A week in Mauritius, in the heart of the Indian Ocean: choosing when to go to best enjoy the coasts and white beaches surrounded by coral reefs
Located off the coast of East Africa, in the Indian Ocean, the island of Mauritius It boasts kilometers of coastline and countless incredible beaches surrounded by coral reefs. Coconut palms, crystalline seabeds and wonderful landscapes create an authentic paradise which, together with dreamlike nature, attract visitors en masse to admire one of the most cosmopolitan nations in the world.
How to get to Mauritius? Starting with a direct flight from Rome or Milan with the Air Mauritius company, which approximately 10 hours later lands atinternational Airport Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam 45 kilometers from Port Luis, the capital of the island. Once you arrive on the island you will find a time zone three hours longer than in Italy or two if you leave during the period in which summer time is in force.
When to go to Mauritius? Mauritius enjoys a tropical climate and consequently, sweet and mild all year round. But the best times to go are certainly from April to June and from September to December when the days are pleasantly warm and allow the many tourists to better appreciate the spectacle offered by this paradise. It is better to avoid the months from November to April, because it is possible to encounter one of the many tropical hurricanes: consult the local weather forecast.
Where to go in Mauritius? The choice is wide and ranges from 300 kilometers of sandy beaches lapped by calm and crystalline waters that contrast with the black of the volcanic mountains and the green of the palm trees to the steep and wild cliffs up to the vast lagoons with very windy turquoise waters that will leave you breathless . Here are some suggestions on where to go once you reach your destination to better appreciate life on the island and its ecosystem.
The starting point of our itinerary is the Grand Baie, north of Mauritius, the "Great Bay", where the Cuvette beach is located, a favorite destination for sailing enthusiasts, from here you can in fact leave for a yacht tour or a catamaran excursion. It is the second city on the island after Port Louis, the capital, a lively centre, full of souvenir shops and some malls where you can go shopping, typical restaurants and elegant boutiques. Opposite is the beautiful beach of Flic en Flac: it is said that the name of this beach derives from the onomatopoeic sound of footsteps on the shoreline.
The Merville Aquarium beach is worth a day trip, certainly an important stop for divers who will be able to spot tuna, rays and barracudas while their families enjoy the white sand beaches in the shade of coconut palms. Off the coast of Flic en Flac, however, diving enthusiasts could find themselves faced with the gray shark. Also unmissable is Tamarin Bay, also called "mollusc bay", a very windy area crowded with surfers in search of perfect waves; and the dunes of Chamarel, known as the Seven-colored lands, a must for visitors to Mauritius.
Mauritius is a welcoming island and its inhabitants are open and cheerful: take a tour of the village of Pereybere, equipped with shops and restaurants and very popular especially with islanders and young people; the sea in front has intensely colored water and the seabed is deep, perfect for snorkelling. But also go to Trou aux Biches an old man village of fishermen with the beautiful Mont Choisy beach and many structures and residential complexes. On the east coast there is a small village founded by the Dutch Trou d'Eau Douce: starting from here you can go by boat to the Isle of Deer, a true paradise, rich in tea, vanilla and fruit plantations and dotted with varied villages and delightful colonial houses.
THEDeer Island it is the most pleasant location in all of Mauritius, with an intense blue sea, ideal for those who love relaxing in the sun and practicing water sports. In Belle Mare there are the long stretches of sand of Poste la Fayette and Palmar and spectacular lagoons created by the coral reef. Once here, don't miss the Blue Bay Marine Park, a suggestive and enchanting stretch of Mauritius where snorkeling enthusiasts can dive into the deep seabed to admire the underwater life of the coral reef.
Organize an outing to the beautiful girl La Morne: a sandy peninsula dominated by a mountain of basalt rock covered in vegetation and a wonderful lagoon declared a UNESCO world heritage site. Nearby are Gri Gris and Bel Ombre. The first is an intimate and secluded beach, ideal for those seeking tranquility and relaxation; the second, however, is very popular with those who want to practice water sports or enjoy a rum-based cocktail in one of the numerous bars by the sea.
Its beautiful beaches are not the only attraction: the unique spectacle of barrier Reef makes Mauritius an ideal destination for boat excursions, to discover some unique and unmistakable uninhabited islets further away from the tourist routes. Decidedly fascinating, off the coast, the small islands of Coin de Mire are an amazing nature reserve where various endemic species of birds at risk of extinction reside. Don't forget the Ile Plate and the Gabriel islet, true natural paradises enclosed by the coral reef.
The green and silent one Ile Ronde it is instead populated by geckos, various insects and reptiles while theSnake Island, enchanting with its crystal clear waters, is home to various species of sea birds. Finally, in the area south of Mauritius, it is worth seeing theIsle of Aigrettes a wonderful protected natural oasis which today is at the center of a work to restore the original species, such as the giant tortoises and the pink doves which were saved and released after a conservation work lasting thirty years. The dodo also lived here until a few centuries ago, an animal now extinct but considered the symbol of Mauritius.
