All about Mauritius for tourists. Where is the dizzying island of Mauritius? Government of Mauritius

Mauritius is an island where there is one international Airport. Despite this, thousands of tourists come here every year, because the island has clear and warm weather all year round. Thanks to these and many other positive qualities, the tourist flow to its resorts is constantly growing.

Mauritius on a detailed world map in Russian

Mauritius incredibly attractive in terms of tourism, and its favorable location, delicious cuisine and good-natured people make it especially interesting for tourism.

A little history

Mauritius was discovered in the 10th century by Arab and Malay sailors. But, unlike neighboring countries, there was never any attempt to colonize this island. Later, in the 16th century, the famous Portuguese sailor Pedro de Mascarenas came to its territory.

After this, the group of islands was named the Mascarene archipelago and became part of the Dutch East India Company.

Uninhabited Mauritius was used as transhipment point. Dutch crews en route to . made a stop on its territory. This allowed the ships to replenish their supplies of fresh water.

In subsequent centuries, Mauritius several times colonized:

. The first owners of the island were the French. They brought slaves from Africa and Madagascar to its territory, and then set up a plantation economy here, allowing them to grow sugar cane and coffee;
. In 1810, the island passed to the British, who continued to grow cane, but the dark-skinned slaves were replaced by residents of India and China.

In 1957 the island finally gained independence, becoming autonomous state.

Where is?

Mauritius is located in Indian Ocean close to such famous and popular resorts as the islands. On the map it can be found in the western part of the water area as part of the Mascarene archipelago. This island and several nearby land masses are also part of the republic of the same name. The largest of the islands are Rodrigues and Agalega.

Not far from Mauritius is the most large island on the planet - Madagascar, as well as several states that are part of East Africa.

Information about the state

The island is incredibly popular among lovers of quiet and relaxing holiday, because here you can forget about everything.

Characteristics of the island

Mauritius has volcanic origin– its territory consists of basalt, dolomite and tuff. It has an elevated surface, and a small strip of plains stretches along the coast. From the coastal zone and deep into the island, the territory gradually turns into an elevated plateau.

Most high point Mauritius has an extinct Piton volcano (826 meters), and the mountains themselves are the picturesque remains of volcanoes.

What especially stands out about the island is the characteristic stripe reefs, located in the ocean. IN high season They are the ones that attract many tourists to Mauritius. Thanks to him, too strong waves do not penetrate the island, and tourists are not disturbed by dangerous predators.

State structure

After Mauritius gained its independence from, it was declared a state within the British Commonwealth. Exactly 24 years later the island turned into republic, and its first president was Seewoosagur Ramgoolam. The people of the country now have their own president, who is elected for a 5-year term.

Russians can stay in the country for up to 60 days, but to extend their visa for up to 3 months, it is enough to visit the embassy in Port Louis.

Immigration form for tourism, you can get it directly on the plane during the flight, but you must have a passport with you, the validity of which expires no earlier than six months from the moment of arrival in the country. In addition, customs officers may require a return.

Climate
Despite the fact that Mauritius is located far from the equator and is considered tropical resort, this island is not as extremely hot as in neighboring countries. the southern wind brings heavy rainfall, and the air temperature rises to +30 degrees. Winter counts holiday season, since during this period the weather is pleasant - +22-25 degrees.

You can find out about the availability of plane tickets and purchase them online using this search form. Enter cities of departure and arrival, date And number of passengers.

How to fly from St. Petersburg?

Tourists who decide to travel to Mauritius from , choose connecting flights , making stops in Dubai, Paris, Milan and Frankfurt. The total flight time will take from 17 to 27 hours, depending on the airline and how long the stopover will be.

Transaero– this company offers charter flights.
Emirates Airlines – daily frequent flights.
Air Mauritius is a Mauritian company that transports tourists in collaboration with Aeroflot and Air France with stops in Milan and Paris.
KLM and British Airways- companies whose planes make connections in and Paris.

If a pregnant woman is planning a flight, it is better to take out insurance. Find out all the nuances of its design for pregnant women.

Recently, Turkish Airlines planes began flying to the island. Flights of this company are also considered the most profitable, as they make a 2 hour stopover in , and then proceed directly to Mauritius. At the same time, the ticket price is very attractive.

Features of your stay

Mauritius is considered elite resort- All local hotels are of high quality, and the purest sandy beaches and the azure sea with a pleasant temperature are perfect for a relaxing holiday.

Strictly prohibited

Residents of Mauritius are calm and friendly people who are never in a hurry, for this reason many tourists, when they get to the island, after a couple of days they get lost in time, giving themselves to relaxation and measured rest.

The only taboo topic that should not be discussed with Mauritians is religion. Starting a conversation can lead to rudeness and misunderstanding.

From others prohibitions It is worth highlighting the following:

It is strictly prohibited on the island topless swimming;
Fishing is allowed only on special boats;
Items from the bottom of the sea prohibited from being exported from the country;
For collecting and breaking off corals severe punishment follows.

A distinctive feature of the Mauritians is restraint, for this reason from local population It’s rare to hear “no.” Many tourists take advantage of this, violating the culture of the country - they photograph temples without the permission of religious ministers or forget to take off their shoes when entering the sanctuary.

Did you remember to check your debt information? After all, if the debt exceeds the required amount, you will not be allowed abroad. Read about it at.

Recently, shell sellers have been on the beaches of Mauritius. illegally sell substances that are prohibited for use. If law enforcement officers catch tourists, then punishment and fines will follow.

In addition to the main direction - beach and active rest, Mauritius offers its travelers an exciting shopping experience. In 2005, the country became a zone duty free, and on its territory a large number of shops with jewelry, clothing and other items appeared. The island itself is famous for souvenirs such as cashmere products, vessels with colorful soil, and jewelry with precious stones.

In respect of security Mauritius occupies a leading position. There is almost no crime on the island, and unpleasant situations can only happen through the fault of an irresponsible and careless tourist.

pat tame lions;
Swim with dolphins;
See seven-colored sands;
Feed the eels on Lake Grand Bassin;
Visit a secluded place - Vortex;
stand on Cape Gris-Gris.

If you choose a place for beach holiday, then you should know that almost the entire coast of the island is rocky.

Only in the north and west of Mauritius can you find sandy beaches and hotels that have everything for have a wonderful holiday. The best coast located on Flic-en-Flac - there are no private beaches, so you can rent an umbrella and enjoy the sun.

It’s not for nothing that Mauritius is chosen as attractive tourist destination for - this island has everything to make your vacation fabulous, and the close location and the absence of a big time difference make this trip also convenient.

See the exact location of Mauritius on the world map:

Mauritius, or the Republic of Mauritius - Island state, located in the southwest of the Indian Ocean (900 km east of Madagascar). The Republic owns the island of Mauritius with an area of 1865 km² and the island of Rodrigues with an area of 104 km², which are part of the Mascarene Islands archipelago, as well as the Cargados-Carajos archipelago, the Agalega Islands and some smaller islands. total area of the country is 2,040 km², 1,265,577 people live in the republic (2018 data).

The discoverers of Mauritius in the 10th century were the Arabs, who called desert island Dina Arobi. From the beginning of the 16th century, the Portuguese colonized Mauritius, during which time the island was called Sishna - in honor of one of the Portuguese ships. The Dutch arrived here in 1598 and named the island Mauritius in honor of Prince Maurice of Orange. In 1638, they founded the first settlement, and also founded plantations of sugar cane, cotton, and tobacco, for which they brought slaves from Madagascar to work. Since 1715, the island of Mauritius was the territory of France and was called Ile-de-France. In 1721, the first French settlement appeared here, and soon several fortresses and a shipyard were built. In the second half of the 18th century, there were many plantations of sugar cane, coffee, corn, and cassava on the island.

The island became a British colony in 1814 after the British defeated the French and the name Mauritius was returned to it. By 1835, when slavery was abolished, the number of slaves in Mauritius amounted to about 70% of the population. WITH late XIX century, the island also hosted many immigrants from India and China. The first industrial enterprises for the production of sugar appeared, and the cultivation of tea and tobacco began. On March 12, 1968, Mauritius gained state independence from Britain. At the same time, cases of armed confrontations were noted between immigrants from Asia and creoles (blacks and mulattoes). Political unrest in the country continued until March 12, 1992, when Mauritius was declared a republic.

Flight time:
Flights to Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport
from Moscow - from 14 hours 5 minutes. (1-5 transfers)
from St. Petersburg - from 15 hours 45 minutes. (1-5 transfers)
from Kazan - from 18 hours 35 minutes. (1-5 transfers)
from Yekaterinburg - from 18 hours 40 minutes. (1-4 transfers)
from Novosibirsk - from 20 hours 50 minutes. (2-4 transfers)

Current time in Port Louis:
(UTC +4)

The history of the second island of the Republic of Mauritius, Rodrigues Island, also dates back to the times of Portuguese colonization: discovered in 1528, the island was named after the Portuguese discoverer Diego Rodrigues. In 1691-1693 the island belonged to the Dutch, then to the French, and from 1810 to 1968 to the British, after which it became part of the state of Mauritius.

How to get to Mauritius

You can get from Moscow to Mauritius by plane. Operates regular flights Emirates airline Airlines connecting in Dubai. The island's national airline, Air Mauritius, operates codeshare flights with Air France, connecting in Paris. There are also other docking options that can be explored using the form below. All flights from other countries arrive at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport. The country also has an airport on the island of Rodrigues, owned by the state of Mauritius, with domestic flights available there.

Climate and weather in Mauritius

Cities and regions

Mauritius is divided into 9 districts and 3 dependent territories.

The most popular cities and resorts of the country:

National Museum of History of Mauritius

Where to go in Mauritius

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Entertainment

Parks and Recreation

Transport

Shops and markets

Wellness holiday

Things to do

Among tourists, Mauritius is famous for its excellent opportunities for beach holidays, ecotourism, diving, fishing and some others. active species water sports. In addition, health and wedding tourism is highly developed on the island.

Beaches of Mauritius

All beaches on the island are sandy. Municipal and hotel beaches in Mauritius have a high level of recreational infrastructure, they are cleaned daily of debris of corals and algae, and sand is often sifted on them. Visitors to the island should remember that nudism is prohibited by law in Mauritius. Below are the most interesting beaches Mauritius, follow the links for more information.

Flic en Flac Beach
Belle Mare
Pereybere
Tamarin Bay
Tru-o-Bish ( Trou aux Biches)
Mont Choisy
Blue Bay
Trou d'Eau Douce

SPA

SPA services in Mauritius are at the world level, among the main ones are thalassotherapy, balneotherapy, aromatherapy, hydrotherapy, saunas and hammams, massages (Ayurvedic, Balinese, Hawaiian, Thai), and facial cosmetic treatments.

SPA treatments are carried out with the support of leading international cosmetic brands such as Clarins, Givenchy, Guerlain, La Prairie, Shisheido, etc.

Professional SPA centers are available in all 5* hotels and almost all 4* hotels; the cost of a package of SPA services starts from 80 euros. In addition to cosmetic procedures based on products from famous European and Asian brands, the salons offer a range of Ayurvedic treatments and yoga programs.

Among the hotels that own the most famous SPA centers in the country, it is worth mentioning the following (follow the links for additional information):

Wedding in Mauritius

Mauritius is one of the most popular destinations for wedding tourism. Both symbolic and completely official wedding ceremonies are organized here. In the first case, no documents are required at all; in the second, you need to submit documents to the tour operator or company organizing the wedding in Mauritius a month before the trip.

Documents required for a wedding: foreign passports, birth certificates, certificate of marital status (affidavit), divorce certificate (if any), etc.

The wedding ceremony can be held as early as the third working day after the newlyweds arrive on the island. The day before the wedding, the bride and groom, accompanied by a representative of the wedding company, must visit the office in Port Louis to sign necessary documents. The newlyweds can receive a marriage certificate within a week after the wedding ceremony.

As a rule, the cost of a package of services for organizing a wedding ceremony starts from 300 euros, but some luxury hotels offer a basic package of wedding services to their guests for free.

Deep sea fishing

Fishing on the high seas is one of the most popular tourist activities in Mauritius. The island is home to truly record-breaking specimens of blue and black marlin, hammerhead, shark, tuna (skipjack, yellow fin and dog tooth), bonitos, sea bream, wahoo and barracuda. Fishing boats can be hired at most hotels, or you can arrange a fishing trip with one of the local fishermen.

Mauritius regularly hosts deep sea fishing competitions, in particular the prestigious World Marlin Cup, held annually in December.

Best time for fishing - September-April, the worst is June and July. Best fishing in Mauritius occurs in the waters around Rivière Noire, Le Morne, Flic-en-Flac, Trou aux Biches and Grand Baie.

Surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing

Surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing are the most popular sports in Mauritius.
This is due to the presence of strong winds on the island, blowing from May to December, when wave heights can reach 7 meters.

The best surfing spot in Mauritius (and one of the top 20 in the world) is Tamarin Bay on the island's west coast, as well as the waters off the small Deer Island. There is more for kitesurfing suitable places- from Cap Malheur in the north to Belle Mare in the east and Blue Bay in the south, but the most popular remains Le Morne on the west coast, famous for the “correct” winds.

Le Morne, located in the southern part of the island, at the foot of Mount Brabant, is also considered best place for windsurfing, where thanks to the winds you can ride almost all year round— suitable winds blow here almost 300 days a year. In addition, this area is good for learning to windsurf, as there is a lagoon with calm water.

The equipment necessary for classes can be rented at one of the centers, many located on the coast.

Diving

Mauritius is very popular among divers. The island has 330 kilometers of coastline surrounded by a coral barrier reef, tunnels, cliffs and wrecks.

The island's dive centers pay a lot of attention to preserving the fragile underwater world Indian Ocean. Dives are carried out in small groups of divers, the boats do not use anchors that can harm the corals, but only mooring buoys in accordance with the recommendations of the Mauritius Diving Association (MSDA).

Most dive sites can be reached within 20 minutes by boat.
Thus, in the Flic-en-Flac area there are more than 40 interesting places for diving - a complex of underwater caves "Cathedral", "Snake Shaft", the Strait of Saint-Jacques, 4 wrecks at a depth of 20 to 40 m, etc. East of Maheburg there is a lagoon favored by divers. The Pointe de Flac resort has many of its own dive centers. U north coast Mauritius has many suitable places for diving, in particular, lagoons near the group of islands Couen de Mire, Ile Ronde, Me-aux-Serpents, Gabriel, Ile Plat, Ile d'Ambre, etc. On the second The republic's largest island, Rodrigues, also offers plenty of diving opportunities.

Yacht charter

Yacht cruising is one of the popular pastimes in Mauritius. As a rule, in every resort town There are several offices of major companies on the coast offering group and individual yacht trips along the coast:

Getting around the country

Transport in the republic is represented by planes, buses, and taxis.

Air traffic

Air communication between the islands is provided by a company that operates daily flights from Mauritius (Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport) to Rodrigues Island (travel time is just over an hour). Flights arrive at Sir Gaëtan Duval Airport.

Bus

The most convenient and common transport in Mauritius is a bus, which has extensive network intercity routes(220 lines). The bus fleet consists of fairly old vehicles, often not equipped with air conditioning.

Buses are divided into 2 categories - standard and express. Standard ones, unlike express trains, stop at every stop and do not have air conditioning.

Buses run from 5:30 to 20:00 in cities and from 6:30 to 18:30 in rural areas. Buses run between Port Louis and Curepipe until 23:00 in the evening (travel time is about 1.5 hours).

On main routes, the service interval is 15 minutes; express buses run less frequently. Tickets can be purchased at ticket offices at train stations or from the conductor inside the bus. Tourists should remember that direct bus, connecting the opposite ends of the island, does not exist.

Bus schedules, fares and route descriptions can be found at.

Taxi

Taxis in Mauritius can be taken at the airport, at parking lots in cities, or called by phone from the hotel. The cost of the trip should be agreed upon in advance, since most cars are not equipped with meters. Bargaining is welcome. The price of the trip is 15-25 rupees per kilometer. A taxi proves to be an advantageous mode of transport for long, all-day trips, and the driver can act as a tour guide around the island.

Rent a Car

Renting a car in Mauritius is possible if the driver has an international driving license obtained at least a year ago, and the driver is over 23 years old. The cost of renting a car per day is about 45 euros (1500 rupees). Driving on the island's roads is on the left. There is a speed limit of 50 km/h in the city and 100 km/h on the highway. There is a hefty fine for driving without seat belts.

Located in the Indian Ocean, it is considered a real paradise for tourists who are not embarrassed by its significant distance from civilization. Lovers from all over the globe come to the most beautiful resort in the world to have a memorable wedding ceremony.

Heavenly place

Mauritius is the largest of the islands included in the state, on which the capital of the country, Port Louis, is located. Surrounded on all sides by the warm ocean, it is famous for its incredibly picturesque landscapes.

The island, which was once owned by the Portuguese, French and British, became a free republic in 1992. The most prosperous country in the region is famous for its developed textile industry and the production of sugar from cane. But the main source of income for the treasury is the constantly improving tourism business.

Travelers who come to relax note a pleasant climate without sweltering heat. Many people fear the rainy season, which lasts for several months, from February to May, but visitors to the island need not worry: heavy downpours do not happen every year.

Mauritius on the world map

An attractive island in the Indian Ocean for tourists, it is located east of Madagascar. Belonging to the Mascarene archipelago, Mauritius is equidistant from two continents - Africa and Asia, and many people wonder which of them it belongs to. It is officially accepted that this corner of paradise is considered one of the hottest in the world. globe mainland.

When tourists try to find beautiful island Mauritius on the map, not many people manage to do it the first time. It is just a tiny point, lost in the ocean and located far from all tourist routes.

Artificial containment of the tourist flow by the authorities

The exotic island of Mauritius, whose attractions deserve a detailed description, is no larger in size than the territory of Moscow.

Tourists celebrate the magical atmosphere of the colorful resort, ancient culture which has included all the best and most interesting things for its guests. However, getting here recently has not been so easy: the island’s authorities, concerned about the crazy flow of foreigners, began to curb the influx of people in order to maintain the reputation of one of the most elite corners of the world.

Mauritius airport

The first attraction that a traveler who arrives on the mysterious land will encounter is the airport, located a few kilometers from the capital of the island. The only one Harbour Air The resort is equipped with modern terminals with Duty Free, where you can buy souvenirs and alcoholic products, perfumes and items from the most famous brands.

Travelers feel the hospitality of friendly staff who issue visas to everyone arriving on the island of Mauritius. The airport, which receives planes from more than 70 countries, is gaining popularity every year. The beautiful spacious halls are conveniently located, so the risk of getting lost here is minimal.

Favorite island of all celebrities

It is no coincidence that the colorful tropical oasis has been chosen by rich Hollywood stars, influential members of royal families and billionaires wasting money. Therefore, guests of this paradise are deprived of all the inconveniences associated with mass tourism, and reports of criminal incidents have long been forgotten by all vacationers on the island with such beautiful name- Mauritius.

Its attractions are primarily associated with the unique nature and magnificent many-kilometer beaches where world celebrities relax.

Deer Island

You can’t ignore Deer Island, located in the east of Mauritius. Without exaggeration we can say that this is the most popular place relaxation for everyone who dreams of being alone with nature.

Once upon a time it was known for its huge populations of deer and complete desertion. Over time, the cute animals disappeared, and the picturesque area turned into a tourist Mecca with excellent service. Conveniently located comfortable hotels, luxurious restaurants and golden beaches offering every possible... water activities- this is just a small part of what attracts wealthy travelers here.

Colored dunes of Chamarel

Fantastically beautiful Mauritius, whose attractions are unique, is famous for the unreal landscapes of the village of Chamarel. Colorful dunes created by nature itself will surprise even the most discerning guests of the island. Over the course of many centuries, the sands were subject to erosion and exposure to different temperatures, as a result of which they formed into bizarre lands of the most unusual shades, which the locals call seven-colored.

Although in fact the palette of sands of Chamarel (Mauritius) is much richer. Walking on the colorful dunes is strictly prohibited, but comfortable ones have been built for tourists. observation decks from which you can admire stunning views. It is interesting to visit the village after heavy rains to make sure that what is happening is unreal. The sands, painted in different colors, do not mix even after strong hurricanes and heavy rainfall, presenting a stunning sight.

Botanical Garden of Pamplemousses

One of the most ancient and beautiful botanical gardens is located near the capital of the island. Its incredible popularity is due to the fact that it showcases the amazing flora of Mauritius.

Tourists will be delighted by a beautiful rose with leaves over three meters, a sacred palm tree that blooms once every hundred years, huge

The gigantic garden area of almost 37 hectares is home to the oldest species of turtles, which were introduced to replace the extinct Mauritian ones.

Underwater "ghost"

It is not for nothing that the unique waterfalls scattered throughout the territory are recognized as the main ones. natural wonders. But perhaps the most luxurious cascade is located on the Le Morne-Brabant peninsula, creating the deceptive impression of an extraterrestrial landscape.

It seems that mighty streams of water are continuously flowing into the blue abyss of the ocean. The view of continuously flowing streams from above resembles an impressive funnel, greedily sucking in everything around. Only from a bird's eye view can one appreciate the scale and beauty of this unprecedented spectacle.

It is all the more surprising to learn that famous waterfall(Mauritius is rich in various wonders, and one of them is in the photo above) - just a “ghost”, but in fact the cascades are eroded sand flowing under the transparent surface of the ocean. Layer after layer of silt deposits create a holographic image that is mistaken for turbulent flows of water.

and a statue of a deity

Representatives of different religions coexist peacefully on the island, but most local residents profess Hinduism.

The temple complex, located near the Grand Bassin lake, is the most significant place for Hindu devotees, receiving thousands of pilgrims. All guests are greeted by the third largest statue of Shiva in the entire globe, surprising with its special realism.

The supreme deity, which is extremely revered on the island, symbolizes two principles - destructive and creative, life and death. The statue is considered unique because it is the only image of Shiva standing, and not sitting, as required by local traditions.

On the greatest night dedicated to the deity, 100 thousand believers come to the high place, coming from different continents for the holiday. To appease Shiva, generous gifts are brought to the shore of the lake, which are later stolen by monkeys.

sacred lake

And the Grand Bassin lake itself, surrounded by temples, arouses considerable interest among travelers. It has long been worshiped, considering the reservoir formed in the crater of a volcano to be sacred.

Surrounded by sacrificial places, the lake presents a very curious sight in the morning and evening: the light fog hiding the Grand Basin gives it, according to tourists, a mystical appearance.

Gastronomic establishments

Experienced travelers note the well-developed restaurant service, which surprises with spectacular evening shows and live music. Located in tropical gardens, the establishments offer visitors to enjoy traditional and European dishes. Local cuisine features seafood, fresh herbs and exquisite spices for which Mauritius is famous. The restaurants will help you host memorable private events in a pleasant, modern environment.

The original Mauritius, whose attractions have no analogues in the entire globe, - unique place, where vacationers will feel truly happy. The tourist paradise, despite its small size, amazes with the variety of natural and man-made monuments.