Mauritius Travel Guide

The Island of Mauritius is fifty-eight kilometres in length and forty-six kilometres at its widest point. It has a dramatic landscape of wild jagged peaks, a lush central plateau sloping gently down to the white, sandy beaches that are mostly protected by coral reefs just off-shore.

Use our Mauritius Travel Guide to learn about the different Mauritius regions and the various towns and cities of Mauritius.

The north is the flattest part of the island, rising gently as you move inland. The north-west coast, incorporating the capital of Port Louis and the pretty tourist city of Grand Baie is also the location of some of the best beaches on the island and therefore some of the most idyllic Mauritius accommodation.

The eastern coast once again provides a long stretch of good swimming beaches around the Belle Mare region, gradually becoming more mountainous as you head further south towards the laid-back, former capital, Mahebourg.

This area has a number of small off-shore islands that can be easily reached, including the extremely popular Ile aux Cerfs with its lovely beaches and golf course.

The south coast and south-west interior are more rugged than the rest of the island providing great Mauritian hiking, and there are often breaks in the coral reefs, allowing powerful waves to break on the shore. There are fewer swimming beaches in this area but it reminds many people of the way the island used to be before tourism took off.

As you round the distinctive peninsular of le Morne Brabant, which is the centre of organised activity in the area, you reach the west coast of Mauritius.

The west coast, although not very populous, has a number of resorts with great water sport facilities and is especially renowned for its big game fishing.