Island Paradise: Exploring the Charms of Mauritius
Mauritius, officially the Republic of Mauritius, is an island country in the Indian Ocean, about 2,000 kilometers (1,100 nautical miles) off the southeastern coast of East Africa, east of Madagascar.
Why is Mauritius famous?
Known for its stunning natural beauty and pristine beaches, Mauritius is a popular island nation located in the famous Indian Ocean. Influenced by various colonial powers, the famous island nation also holds a rich history and cultural significance in world tourism.
What is so special about Mauritius?
Mauritius is considered the ideal island getaway. Postcard-perfect beaches and world-class resorts ensure that this palm-fringed oasis of beautiful bleached sands, sapphire waters, kaleidoscopic coral reefs and tropical rainforests is immensely popular.
Reasons to visit Mauritius
1.Mauritius climate
Unlike other countries, Mauritius is a year round destination. This is mainly due to its ideal geographical location. In fact, Mauritius lies just above the tropic of Capricorn, thus relishing from a lot of sunshine throughout the year.Mauritius has only two seasons, summer between October and April and winter during the remaining six months. As surprising as it may seem, it is still very hot in Mauritius during winter and needless to say that in the course of summer it gets hotter. Here the temperature never drops any less than 16°C and it can easily reach up to 35 °C.
2.Beaches of Mauritius
Beaches; everyone likes beaches, palm trees, warm lagoons! There are over a hundred beaches along the coastlines of the island. From lengthy to small pristine ones, each beach has its own characteristic beauty.Mauritian seashores have mostly white sand or golden color beaches and depending on the region, they are lined with Casuarina, coconut or palm trees. Add to the above a rich submarine life and ideal water temperature (around 27°C), you have the perfect mix for the best holiday ever!
3.World Class Diving
The island of Mauritius is surrounded by incredible coral reefs and flourishing marine life. When experiencing diving in Mauritius, one understands how much the island is blessed with natural assets. Each year, thousands of submarine excursions are held by the numerous operators on the island.There are around 50 breath-taking diving sites across the shores of Mauritius, varying in difficulty and depth. Two of the very best diving sites of Mauritius are located not far from the Pearle Beach Hotel and Villas Caroline Hotel in Flic en Flac, Rempart Serpent and La Cathédrale. Those two sites reflect perfectly the Indian Ocean being the richest ocean for aquatic life.
4.Best Wedding and Honeymoon Destination
Mauritius was awarded in 2013 as the best wedding and honeymoon destination by the World Travel Award. Each year thousands of couples say “I do” on the golden sandy beaches of the island. The best time for a wedding and honeymoon in Mauritius is between the months of October and September, when the weather is perfect and avoiding the end of year tourist influx.With all the beaches and world class resorts, the island offers matchless romantic spots to newlywed couples. Located at Flic en Flac, one of the most romantic beaches of the island, Villa Caroline Hotel Mauritius offers matchless wedding and honeymoon packages in a surreal setting along with unique hospitality.
5.Multiculturalism
The Mauritian society is a perfect example of pluralistic harmony. Mauritian culture is a reflection of the diversity of its population. Even if the majority of the population is Hindu, the Mauritian society was mainly influenced by French culture. Creole, the native language of the country, is a French-based language with a mix of African, Asian and English vocabulary.Port-Louis the capital of the island is a city rich in culture and history of Mauritius. It is very common in Mauritius to find religious monuments of different ethics on the same street. Muslims, Hindus, African and Chinese, all living in peace and harmony despite their diverse backgrounds.
6.Nature
Often referred to as Paradise Island, Mauritius has been blessed by Mother Nature in so many ways. Tropical climate, wild waterfalls, lush forestation, mountain ranges, water sports, the island is a holiday destination with endless possibilities.The Seven Coloured Earths of Chamarel is the perfect illustration of wild nature. It is a unique geological formation curiously caused by tropical weather conditions where seven distinct colors of earth are distinguished. Today it is a major tourist attraction in Mauritius and visited by thousands of people each year.
7.Underwater
Mauritian lagoons are delimited by breath-taking coral reef and marine life. There are about 4,000 species of fish and shellfish that live around the coastline of the island. Many local operators offer underwater excursions like diving and glass-bottom outings at a very affordable price.If you like Big Game Fishing, you will definitely enjoy Mauritius. The island offers some of the finest big game fishing of Marlin, Tuna and Shark to beginners and qualified angler alike. Each year Mauritius hosts an international Big Game Fishing Competition where competitors come for the legendary blue marlin.
8.Dolphin Watch
To swim alongside dolphins and whales is one of the most unique activities that one can experience in Mauritius. Mostly located around Tamarin Bay, these intelligent and charming marine mammals tend to hobnob with the visitors.Caro and Dino, two lovers of dolphins, offer interesting packages to swim with dolphins in Mauritius. You will discover the west coast of Mauritius in a relaxing atmosphere. They say “To swim with dolphins in Mauritius, is at least two dreams to realize!”
9.Cost
With an affordable standard of life, Mauritius can offer world class resorts at very competitive prices. Expenses are so low as compared to Europe. And with all the shopping malls now available across the island, Mauritius is ideal for spending efficiently.As far as daily budget is concerned, 50 £ per person is enough to spend for travel and a restaurant lunch. It might be useful to bring your credit card and not too much liquid cash as there are ATMs and most businesses accept VISA and MasterCard.
10.Political Stability
As a developing country, Mauritius is one of the most stable African countries. Tourism is a pillar of the economy and each year the country is refining to welcome more and more visitors. The only instability that could happen in Mauritius is cyclone, which can usually occur between the months of January and February.
See you soon on the island!
