Mauritius Island Hopping: Exploring Picture-Perfect Paradises

Absolutely! No trip to Mauritius is complete without an island hopping trip, especially if you love sandy beaches, snorkelling and water sports – and who doesn’t? Mauritius isn’t an island-hopping destination in the same sense as places like Greece or Thailand; it’s a tiny archipelago, with most islands located within its lagoons – so you won’t need to spend hours at sea.

You’ll likely spend a half day or full day exploring, with plenty of time to swim in the turquoise Indian Ocean and perhaps enjoy a barbecue lunch and drinks – before returning to your hotel on the mainland. It’s the best of both worlds, and the huge coral reef that encircles Mauritius keeps big waves at bay.

From far-flung atolls to water sports hubs, Mauritius has an island for every holiday style. These are the ones that our Travel Experts love, for a castaway adventure in paradise...

Île aux Aigrettes is Mauritius's biggest conservation success story: the only place in the country where you can see giant Seychelles tortoises in the true wild. It's also home to a burgeoning population of pink pigeons too, which were brought back from the brink of extinction.

It's situated just off the south-east coast in Mahébourg Bay, a 10-minute speedboat ride from Pointe Jerome. Tours are led by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation, with eco tours (around 1.5 hours) featuring a guided hike through the 400-year-old ebony forest.

Some catamaran or day tours to Île aux Aigrettes also visit Île aux Fouquets – a rocky isle, whose highest point is topped with an eerie ruined lighthouse. Bring walking shoes, and a sense of adventure!

Close to Le Morne on the south-west coast of Mauritius, the tiny Île aux Bénitiers is a crescent-shaped haven of sapphire shallows and a long sandy shore – backed by a thick, wildlife-filled forest. The island is just 1.2 miles long and 500 metres wide, and is reached by fishing boat from La Gaulette or Case Noyale.

There's not much to do here, other than relaxing on the beach and kicking your snorkelling fins in search of turtles and rays. It's very tranquil, especially on weekdays. The sunset views are superb, so ensure you've got plenty of phone battery for the journey home too.

The most popular of all Mauritius islands, Île aux Cerfs features pure white beaches lapped by Listerine-blue lagoons. As if that’s not enough, there’s also an 18-hole championship golf course and four restaurants serving freshly caught fish and seafood – plus water sports ranging from banana boats to parasailing and waterskiing.

Île aux Cerfs lies just off the south-east coast; boats depart every morning from Trou d’Eau Douce (it’s fine to book locally), and take around 15 minutes. It’s a superb spot for sunbathing and kicking back with cocktails – and you can even stay overnight in the glamping-style Bubble Lodges.

Reached by speedboat from any of the LUX* resorts – one of Mauritius's most opulent honeymoon-worthy hotel brands – Île des Deux Cocos is located on its very own island, with a pristine private beach and daily snorkelling tours in its glass-bottomed boat.

Super-rich holidaymakers often hire the entire isle for their holidays, but it also offers all-inclusive day passes with a lunchtime buffet and free-flowing drinks and ice cream. Its location, in the south coast's Blue Bay, is also ideal for wild swimming, diving and fishing.

If you’re staying in northern Mauritius, book a catamaran cruise to Île Plate and Îlot Gabriel – just off the mainland's northernmost tip. You'll sail across the waves with the wind in your hair, then jump from the boat right into the Indian Ocean, to snorkel atop the teeming coral that bridges the two islands.

It’s an idyllic day out, with trips departing from Grand Baie in the morning before a barbecue lunch of fresh fish and local curries on Îlot Gabriel's beach. You'll spend the afternoon swimming and sunbathing, exploring the sandbanks and snapping So. Many. Photos. Only got a few hours to spare? This tour can also be done by speedboat, either in groups or as a private hire.

Mauritius really does cater for all budgets. As well as a jaw-dropping array of lavish hotels, there are also friendly, family-run guesthouses with pools, superb self-catering options and boutique hotels on the beach.

Why not stay in a few different properties in different areas, to discover all that Mauritius has to offer? Our Experts can help you choose the accommodation and activities that suit your budget best. 

For clear skies and optimum beach conditions, the best time to visit Mauritius and its islands is April to June or September to December – though the outer edges of those timeframes (the ‘shoulder season’) can offer lower prices and fewer tourists, still with good weather.

The average temperature is around 25ºC year-round.

Island hopping is just one of the incredible things to do in Mauritius. Its coastline is sublime, with pristine white sands and swaying palms aplenty: check out Le Morne, Flic En Flac, Trou aux Biches and Grand Baie for starters. There are no private beaches on the islands, so if you have a rental car you can swim and snorkel wherever you choose. 

The wild east shore promises the quietest coastline, such as Palmar – though it can be windy – as well as the adrenaline highs of Skydive Mauritius, whose base camp is in Rivière du Rempart.

For hikers, there are endless trails in Black River Gorges National Park – and plenty of waterfalls to cool off in. Also in the south-west, the forest-flanked village of Chamarel has thrilling ziplines and canopy bridges through its treetops, and rum tasting at Rhumerie de Chamarel.

The western shore is a divers’ dream with over 200 types of coral, while Grand Bassin is one of the many dazzlingly colourful Hindu temples that welcome visitors – particularly spectacular during the Maha Shivaratri festival (February or March), when 400,000 pilgrims parade through the streets. 

To the north, you can discover giant lily pad ponds and super-sized coconut groves at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden in Pamplemousse-, and snaffle street food at Central Market in the capital, Port Louis (one curry-stuffed samosa is never enough). 

Mauritius island-hopping excursions usually include transfers directly from your hotel, no matter where you’re staying. If you'd prefer to explore independently, hiring a car is easy and budget-friendly.

Several factors make Mauritius a great self-drive destination: road conditions are excellent, traffic is quiet, and everyone drives on the left. If you only want a car for a few days, it can be delivered and picked up from your accommodation. There is also an extensive bus network, and convenient door-to-door taxis and transfers.

Explore our top Mauritius holiday packages today! When you book your Mauritius holiday with Flight Centre, our Travel Experts can organise all of the island-hopping for you, including Flight Centre Package Protection when you book flights, hotels and experiences – leaving you to enjoy your trip...