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They say that Mauritius was fashioned out of the handbook of the Gods. For the most part, it’s true. Sparkling cerulean waters, sugar icing shores, soft sage palms and jagged indigo mountains frame the land with ethereal wonder. Beauty imbues every inch of nature’s island rhapsody. Is it any wonder that people travel… read more
Located in the southern part of the Indian Ocean, Mauritius has a tropical climate. Its lovely sun-kissed weather is what makes Mauritius a desirable tourist destination. The best time to visit Mauritius is from May to December when the weather is cool, dry and sunny. The perfect summer weather and the warm atmosphere allows Mauritius to draw in visitors from around the world who are on the lookout for a holiday destination, which can help them relax and enjoy sun and surf at beaches. But while the island nation is blessed with such an inviting climate persisting all-round the year, there are still certain aspects you must consider about its weather before packing your bags and setting out for the vacation on the islands.
Since Mauritius is situated in the southwest wing of the Indian Ocean, it is profoundly affected by the southeast trade winds. The weather, however, remains cozily warm and delightfully pleasant the whole year long. You can comfortably swim in the crystal clear waters surrounding the island due to the conveniently melting temperature of the water. In short, it would be an equally good idea to pick any time of the year to make your travel plans to Mauritius.
You could be debating the best time to visit Mauritius, but due to this tropical environment, the island nation can be visited at any time of the year without any hassle.
Mauritius receives its warmest weather during the time around February, while its chilliest ever temperatures can be measured around July. As a general rule, the western and northern areas of the country are warmer and drier than the eastern or southern regions.
However, depending on what you are seeking from your holiday, here are the various seasons in Mauritius and the pertaining details to help you make a favorable choice.
As a destination that has good weather throughout the year, it mostly depends on your exact preferences for visiting the country or when do you want to go on a vacation break. Summers and winters are the two main seasons of the area with rainfall occurring during any season depending upon the acute weather conditions at the time. Each of these periods has its own set of advantages and disadvantages which you can take into regard before going on a holiday in Mauritius.
Summers
Summers in Mauritius begin in January to remain until April
Significance: It is the time when festivals such as Easter are celebrated.
Temperature: The temperature around this season can shoot up to 33 degree Celsius while remaining 25 degree Celsius at its minimum.
Weather: The weather is warm and humid at the same time, making you feel hot and sticky. Therefore it becomes even more refreshing to go for a swim at this time. The ocean breeze seems more than welcoming and makes for a lovely stay indeed.
Why you should visit now: Summer is the time when the crowd begins to decrease and so is ideal for a holiday on the many beaches of Mauritius. It brings in a lovely time to go on an island exploration trip and bask in its tropical summer sun. It becomes effortless for you to visit different places of interest in Mauritius without the trouble of encountering too much crowd. Perfect to lie on the white sands of the shore or just spend time at sea; summers are also the time that brings in with them the opportunity for getting numerous discounts and offers on hotel accommodations and other deals. It is so because this period is offseason in Mauritius.
Know before you visit: Cyclones are common between the period of December to March, hence it is advised to take the necessary precautionary steps.
Tips: If planning to visit the island between January to April, ensure you carry with you an umbrella as well since showers at this time of the year are quite frequent.
Winters
The arrival of May marks the beginning of winters in Mauritius, which last until it is December.
Significance: It is time for Christmas Kreol Fest.
Temperature: The temperature during this season goes up to 24 degrees Celsius; the minimum temperature drop dips to as low as 18 degrees Celsius.
Weather: The weather is pleasant with low episodes of rainfall, low humidity, and cool climate.
Why you should visit now: The temperature around this time of the year is colder and often doesn't even require for you to use an air conditioner. It is the most preferred time to visit Mauritius since the weather is quite pleasant and mild for most activities in the region. Winters in Mauritius is the best time to explore the island and indulge in various water sports. The weather especially favors water sports enthusiasts who find both the temperature and the weather conditions ideal for several activities, with particular reference to surfing. Winters in Mauritius see quite low episodes of rainfall, with most only occurring in the evenings, which keeps the environment, friendly enough to go sightseeing or relaxing on the beaches. The colder climate and low humidity conditions also make this time apt for many outdoor activities such as hiking, biking or wildlife exploration.
Tips: Even though it’s winter, being a tropical island, the sun is still quite intense during this period as well, therefore it is utterly vital to carry sunscreen with you on your trip. Alternatively, this can also prove to be a boon for many tourists owing to healthy tanning that they can achieve still.
Considering the distance, once of the obvious ways to travel to Mauritius is by booking a flight from India to Mauritius. This is, after all the fastest way to reach the island, if you’re not thrilled about long commutes. The closest airport, just in terms of distance, would be from the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. The distance from Delhi to Mauritius is around 3622.4 miles and the flight takes around 6-7 hours. However, if you’re travelling from another city, don’t despair. Many major cities in India, like Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai and more have connecting flights to Mauritius.
These connecting flights usually fly to Mauritius via Jeddah, Abu Dhabi or Dubai and you might need to change one or two aircrafts.
The main Mauritian airport – Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport – is just 48 kilometres from the capital city of Port Louis. The airport is well staffed and efficient and features all the amenities to make travellers feel at ease. Banks, duty free, bars, restaurants – you name it. Although Mauritius has two airports – SSR and Sir Gaetan Duval Airport (situated in Plaine Corail on Rodrigues island), SSR is definitely more connected to domestic regions as well as international destinations. The inbound air-traffic is higher in the mornings but is usually cleared out in an hour.
While Air Mauritius is the national carrier and operates multiple domestic and international routes, you can also catch flights with Air India on a daily basis. Aside from these two airlines, Emirates, Lufthansa, Air France, British Airways and South African Airways provide flights from Mauritius to their home base. You can also catch a connecting flight from many of India’s cities via Air Seychelles and Emirates.
Although flights are the fastest way to reach Mauritius, there is another option for those wondering about how to reach Mauritius from India. If you prefer the road less travelled, you can ditch the skies and opt to travel by ship. The trip is an experience you won’t forget – particularly if you opt to take a luxurious cruise to the island. Most cruises take around one and a half or two weeks to sail to Mauritius, which gives you plenty of time to relax, bond with family, friends and loved ones, before being greeted by this paradise island.
If you want to sail to Mauritius from India, there are two ports from which you can set sail.
If you’re wondering how to get to Mauritius from international ports, by sea, then you can take a luxury cruise from a South African Port-like Durban or from the Reunion Islands. If you choose to reach Mauritius from Madagascar, it’s a short trip. Bear in mind that the time given on the trip is usually an estimate - a lot depends on where you board from, and the weather conditions during that time.
1)What is the best way to travel to Mauritius?
The quickest way to travel to Mauritius is by booking a flight from India to Mauritius. The shortest flight would be a direct one from Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi to the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport in Port Louis (the capital city of Mauritius). The flight duration is around 6-7 hours on average. You can also catch flights from Bangalore, Chennai and Mumbai.
2)Can I travel to Mauritius by sea?
If you’d like to take the long, leisurely and luxurious route to Mauritius, then a cruise is ideal. You can start your trip at the Chennai or Mumbai port. The trip from Mumbai is around 13 days, while the trip from Chennai is 12 days long. If you’re already in a close location – say Madagascar – a short boat ride should get you to Mauritius.
3)What is the time difference between India and Mauritius?
India is one hour and thirty minutes ahead of Mauritius.
4)Is Mauritius a safe destination?
Mauritius is considered to be a safe destination for Indian travellers; however, caution is always a good policy. The risk of muggings, scams and pickpocketing are low. However, make sure drivers don’t overcharge you for any trip you take. In terms of natural disasters, November to May is cyclone season on the island, so check the weather before you book your tickets.
5)What are a few popular places in Mauritius?
Mauritius is a treasure trove of natural wonders – Trou Aux Biches, Belle Mare Plage, Ile Aux Cerfs, Pereybere, La Cambuse are all beautiful beaches and allow you to relax or participate in some water adventure sports. You can also take a hike along the seven shaded sands of Chamarel – which is breathtaking. Black River Gorges Park, in south west Mauritius, is a perfect place to hike, relax and camp. Other than these beautiful attractions, you also have the Tamarind Falls, Parc Francois Leguat Wildlife Park, the Botanical Gardens, Eureka House, Sugar Museum and more.
6)What are the liquor laws in Mauritius?
In Mauritius, it is illegal to serve, sell or supply alcohol to anyone who is under 18 years of age.
7)What is the currency of Mauritius?
The Mauritian Rupee is the official currency of the Republic of Mauritius. Furthermore, US dollars are accepted in Mauritius as well, so you can stock up on those too. Although credit cards are widely accepted everywhere, it’s a good idea to carry a prepaid forex card from Thomas Cook as they are safe, secure and reloadable if you run out of money.
8)Will I get Wi-Fi connectivity? Can I buy a local sim card in Mauritius?
Wi-Fi is available in 350 public spots, across the island, including Community centres, Women centres, Youth centres, Social welfare centres, Post Offices and Village councils. This is an initiative by the Ministry of Technology, Communication and Innovation. Anyone with a valid mobile number and a Wi-Fi enabled device can access this internet for free. There are three operators in Mauritius, from whom you can buy a prepaid sim – Emtel, Orange and Chilli. If you are visiting the Rodrigues Islands or Agalega, Orange has the best connectivity. Your hotel will provide Wi-Fi, and you can also look at cafes for Wi-Fi.
9)What is the food like in Mauritius? Can I get Indian food? What about vegetarian options?
Mauritian food is a mixed pot of flavours and is heavily influenced by the diverse residents who live on the island. You will find a lot of Indian food, as well as Chinese, Creole and French cuisines. For Indian food, look at popular restaurants like Le Tandoor, Namaste Restaurant, Delhi Taj Restaurant and La Chaumiere Masala. Vegetarian food is served aplenty in Mauritius, and you can visit restaurants like Lambic, Chez Tino, La Faya to enjoy their vegetarian selections.
10)Are there any laws to know in Mauritius?
Keep the driving laws in mind, if you are renting a car to drive in the island. Driving in Mauritius is on the left. Obey the speeding laws and do make sure you follow the safety signs posted on the beach.
11)What are the transport options available in Mauritius?
In Mauritius you have the option of using the well-connected public bus system (be sure to check the timings before you make your plans for the day). If you would like to travel with a bit more convenience, a public tax is an excellent (though slightly more expensive) way to travel around the island. Hotels also allow you to rent out bikes, scooters and cars. The Mauritian railway is perfect for long distances and connects you to other cities and towns in Mauritius. You can also hire a helicopter for an aerial tour or a boat to explore the islands.
12)What are some of the common greetings in Mauritius?
Hello in Mauritius is usually Salut (French) or Salam (Creole). You can wish a local Good morning with Bonjour and Good evening with Bonsoir (French). Goodbye is Au Revoir (French) or Salam (Creole).
When we were planning our honeymoon, we had no idea how to get going with the plan. A colleague of mine recommended Thomas Cook and we thought of trying their expertise. We couldn’t say no to deal they offered. Even during the trip, their team was pretty professional in handling all the issues. Not to mention, that our candle light dinners were made extremely romantic because of the venues chosen by them.
Catamaran cruise and undersea walk were the best memories of our trip. Our 5 night trip to Mauritius also included stay at a private island in a personal villa. This luxurious experience only became possible Thomas Cook was there to handle our travel plan. Facilities like airport pickup, sim card and forex card purchase were all handled by their team and we only enjoyed the comfortable side of the trip.
A well made plan that included a private villa for 3 nights and a luxurious cruise trip to different islands of Mauritius was simply made possible because of Thomas Cook’s assistance. The best and the most comfortable part was that we got two bottles of water for consumption on a daily basis as water is really costly on this island. Thanks to them, we were saved from these hassles.
