When I say Mauritius, odds are that you are picturing a paradise of crystal clear oceans, white sand beaches and palm trees grazing along the beach. You might also picture a 5-star resort, being driven around in golf buggies, swim-up bars and rum-based cocktails by the pool. Chances are, you think Mauritius is the perfect designation for a honeymoon because it is such a once-in-a-lifetime, bucket-list destination.
I dare say it’s the postcard beauty of the island that has given it this reputation, and while it’s not wrong, I’m here to tell you that Mauritius is not just for honeymooners. Actually, I’m gonna go as far as saying that you need to book yourself a ticket to this island paradise right now.
Want more Mauritius content? Head this way to read my Mauritius Travel Guide!
Alternatively, if you are ready to find your perfect Mauritius hotel, head this way for a list of 11 great hotels on the island (recommended by travellers).
Is Mauritius just for people on their honeymoon?
I know I’ve pretty much given it away already, but I’ll answer the question one more time. Mauritius is not just for people on their honeymoon.
All thought it is bucket-list level kinds of beautiful, it is not a destination you should add to your bucket list and only visit once in a lifetime. This island has so much to offer, and you can definitely come back again and again (I know I will).
Of course, you’ll be able to spend all day lounging by the pool at a 5-star resort, rum & coke in hand, only moving to hit the buffet or the spa. But, in addition to being a popular destination for honeymooners and those whose holiday goal is to never lift a finger, Mauritius is also the perfect place to visit for families, groups of friends, solo travellers and anyone else hoping to head somewhere warmer next winter.
I’m going to break it down for you by highlighting a few things you need to know about Mauritius before you write it off as a honeymoon (only) destination!
Mauritius has so much to offer
Mauritius is a volcanic island East of Madagascar (which again is East of the African continent). It is an island on which you will meet incredible hospitality and a variety of cultures mixed together, which is one of the reasons the island should be where you head next. Having finally spent some time in Mauritius after dreaming of going there for so long, I was quite surprised to find out how much more there is to do here than in any of my other dream destinations (you know, the Seychelles, Bora Bora and the likes).
Driving through Mauritius I found that the island is a lot bigger than I had imagined (even though I knew it was roughly 2000 square kilometres, and through the window of the car I saw lush green spaces, an endless number of palm trees, fruit farms and majestic mountains towering over the scenery. I quickly realised that Mauritius was not the island I had imagined; but so much more.
Once you’ve gotten past the beautiful beaches (because they are just as pretty as in the pictures), it’s time to look inland (and also out to sea). Nature enthusiasts will find that there are some great options for hiking in Mauritius, taking you to hidden waterfalls and opening up for some truly stunning views of the islands. Families will be happy to hear that there are plenty of family-friendly activities too, such as snorkelling or visiting the Casela Nature Park.
If you are a group of friends travelling together, and you’re looking for some adrenaline, why not go ziplining or heading quad biking together? Alternatively, a more chill activity (but a lot of fun still), is to head out on a catamaran for the day, and seeing the island from the ocean. In short, there are so many things to do and see on this island, that you are truly missing out if you think it should be saved for your romantic couples’ getaway.
To sum up, I will never ever again say that Mauritius is just for people going on their honeymoon. The island does indeed have some breathtaking beaches, luxurious resorts and welcoming hospitality, but you’ll also find that it is a haven for families, adventure junkies, nature lovers and us water addicts. You can expect a whole new post coming your way covering some of the activities and things to do in Mauritius, but I hope this post gave you a little taste of the island, and that perhaps it inspired you to visit yourself!