SingaporeMotherhood | Family Fun
July 2017
Never considered Mauritius as a Family Holiday Destination? Here are 9 Reasons why You Should!
Have you ever thought about holidaying on beautiful island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean with the kids? Here are nine good reasons why it’d be a great idea for your next family vacation!
First of all, Mauritius is beautiful. With its humble and unpretentious people, this island nation in the Indian Ocean, to the south-east of African continent, leaves a smile on the face of everyone who visits it. It’s pretty much a new destination for Singaporeans, but we are sure you will love it as much as we do. Why? Because Mauritius isn’t just one long beach floating on the ocean. Furthermore, it has everything that Singaporeans — even families and kids — would love.
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What to See & Do in Mauritius
Mauritius is blessed with magnificent aquamarine waters, powdery white sand coasts, majestic mountains, and fascinating wildlife. There is no shortage of natural scenery to feast your eyes upon. But Mauritius has lots of kid-friendly activities too. Here are nine that we’d recommend.
1. Black River Gorges National Park
If you and the kids love outdoor adventures, make a trip to the Black River Gorges National Park. Sprawling over 6574 hectares, the park has hiking trails which offer some of the best views in Mauritius. The park is also home to a diverse fauna and flora ecosystem and if you are lucky, you could even spot the almost-extinct pink pigeon.
2. Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth
Sand that comes in seven colours; it’s rainbow unicorn land! The Seven Coloured Earth of Chamarel is a natural phenomenon that kids will definitely be fascinated by. It’s also a fantastic backdrop for unforgettable photos of course. This sand dune appears in seven distinct colours, red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow, which evolve through the decomposition of volcanic sand. There’s a Geography lesson in there for the kids too, we reckon.
3. Port Louis
Don’t miss visiting Mauritius’ capital Port Louis. While cosmopolitan, Port Louis is also home to many cultural and historical artefacts. These include the Statue of Mahe de la Bourdonnais, one of Mauritius founding fathers; Fort Adelaide, a historic fort built in the mid-19th century; and Aapravasi Ghat, a UNESCO World Heritage site where Indian immigrants first landed after slavery was abolished. Visit the museums for a closer look into the island nation’s history.
4. Grand Baie
Grand Baie (or Grand Bay) is a popular coastal village in Mauritius. It is known for enchanting waters and fun-filled sea activities such as water sports, deep sea fishing, and boat excursions. With plenty of hotels, villas, resorts, restaurants and shopping areas, holidaying with the family is a breeze in Grand Baie.
5. The Sugar Museum and Factory
Did you know that sugar was one of the main factors driving Mauritius’ economy? This old sugar factory has been transformed into a museum where you and the kids can follow Mauritius’ sugar trail over 250 years. At the end of the 1.5-hour tour is a delicious sugar and rum tasting session!
6. Curious Corner of Chamarel Museum
Images: Curious Corner of Chamarel Museum Facebook page
Inquisitive minds will definitely love this mind-probing museum, where visual illusions are fascinate kids and adults alike. There are just under 40 exhibitions spreading over 5,000 square metres so make time to thoroughly explore everything.
7. Kids Adventure Park
On the East Coast of Mauritius, you will find the Kids Adventure Park nestled amidst stunning nature. Activities are catered to kids 3 years old and above, with a trampoline, inflatable bouncers, treetop courses, jet ski, pedal go-kart, pony rides, and more! Parents, you’re not left out. Adults can enjoy a variety of activities too, including horse riding and quad biking.
8. Polaris Drive
Image: Polaris Drive Facebook page
This is really cool. Kids 10 years old and above will love getting their hands on a Polaris car and driving! There is an exclusive kid zone just for younger ones so don’t worry, your kids will be safe. While this is recommended for children aged 10 years and above, kids from the age of 7 years can also participate if they have an adult to accompany them.
9. Casela Nature Park
Located in the South-West of the island, Casela Nature Park is blessed with magnificent countryside views. This is a must-visit if you love birds and animals. You’ll be able to see the big cats, giraffes, various species of birds and more. Make it an educational experience for the kids by signing them up for a workshop or two!
What to Eat in Mauritius
Mauritius is a melting pot of cultures and food here has French, Indian, Creole, and Chinese influences . You will find Mauritian-styled dim sum, noodles, and even curries! The cuisines are seafood-heavy, making this the perfect place for seafood lovers. The must-eat in Mauritius? Dholl puri, a dish derived from the Indian paratha. Think of a roti prata pita stuffed with ground yellow split peas and served with curry. Yummy!
Best time to go
May to December, when the weather is cool and dry.
How to get to there
Air Mauritius offers direct flights from Singapore. The flight duration is 7 hours, 10 minutes.
Visa requirement
There is no visa requirement for Singaporeans to travel to Mauritius.
The article is contributed by Khanh Tran from Mauritius-Villa.com
Feature image: John O’Nolan on Unsplash
All content from this article, including images, cannot be reproduced without credits or written permission from SingaporeMotherhood.
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