Getaway To Mauritius - An Indian Ocean Island Gem

Fancy a flight to a French-flavoured island with pristine beaches and more than a hint of Indian spice? Mauritius has all this and more, as Verne Maree discovers.

- Verne Maree

Though this wasn’t strictly our first time in Mauritius, that’s how it felt. On a cruise last year, our ship had docked at Port Louis for just one day – just about enough time to spot a few colonial buildings, buy a dodo-decorated beach bag at a market and visit the island’s world-famous botanical gardens.

Mauritius has numerous other attractions, too, such as scenic gorges and hiking trails, cultural activities and historic landmarks. It also has wonderful Chamerel, the best rum distillery I’ve ever visited. (OK, the only rum distillery I’ve ever visited.)

That said, Mauritius is a tropical island with 170 kilometres of coral-reefed coastline, powder-white beaches and turquoise waters that teem with marine life. Visitors like us come here for these legendary beaches, to soak up the sun, to bathe in the pearlescent shallows, to snorkel, to dive, to fish, to kayak and to sail, and to sip fresh green coconut juice and cocktails on resort loungers.

That begs the question: which beach and which resort? With around 150 to choose from, it can be a daunting decision. Some prefer the West Coast’s Flic en Flac, Tamarin and Le Morne beaches; others recommend the North’s famous Trou aux Biches; others the dramatic scenery of the South Coast. You’d be lucky to get an unbiased opinion – and you won’t find one here either!

The Residence Mauritius

The Residence – or La Résidence, its sexier-sounding French name – is beautifully positioned on the East Coast’s idyllic Belle Mare, a long, long stretch of pristine white sand. It’s perfect for a pre-breakfast stroll or a salty dip in the Indian Ocean. At high tide, waves lap at the steps up to the resort.