoon, all included. In the afternoon, the trade winds pick up and the beach is lovely for a long walk. Book a spa treatment for late afternoon if you want one. Dinner at the resort, often with a sega dance evening once a week. Overnight Belle Mare.
Day 3Catamaran to Île aux Cerfs
At about 9am your catamaran collects you near the resort for a full day on the water. Sail to the Grand River South East waterfall, where the river tumbles into the sea, then anchor in the lagoon for snorkelling. A barbecue lunch of grilled fish, chicken and salads is served on board. Spend the afternoon on Île aux Cerfs, swimming from the island's sandbanks, before sailing back by about 4:30pm. Dinner at the resort. Overnight Belle Mare.
Day 4Free day: spa, golf or Port Louis
Today is yours. Options include a round of golf, a spa day, or a half-day trip to Port Louis, about an hour away, to see the Central Market, the Aapravasi Ghat UNESCO site and the waterfront, with lunch in Chinatown. Some guests prefer a day trip to the Pamplemousses botanical garden in the north to see the giant water lilies. We can arrange any of these on request. Dinner at the resort. Overnight Belle Mare.
Day 5Private tour of the wild south
Your driver-guide collects you at 8:30am. Drive inland to Trou aux Cerfs, a dormant volcanic crater above Curepipe, then to Grand Bassin, the sacred crater lake with its huge statues of Shiva and Durga. Continue to the Black River Gorges viewpoints, over forest and waterfalls, and stop for lunch at a tea estate or a Chamarel restaurant. Finish at the Seven Coloured Earth dunes and the Chamarel waterfall. Back by 6pm. Overnight Belle Mare.
Day 6Last day on the lagoon
Enjoy a final relaxed day. Many guests book a sunrise walk along the beach, a glass-bottom boat trip over the reef, or a private beach dinner, which the resort can arrange with candles and a set menu. If you prefer more adventure, an optional undersea walk or a dive with the resort's dive centre can be booked. Dinner at the resort. Overnight Belle Mare.
Day 7Fly home to Dubai
Have a last swim and breakfast. Check-out is usually at noon, with late check-out on request for evening flights. Your driver collects you about three and a half hours before departure for the 50-minute drive to the airport, with time to buy vanilla tea, spice blends and local honey at the airport shops. The direct flight lands back in Dubai about six and a half hours later.
Hotels by tier
Choose the tier in the price box; the difference is priced per adult for the whole stay.
Named hotels or similar of the same standard if one is full; we tell you before you pay the balance.
What is included
Included
- Return direct flights from Dubai to Mauritius, Economy, 30 kg baggage
- Private air-conditioned airport transfers
- 6 nights at a Belle Mare beach resort
- Half board: daily breakfast and dinner
- Full-day catamaran cruise to Île aux Cerfs with barbecue lunch
- Full-day private south-island tour with English-speaking driver-guide
- Entry to Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth and waterfall
- Non-motorised water sports at the resort: kayaks, paddleboards, snorkelling
- 24/7 Dubai support line throughout the trip
Not included
- Lunches other than on the catamaran, and drinks
- Parasailing, diving and the Île aux Cerfs golf course
- Spa treatments
- Tips for drivers and crew
- Travel insurance
Departures and prices
Price per adult, twin share, standard hotels. Seats are held with our airline and hotel partners.
| Dates | Departure | Seats left | Per adult | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sat 28 Nov to Fri 4 Dec 2026 | Flexible | 10 | AED 9,620 | |
| Sat 12 Dec to Fri 18 Dec 2026 | Flexible | 10 | AED 10,490 | |
| Sat 26 Dec to Fri 1 Jan 2027 | Flexible | 10 | AED 10,490 | |
| Sat 9 Jan to Fri 15 Jan 2027 | Flexible | 10 | AED 7,950 | |
| Sat 23 Jan to Fri 29 Jan 2027 | Flexible | 6 | AED 7,950 | |
| Sat 6 Feb to Fri 12 Feb 2027 | Flexible | 10 | AED 7,950 | |
| Sat 20 Feb to Fri 26 Feb 2027 | Flexible | 6 | AED 7,950 | |
| Sat 6 Mar to Fri 12 Mar 2027 | Flexible | 10 | AED 9,940 | |
| Sat 20 Mar to Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Flexible | 7 | AED 7,950 | |
| Sat 3 Apr to Fri 9 Apr 2027 | Flexible | 10 | AED 8,750 | |
| Sat 17 Apr to Fri 23 Apr 2027 | Flexible | 10 | AED 7,950 | |
| Sat 1 May to Fri 7 May 2027 | Flexible | 10 | AED 7,950 |
Where it is
Questions about this holiday
When is the best time to visit Mauritius?
Do UAE residents need a visa for Mauritius?
Is halal food available?
Is Mauritius good for children?
Can we split the stay between two coasts?
What is the luggage allowance?
Travellers on this holiday
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.
My mum turned sixty and flew in from London so we could go together from Dubai. The rep met us at the airport in Mauritius, and the hotel had a birthday card and a cake in the room. The drive through Black River Gorges to the viewpoint was her favourite day. Thank you, Daniel.
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