Sea salt on skin. Rain-washed palms. Coconut mornings and coral dusk. The island called. And I answered.
After years of dreaming, I found myself barefoot on the soft curve of Mauritius. It’s often sold as a honeymoon destination, with satin linens and champagne sunsets, but there’s more to it.
A slower rhythm. A kind of silence between the waves. Locals who speak with their hands. An island that feels ancient and alive all at once. Here’s what stayed with me.
And what I’d gently suggest you seek out, too. In essence, Mauritius, or l’Île Maurice, is not just a destination; it’s an immersive journey into a world of natural splendor, cultural richness, and serene relaxation.
There’s salt in the air and kindness in the cadence, a tropical hush between sea and sky. And moments so quiet, they stay with you long after you’ve left.
To Do in Mauritius
Le Morne
Hike it if you can. The views aren’t just cinematic; they hold a kind of hush. From a seaplane, the optical illusion of a cascading underwater waterfall unfolded beneath me, blending with the mountain’s majestic presence.
Pamplemousses Botanical Garden
The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden was a journey through a botanical wonderland. Water lilies the size of satellite dishes. Mango trees. Stillness. I spent nearly three hours wandering here, and could have easily stayed longer.
Black River Gorges
Lush, untamed, slightly wild. The Chamarel waterfall pours into a quiet green basin. Go late and you might have it to yourself.
Île aux Cerfs
The water looks digitally enhanced, but isn’t. The Four Seasons took us there by boat, just seven of us that day. We had lunch near a beach bar with swings, the kind of place where time doesn’t press. I slipped away for a while and found a quiet patch of sand. Ordered nothing. Just listened to the hush between waves and the rustle of palms like soft applause.
Blue Bay Marine Park
Snorkeling here felt like floating inside a living painting, with fan corals, fluorescent fish, and a quiet underwater hum.
Tamarin Bay
I don’t have words for the dolphins. Just go. Go early, go softly, and let it move you. Observing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat, with careful respect for their space, was both humbling and exhilarating.
To Stay
Four Seasons at Anahita (East Coast)
Spacious villas, private gardens, and your own boat to Île aux Cerfs. It felt like a retreat in every sense—quiet mornings with coconuts, nights that smelled like jasmine and salt.
JW Marriott, Le Morne (South)
Staring straight at the mountain, with the sea in your periphery. A poetic contrast of strength and stillness.
Heritage Le Telfair (West)
Colonial charm meets wellness calm. I spent an afternoon floating in the pool while palm fronds played shadow games across the water.
To Eat + Sip
- Street-side dholl puri in Port Louis. Eaten with fingers.
- Fresh fruit on the side of the road—pineapple, passionfruit, mango.
- Coconut water cracked open on the beach, handed over with a smile.
- A glass of chilled white wine at golden hour in Flic-en-Flac.
When to Go
May to October is cooler and drier. I went mid-year, and the weather was just right—breezy, blue-skied, and kind to the skin. If you don’t like humidity, avoid cyclone season (Jan–March).
Final Notes
Mauritius isn’t loud. It’s not meant to impress quickly.
But if you stay still long enough, it begins to reveal itself.
In the curve of a wave. In the drumbeat of Sega music echoing down a village street. In the simplicity of a moment.
Related Reads:
Visiting Kefalonia Island, Greece: What to Do & Where to Stay
My 5-Day Guide to Ticino, Switzerland using the Swiss Travel Pass
