Mauritius has long since been a very popular destination for holidaymakers looking for exotic luxury, peace and quiet. With its golden sandy beaches and transparent turquoise waters to die for, along with its reputation for unbeatable hospitality, it is one of the most fashionable destinations of the Indian Ocean. Inland, it is a cultural kaleidoscope nestled in a lush green setting. Mosques, Hindu and Chinese temples, Sikh Gurdwaras, and churches coexist peacefully and harmoniously. Extinct volcanoes, mountains, tea plantations, botanical gardens, exceptional cuisine, and waterfalls all await to be explored outside the hotel walls. Mauritius is situated in the Indian Ocean east of Madagascar and south of the Seychelles. Its capital is Port Louis, which is the country's business district. The main spoken language is the French-based Creole dialect although most people speak French and most of the country's administration is in English. The Mauritian Promotion Authority has worked hard on putting Mauritius on the map and today it is needless to say that the island is one of the world's top tourist destinations.
History of Mauritius
Mauritius was first discovered by the Arabs as early as in the 10th century, but officially explored by the Portuguese in the 16th century and subsequently settled by the Dutch in the 17th century. The Dutch were the ones who named the island in honor of Prince Maurits van NASSAU.
Mauritius was occupied successively by the Dutch (1598-1712) and later by the French (1715-1810).
The French assumed control in 1715, developing the island into an important naval base overseeing the Indian Ocean trade, and establishing a plantation economy of sugar cane.
The British captured the island in 1810, during the Napoleonic Wars through the Treaty of Paris. Mauritius remained a strategically important British naval base, and later on, an air station playing an important role during World War II for anti-submarine and convoy operations, as well as the collection of signals intelligence. On 12 March 1968, Mauritius became Independent.
Best Time to Visit Mauritius
Located in the southern part of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius has a tropical climate. It's lovely sun-kissed weather is what makes Mauritius a desirable tourist destination. The best time to visit Mauritius is from May to December when the weather is cool, dry and sunny. The perfect summer weather and the warm atmosphere allows Mauritius to draw in visitors from around the world who are on the lookout for a holiday destination, which can help them relax and enjoy sun and surf at beaches.
Things to do in Mauritius
Try Deep Sea Fishing: Deep sea fishing is one of the more famous things to do in Mauritius. There are many species of huge fishes in the surrounding sea, including blue and black marlin, yellow tuna, different varieties of barracuda and sharks, and so many more. Most all of the hotels will have fishing boats to hire for an experience of a lifetime! Mauritius travel must include all watersports, but especially should include some deep-sea fishing.
Scuba Diving At Belle Mare: Visiting an island and missing out on scuba diving? If you don’t want to miss out on the most enthralling experience of Mauritius on your vacation then surely head to Belle Mare for the best underwater experience. You can also have the best diving experience at Colorado and Roche Zozo that are located in proximity to Blue Bay. Scuba diving at Belle Mare will make you witness the vibrant marine life, leaving you to capture the beautiful moments of your lifetime.
Snorkeling At Blue Bay Marine Park: If you want to glance at the stunning marine life of Mauritius then snorkeling is one of the best ways to explore it. Snorkeling at Blue Bay Marine Park makes you closely admire the marvelous realms of Mauritius hidden underwater for centuries. This one excursion will make you forget the outside world, making you explore something beyond your imagination!
Walk With Lions At Casela Park: Have you ever thought of going for a walk with the king of the jungle? Mauritius gives you a chance to have an exciting walk with lions at Casela Park to unveil the wild side of the jungle. This expedition in Mauritius will surely give you an adrenaline rush as you will be experiencing something that you might have rarely dreamt of!
Cave Sea Kayaking At Albion Caves: Kayaking is another adventurous thing to do in Mauritius but it has a twist with it! In Mauritius while kayaking, you will be crossing the cave sea making you witness something exclusive. If you have a love for caves and you like discovering the hidden stories of these interestingly designed abodes then surely go for a kayaking tour at Albion Caves.
Parasailing At Ile Aux Cerfs: Another one of the most popular things to do in Mauritius is Parasailing. Mauritius holidays give you an opportunity to fly in the air like a free bird! Parasailing at Ile Aux Cerf in Mauritius makes you float in the clouds from where you can catch a bird-eye view of this stunning place. Ile Aux Cerfs is one of the most popular places for parasailing in Mauritius.
Grabbing delicious Street Food: The best way to taste the local cuisine of a country is by grabbing delicious street food while exploring the city. Street food in Mauritius is loved by travelers and is available throughout the island. Don’t forget to taste Dhal Puri, the most popular street food of Mauritius before heading back home! Other popular street foods of Mauritius are Alouda, gajak, sweet potato cakes, roti chaud, etc.
How to Reach Mauritius
By Flight: Considering the distance, one of the obvious ways to travel to Mauritius is by booking a flight from India to Mauritius. This is, after all, the fastest way to reach the island, if you’re not thrilled about long commutes. The closest airport, just in terms of distance, would be from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. The distance from Delhi to Mauritius is around 3622.4 miles and the flight takes around 6-7 hours. However, if you’re traveling from another city, don’t despair. Many major cities in India, like Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai and more have connecting flights to Mauritius.
These connecting flights usually fly to Mauritius via Jeddah, Abu Dhabi or Dubai and you might need to change one or two aircrafts.
By Sea: Although flights are the fastest way to reach Mauritius, there is another option for those wondering about how to reach Mauritius from India. If you prefer the road less traveled, you can ditch the skies and opt to travel by ship. The trip is an experience you won’t forget – particularly if you opt to take a luxurious cruise to the island. Most cruises take around one and a half or two weeks to sail to Mauritius, which gives you plenty of time to relax, bond with family, friends and loved ones, before being greeted by this paradise island.
If you want to sail to Mauritius from India, there are two ports from which you can set sail.
- Mumbai Port – Sea travel from Mumbai to Mauritius covers a distance of roughly 3175 nautical miles and takes around 13 days.
- Chennai Port – Sea travel from Chennai to Mauritius covers a distance of roughly 3079 nautical miles and takes up to 12 days.
