Mauritius is a volcanic island situated roughly 2400 km off the southeastern coastline of Africa on the Indian Ocean side. The island covers a land mass of 720 sq miles or 1,865 sq kilometers. Most of this beautiful island is surrounded by coral reefs excepting for the southern part. Holiday makers will find that there are basically two seasons. These are the hot season from November through to April, and the warm season from May through to October. The average daytime temperature is 25 degrees C (or 75 degrees F) while the temperature at nighttime will rarely go below 13 degrees C (or 62 degrees F). There are many attractions to be found when visitors take their holidays to Mauritius.
InterContinental Mauritius Jetty, Sunset
The island has some pretty odd sites, including the dunes at Chamarel which have seven colours. This is thought to be from the slow weathering of the volcanic rock. This rolling and colourfully contrasted layering of the earth can be found near the lovely Chameral waterfalls.
Domaine Les Pailles is a nature park that can be found ten minutes southwards of Port-Louis. The nature park stretches more than three thousand acres across the base of the Moka Mountains. When visitors enjoy their holidays to Mauritius they can opt to tour the park on a train, in a horse drawn carriage or with a Land Rover. Visitors can also enjoy seeing a natural spring, spice garden, an ‘alambic’ which is the apparatus that was once used to distill rum, and a model of an old sugarmill in the gardens.
Family holidays to Mauritius could include visiting the aquarium that is located between Trou-aux-Biches and Pointe-aux-Piments. This aquarium is home to about 200 indigenous fish species, invertebrates, sponges and corals. Children and adults alike will enjoy the unique opportunity of being able to see the flora and fauna that is found within the Indian Ocean.
Le Domaine du Chasseur is a nature park found near Mahebourg in the southeastern part of the island and encompasses roughly 1,950 acres. Visitors who love leafy walks on their holidays to Mauritius can choose between a 5 and a 15 kilometre walk that will allow them to see rare kinds of protected species and trees, for instance the renowned windhover kestrel. There is a panoramic restaurant in the park that offers typical Mauritian fare, which complements the attractions that can be found and seen in this beautiful park.
Tamarin Falls might be awkward for visitors enjoying their holidays to Mauritius to reach; however, it will be worth all their efforts so as to enjoy a cool, deep and beautiful bathe in the waters of a chain of seven falls. Visitors will be able to see the falls from Vacoas while following the signage from Henrietta. The path to the falls is rather heavily overgrown. Visitors have to cross over towards the other side then boulder hop the final 300 metres alongside the riverbed to get to the top.
Another main attraction for tourists enjoying their holidays to Mauritius is the extinct crater called Trou-aux-Cerfs. The floor of this long-extinct crater is heavily wooded and there are lovely views of the island from the crater. There is a tarred road that gently leads up towards the rim and around it. A radar station keeps its electronic eye roving for any cyclone activity. Visitors can rest and enjoy the views on benches.