Holidays in Mauritius with children

Mauritius: A Perfect Travel Destination for Family Vacations

Idyllic weather year-round, stunning landscapes, safety, top-notch hotel infrastructure, easy transportation, healthy and varied food, etc... There are many reasons to choose Mauritius for a trip with children!

Mauritius: A Paradise for Family Holidays

White sandy beaches, lush tropical nature, a turquoise lagoon teeming with marine life, exceptional biodiversity, perfect weather and temperature all year round... Mauritius offers a wealth of outdoor activities to explore and discover its exceptional nature. Undoubtedly, Mauritius is an ideal destination for a dream family vacation under the tropics!

Traveling Safely in Mauritius

Mauritius is a safe country, where attacks are rare, and tourists are warmly welcomed. Even though, like in any country, one must follow essential safety rules, there is no particular danger in traveling to Mauritius with children.

In fact, Mauritius is one of the safest countries in Africa in 2024, according to Numbeo!

Mauritius: Easy to Plan Your Vacation

Mauritius is highly sought after by travelers, especially because of how easy it is to organize your stay:

• Simplified entry procedures: Entry procedures to Mauritius are relatively simple, with a visa exemption for short-term tourist stays. Just bring a valid passport and your return ticket!
• Accessibility: Mauritius is well-served by numerous international airlines, offering a wide choice of direct flights from global capitals. Its proximity to Réunion Island is also a big advantage for French travelers in case of administrative needs or repatriation.
• Language: The Mauritian population is multilingual. Most Mauritians speak fluently Mauritian Creole, but also French and English. Perfect for both children and parents to enjoy their stay while learning a few words of Creole!
• Transportation: Public transport in Mauritius is well-organized, with a dense bus network that makes it easy to get around the country. Renting a car is also simple, allowing you to explore the island at your own pace on well-maintained roads.
• Services: Tourist services in Mauritius are of high quality. You'll easily find travel agencies to organize your excursions, exchange offices, banks, pharmacies, doctors, etc.

Hotels and Accommodations in Mauritius

Mauritius offers a wide variety of accommodations, ranging from luxury hotels to family guesthouses and serviced residences. Many of them feature spaces and activities for children, such as holiday clubs or leisure clubs. The level of comfort and service meets European standards, and often exceeds them! Whether you prefer to stay by the beach, in the countryside, or in the city, it’s easy to find accommodations that suit your budget and desires. 

What Activities to Do in Mauritius with Children?

What places to visit in Mauritius with the family? What vacation activities to enjoy with your children? Mauritius offers a wide range of activities for children, with something for everyone: adventure, beaches, water activities, cultural visits, and more... So, are you ready to join us?

Visit Port Louis, the Capital

It’s impossible to visit Mauritius with the family without discovering Port Louis, its capital! A former colonial city, it is now a true cultural, religious, and linguistic melting pot. This is a great opportunity to immerse yourself in Mauritian culture, rich in color and diversity, and explore its historic monuments that tell the island’s past. Stroll through the local markets of the capital and indulge your senses with the smells and flavors of fruit and vegetable stands, spices, seafood, local crafts, and more.

Discover the flavors of Mauritian cuisine, influenced by many cultures, and don't miss our article dedicated to the rich gastronomy of Mauritius.

Dream Beaches in Mauritius

How could you not dream of a day of relaxation with the family on one of the world’s most beautiful beaches? In Mauritius, with its 300 km of paradise beaches, this could quickly become your everyday life! Calm and shallow, the beaches of Mauritius are ideal for family vacations. Trou-aux-Biches and its stunning lagoon, Blue Bay with its coconut trees, Flic en Flac for water sports, Mont Choisy, or Péreybère Beach, where you can spot turtles early in the morning... you have plenty of choices!

Snorkeling with Your Children in Mauritius

With its stunning lagoon and crystal-clear waters full of colorful marine life, Mauritius is a paradise for water activities accessible to children, like snorkeling. Put on your fins, masks, and snorkels, and head out as a family to explore the rich marine biodiversity of Mauritius at Blue Bay, Flic-en-Flac, or Île aux Cerfs.

Water Sports and Activities for Families in Mauritius

For the older ones (or the more daring), the vast Mauritian lagoons provide an excellent playground to try water sports. Scuba diving, sea kayaking, kite surfing, and more... there is something for everyone, and for every type of athlete! Numerous clubs and schools offering water sports line the Mauritian coastline, known for their safety and professionalism. It’s a great opportunity to create unforgettable memories as a family in Mauritius!

See Dolphins and Whales Offshore

Several boat tours offer the chance to encounter the marine mammals inhabiting Mauritian waters: whales, sperm whales, and dolphins! Safely for tourists and with respect for these majestic animals, these unique moments will be forever etched in your children’s memories.

Vallee des Couleurs Nature Park

After the Mauritian lagoon, head inland! For nature lovers and sports enthusiasts, a detour to the Vallée des Couleurs Nature Park is a must-see during your trip to Mauritius.

In the park, surrounded by exceptional and abundant nature and biodiversity, you can enjoy numerous family-friendly activities:

• Hikes through the fabulous landscapes of the park, where you might spot peacocks, giant tortoises, and Java deer.
• Quad biking, allowing you to explore the park in its entirety.
• Zip-lining, for thrill-seekers: cross the valley above the trees and admire nature from the air!
• Step Jet, a water activity that makes you feel like you’re walking on water!

Casela Wildlife Park

Lions, giraffes, zebras, cheetahs... head off to meet Africa's animals with your family at the island’s largest zoo! Many other activities are available on-site: zip-lining, via ferrata, canyoning, summer tobogganing, and more... For a more authentic and less touristy experience, you can also opt for the Vanille Reserve, where beautiful walks, crocodiles, and giant tortoises await.

Pamplemousses Botanical Garden

The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden is a must-do family activity in Mauritius! Discover an enchanting world full of scents and colors. The garden houses numerous varieties of endemic Mauritian plants, as well as plants from around the world. It’s a lovely walk with children in a botanical paradise, where you'll meet mongooses, butterflies, tropical birds, and giant tortoises living in the park.

Odysseo in Mauritius

Odysseo is the largest oceanarium in Mauritius. It offers an immersive journey through the Indian Ocean, with 45 aquariums housing over 200 marine species. It’s much more than just a tourist attraction: Odysseo is a place for learning and raising awareness about ocean conservation. Visitors can admire a multitude of marine creatures, from corals to sharks, while discovering the importance of preserving these fragile ecosystems. An unforgettable experience for the whole family!

The Natural History Museum of Port Louis

The Natural History Museum of Port Louis is a must-visit in Mauritius, a true treasure trove of information for nature lovers, young and old. The museum houses a rich collection of Mauritian flora and fauna specimens, many of which are endemic to the island. The highlight is undoubtedly the skeleton of the dodo, the emblematic bird of Mauritius, which unfortunately went extinct.

The World of Seashells

The “World of Seashells” is a true gem for nature lovers and marine life enthusiasts. It houses the largest shell collection in Africa, with over 8,000 pieces from around the world! This unique museum offers a fascinating journey through the oceans, discovering extraordinary marine biodiversity. Its engaging educational approach makes it an ideal activity for children and family visits.

Curious Corner of Chamarel

Curious Corner is a fun and fascinating activity in Mauritius that will delight both children and adults! Dive into the world of optical illusions... Very playful, it’s the perfect family activity during your trip to Mauritius!