Mauritius doesn’t simply have nice seashores, it’s received selection, catering to each customer’s beachside whim.
Whereas Mauritius is a multifaceted and culturally numerous African island with heaps to discover, it’s not onerous to see why its seashores – picture-perfect stretches of high-quality white sand and retina-pulling turquoise waters – are an enormous draw. They every have their very own ambiance: charming jumping-off factors for browsing or dolphin-watching, seashores with an off-the-grid vibe, shallow lagoons for little ones to paddle in or secret coves the place you possibly can eat al fresco.
Right here’s our record of the most effective seashores in Mauritius to reset and unwind. They’re additionally nice locations to get a really feel for island tradition that has been patched collectively by folks from everywhere in the world who’ve made a bit piece of this paradise their very own.
1. Le Morne
Presumably some of the scenic of all of Mauritius’ seashores, Le Morne hangs off the southwestern tip’s peninsula. Recognized for its pool-like, impossibly iridescent turquoise waters, it’s the most effective locations for swimming with kids due to an unbroken coral reef, whereas tall filao pine bushes sway within the mild breeze, offering shade from the scorching solar.
The seaside is backed by the eponymous basaltic mountain that soars as much as the skies, culminating at over 550m (1804ft) above sea stage, additionally a well-liked climbing path. A refuge for enslaved folks within the 18th and nineteenth centuries, when Mauritius was an necessary stopover on the jap slave commerce route, it’s a image of their heroic combat for freedom, incomes the realm Unesco standing in 2008, and making this one among Mauritius’ most spectacular seashores.
Planning tip: Be certain to cease at Emba Filao, a well-liked laid-back open-air cafe with tables lined up below the bushes, serving beneficiant parts of grilled seafood, corresponding to tangy calamari and fleshy gambas (shrimp) with fries. Keep away from the strains by getting there earlier than the lunchtime rush.
2. La Cuvette, Grand Baie
This intimate cove received its identify cuvette, or basin, from the basin-like impact created the place the sand all of the sudden drops as you advance within the heat waters. Locals like it as a result of it’s nice for having a correct dip with out having to wade far within the water to seek out depth. On the highest fringe of Grand Baie, a crescent moon formed bay with eating places and nightclubs that come alive at sunset, on the northern extremity of the island, this space of Mauritius is often blessed with good climate year-round due to a microclimate.
Order a mine-frit (fried noodles), one among Mauritius’ many typical dishes adopted from the Chinese language group, from one of many tiny concrete shacks above the seaside. The freshly cooked meals is tasty and low cost. Have it at a plastic desk overlooking the ocean – it’s the most effective seat in the home.
Planning tip: Grand Baie itself isn’t a lot to write down residence about within the daytime, however the seashores north and south are amongst a number of the finest for households as a result of calm, shallow waters.
3. Flic en Flac
It’s inconceivable to go to Mauritius with out making a cease at Flic en Flac. Right here, the massive sweep of powdery sand continues for miles and disappears into the sundown because it curves across the island. Waters are often calm and shallow, making for an excellent seaside day with younger kids. At weekends, households from Mauritius’ numerous communities come for fast dips and luxuriate in picnics within the shade of filao pine bushes, with some dancing to native sega music recognized for its infectious rhythm. Smile of their course and so they’ll beckon you to hitch them.
4. Belle Mare Plage
One lengthy curve of thick forested pines that swallow up the handful of accommodations constructed alongside the seaside, Belle Mare provides us a glimpse of the island’s wilder pre-tourism days. Set on the quieter east coast, it’s right here that a number of the island’s most unique accommodations have arrange. The waters are calm and shallow, making good paddling materials for youngsters.
Planning tip: Drive 10 minutes north to Sagar Shiv Mandir, a Hindu temple constructed on a craggy outcrop near a mangrove forest that was once accessible solely by wading via the knee-deep waters. A significant pilgrimage web site, it now has a concrete highway main proper as much as the white and pink constructing housing a bronze statue of Shiva. It’s free to enter, however be sure to have a sarong to cowl legs and shoulders when visiting.
5. Île aux Cerfs
A small island planted with pine bushes within the heart, which hides a members-only golf course, Île aux Cerfs presents the most important lagoon of Mauritius and is a favourite escape for locals who come right here to get away from all of it. Reached by speedboat off the east coast of the island, it’s a enjoyable day journey for the entire household and may be as energetic (banana boat rides and parasailing) or as laid-back as you need it to be.
Encased in tender golden sand and crystal-clear waters, a picturesque hall of heat water runs between the island and neighboring Ilot Mangenie. Across the additional aspect of the 2 islands, is the place the seashores are quietest, and the place the tranquil ambiance evokes the wilder elements of Mauritius.
Planning tip: Tickets throughout by speedboat may be purchased on the small workplace to the left of the port seaside. Packages typically embrace a barbecue on a close-by island and a go to to a waterfall. Whereas the bundle is fairly priced, leaping from island to island leaves little or no time to essentially unwind. There are eating places on Île aux Cerfs, however they’re costly, so take into account taking a picnic.
6. Tamarin
A beautiful bay of high-quality white sand lined by pine bushes that runs into an extended seaside, Tamarin is among the island’s extra standard spots. Splendidly relaxed, it has a sleepy surfer vibe. Get there early and be part of the locals who stroll over from their houses close by carrying mugs of steaming candy milky Bois Chéri vanilla tea to get pleasure from on the cool sands because the tide slowly is available in, flushing the bay with vivid blue waters. If it’s early sufficient, dolphins generally swim previous to the surfers coming up and down on the waters additional out. Whereas the ocean may be calm right here, there are sometimes sturdy currents.
The bay is cut up off from the longer seaside by a river surrounded by magical jungly mountain views. As lunchtime attracts close to, a boulettes (steamed dumplings) shack opens throughout the highway from the native diving heart to serve bowls of the little dough balls in flavorsome broth.
Planning tip: Tamarin can also be the jumping-off level for dolphin watching excursions. Go for native boats versus giant tour firms, as they choose you up proper from the seaside (versus the marina a 10-minute drive away) and head out early to keep away from the massive variety of tour boats, which takes away from the expertise.
7. Blue Bay
A powerful crescent-shaped bay of heat, clear and shallow waters, that hugs the shoreline and its smattering of chic homes hidden behind excessive partitions, Blue Bay is usually cited as a favourite as a result of it’s good for households with younger kids. It’s additionally near the pure reserve of Ile aux Aigrettes, the place the jumping-off level north of Pointe d’Esny presents a jaw-dropping panorama of sea-green waters and mountains lined up alongside the coast.
Blue Bay is near the Blue Bay Marine Park, an ocean reserve that’s among the many finest spots for snorkeling and diving. Go right here to see many of the island’s species of fish and impressively giant desk coral.
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