Mauritius: The Perfect Family Destination

Basking in the glorious sunshine with azure waters and a melting pot of cultures, Mauritius is the perfect family destination.

It was exactly one year ago when we went to the idyllic island of Mauritius for the perfect family destination. Little did we know then that Mauritius would be our last family trip for a very long time due to the Covid-19. A beach trip to the Caribbean island of Barbados in May was cancelled. An adventure-filled holiday to Costa Rica planned for late September was cancelled. In good faith, we booked a late summer sun trip to the Algarves, Portugal at a plush 5* beach resort, only to cancel at the last minute after Portugal was put back on the quarantine list.

We’re trying to work through the disappointment, but honestly, we cannot complain. We are in good health, Lady Yeya is thriving, and we are enjoying this extended family time together. But still, it has been 365 days since we travelled abroad. This is the longest stretch being on home turf since we moved to London some twelve years ago.

Mauritius as a Family Destination

Why Mauritius? Who doesn’t like the idea of a picturesque island with stunning white beaches and turquoise waters in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Dreamy. Furthermore, Mauritius has an interesting melting pot of cultures – Indian, Creole, Chinese, and European.  Everyone speaks English and French and the food is absolutely delicious. It’s also a very relaxed island with more of a South Asian feel than Africa. We loved Mauritius and happily recommend it as a family destination. 

Where to Stay in Mauritius: Resort or Private Villa?

Mauritius has no storage of luxury 5* hotels — the LUX, Sun Resorts, St Regis, Beachcomber — to name a few. However, with a little one under the age of three, we couldn’t justify the high price of these luxury resorts. Firstly,  we would need at least a suite with a separate bedroom and living room. This way Lady Yeya could nap/sleep whilst we relaxed in the living room or on the balcony. This set-up worked well for us during our trip to the Dominican Republic having extra space to relax. Secondly, Lady Yeya was 20 months old at the time. This meant we wouldn’t be able to take advantage of the kids club as most only take children over the age of three. 

We compromised and rented a private three bedroom Balinese-style villa for a week in Pereybere on the northern coast of Mauritius. The villa had a private pool and came with  daily housekeeping. For a purely relaxed trip, we paid extra for the housekeeper to cook some amazing Mauritius food. Each day, Shirley would make a different Mauritian dishes blending Indian and French cooking.

After a week in The North, we then stayed 3 nights at a serviced apartment on the West Coast in the up-and-coming Tamarin neighborhood just north of Le Morne. The beautiful apartment complex had an infinity pool facing the ocean with the most glorious sunset. When researching our trip, we also considered staying on the glamorous East Coast around the Belle Mare area, but read that it could be quite windy in October so we opted for the West Coast if just to admire the beautiful sunset. 

Family Travel means Slower Pace of Travel 

As parents, one thing Kenz and I had to get used is the slower pace of travel now that we have a young child. It is important to keep to a routine and build in ample rest time for the kiddo to have quiet time. Otherwise, you’ll end up having a cranky child and that’s never fun.

Having a rental car was very convenient so we can move around the island at our own pace. We strategically plan one major activity per day in the mornings either the beach or an excursion. By noon, we’re back at the villa for lunch and an afternoon nap. Naptime is the best time as Mum and Dad were able to enjoy some relaxation by the pool. The late afternoons were more family pool time, then an early dinner, followed by the normal bedtime routine. Evenings are very quiet, reading and relaxing over a cold drink. It’s a very different pace of travel but one that is necessary when travelling with a baby. On the West Coast, we were more active than just chilling at the beach and visited some nearby attractions. 

Beaches of Mauritius

Of course, the highlight of a trip to Mauritius is the beach. Mauritius’s beautiful beaches are sublime. With over 160km of beaches encircled by a coral reef with warm shallow waters, you don’t have to drive very far to find a slice of paradise. Some of the beaches we visited include:

• La Curvette (North) – A smaller natural beach in Grand Baie and very quiet. Perfect for those who like no crowds in a peaceful setting. 
• Pereybere (North) – A nice vibe, calm waters perfect for families with soft sandy beaches for some buckets and spades playtime.
• Trou Aux Biches (North) – Gorgeous white sand beach covered by casuarina trees with beautiful calm azure water. It is perfect for families. Great place for people watching, drawing in a younger crowd with a nice vibe. 
• Mont Choisy (North) – The same stretch of white sand beach as Trou Aux Biches but quieter, perfect for a long beach day. 
• Cap Malheureux (North)  – For that postcard-perfect little red chapel on the beach, which one of the most instagrammable photo in Mauritius.
• Le Morne (South West) – A beautiful and exclusive stretch of beach flanked by some luxurious resorts in the southwest coast popular for kitesurfing. It was very busy with sun-kissed ex-pat families and surfing enthusiasts. 

Things to Do in Mauritius

When we weren’t spending lazy mornings on one of Mauritius white sand beaches playing with buckets and spades, we visited some of Mauritius main attractions.

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden – Enroute from the North to the West Coast, we visited SSR Botanical Garden for a gentle stroll around the grounds for a few hours. We saw giant water lilypads, tortoises, deers, a variety of fauna and flora, and lots of birds. We had a tasty lunch at the nearby Chez Tante Athalie which was perfect for little kids as they had a large grassy area with some cool vintage cars and an old glider plane. 

Casela World of Adventures –  A quasi zoo and safari park combined, we enjoyed visiting Casela World Adventures in Flic En Flac. There are so many animals from monkeys, giraffes, camels, lions, hyenas, and more!  Lady Yeya was not a fan of the big cats or giant tortoise which were the size of her. In Lady Yeya’s mind, these animals weren’t as cute or cuddly as her stuffies. That said however, she loved Casela.  The visit also  includes a “safari” jeep drive to see some African animals including  gazelles, antelopes and zebras, but somehow our lovely Lady Yeya fell asleep! 

Chamarel Waterfall  – About 30 minute drive up towards the mountain is the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earths GeoPark which includes the namesake waterfall and interesting geological formation made of seven distinct colours.  We enjoyed the view of the waterfall and the short walk around the GeoPark. There are several lovely restaurants with panoramic views along the way. A perfect morning outing if you need a break from the beach. 

Until Next Time

Although it was a slower pace of travel, we enjoyed every minute of our 10 day holiday in Mauritius. It was a wonderful family bonding time in a new destination with a unique culture, sublime beaches, and crystalline waters.  And we also toasted to our wedding anniversary,  another year of marital bliss with a sunset kiss. 

As I write now, we would have been settling into our trip to Costa Rica exploring the Arenal area. But that will have to wait. For now, allow me to be nostalgic of our travel heydays.

Take care and be safe!