Mauritius
AN EDEN HIDDEN ON AN ISLAND
Mauritius
Mauritius is a spectacular island in the Indian Ocean known for its sandy beaches, blue lagoons, and dense forests. No matter where you travel—from stunning coastlines in the southeast to the dramatic mountain landscapes of the interior and far southwest—it’s easy to see why Mark Twain described Mauritius as the model for how heaven should be built.
If you’re a fan of the water, Mauritius is the perfect destination for snorkeling, scuba diving, or even island-hopping on a romantic catamaran tour. Out of the water, Mauritius is home to extremely rare wildlife and fauna, not usually found in such a small area.
Experiences
Scuba Diving
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Mauritius is remote and wild, making it a great destination not just for honeymooners seeking luxury but also for adventurers. Huge biodiversity above and below the surface is part of the island’s appeal for nature lovers.
For divers, this means some of the best marine life the Indian Ocean has to offer.
Another highlight is wreck diving in Mauritius. There are about 100 registered wrecks around the island at various depths that can only be found by waypoints making finding them a bit like a treasure hunt. Some are in incredibly good condition and have become home to some of the amazing marine life you can find here.
One&Only Le Saint Géran
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Just off the eastern coast of Madagascar, surrounded by warm Indian Ocean, endless beaches and azure lagoons, lies Mauritius. At the northern tip of the renowned Belle Mare coastline, you’ll find One&Only Le Saint Géran, undoubtedly the best place to stay in Mauritius.
Eat, Drink, Shop, Walk and Watch the Sunset
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Explore the island’s highlights full of inspiration for travel and nature experiences. Discover epic trekking, captivating markets, wonderful museums and galleries, and secret spots to drink and dine.
Mauritius and Mark Twain
Mark Twain was most famous for his creation of the character Tom Sawyer but also penned a travel guide entitled: “Following the Equator” describing his circumnavigation when on his 1895/96 lecture tour. He arrived in Mauritius in 1896 and seems to have been enthralled by its people and their love of their homeland. In his book he writes: “Here the citizen does the talking about the country himself; the stranger is not asked to help. You get all kinds of information. From one citizen you gather the idea that Mauritius was made first, then heaven; and that heaven was copied after Mauritius”. Thus is seems likely that the reference to Mauritius being a prototype heaven may have actually originated from a Mauritian. Of course we shall never know whether such a conversation actually took place but few would disagree with the sentiment!
The dodo is the national bird of Mauritius, but you will only see it on the country’s national emblem or on souvenirs. This animal, which only could be found on Mauritius, became extinct in the 17th century.