The Republic of Mauritius, the literal definition of an island paradise in the Indian Ocean, is a dream destination for a luxury beachside retreat. Located about 1,200 miles off the southeastern coast of Africa, the island is famous for its long sandy beaches, beautiful coral reefs, opulent seafood restaurants, and for once being home to the now extinct Dodo bird.
But the island is also home to one of nature’s most spectacular optical illusions – the mesmerizing ‘Underwater Waterfall’. You’ll find the Underwater Waterfall, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, just off the southwestern coast of Mauritius, near Le Morne Brabant. It’s an entirely natural phenomenon that looks like a huge waterfall beneath the surface of the ocean.
The optical illusion of being an underwater waterfall cascading into the depths – a physical impossibility – is caused by silt and sand being carried over the edge of the oceanic shelf by the ocean currents. This natural process creates one of the most astounding sights you’ll ever see – a vast underwater waterfall that appears to plunge into the depths of the ocean.
In actual fact, the shelf of the ‘waterfall’ is only 150 meters below sea level. However, the silt and sand that flows over its edge plunges to depths of over 4000 meters below sea level. To get the best views of the phenomena you’ll need to take a helicopter flight over the ocean; although you can actually swim or surf over the top of it – not for the faint hearted!
Besides the almost supernatural Underwater Waterfall, Mauritius has a huge amount to offer visitors. The island has a thriving local culture, with Indian, African and European influences, bustling towns with a wonderful selection of restaurants, bars, and shops to explore, and a whole array of activities to enjoy. All this, and more, makes Mauritius the ideal holiday destination for families, solo travelers, and couples seeking a romantic vacation in the tropical sun.
How Do You Get To Mauritius?
Despite being a remote tropical island in the middle of the Indian Ocean, getting to Mauritius is surprisingly straightforward! The easiest way to get to Mauritius is to catch a flight to the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU).
You can catch a direct flight from most major cities in Europe, Asia, the USA and the Middle East using airlines such as Air Mauritius, Emirates, Air France, and British Airways. In some cases, you may need to take a connecting flight from international travel hubs such as Dubai, Paris or Johannesburg, but even so, the trip is hassle-free and offers you some fantastic views as you come into land on the island.
If you have more time on your hands, you can take an ocean cruise to Mauritius. There’s a wide range of seasonal cruises that have Mauritius as the final stop – a popular option for retirees and other travelers with enough time to enjoy an ocean cruise on the way to the island.
Once you’ve arrived at the airport, you just need to take a taxi directly to your accommodation. Alternatively, you can rent a car so you have the freedom to explore the entire island at your own leisure.
What’s the Best Time of Year to Visit Mauritius?
The best time to visit Mauritius is during the island’s winter season, between May and December. Temperatures are pleasantly warm, ranging from around 20 to 25 Degrees Celsius, with lots of sunshine and a much lower level of humidity than during the summer months. The weather during the winter is also perfect for sightseeing, swimming, watersports, hiking and other outdoor activities. And if snorkeling or diving is one of your priorities, you should visit between October and December when visibility in the water is at clearest.
If you would prefer hotter weather then you can visit during the summer, between January and April. However, there is a much higher risk of tropical storms during the summer and the weather can be oppressively humid during the day. With that said, the prices of accommodation and other activities tend to be a lot lower during the hot summer months which makes this time of year appealing to visitors who are traveling on a budget.
What Is There To Do in Mauritius?
Take a Helicopter Ride Over the Underwater Waterfall
Although you can certainly get an impression of the Underwater Waterfall from the coast or by swimming over it, you can’t really see it in all its glory unless you get up into the air! And this exhilarating helicopter flight is the only way to truly experience the majesty of the giant underwater waterfall. As well as getting a bird’s eye view of this unique natural phenomenon, you’ll also see the impressive Albion Lighthouse, the Kite Lagoon, Maconde, and Ilot Fourneau.
The helicopter seats up to 6 people, and after a quick safety briefing, you’ll be on your way into the skies. The trip includes an audio commentary while you’re in the air and refreshments are available on your return.
You can find out more, or book your place on this epic helicopter flight, here.
Go Whale-Watching and Swim with Wild Dolphin
If you’d like to learn about the incredible marine life of Mauritius, this 6 hour trip is a great place to start. The action-packed trip includes snorkeling, whale-watching and, perhaps the highlight of the day, swimming with friendly wild dolphins.
During the tour you’ll have the chance to snorkel at a coral reef that’s nicknamed the ‘Aquarium’, due to its abundance of fish and marine life, before driving further out into the ocean to spot humpback and sperm whales. Finally, you’ll be able to jump into the waters and swim with the dolphins, who are always curious and gentle with swimmers – so there’s nothing to be worried about!
The trip includes hotel pickups and drop offs, bottled water, and an experienced skipper for the speed boat who knows all the top places to swim and snorkel. You can find out more about the trip and book your ticket, here.
Join an All-Inclusive Full-Day Tour of North Mauritius
This full-day tour will take you around all the main attractions of the north side of the island. During the day you’ll visit the lush Botanical Gardens, the Citadel Fort Adelaide, the Aapravasi Ghat, local markets and souvenir stores, to name but a few of the stops along the way. Along the route you’ll stop off at several beauty spots and nature parks, giving you plenty of opportunities to snap some great photos.
You’ll also enjoy authentic Mauritian cuisine to refuel at lunch while learning all about the island and its heritage from the English-speaking guide. Hotel pickup and drop offs are available from all over the island, making this tour the most convenient way to see all of the must-see sites of north Mauritius.
You can reserve your place or find out more about the tour, here.
Catamaran Cruise to Ile aux Cerfs, including BBQ Lunch
Jump on board for an unforgettable catamaran cruise to the beautiful Ile aux Cerfs. As you sail through the crystal clear waters of the Indian Ocean you’ll stop off to take a dip in the turquoise waters of a lagoon, snorkel amongst the astounding array of colorful tropical fish, and relax on the picturesque beach of the island. As you soak up the sun the tour staff will prepare a delicious BBQ lunch, including alcoholic beverages, soda and water.
After a magical time on the island you’ll sail back to the mainland and be dropped off at the meeting point at the Trou d’Eau Douce. A perfect day trip for families, couples, and small groups of friends, the catamaran cruise and BBQ lunch should definitely be on everyone’s Mauritanian itinerary.
You can reserve your seats on the catamaran and find out more, here.
Stay at the Residence Mauritius
This family-friendly 5 Star resort is situated in a renovated turn-of-the-century plantation manor house with superb ocean views and easy access to a white sand beach. Providing an idyllic combination of classic European charm with contemporary interior fittings, the Residence has 135 guest rooms and 28 deluxe suites. There’s also 3 on-site restaurants, an up-market spa, pool, bar, tennis court, private beach, and free parking.
All of the rooms have high speed Wifi, ensuite bathrooms, a flat-screen TV, room service, and a private balcony. The resort also hosts nightly entertainment and a kids club during the day. The reception staff arrange airport transportation for all guests and always have great suggestions and tips about the best things to do during your stay.
You can book your room, or find out more about the Residence Mauritius, here.
