Mauritius out-engineers most rivals: a coral reef circles almost the entire island, creating calm, swimmable lagoons everywhere. Beneath brooding Le Morne mountain you'll find the most dramatic beach; inland lie tea plantations, waterfalls and Creole markets. The food — Indian, Chinese, French and African at one table — is reason enough. May to December is cooler, drier and cyclone-free.
Featured in Ten tropical islands that live up to the postcard · Tropical
Mauritius is the honeymoon island for couples who get restless on a sun lounger. The reef-ringed lagoon handles the swimming; inland there are tea estates, waterfalls, Creole markets and the brooding bulk of Le Morne to hike at dawn. Food is the sleeper hit — Indian, Chinese, French and African on one menu. Resorts discount heavily in May and June: cooler, drier, cyclone-free and noticeably cheaper than Christmas.
Featured in Ten dreamy honeymoon islands worth the long flight · Tropical