The dream island of Mauritius welcomes tourists from all over the world from July 15th. The holiday paradise has established itself as a popular travel destination for nature lovers, sports enthusiasts and lovers. From white beaches to picturesque lagoons with azure water, from international cuisine to hotels with a lot of island romance: a Mauritius vacation has a lot to offer tourists. The country was closed to tourists for a long time, but now the government wants to slowly reopen it to travelers. We explain what kind of person you arefantastic vacationshould prepare and answer all questions about the climate, the best time to travel and the most beautiful beaches.
Vacation in Mauritius in Corona times: When can you travel to Mauritius again?
People arriving in Mauritius were quarantined at home for almost a year. The governmentthe islandhas managed to keep the number of infected people to a minimum and vaccinate most of the population. The number of active cases, the total number of cases and the number of people vaccinated can now be found on the island's official website. Since the start of the pandemic, around 2,000 people have contracted Covid-19 and more than 610,000 have been vaccinated. The staff in the hotels are also fully vaccinated. This allows the island to be opened up gradually.
Vacation in Mauritius in Corona times: These are the rules
1. Resort vacation during the first phase from July 15th to September 30th
From July 15th the rules will be relaxed. From July 15th to September 30th, vaccinated tourists from all over the world canResorts on the islandenjoy. These restrictions should be observed when entering the country (this is the current status. However, changes are possible. Therefore, to be on the safe side, ask the travel agency when booking and before entering the country and contact the responsible authorities for detailed information):
- Tourists from all over the world are welcome.
- All travelers must be fully vaccinated with a government-approved vaccine.
- You are not allowed to enter the country until 14 days after the second dose at the earliest and must present proof of vaccination.
- Children under 18 do not need proof of vaccination, but they must present a negative PCR test that is not older than 72 hours and will then be tested on site.
- All entrants will fill out a declaration on the plane and must hand it to local authorities upon arrival.
- All fully vaccinated hotel guests will then be transported to a Corona-safe resort, where they will stay for at least 14 days (of course, a shorter vacation is also possible if desired). All hotel facilities are available to guests there. You can also go to the beach, but only to the hotel beach.
- All vaccinated tourists (including children and babies) must take three PCR tests: upon arrival, on the 7th day and on the 14th day. If all three are negative, then they are allowed to explore the island. The costs of the PCR tests are borne by the tourists. So when booking a trip, ask how much these are.
- Guests who are not vaccinated (does not apply to children) will be transported to a quarantine hotel where they must spend 14 days and are not allowed to leave their hotel room. There they also have to take three PCR tests (on the first, seventh and fourteenth days). If everyone is negative, then they can explore the island, rent a villa or check into another hotel.
- Weddings on the island are only permitted after a 14-day stay at a resort (for vaccinated guests) or a quarantine hotel (for unvaccinated guests).
- All travelers must have travel health insurance with Corona protection in order to be allowed to fly.
- You can find a list of all resorts approved for vaccinated guests as well as the quarantine hotels on theofficial website of Mauritiusfind.
- When booking your holiday, find out what happens if you have a positive PCR test. There are currently several variants to choose from, although returning is also possible.
2. When will Mauritius open its borders? Almost all restrictions will be lifted from October 1st.
- Vaccinated guests must also present a negative PCR test that is not older than 72 hours. Then they can explore the island from day 1.
- Unvaccinated guests must book a 14-day stay in a quarantine hotel. There you are not allowed to leave your room and must take 3 PCR tests: on the first, seventh and fourteenth days. After three negative tests and 14 days of quarantine, you can move to a hotel of your choice, explore the island or rent a villa.
Apart from Corona regulations, you should do a few thingsfor your dream vacationprepare for Mauritius. The good news: the weather is warm all year round.
1. Mauritius: When is the best time to travel?
The best time to travel to Mauritius is in autumn and spring. It rains significantly less in the months from August to November and from March to June. There are no official holidays during this period, so you can explore the island, shop or simply relax on the beach.
1. Climate
When is it warmest in Mauritius?There are only two seasons on the island: summer and winter, with temperatures slightly higher from November to April, varying between 25° and 30° Celsius. From May to the end of October they drop by around 5 degrees, although the water remains warm. Hence theBathing fun all year longguaranteed.
When is cyclone season in Mauritius?From December to April it rains more often, from January to April you should also expect stormy weather.
2. Security
Mauritius is considered a safe island. However, you should take into account the basic rules of a holiday abroad. If you rent a car, do not leave any luggage in the car. Ask the hotel or local authorities for a taxi company. Never get into unlicensed taxis or accept offers for travel, boat tours, etc. from people on the street.
3. Hygiene and Covid protection
In Mauritius, wearing a mouth and nose mask and maintaining a minimum distance from others in public are mandatory. Restaurants and cafes only offer takeaway food and drinks. The shops are open. The national parks and the wild beaches are currently closed. This is expected to change from July 15th, so always ask for the current status when booking.
4. General information about your stay
Your Mauritius packing list includes, among other things, insect repellent (according to the local authorities, there is currently no risk of malaria. To be on the safe side, consult a doctor and find out about the necessary vaccinations and medication to take with you.). Be sure to bring insect repellent and wear protective clothing on excursions. Also pack sturdy, waterproof shoes, a backpack, a rain jacket, snorkel, diving mask, fins and possibly surfing clothing.
Which coast in Mauritius is the best and what can you do in Mauritius?
Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean, 1800 km from the African coast. The French island of Réunion is nearby and the Seychelles are 1,750 km away to the north. The capital is called Port Louis and has almost 150,000 inhabitants. Other major cities include Vacoas-Phoenix and Beau Bassin-Rose Hill.
Which coast in Mauritius is the best depends more on what you are planning to do.
The northern, southern and western coasts are preferred by tourists as they are spared from strong breezes and high waves. There are also many lagoons there that guarantee swimming fun even on windy days. Numerous coral reefs protect the coast and invite you to experience the underwater world up close. In comparison, the waves on the east coast are too high and the currents are too strong and are therefore only suitable for water sports to a limited extent.
Where is the most beautiful place in Mauritius? The north coast at a glance
The most beautiful beaches in the northern part of the island are Grand Baie, Mont Choisy and Trouax-Biches.
The Tube in the northwest, near Trouaux-Biches, is the perfect place for your first diving experience. It is located behind a reef and has an optimal depth (between 6 and 10 meters), perfect for beginners. The Tube is only accessible by boat, you can ask the hotel when such a trip is organized.
North of Trouaux-Biches lies The Coral Garden of Pereybere - a very popular dive site for experienced freedivers (freedivers dive without a compressed air tank). There you can explore the underwater world and see tropical fish such as clownfish, sunfish and diodon, as well as turtles, crabs, lobsters and mussels.
The former fishing village of Cap Malheureux is known for its old buildings and especially for its church with a fiery red roof.
Hotspot for divers, snorkelers, boat excursion enthusiasts
Mauritius vacation: The most beautiful beaches on the south coast
St. Félix and Gris Gris are the most popular beaches in the southern part of the country. There you have the chance to take a trip on a catamaran and discover the picturesque south coast of Mauritius.
To the south lies the world-famous Blue Bay Lagoon, which has an intact coral reef. It has therefore become a hotspot for divers and snorkelers. You can also explore the lagoon by stand-up paddleboarding. This allows you to navigate the maze of corals and reach every corner of the lagoon. At the same time, stand-up paddling is an environmentally friendly alternative to boating.
In the southeastern part of the island lies Île aux Aigrettes, a nature reserve where endangered animal and plant species are at home. There you can see large turtles, pink pigeons, reptiles and rare plants, among other things.
The Le Morne Brabant mountain range is located in the southwestern part of the country and is particularly popular with climbers. Amateur athletes can rent the basic equipment and take part in an organized excursion.
Near Le Morne Mountains there is also the Chamarel waterfall.
Black River Park is a nature reserve in the southern part of the island where there are several beautiful hiking trails.
Activities: stand-up paddleboarding, diving, snorkeling, catamaran excursions, climbing, hiking
Where to vacation in Mauritius: The west coast
White beaches and crystal clear water: the picturesque Tamarin, Le Morne and Flic en Flac are particularly popular among water sports fans.
The beaches of the Le Morne region in the southwestern part of the island attract sports enthusiasts from all over the world who get their money's worth here. The wind direction and wave height are optimal for surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing.
In Le Morne you can also swim with dolphins. Two species – the bottlenose dolphins and East Pacific dolphins are frequent visitors to the West Coast.
Where can you go diving and snorkeling?
Near the town of Flic en Flac is La Cathédrale, an underwater cave suitable for experienced divers.
Whale watching trips are also organized on the west coast. The tours take place in the afternoon. Sperm whales can be found around the coast all year round and humpback whales can be seen near the coast between July and November.
Activities: Surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, dolphins and snorkeling
