“While others were prepping for winter, I was lounging on soft sandy beaches in Mauritius, cocktail in hand, soaking up the sun.”
Last year, when my husband turned 30, I gifted him a fancy watch. For my 30th birthday this year, I got an all-inclusive, 5-night stay at a 4-star resort in Mauritius. It’s safe to say that he wins this round. As Mauritius sees over 1 million visitors each year, you or someone you know will likely visit this little slice of paradise sometime in the future. Here are ten interesting facts about Mauritius you should know before you go.
While those in the Southern Hemisphere were dusting off their panel heaters and ensuring no spiders had nested in their boots, I kicked off winter a little differently. Imagine lounging on soft sandy beaches, staring out over cerulean waters while nursing a rum-infused cocktail and recovering from the biggest lunch you’ve ever had.
Mauritius is world-renowned for two things:
Mauritius is renowned for a couple of things, the first of which is the plethora of stunning beaches. The island is small, but the options for world-class resorts and beaches are plentiful. Many resorts will have a private beach, but other popular spots on the island include Belle Mare Beach in the Flacq District and Poste Lafayette Beach.
The second thing that Mauritius is popular for, is the local rum. And although I can tell you that they come in shades of amber and ochre, there’s little else I can recall on this particular topic…
Mauritius is A tiny island that packs a punch
This was the second time I visited Mauritius and I can honestly tell you that this tiny island packs a punch. A couple of years ago, I stayed in Grand Baie towards the North-western part of the island. This year, our entire trip was planned by the lovely Nicola at Travel Counsellors. Nicola knows the island inside out and has great recommendations that meet your needs and budget. We stayed on the island’s eastern side at the fabulous Radisson Blu, Azuri Resort, which went above and beyond not only to ensure a memorable stay but to make my birthday unforgettable too.
Where to stay in Mauritius
The north and west coastal regions are beautiful but can become busy, even in the off-season. If you’re looking for an action-packed, adventure-filled holiday with friends or family, then be sure to look into Victoria Beachcomber Resort and Spa.
But if you’re after a relaxing holiday, where you can unwind and unplug, set your sights on locations like the Lux Belle Mare or the Veranda Palmar for a more affordable family vacation. All of these resorts come highly recommended, but if you require any more convincing, be sure to get in touch with Nicola. As a mom, I would definitely recommend this side of the island when you’re travelling with small kids or toddlers.
So now that you’ve got the lay of the land, here are 10 facts about Mauritius you need to know before you go:
Mauritius is a stray dog’s Paradise
I did some digging, and it seems that this is actually a national crisis for Mauritius. As of 2023, the number of stray dogs in Mauritius has reached staggering proportions. According to recent estimates, the population of stray dogs has surpassed 250,000 putting immense pressure on the local environment, public health, and animal welfare.
The island was home to the Dodo
The dodo was a flightless relative of what we know today as pigeons and doves. The dodo reigned supreme on the Isle of Mauritius until its extinction some 300 years ago, although an escaped slave claimed to have seen the bird as recently as 1674! The dodo is the national animal of Mauritius and can be seen on almost all the severely overpriced souvenirs.
Mauritius can be a dangerous place
When asked about the crime and general safety of Mauritius, the driver transporting us from the airport said, “The only unsafe thing on this island is the tap water”. It’s also worth it to know that mosquitos can also be a problem at certain times of the year and that you can find oversized spiders in the hidy-holes of kayaks.
Mauritius has no army
Mauritius’ peaceful atmosphere allows it to exist without a standing army. In fact, in 2017, Mauritius was one of only four countries in the world not engaged in any domestic or international conflicts with other countries.
Mauritians spend 700+ hours on religion each year
Mauritius has been colonised by the Dutch, the French, and Britain. It should come as no surprise then that there is a wide variety of languages, cultures, and religions, and you’ll see statues of Hindu deities dotted around the island. On average, Mauritians spend more than on an average spend of more than 700 hours each year participating in religious activities.
It’s a jungle out there
Seriously. There are lush rainforests and greenery in abundance. A far cry from the often arid conditions this Free State gal grew up in. The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden is one of our island’s jewels, but even the drive from the airport takes you on winding roads through green wonderlands.
Mauritius is surrounded by amazing waters
Mauritius is surrounded by the world’s third-largest network of coral reefs. The island is surrounded by a ring of dormant volcanoes, streams, waterfalls, and rivers in all four directions. It’s also home to the world-renowned underwater waterfall, an optical illusion offshore of Le Morne Peninsula in the southwest of Mauritius.
Mauritius has many islands
Mauritius has 130 small islets and rocks scattered around the coast, one of which is Dead Man’s Island (Îlot du Mort). It was dubbed this by the British because of the numerous shipwrecks in the area. But after watching multiple couples trying to row to the island in choppy waters, the name of the island took on a whole other meaning.
Everything is weather-dependent
I’ve only ever visited Mauritius in the shoulder season, which reduces the cost and the amount of tourists. Of course, it should be mentioned that this is their winter season and that the weather and water conditions are often unpredictable. We had to postpone some water activities twice because of bad weather, but the upside is that you get to watch these choppy waters from a cabana with a cocktail in hand.
You can pet a giant tortoise
The La Vanille Nature Park in Mauritius has one of the world’s most extensive collections of captive-bred giant Aldabra tortoises. Their count stretches into the thousands, and visitors have the opportunity to feed and interact with the giant tortoises.
