Mauritius with Kids: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go
Mauritius is one of those destinations I come back to again and again for families. I have visited three times with my own family, stayed in and visited resorts across the island, and it is somewhere I find very easy to recommend.
Yes, the beaches are beautiful and the hotels are excellent, but Mauritius works particularly well with children because there is so much more to do beyond the resort. You can spend one day barefoot on the beach and the next exploring waterfalls, markets, botanical gardens or colourful volcanic landscapes.
If you are considering Mauritius for your next family holiday, here is what I think you need to know.
Is Mauritius good for children?
Very.
Mauritius manages to feel properly exotic without being a particularly difficult destination to travel around as a family. There are excellent family resorts, fantastic kids clubs, warm Mauritian hospitality and plenty of activities for different ages.
It also works for families who want different things from their holiday. One parent can head to the spa, another can play golf, the children can disappear happily into the kids club and you can still spend plenty of time together exploring the island.
For me, that balance is one of Mauritius's biggest strengths.
How long does it take to get there?
From London, you are looking at around 12 hours flying time. The overnight flight works surprisingly well with children, particularly if they manage to sleep for a good portion of it.
Once you arrive, most of the main resort areas can be reached within around an hour or so of the airport. I would always arrange a private transfer for families so you can get straight to the hotel without unnecessary stops. And I also like to arrange airport fast-track so that my clients can skip the airport queues and head straight to their holiday!
When is the best time to visit Mauritius?
Mauritius is a year-round destination, but the weather does vary around the island and throughout the year.
October to December is one of my favourite periods. It is warm, generally sunny and a lovely time to escape the European autumn and early winter.
Our summer months are Mauritius's cooler, drier winter. This can still be a great time to visit, particularly during the school holidays, but choosing the right part of the island becomes more important as some coasts can feel windier than others.
This is where knowing the resorts and their locations really helps. I would not choose a hotel based on the hotel alone; I would always consider the time of year you are travelling too.
What can you actually do with kids in Mauritius?
A lot, and I would definitely recommend leaving your resort at least once or twice.
One of our family favourites is La Vanille Nature Park, where you can see its famous giant tortoises. There are hundreds of them and it is brilliant with children.
You can also visit the Seven Coloured Earths at Chamarel, discover waterfalls and lush landscapes in the south, explore the botanical gardens or spend a day around Port Louis, dipping into markets and experiencing a completely different side of Mauritius.
For more adventurous families there are ziplines, hiking and watersports, while a boat trip gives you a chance to see Mauritius from the water, snorkel and explore some of the smaller islands offshore.
The key is not to over-plan it. Mauritius is still a holiday. I like having plenty of slow resort days interspersed with a few really good adventures.
What are the beaches like?
This depends on where you stay, and it is worth remembering that not every Mauritian resort has the same type of beach.
Some have long stretches of soft sand, others have beautiful sheltered lagoons, while certain resorts are better for watersports or snorkelling.
Which family resorts do I recommend?
There is no single “best” family hotel in Mauritius. It really depends on your family.
LUX Grand Gaube is a great option if you want something stylish and relaxed with plenty happening around the resort.
Shangri-La Le Touessrok has a wonderful sense of space and feels very special, with beautiful beaches and plenty for active families.
One&Only Le Saint Géran is one of the island's iconic luxury resorts and works beautifully for families wanting a higher level of service, excellent food and a really polished experience.
Heritage Le Telfair is another favourite, particularly for families who like having lots to do and want to explore the wilder south of Mauritius.
There are many more, though, and matching the right hotel to the family is much more important than simply choosing the one with the most stars.
Is Mauritius worth the long flight with children?
For me, absolutely.
It gives you the white sand and turquoise water you want from an Indian Ocean holiday, but it also has culture, fantastic food, dramatic scenery and enough activities to prevent anyone getting bored.
Most importantly, it is an easy place to be a family. You do not have to choose between a beautiful grown-up hotel and somewhere your children will genuinely enjoy.
Mauritius does both extremely well.
And that is probably why we keep going back.
Planning a family holiday to Mauritius? I have travelled extensively around the island with my own family and can help you choose the area and resort that will work best for yours, whether your priorities are an amazing kids club, a beautiful beach, great food, plenty of activities or simply somewhere you can all properly switch off.