Mauritius is a subtropical island paradise and just a short flight from South Africa. It boasts a wide range of nature activities that you can do by yourself, with a friend or as a family. If you’re considering what to do when you’re out and about on your Mauritius holiday, then take a look at these 5 Nature Activities.

1. Gorgeous Beaches

Think silky, white sand. Glittering in the sunlight and inviting you to sink your bare feet into it. Then to stretch out on a towel and watch the waves.

If you are looking for a gorgeous sunrise over the sea then head to one of Mauritius’s East Coast beaches. Grand Gaube beach offers you the opportunity to watch fishermen come back from their overnight fishing while you enjoy the dawn. If you want a bit more solitude while you watch the sky’s changing colours, then go further south to Pointe D’Esny Beach.

Trou aux Biches Beach is on the North-West Coast. It’s one of the most spectacular and romantic places to enjoy a sunset. Add a picnic into the mix and you have the perfect setting to watch the last slice of sun dissolve into the ocean.

For a lovely long beach walk, check out Le Morne Beach. It meanders along the aqua blue sea on the one side and the Le Morne Mountains on the other. You can walk for more than 3km while you soak in the tranquillity of being enveloped by nature.

2. Garden of Eden

Explore the Sir Seewoosagur Botanic Garden, it’s close to Port-Louis and promises to be time well spent. The garden is home to plenty of weird and wonderful plants just waiting for you to discover. The palm tree collection alone has 85 different varieties and the long pond has spectacular giant water lilies. While it’s a lovely place to walk around alone, it’s highly recommended to use the services of a guide. They will give you insight into some of the plants’ fascinating medical uses and teach you about harvesting spices.

3. The 7 Shifting Sands

When you see this wonder for the first time, you’ll be forgiven if you think you’ve left earth! The Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths is a small slice of dune in the island’s South-West region. It’s where you’ll discover the wonders of seven distinct colours of sand. These red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow sands are caused by naturally occurring chemicals in the earth. Even more fascinating, is that the sands will eventually settle into colour-coded layers if you mix them up. This attraction is best viewed early in the morning.

4. Exploring Under the Sea in a Submarine

Try book this adventure for a calmer, sunny day. Take a submarine tour 32 metres below the Mauritian Ocean’s surface. You are guaranteed to be held captive by the eccentric landscape of shipwrecks and coral reefs. This is a great family activity and a fascinating introduction to the island’s marine life. You could see Moray eels, turtles, brightly-coloured fish and octopus to name just a few.

5. A Volcano Crater Lake 

Ganga Talao is also known as Grand Bassin. It is a volcano crater lake in the heart of Mauritius that rises 550m above sea level. For the island’s Hindus it’s a pilgrimage site used to meditate, chant, pray and make offerings. As such the area is dotted with statues and temples. It’s believed that the water is the same as that from the sacred River Ganges in India. You can also get up close and personal with local monkeys and walk along the lakeside while you take in stunning views.

A Mauritian island holiday gives you the opportunity to enjoy more than just a swim in tranquil warm waters. Mauritius water sports are plentiful for those who’re keen to learn something new or dip back into something enjoyed before. Here are 6 Water Sports to tempt you to play in Mauritius’s gorgeous tropical waters!

1. Scuba diving

Mauritius ocean temperatures range from 21 – 28’C. This makes them perfect for comfortable longer dives, with a great variety of things to see. Mauritius boasts a vast variety of dive sites from natural coral reefs to a marine park and about 22 wrecks. Both novices and professionals will enjoy the great visibility and colourful marine life. People travel all over the world to dive in Mauritius. Safety is paramount so you’ll need to qualify as a Padi or SSI diver before or during your holiday.

2. Sea Walk

No time to qualify for your scuba licence? Or still a little weary? Then an Underwater Sea Walk is a great opportunity to explore the reefs and find sea creatures without a diving licence. One of the most popular options is the Underwater Sea Walk in Grand Bai. Hop on a boat to go to a platform inside the lagoon, North of Grand Bai, and gear up. You’ll be kitted out in a transparent helmet, much like those worn by astronauts, with your own air supply. This setup makes it easy to breathe, as it’s pretty much the same as how you normally breathe. A great upside to this is it doesn’t require you to master a snorkel setup before you start exploring. A knowledgeable guide will go down with you and point out the wonders of coral and colourful sea creatures.

3. Parasailing

This daring activity is great for couples or as a lovely way to have the sky to yourself. It’s offered on the North and Eastern coastline of Mauritius. Launch into the air with the help of a great support team. Then parasail for up to 20 minutes as you enjoy spectacular views over the lagoons and beaches of the island.

4. Sea kayaking

Choose between a number of different sea kayaking excursions to experience the natural environment of this Indian Ocean Island. Explore the smaller tropical islands that dot the sea off the mainland. Paddle through mangrove swamps and listen to the call of brightly coloured birds. Step out of your kayak and learn a bit about plant life, while you meander along forest trails and explore fascinating ruins.

Another option, on the West Coast, is to spend the day paddling through the Albion caves. These particular excursions will take you to Mauritius’s most stunning locales. Excursions tend to place emphasis on a safe and educational experience. They aim to leave you enriched and even more in love with this island paradise.

5. Surfing

Surfing is an absolute treat in Mauritius. There are plenty of great opportunities to find that much sought after sweet-spot. It’s particularly good to surf during the June, July and August months.

The ultimate surfing spot is Le Morne Beach. It’s nestled under the Le Morne Mountains and stretches for over 3kms. If you’re keen to learn to surf, then head over to Tamarin Bay. Black Rocks or Ilot Sancho are favourite spots amongst the more experienced surfers. Although, check with the locals for an update on currents and the possibility of a shark joining you.

6. Sea Hover

If you’re keen for an adrenaline rush, then head to the island’s West or South-West Coasts and jump onto a sea hover. After a safety and training briefing, your instructor will lead the way at thrilling speeds. Taking you to explore the coastlines and see gorgeous spots, such as those in the West Coast lagoons. Sea Hovering also gives you the chance to enjoy sea views of Rempart and Le Morne Mountains, the Black River Mountain range and the gorgeous Le Morne Peninsula.

Choosing an Ethical Wildlife Encounter

Mauritius offers interactive adventures and wildlife tours. Mauritius offers you the chance to see dolphins, turtles, crocodiles, lemurs, crocodiles, giant tortoises and skinks to name a few. The wonder of encountering, watching them close up and sometimes even an animal can be a treasured life experience.
As with anywhere in the world, some operators are better than others at ensuring the protection of animals. Some animals cannot be touched without hurting them and wild animals should never be herded into smaller areas or trapped. Therefore, ahead of booking a tour, we recommend that you do a quick check on how a company enables animal interactions. An easy way to do this is to read reviews and look at the photos from tours others have taken. Additionally, you can look at the company’s social media pages and look at their affiliations or licences on their website. This will give you an idea of what the official company approach is and how well they actually uphold it.

What could be better than a tropical island paradise, surrounded by the warm waters of the south-west Indian Ocean? Add beautiful beaches, staggering natural beauty, great food and you’ve got all the makings of a fantastic holiday.

So, when’s the best time to have your holiday? For the most part Mauritius’s weather is ideal for holiday makers. Depending on what you’re keen to get up to, there are certain times of the year which might suit you best. Here’s the inside scoop on the Mauritius Weather.

Coastal vs Inland Climate

There’s generally about a 5’C difference in temperature between coastal areas and the island’s central plateau region. Coastal areas tend to be warmer with less rain than inland. In contrast, you can expect the central plateau to be cooler and more humid than the coastline. The north and west coasts are warmer as well as drier than the south and east coastlines.

When to Visit Mauritius

One of the many great things about holidaying in Mauritius is the weather. The weather tends to be ideal with the exception of a short stretch of wet season. Even then the wet season has its own appeal. Essentially, this means the timing of your Mauritius holiday can easily accommodate the realities of work schedules and school holidays.

Most people regard May to December as being the best time to visit Mauritius. The weather is comfortably warm and while you may experience some scattered showers, they tend to clear up quickly. The months you’ll want to double-think are January to April. This is when temperatures are inclined to be higher and cyclones may occur. Although most storms tend to miss the island and there are less tourists, which results in some great holiday deals.

Mauritius Summer

During the summer months of November to April, Mauritius’s weather is usually warm and humid. Interior temperatures range average between 20’C to 28’C, and along the coast you can expect it to reach into the 30’s. Peak temperatures can be expected between December and February.

The Wet Season

January through to May is regarded as the Mauritius wet season. It is most noticeable in the central plateau, with fairer conditions along the coastal areas. During this time the south and south-east coastlines are hit by prevailing trade winds. The result is nearly twice as much rainfall compared to the north and north-west coastlines.

However, it’s worth remembering that, in the rainy season, it could be raining where you’re staying but a couple of kms away the sun’s out. So, you might pack an umbrella but you can still head to the beach with your hat, costume and sunscreen.

Cyclone Season

For the most part storms miss the Mauritian islands. However, it is worth noting that January to March is still regarded as the cyclone season.

Gusty Wind

Unless you particularly enjoy gusty winds, it’s best to avoid the east coast in July and August. This is when the wind is at its strongest in this particular area.

Wintering in Mauritius

The winter months of May to October are regarded by many as the best time to visit Mauritius. This is because the temperatures are moderate and range between 20 – 24’C. The lowest temperatures can be expected in August. Which could mean that it drops a little further down from 20’C to 18’C.
During winter it’s particularly lovely to explore Mauritius beaches and nearby islands or go look for wildlife. It’s also a great time for surfing and water sport enthusiasts.

Which months to go if You want to….

Dive and Deep-Sea Fish

If you’re looking for the ideal time to book a diving or deep-sea fishing holiday, then look at going between December and March. This is when the water is clearest.

Go Surfing

There are plenty of tempting surfing spots when it comes to finding a wave to ride in Mauritius. It’s particularly good to surf during the June, July and August months.

Le Morne Beach is known as the ultimate surfing beach in Mauritius. It’s in the shadow of the Le Morne mountains and the beachfront stretches for over 3kms. Many people comment on the especially breath-taking ocean colours along the Le Morne Beach.

If you are learning to surf then head over to Tamarin Bay. As Tamarin bay has less resorts, it’s also a favoured surfing spot amongst more experienced surfers.

Experienced surfers that are looking for good waves can head to Black Rocks or Ilot Sancho. Although, if you do this check with the locals before you paddle out. There are sometimes sharks in at Black Rocks and strong currents off the Ilot Sancho coastline.

As we don’t control the Mauritius Weather
This is a Guideline to help you choose when to Holiday in Mauritius.