Mauritius, once described by Mark Twain as the “blueprint for paradise”, slumbers peacefully in the sun, and is embraced by the currents of the warm Indian Ocean. This tropical island is blessed with powder white beaches, and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs. One of the most sought-after holiday destinations in the world, Mauritius, often called the “Star of the Indian Ocean”, has safe beaches, gentle seas and a mild tropical climate combined with a legendary Mauritian hospitality.
From sport enthusiasts and shoppers to families and lovers, Mauritius has something to offer everyone. The island boasts being the ‘wedding and honeymoon’ capital of the Indian Ocean, with many a loving couple strolling hand in hand on the sands, with palm trees swaying in the distance and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean gently lapping at their feet.
Mauritius invites the discerning traveller to experience a land of exoticism and escapism, ideal for those in search of peace, romance and tranquillity.
Mauritius Climate
Located near the Tropic of Capricorn, Mauritius enjoys warm tropical climate, making it an ideal all-year round island destination. Opinions will differ on when the best time to visit Mauritius is, so take note of the different seasons: some may find cooler climates more enjoyable as many say the weather is at its most pleasant, while others may enjoy the heat and summer holiday more.
The climate can easily be divided into two main seasons, summer and winter. Summer is from around November to April when it is hot and wet, while winter offers a cooler and drier climate from around May to October.The warmest and wettest time is the Cyclone season, which is generally from December through to end February. Tropical cyclones are a common occurrence in Mauritius and tend to disrupt the weather for a few days at a time, bringing a lot of rain to the region. Visitors should be prepared to spend a few days indoors during extra-heavy rains. Some times these storms can occur as late as April.
The western and northern regions are slightly warmer and relatively drier than the East and the South.
On average, the sun rises at 5.00am and sets at 7.00pm in Summer and in Winter, rises at 6.00am and sets at 6.00pm.
December through March is the best time for diving, when the waters are at their clearest; June through August is best for surfing; and October through April is excellent for big game fishing, when the large predators feed close to shore.
Sport Activities
Mauritius is a sport enthusiasts paradise. While the island offers a huge range of sports, the most popular are golf, waterskiing, catamaran trips, parasailing, snorkelling, scuba-diving and kite surfing.
Time
From 26 October to 29 March GMT +5
From 30 March to 25 October GMT +4
Electricity
230 volts. The English square three-pin plugs and European round two-pin plugs are generally used.
Language
English is the official language of Mauritius, but the most widely used is French and Creole (a lilting, French-based patois). Also spoken are Hindi, Urdu and Chinese.
Telephone Dialling Code
The international access code for Mauritius is +230. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 27 for South Africa or 44 for the United Kingdom).
Currency / Money
The currency of Mauritius is the Mauritian Rupee (MUR). Foreign currency and traveller’s cheques can be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and most hotels. Foreign currency in cash (mostly Euros and US Dollars) can also often be used to pay beach vendors and certain local shops. Cash is usually exchanged at a poorer rate than traveller’s cheques. ATMs are widely available in most towns. Most large retailers, hotels, boutiques and restaurants accept major credit cards.
Tipping
Tipping in Mauritius is entirely at the client’s discretion. Often some extra money paid for services, such as a taxi ride or porter assistance, is appreciated. In the hotels, if service has been good, clients can add around 5% to their additional expenses bill when paying on departure.
Passports & Visas
Passports must be valid for six months after departure from Mauritius. All visitors must produce a valid e-ticket or some type of documentation for an onward or return journey. Documentation of accommodation confirmation is required and adequate funds for the intended length of stay may be requested.
Entry requirements do change, sometimes with little notice. Please CHECK with your World Wide Island Tours consultant regarding updates at the time of making a travel enquiry.
Health Requirements
The information shown below is general with regard to health requirements. These do change on a regular basis so check with your World Wide Island Tours consultant at the time of making a travel enquiry.
Compulsory Vaccinations
Yellow Fever (ONLY if coming from an Endemic Country or if been in contact with any East-African country and South American countries falling within the Yellow fever belt.
Recommended Vaccinations
Hepatitis A & Tetanus
Stonefish/Lionfish stings are not common but should they happen, they can in some cases be fatal. Many of the larger hotels stock anti-venom serum and the patient should obtain urgent medical attention if stung. Medical facilities are free in public hospitals, but private clinics are expensive and medical insurance is recommended.
For further information on the Seychelles, please visit the official Mauritius Tourism website.