Mauritius

Mauritius is a gleaming diamond in the Indian Ocean off Africa's southeast coast that punches much above its weight. While a Mauritius vacation includes sunny skies, sandy beaches, and the warm Indian Ocean, this diverse island truly has something for everyone, whether you want a vibrant resort town with plenty of nightlife or a quiet nook where you can go hiking or birding.

The simplest method to pick where to travel in Mauritius is to divide the island into four sections and match your interests and expectations to the best length of coastline and locations to visit. If you want an action-packed, sightseeing vacation, the northern and western beaches are often busier and offer more services and tourist attractions, whilst the eastern and southern beaches are quieter and lend themselves to a 'do nothing much' holiday.

Of course, Mauritius is tiny enough that you may rent a car for the day and drive yourself to another beach or to view a certain landmark or tourist site — you won't be stuck somewhere. Its coastal roads are great to drive on, and there are many sites of interest, from inviting cities to charming gardens and natural reserves in the island's verdant and mountainous interior.