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OCEANS

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CUISINE

CUISINE

RIDE THE oceans

With 8,000 specimens, World of Seashells at Heritage Bel Ombre is the largest collection in Africa and explores their aesthetic appeal, cultural significance and conservation

Kitesurfing in Rodrigues With over 100 beaches, with palm trees and eye-popping sapphire lagoons protected by a near seamless coral reef, active beach holidays are this island's forte, with eco-marine experiences ranging from kitesurfing to whale watching

© Lokal Adventure Free diving Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort

Grand Baie in the north has idyllic sandy coves, with sheltered white-sand stretches for swimming at nearby Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy and Wolmar in the west. The longest stretch of white sand is Belle Mare Plage on the east coast, with ocean breezes for watersports in summer, and offshore from Trou D’Eau Douce, the island playground of Île aux Cerfs. Blue Bay Marine Park, in the southeast, is the islands famed snorkelling spot. Feed stingrays, snorkel with sharks (not from Mauritius!) and be a ‘biologist for a day’ at Odysseo, the Indian Ocean’s largest oceanarium which opened in Port Louis harbour on September 2021. Most hotels and resorts offer glass-bottom boat and snorkelling trips in the lagoon, with over 1,700 marine species. 20 Degrees South has a twice-weekly snorkelling trip to the deep clear waters around Coin de Mire, while in a playful twist the recently-opened C Mauritius snorkelling trip is accompanied by the sommelier. Pedal boating, windsurfing, paddleboarding, kayaking, and often unlimited waterskiing, are complimentary at most hotels. Maritim Resort & Spa has a new sailing centre, with certified courses. Kitesurfing courses with ION Club Mauritius at the newly-rebranded JW Marriot Mauritius includes a ‘Combo’ course for beginners, Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort offers private, group and family lessons with Kite Globing, while Preskil Island Resort’s new Kiteschool has kitesurfing and kitefoiling. Mauritius and Rodrigues claim the Indian Ocean’s best diving, and dive centres cater for all levels and offer PADI courses. Lokal Adventure offers an initiation into freediving - an island first – with a certified instructor, using yoga and meditation, with a 10-metre dive in Tamarin (40 metres, if experienced). For keen divers, a seven- to ten-day scuba diving cruise (for up to eight) on liveaboard luxury catamaran Sea Spirit circumnavigates the island.

LIFE ON THE OCEAN WAVES

Mauritius is a hotspot for marine mammals, with 16 cetaceans living in its coastal waters. Playful bottlenose and spinner dolphins are often seen on an early-morning catamaran cruise or speedboat ride in Tamarin Bay. Eco-responsible Lokal Adventure offers a dolphin watching trip by sea kayak. The Indian Ocean is a sanctuary for whales, with resident sperm whales, migrating humpback whales (July to October) – and the occasional pilot and beaked whale – spotted along the west coast. Go on a whale watching adventure with established ecooperators Blue Water Diving Center, with a marine biologist aboard, and Dolswim, for a combined dolphin and whale watching trip. River kayaking and dolphin watching with Lokal Adventure and a Catamaran cruise and sports fishing with the ‘Fish Whisperer’ feature in Veranda Tamarin’s new Explorer Program, while a dolphin encounter or fishing trip are complimentary experiences for Familymoons at Paradis Beachcomber. Best known for blue marlin, Mauritius is on the game fishing map. Fly-fishing, in search of the Giant Trevally, is a new island offering.

Celebrate life

Our hotels in Mauritius are in dreamlike settings. But at LUX* we like to go an extra step... Rest reassured we have what it takes to surprise you, over and over again, so you’ll keep wondering what’s next?

LUX* LE MORNE A mindful tropical resort on the wild west coast of Mauritius. LUX* BELLE MARE A vibrant, forwardthinking luxury hotel that truly captures the best of island living.

LUX* GRAND GAUBE A totally reimagined retro-chic tropical resort in Grand Gaube, on the north coast of Mauritius.

LUX* GRAND BAIE A serene tropical hotel at the heart of Grand Baie, where sophisticated, laid-back beachside living is taken to new heights.

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