Luxury Holidays in Mauritius 2025/2026

With pristine beaches skirting the whole of Mauritius, the powder-soft sands only interrupted by the swaying shadow of an occasional palm tree, it’s hard not to have a romance-fuelled holiday on this dreamy island. A Mauritius beach is made for a honeymoon. Five-star honeymoon resorts give you prime access to this slice of paradise, with options like a candlelit beach dinner or private in-villa dining only serving to ramp up the romance. Many hotels also offer special romantic extras like spa credits and a bottle of something special in your room to help you celebrate. Aside from the romance on tap for couples, Mauritius’ beautiful beaches are backed by emerald-swathed mountains seeping with waterfalls – a scene that is guaranteed to make your heart soar.

Family spirit is something that’s embedded in Mauritian hospitality and they love to share it with every visiting family. Here, hotels just love to help take the pressure off families, allowing you to completely relax and enjoy quality time with your loved ones. Most family resorts in Mauritius have interconnecting rooms and spacious suites, making them ideal for those with young children, and you have the pick of some of the best kids’ clubs across the Indian Ocean, like the ones found at LUX* Belle Mare Mauritius and Heritage Le Telfair. Plus, a lot of Mauritius resorts offer all-inclusive plans, so you don't need to worry about the food and drink bill spiralling out of control while you're there! There’s no end to the activities they can offer, from cookery schools to water sports lessons, a golf academy to a dedicated day care for your really little ones.

It goes without saying, we wouldn't blame you if you chose to relax on some on the best beaches in Mauritius but there are also plenty of opportunities to stretch your legs. Several resorts have tennis courts, while a range of water sports are often complimentary, including sea kayaking, jet-skiing and more. For something a little more leisurely, a Mauritius holiday offers lots of things to do, too. Step outside the hotel and go for a helicopter tour offering an epic birds-eye view of the entire emerald isle, while back on water a cruise of the islands off the north coast puts you in touch with vibrant birdlife, sweet spots for snorkelling, diving and more relaxing beach time. There are many hikes and trails to explore all around the island, easily accessible from any hotel spot and you can even have a go at zip-lining and canyoning as well as white water rafting and horse riding on the beach.

Hiding among the leafy interior of Mauritius is a fine collection of golf courses, ranging from world-class 18-hole courses to scenic nine-holers. Better still, many of the hotels which boast their own golf course will offer you complimentary access throughout your stay, with courses at One&Only Le Saint Geran, Constance Belle Mare Plage and Heritage Le Telfair among our favourites.

If you want the island's complete story and a variety of things to do in Mauritius, then head inland. You can hike through the island’s lush interior, including through the rolling hills of Black River Gorges National Park, atop the dormant volcano of Trou aux Cerfs or to the waterfalls of Chamarel and Exil. Mountain bike trails also vein the rich swathe of rainforest, while a 4x4 drive takes you past fruit plantations and villages, offering an authentic glimpse into Mauritius culture and local life, where you can observe artisans at work. You can even try traditional dishes such as gato pima (pea fritters) for a delicious taste of Mauritius food. Other highlights include Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, a fascinating collection of plants that date back to French colonial rule, and the buzzing market of Mahebourg.

Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. Its location is very remote, lying to the east of Madagascar and its nearest neighbour is the island of Réunion, around 220km away to the south-west.

The direct flight time from London to Mauritius is 12 hours.

No vaccinations are currently recommended for Mauritius. If you’re entering Mauritius from a Yellow Fever zone, possession of a valid Yellow Fever inoculation certificate is required. For any current travel health advice, you should seek guidance from your GP at least four to six weeks prior to travel.

British passport holders don’t need a visa to visit Mauritius.

The time difference is GMT +4 hours.

The currency is the Mauritian rupee, although Euros, dollars and credit cards are all widely accepted.

Strangely, Mauritius doesn't actually have an official language! Thanks to its colonial history, both English and French are widely spoken across the island. However, Mauritian Creole is seen as the native language and is spoken by most locals.

The main island of Mauritius is around 1,865 sq km, which is around the same size as the county of Buckinghamshire (1,874 sq km) – Turquoise's home! There are over 330km of beaches lacing the island's fringes and, if the traffic was kind, you could drive across the entire island from top to toe in around two hours. Mauritius' compact size means it's perfect for hiring a car yourself and exploring at your own leisure – something we highly recommend!

The capital of Mauritius is Port Louis. Located on the island's north-west coastline, Port Louis was originally settled by the Dutch in the 17th century, who imaginatively named it Noordt Wester Haven (North West Harbour). However, after the French arrived, in 1736 the governor Bertrand François Mahé de Labourdonnais took the initiative to develop it into the island's commercial hub and capital. He renamed it in honour of the French king at the time, Louis XV. Over the years, Port Louis has remarkably survived a slew a natural disasters, including fires, plagues and tropical storms.

Today, the capital is a fascinating melting pot of cultures. The centre comprises colonial buildings which stand as legacies of past Dutch and French occupation, characterful Chinese and Indian neighbourhoods and the buzzing Central Market.