More-ish Mauritius
It is easy to run out of adjectives when attempting to describe the natural beauty of the small tropical Indian Ocean island paradise of Mauritius. The volcanic island Republic, covered with lush forest, streams and waterfalls, and fringed with palms, dazzling white sands and teeming coral reefs, lies east of Madagascar just south of the Equator. Mauritius, covering just (1,864 sq km, is the archetypal dream destination for an idyllic holiday, equipped with modern resorts that have been carefully developed to preserve the island's beauty and ecology.

Mark Twain is quoted as having said that 'Mauritius was made first, then heaven was copied from it', and anyone who has experienced the island would no doubt agree with him.

Along with its natural beauty Mauritius has a valuable tourist resource in the warmth and friendliness of its multi-cultural population. Since being officially 'discovered' in 1505 by the Portuguese, the island has been occupied by the Dutch, the French and the British. All have added to the melting pot that constitutes the island's human heritage, along with injections of African slaves, Arab traders and Chinese indentured labourers over the centuries.

Most of the tourist resorts are situated along the 330km coastline, with the capital Port Louis, on the west coast, being the centre of operations for most visitors. The bulk of the population, however, reside on the central plateaux around Curepipe, the island's other major town.

Although everyone who visits Mauritius comes for the sandy beaches and blue lagoons, most are delighted to discover that the island has plenty of other attractions too, from some of the world's rarest stamps to the first ever race course to open in the southern hemisphere. Of course no holiday would be complete, either, without good food and entertainment. Mauritius offers both, with some delicious local cuisine that makes use of tropical fruits and vegetables, and the chance to learn the island's indigenous wild dance, the Sega, which originated among the African slaves.

Attractions
Things to see and do in Mauritius extend far beyond its white sand beaches and clear turquoise waters. See a replica of the legendary Dodo at Port Louis' Natural History Museum, and explore the Central Market, a bustling hub of culture, colour and bargains.

Visit the impressive and historic manor houses in Moka and take in Chamarel's rainbow of coloured sands, the 'Seven Coloured Earth'. Black River Gorges National Park is great for picnics, hiking and scenic drives, while La Vanille Reserve des Mascareigne is home to thousands of crocodiles and giant tortoises. The lovely weather makes Mauritius a perfect year-round holiday destination.

Central Market

The diversity of the Mauritian population is never more obvious than during a visit to the lively, bustling and colourful Central Market, accessed from Farquhar Street, near the harbour in Port Louis.

Natural History Museum

Port Louis' Natural History Museum is well visited mainly for one single important exhibit: a replica of the flightless bird, the legendary Dodo, which has been extinct since the end of the 17th century.

Beaches

The beaches of Mauritius are close to perfect, with fine white sand and clear water running to heavenly shades of blue. Some of the island's best beaches on the west coast are easily reached from Port Louis.

Moka

Those who enjoy seeking out some culture along with their sunshine holiday should visit the town of Moka, 12km south of Port Louis, which is not only Mauritius' academic centre but also blessed with some beautiful scenery and impressive historic manor houses.

Chamarel

In the southwest corner of the island a twisting road winds from the village of Case Noyal to an interesting geological attraction, the 'Seven Coloured Earth'.

Ile Aux Cerfs

The small island of Ile aux Cerfs (Stag Island) off the east coast of Mauritius is a popular tourist haven, managed by the adjacent Touessrok Hotel, but open to the public.

Black River Gorges National Park

Situated in the south-west of the Island, the Black River Gorges National Park is a popular spot for picnics, hiking and scenic drives. The park encompases thick pine forests, gorges and rugged mountains and is a sanctuary for wildlife and fauna.

La Vanille Reserve des Mascareigne

La Vanille Reserve des Mascareigne is a nature reserve best known for its thousands of crocodiles and the giant tortoises, which they are helping re-introduce to the island of Rodrigues. Children can sit on the giant tortoises and watch the crocodiles being fed.

Souillac

This small seaside resort is sited along the rugged coast in the southern Savanne district. The appeal of Souillac lies in its scenery, as it is not a bathing spot.

Mauritius Aquarium

The Mauritius Aquarium is wonderful for all animal lovers and children. Located in the North West of Mauritius in a small village, the aquarium houses over 200 species of fish, invertebrates, sponges and coral from the water off the shores of the island.

Children Safari Quad Biking

A fantastic adventure for children and parents alike, a quad biking trip under the supervision of professional guides in the Yemen natural reserve located on the west coast of Mauritius is not to be missed with those with a taste for adventure.

Belle Mare's Waterpark

This fantastic water park is a great place to take the kids for the day to cool off. Featuring fantastic rides such as the Mushroom Shower, paradise cove and the wave pool, kids will have a great time here.

7 Coloured Earth

Promoted as Mauritius' first attraction back in the 1960s and located on the Mauritian island of Chamarel, Seven Coloured Earth is a magical sight.

Destination Information

Time: Local time is GMT +4.

Electricity: 230 volts, 50Hz. Square three-pin plugs and round two-pin plugs are commonly used.

Money The currency of Mauritius is the Mauritian Rupee (MUR), which is divided into 100 cents. Travellers cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and larger hotels. Travellers cheques usually exchange at a better rate than cash. ATMs are widely available in most towns and hotels, restaurants and large retailers accept major credit cards. One Mauritian rupee is roughly equivalent to 25 cents

Language: English is the official language of Mauritius, but the most widely used is French and the local dialect, Creole. Hindi, Urdu and Chinese are also spoken.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans must have a valid passport. No visa is required for a stay of up to 60 days for tourism or 90 days for business purposes.

Passport/Visa Note: Passports must be valid for six months after period of intended stay. All visitors must hold valid tickets for onward journey and documents required for next destination, adequate funds for the intended length of stay (minimum of US$100 per day), and confirmed booking for accommodation in Mauritius.

Travel Health: No vaccination certificates are required for entry into Mauritius, unless travelling from a country infected by yellow fever or where yellow fever is classified as endemic. It's a good idea to pack shoes that can be worn in the sea to protect against sharp coral, sea urchins and stonefish. Stonefish stings are uncommon but can in some cases be fatal. You should obtain urgent medical attention if stung; many hotels stock anti-venom serum. Medical facilities are free in public hospitals, but private clinics are expensive and travel insurance is recommended.

Tipping: Tipping in Mauritius is discretionary. However, some extra money paid for services, such as a taxi ride, waitering or cleaning is appreciated. In the hotels travellers can add around 5% of their incidental expenses when paying the bill on departure, if service has been good.

Safety Information: A visit to Mauritius is usually trouble free, however petty crime can be a problem and it is not wise to wander alone at night outside the grounds of hotels. Visitors should be aware of pick pocketing in the central market in Port Louis. Cyclone season is from November to May.

Local Customs: Homosexuality is illegal in Mauritius. Penalties for drug trafficking and use are severe, and any personal medicinal drugs should be covered by a prescription.

Communications: The international access code for Mauritius is +230. The whole island is covered by the mobile network; the local mobile phone operators use GSM networks, which are compatible with most international operators.

Duty Free: Travellers to Mauritius over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco; 1 litre spirits and 2 litres of wine, ale or beer; perfume and eau de toilette for personal use.

No vaccination certificates are required for entry into Mauritius, unless travelling from a country infected by yellow fever or where yellow fever is classified as endemic. It's a good idea to pack shoes that can be worn in the sea to protect against sharp coral, sea urchins and stonefish. Stonefish stings are uncommon but can in some cases be fatal. You should obtain urgent medical attention if stung; many hotels stock anti-venom serum. Visitors should take precautions against mosquito bites, as there have been several cases of the Chikungunya virus, which is spread by mosquito bites, although this is more common from October to May. Travellers should stick to bottled water. Medical facilities are good and free in pu

Mauritius Climate and Weather

Anytime is a good time to travel to Mauritius, which has great weather all year round, except possibly when the odd cyclone pays a visit. Cyclones can be expected between January and March, with several being experienced each year, usually lasting a day or two. Other than that, summer, between November and April, brings scorching temperatures and high humidity, tempered somewhat by sea breezes on the coast. In winter it may be a few degrees cooler, but the sun keeps shining and the sea is still tepid.

Port Louis has two very similar seasons, with beautiful warm weather nearly all year round. Summer is from November to April, with temperatures reaching as high as 30ºC. Cyclones, with strong winds and heavy rain, can occur in Mauritius during the rainy season (January to March) and the average rainfall in Port Louis over this period is 212mm. During winter, Port Louis' temperatures drop only a couple of degrees

Money:

The currency of Mauritius is the Mauritian Rupee (MUR), which is divided into 100 cents. Travellers cheques and foreign currency can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and larger hotels. Travellers cheques usually exchange at a better rate than cash. ATMs are widely available in most towns and hotels, restaurants and large retailers accept major credit cards.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South Africans must have a valid passport. No visa is required for a stay of up to 60 days for tourism or 90 days for business purposes.

Passport/Visa Note: Passports must be valid for six months after period of intended stay. All visitors must hold valid tickets for onward journey and documents required for next destination, adequate funds for the intended length of stay (minimum of US$100 per day), and confirmed booking for accommodation in Mauritius.

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Mauritius Honeymoon and Wedding

A honeymoon or wedding in Mauritius is a lovely experience; this tropical island's azure waters, white beaches and volcanic mountain backdrops lend themselves beautifully as the setting for a romantic wedding or honeymoon getaway. An assortment of hotels and resorts make a wedding and honeymoon in Mauritius an even more attractive option.


Mauritius Wedding Formalities
The requirements for civil and religious ceremonies in Mauritius do vary and should be researched further.

Mauritius Diving
The warm, crystal clear, tropical waters of Mauritius provide a wonderful experience for divers from across the globe and divers should make sure they bring their diving card or certificate with them when visiting this exotic destination.

The island offers a wonderfully diverse range of marine life and diving sites with everything from colourful coral reefs teeming with life and old rusty shipwrecks boasting buried treasures to dark and mysterious underwater caves and endless drops.

Expect to see angelfish, batfish, soldier fish, scorpion fish and moray eels. Head to the Blue Bay and Balaclava Marine parks for a day you won't soon forget. As the water temperature reaches around 26°C in the summer months, wetsuits are optional while in the winter months the average water temperature drops to around 22°C and wetsuits are advisable.

Diving courses are available to beginners from PADI and CMAS and there are at least 20 dive centres located across the island. Those who prefer to stay a little closer to the beach can enjoy some fabulous snorkelling in the clear, calm waters where the coral reef and its colourful inhabitants can be explored.

Mauritius Game Fishing

Renowned for being one of the best big game fishing destinations in the world, what better activity is there while on holiday in Mauritius than jumping aboard a speedboat and heading out into the pristine azure waters to enjoy tackling anything from Blue and Black Marlin and Tuna to Sailfish and Skipjack. Probably the most highly-prized game fish, with its discernable spear-like snout, rigid dorsal fin and sheer size, catching a Blue Marlin is no easy task, but if you can land one of these giants your Mauritian holiday will be that much sweeter.

Tuna abound during March and April, while Wahoo, reputed to be the fastest fish in the sea, run in September. For the ultimate trophy fish, the best months for Marlin are between October and April and Dorado is abundant all year round.

There are plenty of fishing charters that operate daily from Mauritius and boats are equipped with rods, reels, lifejackets and everything else you could possibly need for your day out - but don't forget your camera for the money shot! Full and half-day excursions are available and most charters encourage the catch and release of pelagic fish species, especially big game fish like Marlin, whenever possible.

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