Mauritius is a fascinating place to visit for anyone wanting a beach holiday without the crowds (Image: Getty)
It is currently cold and rainy in many parts of the UK, so many of us are dreaming of our next holiday destination where we can lie in the sun to escape the dreary British weather. Anyone looking to visit sandy beaches typically books a flight to the Maldives or Bali, but if you want to escape the crowds, then Mauritius is a far more interesting tropical paradise.
Mauritius is a tiny island off the southeast coast of Africa and about 1,200 miles from the mainland, but for such a small place, it has many breathtaking beaches, as it is surrounded by coral reefs. This means the island has many natural lagoons that make the water look turquoise, and the waves are naturally quite calm, so you see so much marine life without needing a boat trip. However, Mauritius is not just known for its beaches, as there are also waterfalls, rainforests, volcanic craters and even massive tortoises that are close by, so you can see lots of amazing scenery in just an afternoon.
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Mauritius is known for its white sandy beaches and natural lagoons (Image: Getty)
There so much natural wonders to explore in Mauritius like snorkelling in the coral reefs, dolphin watching or seeing giant tortoises. (Image: Getty)
Heather Richardson from Safari Bookings, has revealed that Mauritius is one of the “most beautiful” and “most spectacular” islands to visit.
She said: “An island bursting with colour, Mauritius is so much more than a beach destination (though its white-sand shores are indeed beautiful).
“With rich, green rainforests, craggy mountains, silvery waterfalls and a diverse and delicious foodie scene, there’s plenty to enjoy when you’ve had your fill of beach time.”
What is fantastic about Mauritius is that you can have a relaxed beach holiday lying near crystal-clear waters, and the very next day you go on a cruise, snorkel, hike, dolphin watching or even hop to a different island.
One of Mauritius’ most iconic spots is Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where a massive mountain rises straight from the ocean.
Le Morne Brabant is known for its natural optical illusion that looks like a giant waterfall (Image: Getty)
It is also a fun food destination where you can explore the markets or book a guided tour (Image: Getty)
From above, the view is breathtaking as the coastline appears to spill into the sea to create the optical illusion of a giant underwater waterfall.
In reality, it is just the unique contours of the seabed and the shifting sands that trick the eye, but it looks magical and is a popular place to take a photograph.
Mauritius is also known for its unique food that has Indian, French, Chinese and Creole influences and many people visit the island just to get a taste.
It can be fun to walk through the bustling markets of Port Louis or sit down at a local restaurant, but many tour operators on the island also run guided food walks.
The island has also become famous for its rum-making, with the technique going back hundreds of years and infused with local ingredients like vanilla, passion fruit and spices.
There is always something unique to do in Mauritius, and even in February, the weather is warm, with average temperatures ranging from 24°C to 30°C.
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