Mauritius Travel Guide
Mauritius is one of the most multicultural countries in the world.
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​Mauritians are mainly descendants from Indian labourers, Chinese traders, African slaves and Dutch, French and British colonists. Today, this creates a diverse, yet peaceful, community that celebrates all religions and ethnicities. To get an understanding of how we reached this point in time, here is a brief outline of the history of Mauritius.
Mauritius is big enough for holiday adventures and small enough that everything is within easy reach. Long travelling distances rule nothing out, so come and explore! There are multiple ways to get around Mauritius, from organised excursions to car rentals and public transport. Take a look at the options below and ask your hotel reception or concierge desk for the best local advice.
How to travel around Mauritius on your holiday
Organised excursions
There are plenty of local tourist operators who offer organised excursions across the island and boat trips to the islets surrounding Mauritius. These can often be booked through hotels and itineraries include both half-day and full-day tours. You can expect to travel in minibuses for group excursions, depending on the size of the group. For those wanting more flexibility without driving, it’s possible to arrange a private tour guide. An experienced local driver will pick you up and take you on a bespoke tour of the island at your own pace. Always book organised excursions and private tours with reputable companies with an official licence to ensure compliance with security standards and measures.
The licences issued by the tourism authority include:
Tourist Accommodation Certificate
Tourist Enterprise Licence
Pleasure Craft Licence
Skipper’s Licence
Taxis
Taxis are often used by local people in the evening when the bus service has stopped running for the day. You can find them outside hotels and shopping malls, but it’s a good idea to arrange them through the place you are staying, as they know the best companies to use.
Make sure you negotiate the fare before you start your journey. There isn’t Uber in Mauritius but similar apps like Yugo allow you to book a taxi and pay a fixed price for your trip.
Boat trips
To reach offshore islands, you can hire water taxis or arrange private and group boating excursions. Many boat tour operators include fishing, snorkelling and barbecue lunches as part of their trip itinerary with a range of budget options available. If you are travelling to Ile aux Cerfs, there is a regular boat shuttle. Find out more about getting to Ile aux Cerfs.
Speedboat and catamaran tours depart from all over Mauritius and some focus on particular areas, such as a snorkelling tour of Blue Bay Marine Park or snorkelling around Coin de Mire island. Some hotels on the island have their own yacht or catamaran, exclusively for guests.
If you are taking a boat trip, ensure it has a registration number beginning with PC, which is assigned to those operating for commercial purposes. Follow the instructions of the skipper and staff and wear the lifejacket provided. Do not sit on the bow of motorboats and respect the rules when it comes to dolphins and whale watching.
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The weather in Mauritius can be confusing …
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cool winters that might surprise you
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summer rains
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southeast trade winds - most of the year
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cyclones visit us in summer - not always
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anticyclones visit us during winter - always
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27 micro climates and counting!
Our summer is from December to March.
Our winter is from June to August.
What about spring and autumn?
We Mauritians are not bothered with four seasons. Instead we have transition months: September and May.
When is the best weather in Mauritius?
October is the best time to visit Mauritius. It really depends on your interests and the weather you enjoy on holiday. Hot weather with warm sea or lukewarm weather and cool sea?
Sunrise overlooking the East Coast
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The hottest months are December to March
The coldest June to August.
The sea temperature is 27 degrees Celsius during summer compared to 22 degrees during winter.