By Helen Truszkowski
According to famous American writer, Mark Twain, "You gather the idea that Mauritius was made first and that heaven was copied after it." Attracting travellers since the 16th century, this sultry string of volcanic islands is blessed with a 100-mile coastline studded with powder-white sands and coral reef protected lagoons. Mauritius holidays are all about beaches and whether you're a beach bum, a bucket-and-spader or an underwater explorer there's one for you. The best months to visit are September to December and April to June.
Best for…
Family fun: Péreybère
Péreybère is a delightful little cove midway between Grand Baie and Cap Malheureux. The waters here are deeper and clearer than most of the lagoons around the island. It's particularly good for young swimmers because the surf is naturally calm. Buzzing with sand soccer and kite surfing, along with great snorkelling and glass bottom boat tours, there are local foodstalls serving fresh fruit, bread, octopus, chicken and fish - something for just about everyone!
Honeymoon seclusion: Ile Aux Cerfs
Ile Aux Cerfs is a remote island paradise just off the east coast, boasting vast beaches fringed with palm trees and clear waters. Easily accessible by boat from Pointe Maurice you can arrive early and stay late. "Cerfs" (also known as Stag Island) is dedicated to indulging its day visitors. There are restaurants that cater to almost every palate (try some of the local cuisine), a lush 18-hole golf course plus water sports kiosks. Get in some great snorkelling amongst the spectacular craggy black rocks that hug the coast: they are a haven for coral and fish.
Walking and wildlife: Tamarin Bay
Huge surf erupts through a break in the coral reef and finds its way to the stunning Tamarin Bay on the southwest shore. Here conditions have been described as near perfect conditions with waves up to 6 feet high. Wild dolphins play offshore while beyond the tropical palm and casuarina trees the ancient forests and rumpled Montage du Rempart offer unexpected hiking country.
Underwater adventures: Flic en Flac
Just southwest of Port Louis, facing Madagascar, the deep blue lagoon of Flic en Flac lies at the bottom of a 3km straight road that slices through cane fields. Its name is thought to come from the Dutch phrase 'Fried Landt Flaak', or 'Free and Flat Land'. Stretching for a mile along the coast, its white sands host casinos and beach hotels that rent snorkelling equipment by the hour. But by far the most popular attraction is an 89 ft dive known as the Cathedral. This divers' paradise culminates in a huge gothic-like cavern that hosts a rush-hour flow of marine life including stonefish, scorpionfish and lionfish.
Letting your hair down: Grand Baie beach
Experience the best of casual local culture on picturesque Grand Baie beach. Trendy little beach boutiques and handcraft stalls jostle for attention amongst the lively restaurants, bars and nightclubs. One of the most delightful beaches on the north coast, the sands curve into the emerald green bay at Grand Baie providing picture perfect conditions for sailing, wind surfing, water skiing and helicopter excursions along the coast.
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Helen Truszkowski is a freelance travel journalist and broadcaster. She regularly writes for The Independent on Sunday, The Times, The Daily Express and The Sunday Express.