Mauritius: A Land Full of Surprises

“How about we spend our next vacation in Mauritius?”

“Mauritius… That sounds incredible! Picture us lounging in a hammock, watching the sun dip beneath the horizon, all while staying at an all-inclusive resort where our biggest dilemmas are choosing between the buffet or figuring out which pool gets the best sunlight. Sounds like paradise! But wait… where exactly is Mauritius again?”

This dreamy scene is likely what most people imagine when they hear about Mauritius—an island paradise of beaches and relaxation. Some might even locate it in the Indian Ocean. However, once you start planning your trip and dig deeper, you’ll realize you weren’t far off. Mauritius, often dubbed “the Island of Beaches,” is located about 1,000 km off Madagascar’s coast, similar in size to Tenerife (around 2,040 km²), and surrounded by a coral reef, making it a diver’s dream.

As you drive from the airport to your hotel, a few things stand out—cars drive on the left, and the island’s volcanic landscape hints at more to explore beyond its famous beaches. One such natural wonder is Le Morne Brabant, a mountain that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. This mountain holds historical significance, serving as a sanctuary for escaped slaves. Tragically, in 1835, many leaped to their deaths, mistakenly believing they were about to be recaptured, just as slavery was being abolished. “The view from the top must be breathtaking,” you think, and it’s not too far from your hotel. Though your main goal was to unwind, a little adventure can’t hurt.

The hotel is everything you imagined, complete with friendly staff who speak Spanish. After sampling the buffet and discovering your stomach’s limits, you drift off to sleep, eager for the days ahead.

An Island of Diversity

Mauritius isn’t just about beaches—it’s an island of incredible cultural diversity. With 87 religions and 33 dialects, its official languages are English, French, and Mauritian Creole. Communities of Hindus and Muslims from southern India live alongside descendants of African slaves, European settlers (Portuguese, Dutch, French, and British), a small group of Rastafarians, and even Chinese immigrants. This unique blend of cultures quickly turns your relaxing beach holiday into something much more enriching. After all, it’s not every day that you witness such peaceful coexistence among so many different backgrounds.

The Port Louis Central Market is the perfect place to experience this cultural fusion. The capital’s bustling market offers everything from clothing to spices, fresh produce, and antiques. You stroll through the vibrant fruit and vegetable stalls, where most goods are grown locally, except the citrus, imported from Madagascar. Among the Muslim butcher shops, local fishmongers, and herbalists offering remedies for every ailment, you find one of the island’s culinary staples—samosas. These fried, savory pastries, perfect for snacking, are filled with vegetables today.

A short walk from the market is Cauden Waterfront, a lively promenade with terraces, restaurants, and shops. Here, tourists from around the world blend with locals as they search for souvenirs. Indeed, Mauritius is home to another kind of diversity: the ever-present tourist population, which seems to coexist naturally with the island’s multicultural residents. Here, diversity is not just a feature but a way of life.

Mauritius’ microclimates add another layer to its uniqueness. While it might rain in one part of the island, the sun could be shining brightly on another. Yet, there’s one place unaffected by these shifts: Grand Bassin, a sacred lake formed within a volcanic crater. Known for its perpetual mist, it’s the site of the largest Hindu pilgrimage outside of India—the Maha Shivaratri festival. Even when the festival isn’t happening, locals come to this spiritual site to pray, meditate, and dip their feet into the holy waters.

The island’s spirituality isn’t confined to Grand Bassin. In the north, the charming red-roofed church at Cap Malheureux stands as a beacon. Named for the shipwrecks that occurred nearby (Cape of Misfortune), it draws a devoted congregation on Sundays. Throughout the week, locals fish and play pétanque with the same dedication.

An Island of Nature

In addition to its rich cultural tapestry, Mauritius boasts remarkable natural wonders. Its volcanic origins and unique geography have created numerous sites of geological and biological interest. One such site is the “Seven-Colored Earths,” a small area where volcanic activity has painted the ground in vivid hues. Nearby are the Chamarel Falls, the island’s tallest waterfall, a popular picnic spot for locals.

Mauritius has lost some of its native species, the most famous being the dodo bird, now remembered only through paintings, the national coat of arms, and the passport stamp. To prevent further extinctions, the La Vanille Nature Reserve was established, housing species from the Mascarenes islands (Réunion, Rodrigues, and Mauritius). Here, you’ll encounter one of the world’s largest populations of captive-bred tortoises. These slow-moving, ancient-looking creatures seem to peer into your soul with their wise eyes. The same feeling might come over you as you stroll through the towering trees of the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, where you’ll have to resist the urge to leap from one giant lily pad to another.

In the end, your original plan to relax on Mauritius has been derailed by the island’s endless wonders. Luckily, you still have one last day to unwind on the beach. Between visits, you’ve also discovered that Mauritians are passionate about their tea and proud of their sugar, rum, and cassava biscuit production. As you gaze out at the crashing waves on the southern tip of Gris Gris, you’re already thinking about all the surprises Mauritius still holds.

As you settle into your seat on the plane and close your eyes, you smile, already imagining your next trip to this captivating island. For now, you carry a piece of Mauritius with you—the sega music plays on in your ears as you say goodbye to the Island of Beaches, the Island of Diversity, the Sacred Island, and the Island of Nature.

To see more articles related to this topic, follow this link.