Aerial view of reef islands and turquoise lagoons in Baa Atoll

The Maldives

Coral islands in the heart of the Indian Ocean, where privacy is the starting point

Long-tail boat in the turquoise water below the limestone cliffs of Ko Phi Phi Le

Thailand

The land of smiles and golden temples

The Jatiluwih rice terraces in Bali, green paddies stepping down a hillside among palm trees

Bali

Temples, rice terraces and the Indian Ocean

The towers of Singapore's Central Business District lit at night and reflected in Marina Bay, with the Fullerton Hotel at the waterline

Singapore

A city in a garden, just north of the equator

The Dubai skyline and Burj Khalifa at night, reflected in still water

The United Arab Emirates

From towering skylines to desert sands

The Moscow Kremlin at night, its walls and towers lit above the Moskva River embankment

Russia

Land of the tsars, white winters and long summer light

Aerial view of the Le Morne peninsula and its turquoise lagoon, south-west Mauritius

Photo: dronepicr (CC BY 2.0)

An island of calm, made for unhurried days

Discover Mauritius with us

One of the most enchanting destinations in the Indian Ocean.

The destination

About Mauritius

Mauritius lies in the Indian Ocean, some 2,000 km off the south-east coast of Africa and east of Madagascar. The main island covers 2,040 square kilometres; Rodrigues, Agaléga and St Brandon also belong to the republic. The coast is a ring of white beaches and calm turquoise lagoons. Inland rise a green plateau and volcanic peaks under rainforest, the highest being Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire at 828 m.

About 1.24 million people live here, descended from settlers from India, Africa, China and Europe, and their languages, kitchens and festivals have long since mingled. Muslims make up roughly 18% of the population, so halal food is easy to find in markets, restaurants and resorts. In the heart of Port Louis stands the Jummah Mosque, first built in 1853. Mauritians are known for their warmth towards visitors.

Each coast has its own character. The north is lively, with the restaurants and moorings of Grand Baie. The east is quiet, with long beaches and Île aux Cerfs. The west is drier and warmer, and known for its sunsets. The south-west is home to Le Morne, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008, and the south is wild and little built. On the central plateau the air is cooler, with Black River Gorges National Park and the Seven Coloured Earths of Chamarel.

We suggest seven to ten nights, split between two coasts: one resort on a quiet beach, another close to the mountains. We arrange your flights via Dubai, private transfers and guides, and choose the resort or villa with you, whether you travel as a family, a couple or a private party.

Best timeMay to December; September to December is the sweet spot
From RiyadhNo direct flights from Riyadh; about 9 h flying via Dubai
VisaNo visa needed in advance for Saudi citizens (at the time of writing; we confirm before you book)
CurrencyMauritian rupee (MUR)
LanguageMauritian Creole day to day; English and French in business and tourism
TimeRiyadh + 1 h
Ideal stay7 to 10 nights

Ideal for

Experiences

What to do

Taste and addresses

Flavours and places to know

Mauritian food tells the island's history: breads and spices from India, Creole sauces, Chinese noodles and a French touch. Muslims have long been part of island life, so halal food is easy to find, and resorts will prepare it on request when you book.

Journeys

Ways to see it

Itineraries drawn up by our consultants, to adapt to you day by day.

Mauritius · 8 nights

A honeymoon between Le Morne and the east

A mountain and a lagoon, then a quiet beach

Four nights at The St. Regis Le Morne, then four at One&Only Le Saint Géran on the east coast, with a flight over the underwater waterfall and a private catamaran day.

May to December

Mauritius · 9 nights

A family journey, east and south

Calm lagoons and nature children love

Five nights at Shangri-La Le Touessrok on the bay of Trou d'Eau Douce, then four at Heritage Le Telfair in Bel Ombre, with islands, reserves, horses and tortoises.

May to December, which fits the summer school holidays

Mauritius · 7 nights

A private villa in the east, then Grand Baie

Complete privacy, then the life of the north

Four nights at the private Villa Saphir on the east coast, then three at Royal Palm Beachcomber in Grand Baie, for travellers who want privacy and personal service.

May to December

Questions

Before you go

Where is Mauritius?
Mauritius is in the Indian Ocean, about 2,000 km off the south-east coast of Africa and east of Madagascar. The republic is made up of the main island, 2,040 square kilometres, together with Rodrigues, Agaléga and St Brandon.
What is the capital of Mauritius?
The capital is Port Louis, the island's largest port and its commercial and financial centre. It is also one of its main sights, with the Central Market, the Jummah Mosque and the UNESCO-listed Aapravasi Ghat.
Do Saudi citizens need a visa for Mauritius?
At the time of writing, Saudi citizens, like other GCC nationals, need no visa in advance. The immigration officer sets the length of stay on arrival, usually up to 90 days per visit. You need a passport valid beyond your stay, a return ticket, a confirmed hotel booking and enough funds for your stay, and you complete the Mauritius All-in-One Travel Form before or on arrival. These rules change from time to time, so we confirm them before you book.
What is the currency of Mauritius?
The currency is the Mauritian rupee (MUR). Some sights, such as the Chamarel park, take cash in rupees only, so it helps to carry a little.
What is the weather like in Mauritius?
Mauritius, south of the equator, has a mild tropical maritime climate with two main seasons. Summer, November to April, is hot and humid, warmest in January and February with daytime highs around 29°C on the coast; February and March are the wettest months, and this is also the cyclone season, at its most active from January to March. Winter, June to September, is milder and drier, averaging about 20°C with cooler nights. May and October are in between, and October is the driest month of the year. The west and north coasts are warmer and drier than the east and south.
When is the best time to visit?
Mauritius works all year, but the best months are May to December, away from the rains and cyclones that peak between January and March. September to December brings dry weather and a warm sea together, the sweetest time for the beach. Each activity has its season: diving is best from November to April, kitesurfing from June to August, and humpback whales pass from July to October.
How long should I stay?
The ideal stay is 7 to 10 days, enough to see the island's main sights without hurrying. We often suggest splitting it between two resorts on different coasts, such as the quiet east and the south-west near Le Morne.
How do I get to Mauritius from Riyadh?
At the time of writing there are no direct flights from Riyadh. The easiest route is via Dubai with Emirates: about 2 h 10 from Riyadh to Dubai, then about 6 h 40 to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, with several flights a day. Saudia has filed provisional plans for a Jeddah to Mauritius service from 2027, not yet confirmed. We arrange the cabin and timings that suit you.
Is halal food easy to find, and where can I pray?
Yes. Muslims are roughly 18% of the population, so halal food is common in restaurants and markets; most of the street food at the Central Market in Port Louis is halal, and many restaurants display their certificate. There are several mosques, the best known being the Jummah Mosque in Port Louis, with others in Curepipe, Quatre Bornes and Mahébourg. Most resorts provide a prayer mat and the qibla direction on request, and we ask for halal menus in advance.
Does Mauritius suit families and travellers who value privacy?
Yes. The calm, reef-sheltered lagoons suit children, and there is plenty for families: beach rides at Riambel from the age of three, the tortoise park at Chamarel, Île aux Aigrettes and Vallé Advenature Park. For privacy there are villas on the water such as Villa Saphir, and private pool villas at many resorts, and we arrange transfers, boats and guides privately, never shared with other groups.

Begin your journey

Tell us where, when and with whom. We will take care of the rest.

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