© Alexandre Lassemillante
Take a spectacular helicopter ride to an illusory ‘underwater waterfall’, which appears to tumble over a cliff into shades of blue created by the formation of sand and silt on the Ocean floor, off Le Morne Peninsula
factors WOW
1 GO FOR GOLF
With 10 top-notch scenic golf courses designed by the game’s greats in a space just the size of Surrey, tropical Mauritius offers the best golf experience of any long-haul island destination. It has clement weather year round, greatvalue courses with varied play and caters to pro and amateur golfers alike. Mauritius is host to prestigious tournaments including the AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open held at Heritage Golf Club - awarded the Indian Ocean's Best Golf Course at the World Golf Awards 2021 - and the MCB Golf Tour at Constance Belle Mare Plage. For foodies, Sun Resorts host the ‘Golf & Gourmet Trophy’ played on three courses, with a Michelin-starred chef.
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2 SPOT A CETACEAN
Mauritius is a hotspot for marine mammals, with playful dolphins and whales found off the west coast. Spot sperm whales playing in the mornings (year-round), admire humpback whales as they breach between July and October and look out for the occasional pilot and beaked whale, on an eco-friendly whalewatching trip, with a marine biologist aboard.
3 CLIMB A MOUNTAIN
Take a hike up one of Mauritius’ miniature, wind-sculpted mountains. There’s a peak suitable for everyone, from the family-friendly Le Pouce (‘The Thumb’), overlooking the capital, to a popular climb up UNESCO-listed
1 rocky monolith, Le Morne Brabant, which once sheltered fugitive slaves, with a panorama of lush forests, islands and coral gardens from the top. Get technical on Pieter Both; its distinctive boulder is seemingly balanced on top.
4 EAT LIKE A MAURITIAN
Masterchef 2020 showcased Mauritius' fabulous fusion cuisine, from its rustic street food to island gastronomy. Take a street food walking tour of Port Louis, Mahébourg or Grand Baie to sample popular gato pima (chilli cakes), boulettes (steamed dumplings) and dholl puri (flatbreads rolled around spicy fillings). For Mauritian fine dining, treat yourself to a gourmet tasting menu at a leading island restaurant.
5 TASTE THE ISLANDS TIPPLE
Taste artisanal Mauritian rums, flavoured with the likes of lychee or vanilla, at elegant plantation homes. Château Labourdonnais has a rum tasting bar while Saint Aubin features a traditional distillery. Learn how sugar cane is crushed, fermented and distilled to make doubledistilled amber nectar at Rhumerie de Chamarel, or swill and inhale like a pro on an exclusive barrel tasting of award-winning New Grove rum at Grays Distillery. Go local with homemade rum arrangé, steeped in fruits and spices.
6 VISIT THE MAURITIUS RIVIERA
Horseshoe-shaped milky blue Grand Baie in the north is Mauritius’ Riviera, with designer
mauritiusnow.com
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