mauritius

[ralphy50]

Looking to visit the east coast of mauritius end of may / beginning of june, just wondering about general tips, places to see etc. Also, roughly how big is the island? How long would it take to drive from one side to the other etc? Any help would be much appreciated!

[Buenchico]

There's lots of information on the official tourism site:
http://www.mauritius.net/index2.htm

Looking at my world atlas, Mauritius appears to be about 45 miles long by about 35 miles wide.

Chris

[ralphy50]

Chris, you're a star, thanks so much

[stevie_c2it]

The big game fishing is a fantastic way to spend a day, you can arrange boat and crew hire via your hotel, or more cheaply through one of the 'hawkers' you'll meet on the beach. Don't miss out on a visit to Ile aux Cerfs, your bound to see filming there, usually swimsuit calendars ;) as it's one of the worlds most famous beaches.

[kovac]

I spent 2 months in Mauritius around 6 yrs ago and I'm desperately trying to remember how long it takes to drive around the island. From North to South it takes around 1hr. The Southern point of La Roche Qui Pleure/Gris-Gris is worth seeing.

The best attraction for me was Ile Aux Cerf on the East coast. It really takes some beating. You can take a spead boat to the island from Trou D'Eau Douce.

Port Louis the Capital City is also worthy of a visit.

Le Morne on the West (South ish) coast is very picturesque.

La Domaine Du Chasseur - for the wow factor

One tip - Chameral Coulered Earth is not overly spectacular, but it is a popular tourist attraction.

Have a Phoenix beer for me when you're there - I'm sure you'll have a great time.

[dicky113]

It poured down when we were in Mauritius so we toured quite a bit. I would agree that the coloured earths are a waste of time. Likewise the waterfalls in the south of the country, cant remember their name but it takes ages to get to them from the east coast and they are only about 20 feet high and distinctly unspectacular.

The best way to get around the island, we found, was by taxi. You get a fixed quote to your destination and then they wait, no matter how long you are there and take you back to your hotel, stiopping anywhere you like on the way. No clock ticking away like back here.

The roads are pretty awful so bank journeys away from the A roads taking twice as long as you would expect.

There is a decent zoo, I think in Port Louis, with loads of old tortoises and a sign telling you that you can sit on them! which is good for a photo. Also one of the worlds oldest racetracks.

[qapmoc]

Hi, well in May/June you wont need to worry much about the weather, it will be winter and that means no Cyclones (hurricanes), no heavy rains only light stuff, it will be nice at the coast but not cold, but the climate is a bit different from the UK and you will find that you can leave the coast in bright sunshine at say 24 deg C and drive to the centre of the island to Curepipe 1Km above sea level to visit the extinct volcanoe and it will be cold, wet and windy, drive back to the coast and it is still nice and sunny, if you hire a open jeep (many visitors seem to like jeeps) and do this you will be frozen if you start in tee-shirts/shorts and don't take extra clothes. A point about the sun, it will be winter and not too hot but the sun is still stronger than the UK in mid-summer so watch out for sunburn. The normal roads are pretty good these days but there is a lack of accurate road signs in the country areas so watch out if you are out on your own.
One point, if you are moving from North to South or visa-versa you will probably take the only motorway which passes directly through Port Louis, Dont go through Port Loius North>South between 15:30 - 17:00 or South>North between 08:00 - 09:30 unless you like moving at 5mph for miles, mind you, you would get plenty of time to look at the passing scenery!!
One thing you wont suffer from when you go out is lack of food, almost everywhere you go you will find somebody selling some kind of food in small roadside ''snacks'', most of it is of Indian origin and you must try dol-puree or rote which are a sort of roasted flour pancake with mild curry vegetable and cooked pulses filling (make sure to say no piment (Chilli) added).