Mauritius Travel Report & Highlights

Mauritius! Sounds like a dream vacation, right? I recently took my first trip to Mauritius. I've heard from several people that it's supposed to be paradise. Even the friendly staff at the Eurowings counter expressed a jealous, "I wish I could fly there too." My excitement grew even more.

All I knew about Mauritius before was that it's a hotspot for newlyweds. In fact, I felt like I spent the flight surrounded by all the German newlyweds who were on their way to their honeymoon. Understandably, as will be revealed later.

Whether you explore Mauritius on your own by car or bus, or simply relax in one of the stunning hotels, I can already reveal that the trip is worth it. I have summarized my personal highlights for you.

The capital of Mauritius is located on the west coast and is the largest city on the island, with around 150,000 inhabitants. I was repeatedly told that I must visit the Central Market. There, I was greeted by numerous stalls offering fresh fruits and vegetables, clothing, souvenirs, and each with its own meat and fish hall.

Tip: randomly try the food at the stalls. There are some really amazing dishes.

My personal favorite: Pani Puri (Warning: spicy!). Essentially, Mauritian cuisine is a blend of Indian, French, and Chinese foods. Really quite delicious.

About a 20-minute walk from the market is Fort Adelaide, or "La Citadelle," as the Mauritians say. The fortress built by the British stands 100 meters high and offers an excellent panoramic view of the capital. Admission is free and provides a perfect 360-degree view, especially on sunny days.

The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden is one of the top sights in Mauritius. It's located about 12 km from the capital, Port Louis. Locals often spend their entire day here on holidays or weekends.

The approximately 90-hectare garden offers a lot: a large lily pond, giant tortoises, deer, and a variety of tropical plants. Personally, two hours were enough for me to get an overview.

The Grand Bassin crater lake is a major pilgrimage site in Hinduism outside of India. It is located near the Black River Gorges National Park, about 2 km from Le Pétrin.

You are welcomed by two imposing, 33-meter high statues that overlook the temple complex. Both Hindu gods Shiva and Durga stand 33 meters tall, making them the largest statues in Mauritius (Durga being the largest of her kind in the world). It's quite impressive.

Surrounding the crater lake are numerous temples (please do not enter with shoes!), shrines, and Hindu gods in the form of colorful statues. One often sees smaller ceremonies and offerings.

But generally, it's quite peaceful. During the Maha Shivaratree festival (late February, early March), up to 400,000 devotees pilgrimage to the holy lake. Legend has it that this lake is connected to the holy river Ganges and is therefore also called Ganga Talao (meaning "Lake of the Ganges").

The park, which covers about 68 square kilometers, contains most of the rainforest in Mauritius, accounting for about 3.5% of the island's total area. Although the park offers many hiking opportunities, including to waterfalls, I was satisfied with the view from the overlook 'Gorges Viewpoint.' From there, I could fly my drone to the waterfall.

Tip: From the viewpoint, it's about a 10-minute drive to "La Rhumerie de Chamarel." Here, you can participate in a tour to learn about the exact process of rum distillation - rum tasting included.

Whether it's diving, snorkeling, surfing, windsurfing, kitesurfing, or stand-up paddling, Mauritius is a pilgrimage site for water sports enthusiasts.

Le Morne, for example, is among the world's top kitesurfing spots. The so-called One-Eye Wave has legendary status and is said to be one of the fastest and cleanest waves for windsurfers. You can also use your trip to Mauritius to learn one of these sports.

But remember, no master has fallen from the sky. Expect at least 4-5 days to achieve some success.

Personally, I had substantial muscle soreness after my first day of kitesurfing, even though I was just handling the kite. The corresponding courses are available almost everywhere. I was able to book mine directly at the hotel.

If you don't want to plan everything yourself or just want to enjoy your honeymoon, you can also experience Mauritius directly from the hotel. From the airport, you often get a shuttle to the hotel and can then explore the surrounding area by rented bike.

Some of the most beautiful hotels in the Indian Ocean are located directly along the coast on the beaches. This includes giant luxury hotels that are almost like small villages.

Especially recommended is the Westin Turtle Bay Hotel in the north or the St. Regis Mauritius in the southwest, which until recently housed the largest villa in the Indian Ocean (this was recently surpassed by a villa that is 20 square meters larger in the Maldives).

These hotels offer everything you can imagine - personal butlers included. You enjoy your peace on the beach or by the pool, and can retreat to your room at any time. Or you can book a massage. Many hotels offer activities such as cooking or cocktail classes.

At St. Regis Mauritius, I was taught Sabrage in a festive ceremony. This means I opened a champagne bottle with a saber and was subsequently dubbed a Sabrage knight. You can imagine the fun and bragging factor.

Luxury hotels come at their price. But if not during your honeymoon, then when?

Generally speaking, you can travel to Mauritius year-round. The tropical oceanic climate ensures little variation. Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere; thus, winter lasts from May to October, and summer from November to April. Average temperatures range between 25 and 30 degrees. Winters are slightly drier than summers.

Swimming is possible year-round; the water temperature in winter is around 23 degrees, and in summer it's 28 degrees. However, if you're flying to Mauritius for kitesurfing, experts recommend the period between June and October.

Whether newlyweds, adventure seekers, or sports enthusiasts, Mauritius offers itself as a travel destination for many reasons.

The island is truly beautifully stunning. Turquoise, clear water, powdery white beaches, and silhouettes of palm trees as far as the eye can see. Plus, sunsets you rarely find elsewhere. The coasts of the island offer everything to really unwind and enjoy the moment.

That such a scenery is not only impressive but also emotionally significant explains why Mauritius was crowned the best wedding and honeymoon destination by the World Travel Award in 2013. Every year, thousands of star-crossed lovers tie the knot on the island.

Whether kitesurfing, windsurfing, stand-up paddling, or snorkeling, Mauritius offers a wide range of sporting activities that aren't just for professionals. For those who find lying on the beach all day too boring, learning kitesurfing or getting a diving certification is an option.

Those who can afford it will appreciate the luxurious options the island has to offer. The Westin Turtle Bay Hotel and the St. Regis Mauritius do not disappoint. No wonder celebrities from around the world book here.

Whether in summer or winter, Mauritius is essentially a year-round travel destination. So if you see a cheap flight, you don't have to worry about flying at the wrong time.

The island of Mauritius is located in the midst of the Indian Ocean. Mauritius lies about 2000 km east of the African continent and forms, along with the islands of La Réunion and Rodrigues, the three islands of the "Mascarene Islands."

Mauritius is particularly known for its snorkeling and diving conditions. The coral reef is unique and still very vibrant.

For this trip, I bought the small and compact travel guide by Marco Polo for Mauritius. I found it very good and was able to find all the important information in it.

You do not need a visa for Mauritius. The stay duration is 90 days and can be extended for free in the capital, Port Louis.

With established airlines such as Lufthansa, Swiss, Eurowings, and Condor, you can reach Mauritius via direct flights. Depending on the travel time, you should expect at least 500 - 600 euros for tickets.

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Disclaimer: I was invited on this trip by BPRC Public Relations, Hotel Westin Turtle Bay, and St. Regis Mauritius. Thank you for this, but my opinions and views remain my own.