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Mauritius Honeymoon
A Mauritius honeymoon is a once-in-a-lifetime holiday that blends fun with romance. Tranquil but not remote, the tropical island of Mauritius is the perfect destination for an unforgettable honeymoon. This spectacular stretch of glistening sand, lush canopies, charming fishing villages, and exciting hiking trails with picturesque views is nothing short of a paradise on earth.
Honeymoon in Mauritius: Find the most luxurious and romantic hotels with Voyage Privé
1. Sofitel So Mauritius
A 5-star jewel on the shores of Bel Ombre village, Sofitel So Mauritius is one of the few truly luxurious hotels on the southern fringe of the island. It boasts several restaurants and bars, spa, infinity spool, tennis court, outdoor pool, and fitness centre. The view across the blue lagoon is beyond compare, and the spacious rooms open up onto exotic private gardens.
2. Maritim Resort & Spa Mauritius
A 5-star hotel in a class all its own, the Maritim Resort & Spa has a dock, a golf course, an animal farm, and a giant tortoise park. With a splendid golden beach to its side, a tennis court, spa, and outdoor pool, you’ll want for nothing here. The grounds consist of 25 hectares of impeccable gardens on the north-western coast’s Bay of Turtles.
3. St Regis Mauritius
For ultra-luxury and then some, head for the colonial style villas of the impressive St Regis resort. Located on the southwest lip of the island, it’s where guests come to tune out, enjoy romantic sunsets on the beach, and witness the unique optical illusion of the underwater waterfall, seen from atop Le Morne Mountain nearby.
4. LUX Belle Mare
On the eastern flank of the island, you’ll find this impressive 5-star nook. As the huts swirl around the central swimming pool, the tranquil ocean bathes the golden beach they sit on, speckled with lush tropical greenery. Nothing to do here but take in the glorious sunset, get pampered at the spa, and indulge in exhilarating water sports on see-through azure waters.
5. Shaunti Maurice
Tune out and tune into your inner frequency at this 5-star boutique lifestyle hotel and award-wining spa. Surrounded by horseshoe coral and volcanic rock, it’s an excellent destination for horse-riding, kayaking, windsurfing, as well as meditation, Pilates, and yoga (traditional, paddle, and bike yoga, no less).
Honeymoon in Mauritius: What to see and do as a couple to experience the best of it
1. Marvel at Ile aux Aigrettes
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Truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, visiting Ile aux Aigrettes is one for the bucket list. This islet in the southern part of the island is an old coral reef covered by sand. The plants that grow here are unique, and some of the birds that dwell here are extremely rare. The Mauritius kestrel and the delightful pink pigeon have their homes here, but you may also be able to spot the giant Aldabra tortoise. Relaxation tours on this islet include a wealth of wildlife watching and water activities, with delicious local dishes and tipples to spare.
2. Scuba Dive at the Blue Bay
<p>The Blue Bay Nature Reserve is one of Mauritius' most loved attractions. Picture-perfect beaches and see-through azure waters make it an excellent place to unwind as a couple. Lying on the island's southern-most point, with hotels and airport within walking distance, this is the ideal place to snorkel, scuba dive, surf, sail or sunbathe with a chilled tropical drink in hand. Tens of species of corals and colourful fish can be seen scattered across the reef that protects the bay from the ocean's waves.</p>
3. See Colourful Chamarel
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For an out-of-this-world experience, visit Chamarel Village. It’s a welcoming place with its own rum distillery, but that’s not the main attraction. The sinewy landscape of the Coloured Earth Geopark, with volcanic sand in all the colours of the rainbow are worthy of a snap or two. The dunes undulate in contrasting hues, but the cameras never do them justice. It’s a sight to see and a visit to remember forever. And the fun doesn’t stop there. There are several other spectacular sights in the area. Try the Chamarel Waterfall, the island’s tallest single-drop waterfall, and the Ebony Forest nearby with its fidgety blue geckos.
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4. Go to Black River Gorges
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This national park stretching over 6,574 hectares is home to the island’s native forest. The landscapes are magnificent at Black River Gorges, with endemic plants unique to this area. You’ll find rare orchids and bird species never seen elsewhere on the planet. Most importantly, you’ll see the marvellous Alexandra Falls, a waterfall that seems to come from nowhere. With several breath-taking viewpoints along the way, Piton de la Petite Riviere Noire, the island’s tallest peak, is one for enthusiastic hikers.
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5. Take a Boat Trip to Ile aux Cerfs
This is a very popular speed boat trip that brings you up close to some of the most spectacular islets of Mauritius. Because it’s a speed boat, you have more time for sightseeing and relaxing on Ile aux Cerfs than you do with other services around the island. Enjoy snorkeling and diving when you reach your destination. And rest assured,the journey is a treat. Scrumptious BBQ lunch and drinks on board are a welcome bonus.
Honeymoon in Mauritius: Essential information to plan your getaway
The best time of the year to go to Mauritius
The best time for a Mauritius Honeymoon is between the months of May and December. The weather is cool and dry, and it’s always sunny. The island’s tropical climate makes it a fantastic year-round destination. Sun-kissed beaches, fresh food, and long hot days are the norm here. But in winter (May - October), temperatures drop slightly. These breezy and balmy days are easier for tourists to enjoy. Also, summertime tends to be humid, and not everyone is built for a double-whammy of tropical heat and humidity. The wet cycle season (January to March) is not an ideal time to visit the island. Also, very strong winds are common on the east coast in July and August.
When it comes to this small island with its far-flung location, it’s good to remember that the weather can be hard to predict. Its topography also leads to microclimates developing across the island. So, even though it can be sunny and balmy at the hotel, it may very well rain on the golf course down the road. However, nature-lovers should consider October if they want to see nature coming into bloom. For beach goers, Trou aux Biches and other popular local beaches are at their most welcoming in May, when the humidity starts to drop.
What to pack for a honeymoon in Mauritius?
It’s easy to overlook the essentials when you’re packing for a romantic honeymoon in Mauritius. And it’s just as easy to overpack. However long your stay, passports, visas, drivers’ licences, credit cards, and travel insurance are a must. It’s best to take printed copies of your documents and reservation confirmation, and don’t forget your prescription medicine, phone, camera, chargers, and plug converters. There are two types of plugs used in Mauritius, the UK 3-pin and the European 2-pin. But voltage is very important, so please check that your plugs, adaptors, converters, and transformers are made to run on the island’s 230V and 50Hz electricity supply.
You and your better half should also consider the hotel dress code. In some places, denim and flip-flops are not allowed, especially at the restaurant. Instead of jeans and shorts, men are expected to wear full-length trousers and sometimes long-sleeve collared shirts. While trainers, flip-flops, ballet flats, and sandals are perfectly acceptable to wear in tourist hot-spots, hiking can be very strenuous, and light-weight hiking boots are a must. Swimsuits, sunglasses, caps, pyjamas, beach shawls, sunscreen, insect repellent, a small first aid kit, and a good book are also recommended. And no honeymoon could be without a romantic CD, candles and massage oils, and a beautiful personal journal to cherish those precious moments together.
Going on Honeymoon in Mauritius
There’s no shortage of flights to Mauritius, both direct and connect. The local airline, Air Mauritius, operates flights from across the globe. London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen are just some of the UK cities with direct flights through Air Mauritius and British Airways. Emirates flights, Air France, KLM, and Air India are some of the other airlines to check for cheap connections.
In Mauritius, visas are usually issued upon arrival, though citizens of some Asian and African countries may need a visa before they travel. Locals and Europeans don’t generally need a visa. Should one be required, a 60-day visa stamp will be applied on the passport upon arrival, in exchange for a fee.
Although you can have a lovely holiday here with nothing but the bare necessities, it’s important to remember that Mauritius doesn’t have a ‘street food’ culture. The only places to dine and wine are hotel restaurants and mall food courts, which can be expensive. Occasionally, you may be able to find roadside restaurants near popular villages. But to make the most of every outing, remember to bring Mauritian rupees (MUR). To keep your valuables safe, consider using waterproof pouches and even small tracking tiles to avoid losing them.
Bus services are cheap and regular, and some of the buses are air-conditioned. Always make sure to have some loose change on you, because bus tickets are paid for in cash. Some hotels offer bike rental services as well. The most popular way for tourists to travel is by taxi, but make sure to only used licenced, metred services. Renting a car is also easy, as foreign licences are accepted for people over 18. For an unforgettable honeymoon experience, you can also hire a helicopter to hover over the island’s most spectacular sights and see Mauritius from an entirely different angle.
Practical advice for a Honeymoon in Mauritius
If you’re setting off on your romantic Mauritius honeymoon, there are a few things you should know before you go. Millions of people visit Mauritius every year, and about 150,000 are Britons. Before you travel, make sure that passports are valid for the duration of your stay. Also make sure you don't need a yellow fever certificate
The sale of tobacco is prohibited on the island, so consider bringing your own if you smoke. The locals and the authorities have a conservative attitude toward same-sex couples.And as a precaution, all tourists are urged to check that they meet the vaccination requirements before travel.
At the airport, before the visa stamp is applied, you may be required to provide evidence of onward (hotel booking) and return travel (flight ticket).
Petty crime here is not unusual, so take good care of your belongings in tourist hotspots like Flic en Flac and Port Louis. Before you rent accommodation on the island, check that it’s registered with the local tourism authority. There are severe penalties for drug trafficking, and tourists are advised not to walk unaccompanied at night.
When it comes to driving, accidents are frequent. Pedestrians and unlit motorcycles can sometimes be seen on the roads at night. Safety in the water is not usually an issue, but if you’re going for a swim with the dolphins, make sure that the operator is certified by the Ministry of Tourism, there are life jackets on board, and the captain of the boat can contact coastguards in an emergency.