WOW FACTOR

factors WOW

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 fl oor, off Le Morne Peninsula

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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.

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 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 (fl atbreads rolled around spicy fi llings). For Mauritian fi ne dining, treat yourself to a gourmet tasting menu at a leading island restaurant.

5 TASTE THE ISLANDS TIPPLE

Taste artisanal Mauritian rums, fl avoured 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

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boutiques and beaucoup nightlife. By day, there’s sandy coves for swimming, and excursions - from a submarine trip to a tandem sky-dive - and a fl urry of openings with new beach clubs, rooftop bars and cool eateries.

7 EXPLORE BY ELECTRIC BIKE

An electrobike ride with Explore Nou Zil (‘Our Island’), offers a slice of authentic island life, without breaking a sweat. A highlight of a trip to Souillac, is lunch at roti-maker Mala’s village home, a circular ride of Grand Port, takes in four centuries of island history and Pop, a pirogue maker, while a day in the Chamarel highlands visits a coffee plantation, the 7 Coloured Earth Geopark and the rum distillery.

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8 GO ISLAND-HOPPING BY BOAT

Explore Mauritius’ offshore islands by catamaran, speedboat or traditional pirogue. Île aux Cerfs in the eastern lagoon is the favourite tropical island playground with watersports, scenic golf and eco-lodges. The far-fl ung northern islands offer snorkelling and talcum-white beaches, while white-tailed tropic birds soar over the romantic ruin of a lighthouse on Île aux Fouquets, in the southeast.

9 TAKE A WALK ON THE WILD SIDE

Mauritius’ forests shelter some of the rarest birds on earth. Keep your eyes peeled on a stroll among ancient ebony trees at Black River Gorges National Park, spot the Paradise Flycatcher on the raised walkway at Ebony Forest Chamarel and the Mauritius Kestrel on a guided nature walk among ancient ebony trees at La Vallée de Ferney. Pretty pink pigeons and echo parakeets are the star attractions on a ranger-led tour on island nature reserve, Île aux Aigrettes.

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10 RELAX ON RODRIGUES

Only a 90-minute plane hop from Mauritius, tiny Rodrigues is one of the best kept secrets in the Indian Ocean. Known locally as the ‘anti-stress’ island, this authentic African-fl avoured outpost offers eco-hikes, secluded coves, charming Creole table d’hotes and top-notch diving. Other activitis include game fi shing and kitesurfi ng in its vast cerulean lagoon.