Mauritius is a hyped luxury destination for Honeymooners and couples, but you don’t need a partner to make the most of your time in Mauritius. The Island has plenty to offer for solo visitors as well. From Pristine Sandy Beaches to Lush Green Forest. Below, I offer you some tips to have an incredible solocation here.
Best Time To Visit
Mauritius has a warm climate all year round. With the winter season happening from May to September, but fret not, Winter is not that harsh you can still wear your swimsuit to the beach. If you want to experience the summer season with loads of sunshine then October-January is the right month to visit. After that, the rainy days begin and your trip can be ruined by unpredictable weather.
Where to Stay
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North and West-A myriad of hotels for every budget, beaches with shallow waters, Night Clubs, loads of water sports activities, easy access to public transportation, and a huge ex-pat populace.
East-Off the beaten track with posh Luxury resorts, mountainous sceneries, turquoise beaches, you will have to hire a car or a taxi to get around the Island as the transport is not reliable in this part of the island
South-The south of Mauritius is known as the ”Wild” part of Mauritius. Almost untouched by tourism development. You will find a lot of waterfalls, cliffs, tea, and sugar cane plantations, ancient colonials buildings as well as a lush green forest ”The black River Gorges natural reserve”. The south is also rich in history as it witnessed a lot of battles between the British and the French. You will see a lot of monuments about these battles in Mahebourg.
South West/Le Morne -The South West is touristy yet local. This area only has expensive tourist resorts but there a few local guest houses which are cheaper nevertheless Public transportation is horrible. Again, a taxi or a car is required here. However, this area is a great diving and surfing spot, and Le Morne Brabant Mountain, which a UNESCO heritage is there.
Center-In the Center of the Island, You will find a lot of business hotels with tall buildings as scenery, shopping malls as attractions but the transport is very reliable here.
Tip: Business Hotels, Bungalows, and Guesthouses are a cheaper alternative to hotels.
Activities You Should Not Miss
Catamaran Trip
Holidaying in Mauritius without going on a catamaran trip is a wasted holiday. A catamaran trip in the North will take you to Gunner’s Quoin, Flat Island, and Gabrielle Island. Both are renowned for their sandy coastline and pristine waters. In the West, You’ll head to Benitier Island and You’ll get to do some Dolphin watching on the way and lastly, if you opt for a trip in the east, You’ll experience Ile aux Cerfs island, it’s highly touristic but there’s space for everyone.
Hike Le Morne Brabant Mountain
Le Morne has an important place in the history of Mauritius: It was where Slaves used to commit suicide to escape their misery. It was declared a World UNESCO heritage site in 2008. It was also a private property until a few years ago. The Mountain is open from 7 am to 4 pm. The hike is divided into 2 parts; the first part is beginner friendly and is done on flat ground. The second part is for an experienced hiker as the hike is done on a rocky and steep slope. The complete hike can be done in 3-4 hours and it’s not a place to miss on your trip to Mauritius.
Roadtrip to the south-Maconde View Point
As I’ve mentioned earlier, the southern part of Mauritius is wild making it an epic road trip destination. After driving through lush green sugarcane plantation and coastline, you will be rewarded with the Maconde View-Point view, the highlight of the trip. From the top, enjoy a 360 birds-eye view of the South West coast. You can even spot Le Morne Brabant from there(picture below)
Hike Black River Gorges National Park
The Black River Gorges National Park is the largest protected forest of Mauritius, offering 50 km of hiking trails with amazing waterfalls, rivers, and epic views. Whether you are a hardcore hiker or a beginner hiker, this place has something to offer to everyone. Don’t skip this place if you are a nature lover. On weekdays, the place is open from 7 am-4 pm and from 9 am to 5 pm on Weekends.
Horseback Riding in the Sugarcane Field or on the Beach.
Horseback riding on the beach or in the sugarcane fields with an epic sunset is a magical experience. Don’t worry if you’ve never been on a horse before, there is a trained guide that accompanies you. If you opt for the SugarCane fields, head to the North Forbach Stables, and if you want to ride on the beach with an amazing sunset and the bluest of waters go to the South Riambel Equestrian Center.
Food to Eat
Mauritian Cuisine is a fusion cuisine that is heavily influenced by Indian, Chinese, and European Cuisine. Mainly, You will find that the food is very similar to Indian food. The best place to buy cheap and delicious food is from the street vendors and small restaurant known as ”Snacks”
Fish Vindaye
This a famous seafood dish in Mauritius. It is traditionally made with mustard seeds and turmeric but the recipe can vary, it is served with either rice or flatbreads accompanied with a side cucumber salad or tomato salad.
Dholl Puri
This authentic Mauritian food. You’ll find it everywhere on the island. It is similar to a flatbread but it is stuffed with yellow split peas. Traditionally It is served with a Fava bean Curry and tomato sauce, it’s best eaten piping hot
Boulette/Dumplings
Boulette is a local dumpling inspired by Chinese cuisine. It is a delicacy and also great hangover food. There are several variations of this dumpling; Chayote, tofu, beef. It is served with spring onions, chili, and broth
Nightlife Scene in Mauritius.
What’s a solo holiday without experiencing the nightlife? The nightlife in Mauritius is quite discreet. It’s as big and overhyped as in Southeast Asian Countries. Most of the nightclubs and big parties happen in the North such as Grand Baie, Pereybere, and the West mainly Flic en Flac. During the Summer Season, there are huge outdoor parties happening in posh locations with (sometimes) international Djs, look out for them, they are heavily advertised.
That’s it. I hope this article will be resourceful to you if you plan to visit Mauritius. Feel free to comment on if you have any questions. Happy Travels.
