Mauritius is a small island in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Africa. It is known for its gorgeous beaches, multicultural heritage, and stunning volcanic landscapes. The island’s lagoons are protected by the world’s third largest coral reefs, making it an amazing place to dive, snorkel, swim with dolphins, and even whale watch.
Mauritius’ geographic location and colonial history—it was colonized by the Dutch, the French, and the English throughout its history—make it a culturally and ethnically diverse country, and its cuisine reflects this, often combining Indian, Creole, Chinese and European flavors. The island is also known for its rum, and visitors can tour the Chamarel Rum Factory to learn more about the island’s history.
The capital city of Port-Louis is a bustling port with lots of museums, markets and architectural gems to visit. Don’t miss the Port-Louis market, known for its varied products and competitive prices.
Driving across the island only takes an hour. It’s easy to travel from places like the Black River Gorges National Park, which protects much of the island’s remaining rainforest in the southwest, to the picturesque town of Cap Malheureux at the northern tip of the island. No matter where you decide to stay on the island, you’ll find many activities within easy driving distance.
Activities for adults
At the resort
Spa
The One&Only Le Saint Géran Spa combines traditional Mauritian ingredients with holistic therapies from around the world, all designed to create a blissful, soothing experience for guests. From couples-packages to treatments designed especially for men, expecting mothers, or teens, the spa can truly create a perfectly tailored experience for each of its visitors.
Guests can also indulge in manicure and pedicure treatments designed by renowned French podiatrist Bastien Gonzalez. The spa’s Kérastase hair salon uses a four-step diagnosis and complimentary consultation to truly create a style that looks and feels fabulous.
Watersports
The nearby beach and lagoon offer many opportunities to enjoy the water. The hotel’s Dive Center is staffed by professional PADI-certified instructors who are dedicated to teaching and helping guests explore the reef. Whether you are plunging under the waves for the first time or an experienced diver, the centre has courses tailored for your level that range from initiation outings all the way to PADI Divemaster certifications.
For those looking to try something new, the hotel offers many complimentary watersports, including snorkelling, kayaking, pedalo, Stand-up Paddle (SUP), and glass-bottom boat trips. The hotel also offers private water skiing, windsurfing, hobie cat, hobie wave, and laser dinghy lessons.
Personal Training
If you’re focused on staying fit while traveling, the hotel’s personalised fitness packages offer tailored coaching designed to help you with your specific strengths and needs.
Swimming
Swimming lessons for adults are designed to help you improve your stroke technique and optimise your swimming for better results in the water.
Yoga and Pilates
Complimentary group yoga and pilates are scheduled daily. Guests can also arrange for private classes.
Mat-based Pilates
Complimentary mat-based pilates classes focus on core strengthening exercises that require balance, fluidity, and control to give you a complete workout.
Tennis
Three floodlit tennis courts offer daily opportunities to practice your backhand with a professional tennis coach or match your skills against a tennis pro. You can also book the court for a game with your family or partner. Rackets and balls are available at the hotel’s guest counter.
Further afield
Trek to Black River Gorges
When you’re tired of the beach, the Black River Gorges National Park has more than 60 kilometres of hiking trails to choose from. It’s the perfect spot to plan a picnic and see wildlife, including wild boars, rusa deer and macaque monkeys. The park is also home to many of the island’s endemic birds, like the Mauritius kestrel, the pink pigeon, and the Mauritius parakeet.
Horseback Riding on Le Morne Beach
If you’re looking for a romantic getaway along the beach, try horseback riding on the sand in the shadow of the Le Morne mountain. There are several horseback riding centers near the hotel to choose from.
Visit Seven Coloured Earths
This spot has become a tourist favorite in recent years, but even with the increased crowds it’s a must-see attraction on the island. Visitors can see the dunes from several platforms set up for that purpose. The walk from nearby Chamarel takes you past an 83-metre waterfall, so make sure to plan enough time to make the detour.
Visit Port Louis
The Mauritian capital of Port Louis is a wonderful island city with plenty to see and do. Its most famous attraction is probably the central market, where locals and tourists alike shop for everything from vegetables, fruits and spices to clothes and souvenirs. La Place d’Armes, the city’s main square, connects the imposing building of the Government House to the seafront. The UNESCO World Heritage Site Aapravasi Ghat commemorates the place where indentured labourers from India first arrived on the island. The city also has plenty of small museums, restaurants and shopping to explore.
Vist L’Ile aux Cerfs
L’Ile aux Cerfs is an 87-hectare island off the east coast of Mauritius. It’s famous for its 18-hole championship golf course, which is considered one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. There are several restaurants and bars on the island, as well as long stretches of pristine white sand beaches. L’Ile aux Cerfs is accessible by boat from Port Maurice. Shuttles leave every 30 minutes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Activities for kids
At the resort
KidsOnly and Tweens Only
The staff at the One&Only kids club organise lots of daily, age appropriate activities for kids from 3 to 10 years old to discover and enjoy the area. Activities inside the club include games like sandcastle competitions, arts and crafts, mini golf, swimming lessons and more. KidsOnly also has daily field trips for kids to try water skiing, go on nature walks, see underwater on a glass-bottomed boat trip, and lots more. For older children from age 8 to 12 years old, the Tweens Only club provides separate slightly more adventurous activities that appeal to older kids.
One Tribe Teens
One&Only’s dedicated staff at the One Tribe Teens club provide discreet supervision and age-appropriate activities for teenagers age 13-17. Teens can hang out with new friends from all over the world with fun outings and competitions like snorkeling trips, outdoor movie nights, karaoke competitions, bonfire parties, and lots more.
Beach and Pools
One&Only is surrounded by gorgeous white sand beaches and turquoise lagoons, perfect for families who want to build sandcastles, splash in the waves, or take a nap under a palm tree. The hotel also has 2 family-friendly pools.
Dive Center
At the dive center, children can snorkel or take their first breaths underwater with the PADI Bubblemaker program, designed especially for kids. Children explore underwater with a certified divemaster and learn the basics of diving. Kids must be comfortable enough in water to participate, though they don’t need to be expert swimmers.
Swimming Lessons for Kids
Kids excited to get in the water can become better swimmers with the resort’s personalised swimming lessons. Children gain confidence and skills by practicing with trained swim instructors in one of the hotel’s pools.
Nipper Programme
Popular in Australia, South Africa and the UK, the Nipper Programme allows teenagers (11 to 15 years old) the chance to learn the basics of beach safety and lifeguarding. The 5-hour programme can be completed over the course of 5 days, and covers things like basic beach first-aid, teamwork, and basic lifesaving. It’s a great way for teenagers to build more confidence at the beach and learn new useful skills.
Activities for all ages
The resort has many complimentary activities available for guests of all ages. For some quality family time, try a round of mini golf, beach volleyball, or table tennis, or head to one of the giant outdoor games of Jenga, Chess, Connect Four, or Checkers. Outside the resort, guests can join a guided bike tour, a 5k run, and an open water swim in the ocean.
Further afield
Casela World of Adventures
This wildlife adventure park has fun activities for the whole family. Casela started as a bird park but now visitors can discover all kinds of animals, from big cats to llamas, monkeys, giraffes, and of course, birds. Most of the animal attractions are included in the ticket price, and a set of premium activities that include things like ziplines and segway tours are also available. The park is very child-friendly, and many of the activities are suitable for kids of all ages.
Whale Watching in Tamarin
For children who love animals, whale watching is a magical experience. If you’re visiting Mauritius between July and November, choose a humpback whale tour and see if you can spot one of the majestic creatures as they travel towards their breeding grounds near the equator. If you’re visiting at a different time of year, you can also spot sperm whales off the western coast of Mauritius all year long.
La Vanille Nature Park
This conservation park is home to over a hundred giant tortoises, as well as lemurs, crocodiles, and more. It’s a great place for kids excited about animals to learn more about the environment through fun activities like feeding one of the giant tortoises or the baby crocodiles, meeting Octar the resident iguana, and much more. The park also has an insectarium, an aquarium and a fossil museum to explore.
Ride a horse on Le Morne Beach
For older children, horseback riding along Le Morne peninsula is a wonderful way to see the area differently, riding along the beach and up towards Le Morne mountain. Some tour operators have ponies available for children, and several also offer optional add-ons like riding in the waves on horseback.
Visit Pamplemousses Botanical Garden (North)
This garden is one of Mauritius’ most famous sites, and dates all the way back to the 18th century. Opt for a guided tour for a more informative experience, or simply stroll through the plants and discover species from all over the world. Kids will particularly like the many animals who wander in the park freely, including tortoises, birds, butterflies, mongooses and more.
L’Aventure du Sucre (North)
Sugar has an important place in Mauritian history. This tour takes visitors through a refurbished sugar mill, where they can learn about the history of the island and taste different Mauritian products like unrefined brown sugar and jam. Kids will love exploring the cavernous space and old machinery that’s on display.
