Teaghan Visits Marvellous Mauritius

In November 2024, Teaghan visited Mauritius on an educational trip courtesy of Air Mauritius and Jetset. Here's her account of her travels. If you've ever dreamt about visiting Mauritius or other Indian Ocean islands, book a call with Teaghan today to get your holiday plans in motion!

I was extremely fortunate to embark on an incredible trip to the picturesque island of Mauritius. Nestled in the heart of the Indian ocean, you’ll find this one-of-a-kind paradise, sprawling with golden sand beaches, crystal clear waters and tropical, mountainous landscapes.

Mauritius is a year-round destination where temperatures never dip below 20 degrees Celsius, even in the heart of winter. The sea stays swimmable all year round as well, and many hotels even heat the pools during these months. This makes Mauritius a fantastic travel option, even for those limited by the summer school holidays still looking for a sunny getaway but wanting to avoid the chaos of European summer crowds.

Air Mauritius offers a hassle-free travel routing - 11 hrs direct overnight from Gatwick into the islands only airport, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. The airport is named after the islands first Prime Minister, who is the grandfather of the country’s new and current Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth. After a wonderfully comfortable upgrade to business class (thank you, Air Mauritius!), we arrived ready to embrace the week ahead.

Main course on Air Mauritius Business Class – Lamb shank roulade and redcurrant jus served with grain mustard mashed potato, tenderstem broccoli, and roasted yellow carrots. That's what I call airline food!

We started with a visit to Casela Nature Park. A great option for the whole family, this well-manicured park offers several experiences fit for the whole family. Animals such as Zebras, Antelope and Giraffes (to name just a few) roam openly on the grounds. We opted for the EcoRider, which is a seated, 4-wheeled scooter to get up close and personal with the animals. While there, we met a 110-year-old tortoise as well as a 24-hour old baby Zebra! In addition to wildlife encounters, there is also the thrilling Tulawaka Roller Coaster, gift shops and a variety of restaurants. 

Afterwards, we were hosted a wonderful, beachfront seafood lunch by Suns Resort and Spa, followed by hotel inspections in the lovely Hilton Mauritius Hotel and Spa, and finally some live music and sunset drinks hosted at Buddah Bar at Sugar Beach Resort. The West Coast is typically best for weather, as the mountains protect it, and is of course the absolute best place to catch that famous Mauritian sunset.

Live music and unbeatable sunsets at Sugar Beach

The next morning, we set off for the East Coast and embarked on a private speedboat tour to the lovely Île aux Cerfs. A popular destination for both tourists and locals, Île aux Cerfs offers a variety of activities, from relaxing on its pristine white sand beaches to enjoying water sports like snorkelling, parasailing and speed boating. Water conditions are calm, which makes for excellent swimming/snorkelling, or if its land sports you’re more after, the island has its own golf course.

We visited Beau Champ Waterfall, spotting a playful pack of macaques, before disembarking for our beachfront lunch on Ile aux Mangenie. One thing we quickly learnt, is that the locals take pride in their homemade rums and brew very creative mixes, such as coconut, ginger, and cinnamon rum. After a sun kissed day full of eating, swimming and laughter, we spent the evening exploring the town centre of Grand Baie. We had a fabulous dinner at Botteghita Café, followed by some dancing at Banana Beach Bar before heading in for the night.

Beau Champ Waterfall

The following day took us to the capital, Port Louis, where we strolled through the Sunday Market and soaked in the bustling atmosphere. We were hosted that evening by the Westin Mauritius, and after some welcome drinks and canapes, were treated to a lovely beachfront seafood dinner alongside live acoustic music and the aroma of a crackling bonfire nearby. Each hotel we visited along the West Coast was just as beautiful as the last, and I don’t have a single fault to pick with regards to the hospitality and cuisine at each one.

Mauritian cuisine focuses just as much on beauty as it does on freshness and taste!

On the topic of cuisine, as the island has many influences from Indian, French, British and Creole traditions, you’ll be spoiled for choice, and you’ll find something for even the fussiest of eaters. Seafood is caught locally daily, and we were treated to a variety of fresh lobster, sea bass, king prawns and tuna. Curry and chutneys are a staple, and desserts made with local fruits are also popular; and no matter where you eat, no meal is complete without a taste of the island’s famous homemade rums.

The main pool at the Westin Turtle Bay

The diverse culture is reflected in the languages spoken, with most locals fluent in French, English and Creole by the age of 3. The atmosphere is one of warmth, both in the people and the weather. Hinduism, Christianity and Islam are the predominant religions, and Mauritius’ multi-cultural richness creates a welcoming, vibrant atmosphere for visitors. Street and road signs are typically in English, so you won’t encounter any communication issues while in destination or if you choose to rent a vehicle. The currency is the Mauritian Rupee, which is readily available to get at ATMs across the island. At the time of writing this blog, 1 GBP is worth 50-55 MUR.

The next day, we were hosted an a la carte, scenic lunch at the luxurious Oberoi Hotel, before heading back to our favourite place of the trip, Buddah Bar, for another epic sunset and live music. It’s in these moments you can really take in the true essence of life in Mauritius - standing barefoot on a golden beach, the salty sea air filling your lungs. The gentle strum of a live guitar mixing with the soothing sound of soft waves crashing at the shore. The sun sets in a warm glow, casting hues of pinks, purples and orange. Time seems to stop completely as you revel in the natural beauty around you, savouring the true peacefulness of this island.

On our last day, we were wined and dined at the lovely Intercontinental Resort Mauritius, before reluctantly heading to the airport, feeling a bittersweet mix of sadness to leave, and gratitude for the unforgettable moments we had just shared. It’s not every day you visit a place so breathtaking that it makes you pause in awe. From the warm-hearted locals and mouthwatering cuisine to the endless natural beauty and abundant wildlife - Mauritius is a destination everyone should experience at least once in their lifetime.

A heartfelt thank you to Air Mauritius and Jetset for making this trip to Mauritius truly unforgettable. From the seamless flight and exceptional service with Air Mauritius, to the perfectly crafted itinerary by Jetset, every detail was taken care of and exceeded our expectations.

Now back in the UK with grey skies and the sound of raindrops against my window, I can’t help but miss the warmth of Mauritius. But the island’s beauty and sunshine are etched in my mind, and I carry them with me, knowing that one day, I’ll return to those shores and feel that magic once more.