Mauritius Adventure Travel Guide

Introducing Mauritius (Continued...)

sandy beaches and lush forestry. Impressive mountains dominate the skyline. A plateau makes up the central part of the island (at around 600m above sea level). Here you’ll find volcanic craters to traverse, rivers to navigate and waterfalls to marvel at.

Mauritius is surrounded by 177km of coastline, so there are lots of spots to catch that perfect waves. Rodrigues, the Agalega Islands and Saint Brandon fall under Mauritius’ boundaries. Mauritius’ volcanic main island is surrounded by coral reefs, and other, smaller islands. Mauritius has been ruled by many different countries, and as such has a brilliant culture and cuisine, very welcoming locals and many cultural and historic sites to see. It is the most developed of the Mascarene Islands, and so attracts many tourists every year, however, if you are looking for peace and tranquillity in your own holiday haven, it doesn’t take too long to get away from the tourist hotspots to a piece of paradise. The country’s capital, Port Louis, and its 143,000 inhabitants are never too far away, giving the perfect balance between tranquillity and lively entertainment.

Mauritius has a tropical climate, and is hot all year round. It doesn’t get too uncomfortable though, as the south-east trade winds provide a welcome and refreshing breeze. Summer in Mauritius can be very humid and lasts from December until April, with temperatures ranging from about 25C to 33C. Winter is far more comfortable, with cooler and drier conditions, and runs from May through to November. In winter, temperatures drop to between 18C and 24C, and temperatures drop about a further 5C as you head to the island’s plateau. Visit Mauritius between May and early December for perfect weather conditions. It’s best to avoid travelling to Mauritius during January and February, cyclones and tropical storms out at sea can bring days of bad weather and gusty wind conditions - not ideal for watersports! Winds are also very strong in July and August on the east coast. The island’s higher areas can receive rain at any point throughout the year, and are sometimes seen covered by low-lying clouds.

Kayaking

Discover the scenic Mauritian coast on a sea kayaking trip! There are thousands of miles of unspoilt, untouched beaches waiting for a visit. Cross the clear Indian Ocean waters and discover plenty of protected lagoons, offering amazing views. You could take your kayak out to the coral reef and stop for a quick snorkel, followed by a paddle down the coast. Alternatively, take your kayak inland to some of Mauritius’ rivers, giving a different view of the tropical island than that from its sandy beaches and palm trees.

Windsurfing

Mauritius is a windsurfing dream. The sheltered lagoons of Le Morne provide perfect protection for beginner and intermediate riders. The lagoons offer crystal clear flat waters and also help to limit the strength of the wind. For the more experienced windsurfer, you can catch a lift to nearby Manawa reef, which offers more difficult conditions as you take on mast-high waves! Good luck.

Surfing

For surfers, Mauritius is a great holiday destination. The main surf spots are located on the south and south-west sides of the island, and the best months to go are between April and September. A lot of the surf points on the island are best for experienced surfers; however there are places to find smaller waves for beginners. The swell isn’t as big as on neighbouring island, Reunion, thanks to the shelter it provides from the southern Indian Ocean - and the coral reef drop off isn’t as steep. If you fancy adding a bit of spice to your beach holiday, try out Le Morne on the south-west coast, which offers conditions for surfers of all abilities.

Walking

Check out Mauritius’ only national park: the Black River Gorges. The best way to view it is on foot, although it may take a few visits to try all the hiking trails in the park, as it covers 3.5 per cent of the island. The park is home to much wildlife and nature. The Black River Gorges National Park is the home of the famous ‘pink pigeon’, as well as another eight species of bird which can only be found in Mauritius; the park is also the location for over 300 species of flowering plants. You can find fantastic panoramic views from the Gorges viewpoint, about two kilometres west of Alexandra Falls. Here you can also find wild monkeys. There are lots of other places to check out when walking in Mauritius. Mauritius offers lots of historical buildings from various cultural backgrounds, because of its history of being ruled by various foreign nations.

Classic Itineraries

Travel to the southern side of Mauritius, where you can start your holiday with an action-packed few days of watersports, from kitesurfing to scuba diving. Le Morne is the place to be for kitesurfing, although there are lots of other hot spots for the wind sports should you find the crowds too much. Take a trip up the coast to the capital, Port Louis. Here you will find plenty of historic colonial buildings and a high percentage of the island’s population. Experience the local culture and mix of cuisines, from Indian to French, even Chinese! There are daily markets to explore here, as well as Mauritius’ very own Chinatown… head just inland from here and you will come to Eureka, a perfectly preserved colonial-era mansion sitting on the plateau. Enjoy some cooler conditions after the sizzling coastal temperatures. Head South again to finish up your trip, however, before you leave, drop into the Black River Gorges National Park, where you can encounter amazing wildlife, such as pink pigeons, and discover its impressive waterfalls.

Other Activities

Mauritius is an adventure sports playground and there is so much to do! You may never get close to the relaxing beach holiday you would automatically associate with this tropical paradise. Rent a mountain bike and traverse some of Mauritius’ less well-known routes, taking in amazing scenery along the way.

Another popular activity to try on this island would be kitesurfing. This is fast becoming one of the most popular watersports out there, and Mauritius offers great conditions from novice to expert. Le Morne is widely respected as one of the best spots to hit in Mauritius, if not the world, so give it a go! The drawback of this area is that it is often overrun with other keen kitesurfers, windsurfers and even swimmers, so you may want to try to find another spot to get away from the crowds. Also, watch out for the currents at Le Morne, as they can pull you out of the lagoon to the open sea.

Mauritius is surrounded by coral reefs and is one of the best places to dive and experience this, so try it out! One of Mauritius’ surrounding islands, Rodrigues, offers even greater scuba diving than Mauritius, so try to arrange a dive there…