White Sand Beaches, Green Palm Trees, Life in Every Hue

Mauritius’s hallmark is its diversity. A kaleidoscope of cultures make up this island state in East Africa, as do its miles-long sandy beaches along the magnificent turquoise sea.

The writer Mark Twain once said: “Mauritius was made first, and then heaven, and that heaven was copied after Mauritius.” How right he was, even if the weather had been his only criterion. The island is blessed with year-round pleasant temperatures. In winter, which in Mauritius is between June and August, air and water temperatures rarely drop below 20 degrees Celsius.

Scuba diving, snorkelling, dolphin watching

Mauritius’s white sandy beaches are protected by an almost flawless coral reef. What a treat for scuba divers and snorkelers! The country’s west coast is a great place for watching dolphins. For that reason, it is definitely worth getting an early start to take the boat out into the Indian Ocean. The peninsula of La Morne is another of the island’s highlights. With some waves swelling to several metres, La Morne is a spot-on spot for surfers.

Anyone seeking to cool down a bit will appreciate Curepipe. This small town at 550 metres altitude is situated on a high plateau at the volcanic crater of Trou Aux Cerfs. With a beach that stretches several miles, the seaside village of Flic-en-Flac is another popular place to visit. The Seven Coloured Earth(s) is arguably Mauritius’s most famous landmark. Due to a chemical process, the earth here shimmers in seven different colours.

Temples, churches, mosques

The temples, churches and mosques within Mauritius’s capital Port Louis make this colourful city just as diverse as the former British colony itself. The official language is English. But the prevalent language is French which is very similar to Creole, the everyday language spoken on the island. The currency is the Mauritian Rupee – but the peaceful coexistence of languages and religions is simply priceless.

Information for golf fans

A holiday that includes golf, or a golfing holiday? What a great decision to have to make! Let our special page inspire and inform you:

• Edelweiss golf tips