Mauritius suits a honeymoon well: warm water, quiet beaches and hotels that are used to couples. The main choice is where to stay. An adults-only hotel keeps things calm. A villa with its own pool gives you privacy. A resort with several restaurants means you never have to plan dinner. This guide covers places across the island, plus a few outings for two.
Choosing your coast
- The north (Grand Baie and around) is the liveliest, with the most restaurants and bars within reach.
- The east (Belle Mare, Palmar, Poste de Flacq) has long beaches and many of the adults-only hotels. Because of the trade winds it is a little breezier in winter.
- The west and Le Morne have the sunniest, driest weather and sunsets over the sea.
- The south is the quietest, with fewer hotels and more open coast.
Where to stay in Mauritius compares the coasts in more detail.
Adults-only hotels
Veranda Paul & Virginie is an adults-only hotel looking over the lagoon at Grand Gaube, a fishing village on the north-east shore. Experiences include a traditional pirogue ride at sunset, a candlelit dinner on the beach and a spa. Where: Grand Gaube, north.
Lagoon Attitude is an adults-only resort at Anse la Raie, built around the lagoon, with kitesurfing, paddleboarding, snorkelling and catamaran outings. Some suites have an outdoor bath or jacuzzi, and five restaurants cover Mauritian, Asian and seafood cooking. Where: Anse la Raie, north.
Seasense Boutique Hotel & Spa is a smaller adults-only hotel with 63 rooms in a tropical garden on Palmar beach, plus a spa, three restaurants and two bars. Where: Palmar, east.
SALT of Palmar is another adults-only stay on the same coast. Kayaks, guided snorkelling, paddleboards and glass-bottom boat trips are included, and there is a spa. Where: Palmar, east.
Hotel Riu Palace Mauritius is an adults-only, all-inclusive beachfront resort at the foot of Le Morne Brabant, with 24-hour service, pools and a spa. It suits couples who don't want to think about bills. Where: Le Morne, west.
Browse all adults-only hotels.
Villas and private pools
Shanti Maurice Resort & Spa has 61 suites and private-pool villas in a 16-hectare garden on the quiet south coast, with a spa and butler service. The resort says the airport is about 40 minutes' drive away. Where: Saint Felix, south.
Lakaz Chamarel Exclusive Lodge is a lodge in the green hills of Chamarel, away from the beach resorts. Some rooms have their own pool. It suits couples who would rather wake up to forest than to sea. Where: Chamarel, west.
Constance Belle Mare Plage is a large resort on two kilometres of beach, with eight restaurants and two golf courses. It lists all-inclusive honeymoon packages on its own site. Where: Poste de Flacq, east.
Browse all hotels with private-pool villas.
Dinners worth dressing up for
La Payotte serves French-inspired dinners and tapas by the sand at Pointe aux Canonniers, near Grand Baie. It opens for dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, and you can book by phone. Where: Pointe aux Canonniers, north.
Le Château de Bel Ombre is a restaurant in a historic mansion surrounded by gardens on the south coast. It serves Mauritian cooking at lunch and dinner, and afternoon tea. Non-residents book at least 48 hours ahead. Where: Bel Ombre, south.
Days out for two
A boat day on the east coast. Johaness Cruises runs speedboat and catamaran trips from Trou d'Eau Douce to Île aux Cerfs and the Grand River South East waterfall, with swimming, snorkelling and lunch. Where: Trou d'Eau Douce, east.
Le Morne and the south-west. Le Morne Brabant is the mountain on the island's south-west tip, a UNESCO-listed place of remembrance and a demanding hike with set opening times. Chamarel and its forest and viewpoints are about 20 minutes' drive up into the hills. 7 days in Mauritius shows how to fit it into a week. Where: Le Morne, west.
Rodrigues. For a slower second week, fly 1 hour 30 minutes to Rodrigues. It is quieter and less developed than Mauritius, with long coastal walks and wide lagoons. See Getting to Rodrigues.
When to go
There's no bad month, but each season is different. September to December is drier, with October the driest month. January to March is hottest, but it is also the wettest time and the main cyclone period. If your dates fall then, keep your plans flexible and get travel insurance. See Best time to visit Mauritius.
