Back to Paradise: My Second Trip to Mauritius

When to Go: Planning Your Mauritius Trip

Mauritius is honestly a lovely destination to visit all year round. The island is blessed with warm weather, gorgeous beaches, and that unmistakable island charm no matter the month. That said, if you can avoid travelling in February, please do. February falls right in the middle of cyclone season, which runs from roughly November through April. While we were incredibly lucky on our trip, the risk of heavy rain, strong winds, and disrupted plans is very real during this time.

Here's a rough guide to the best times to visit:

• Peak Season (July – September) - This is arguably the best time to visit Mauritius. Temperatures are cooler and more comfortable, sitting around 20–24°C (68–75°F), the skies are mostly clear and blue, and the trade winds make for ideal conditions for water sports and outdoor activities. Expect higher prices and more tourists during this window, but the weather is simply superb.
• Shoulder / Shower Season (October – November & March – April) - These transitional months can bring occasional showers and some humidity, with temperatures hovering between 25–30°C (77–86°F). It's not the worst time to go at all — you'll find cheaper deals, fewer crowds, and the island is lush and green from the rains. Just pack a light rain jacket and be prepared for the odd afternoon shower.
• Low Season / Cyclone Season (December – February) - Temperatures are at their highest — often 30–33°C (86–91°F) — and humidity is thick in the air. This is the wet season, with heavy downpours possible and the ever-present risk of tropical cyclones. If budget is a priority and you're willing to take a gamble on the weather, you can find great deals during this period. Just go in with eyes wide open.

We travelled in February — smack in the middle of cyclone season — and thankfully the weather held up reasonably well for us. But learn from my experience: if your schedule allows it, aim for July or August for the best all-round conditions.

Day 1: The Journey from Johannesburg

After what felt like months of anticipation, 3 February 2024 finally arrived. My mom and I made our way to OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, excited and ready for our Mauritian escape. We were booked on a FlySafair flight — a great budget-friendly option for the JHB–Mauritius route.

Nights 1–2: Solana Beach Resort, Belle Mare

3rd - 5th  of february

About the Resort

Solana Beach is a four-star, adults-only resort nestled along the coast of Belle Mare on the lush eastern coast of Mauritius. Nestled among palm trees and offering stunning sea views, all 117 rooms feature ocean views and come with a private balcony or garden patio. The resort is approximately 55 km from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport, which accounts for that scenic hour-long transfer. The Belle Mare beach itself is considered one of the longest beaches in Mauritius, stretching from Belle Mare village in the south all the way to Trou d'Eau Douce, with fine white sand fringed by lush casuarina trees.Water sports at the resort include canoeing, windsurfing, PADI-certified diving, and glass bottom boat excursions. On dry land, there's a fitness room, tennis, volleyball, and bike and scooter hire. For dining, the main buffet restaurant Cinnamone combines international and Mauritian flavours and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, while Pomelo restaurant sits poolside offering an à la carte dinner menu. For those looking to unwind, the Ylang Spa offers a range of massages and beauty treatments, as well as a sauna and steam bath.

Our Stay

We arrived tired but happy after our delayed journey, checked in, freshened up, and made our way to dinner. After a lovely meal, my mom and I treated ourselves to a few cocktails — the perfect way to toast our arrival back in paradise — before calling it an early night. Mauritius was going to demand a lot of energy from us in the days ahead!

Day 2: Beach, Pedalos & Paradise

We woke up early and headed for breakfast, fuelling up for a full day ahead. After eating, we made a beeline for the beach. The Belle Mare coastline did not disappoint — the water is that impossible shade of blue-green that you only ever seem to find in the Indian Ocean, and the sand is powder-soft underfoot.

We hired a pedalo and spent a blissful stretch of time out on the lagoon, laughing and paddling and soaking up the Mauritian sunshine. After working up an appetite, we headed back for lunch, then spent the rest of the afternoon lounging by the pool — pure, guilt-free relaxation.

Come evening, we freshened up for dinner, enjoyed another lovely meal, and rounded off the night with a few more cocktails. Sometimes the simplest days really are the best ones.

Day 3: On Route to Preskil Island Resort

5TH - 10TH OF FEBRUARY

With our two nights at Solana Beach behind us, we were up bright and early for our departure. It was time to make the journey to our next destination: Preskil Island Resort in Mahébourg, where we'd be spending the next five nights.

During our stay in Mauritius, we enjoyed a scenic coastal drive from Solana Beach Mauritius to Preskil Island Resort. The route offered breathtaking ocean views, palm-lined roads and glimpses of the island’s relaxed coastal life. Along the way, we made a stop to stretch our legs and soak in the incredible scenery, making the journey just as memorable as the destination itself.

About the Resort

Preskil Island Resort is a superior four-star hotel set on a private peninsula in the south-east of Mauritius, near the historic village of Mahébourg. The resort features uninterrupted views of the Île aux Aigrettes nature reserve, Lion Mountain, the Blue Bay Marine Park and the turquoise Indian Ocean. The airport is only about 3.1 miles from the property, making it one of the most conveniently located resorts on the island. The resort has 214 rooms and suites, all with a private terrace or balcony, air-conditioning, TV, mini-bar, tea and coffee-making facilities, safe, telephone, and hairdryer. Facilities include an infinity-edge swimming pool, the Banyan Spa with hammam and Jacuzzis, a gym, water sports including pedal boats, stand-up paddle boards, snorkelling and windsurfing, as well as tennis and volleyball courts and a kids club. There are three restaurants on the property, each offering a distinct dining experience — more on those shortly.

Arrival & First Evening

We arrived at Preskil, checked in, and immediately felt the shift in atmosphere. The resort has a wonderfully relaxed, almost private feel to it, perched on its little peninsula with the ocean on multiple sides. We grabbed lunch, then spent the afternoon unwinding by the pool before joining the evening buffet dinner, which was accompanied by live entertainment. A perfect first night.

Days 4–7: Life at Preskil

Glass Bottom Boats, Snorkelling & More

The waters around Mahébourg are remarkable. We went out on the glass bottom boat twice during our stay and absolutely loved every minute of it. Gliding over the coral reef and watching the marine life below — fish darting between corals, the occasional sea turtle drifting past — is the kind of experience that stays with you long after you've gone home. We also snorkelled on both occasions, getting up close and personal with the underwater world. If you're staying at Preskil, please, please do the glass bottom boat trip. You won't regret it.

One afternoon was dedicated to pure relaxation — a full chill day by the pool, doing absolutely nothing productive and loving every second of it. Sometimes that's exactly what a holiday needs.

We also treated ourselves to a massage treatment at the spa one morning. After days of sun, sea and activities, it was absolute bliss. Highly recommended.

Dining at Preskil — A Cut Above

Now, let's talk about the food. Because at Preskil, the dining is genuinely something special.

The resort has a main buffet restaurant that is already well above average, with a wide variety of fresh, beautifully prepared dishes every evening. But the two à la carte restaurants on the property are where things really get exciting.

Mosaic Restaurant

We dined here twice, and both times were outstanding. From the starters to the mains and — don't even get me started on the desserts — everything was exquisite. If you are staying at Preskil Island Resort, do yourself a massive favour and make a reservation at Mosaic. The food is just incredible. Honestly, one visit was not enough.

Club 1819

Our other à la carte evening was at Club 1819, another restaurant on the premises. The food here was equally amazing. The quality and care that goes into the cooking at Preskil really sets it apart. We went to bed both nights absolutely satisfied and a little bit in food heaven.

Days 8–10: Grand Bay — Local Life & City Adventures

10TH - 13TH OF FEBRUARY

Checking into Our Self-Catering Unit

After five wonderful nights at Preskil, we made the journey up north to Grand Bay — one of Mauritius's most vibrant and bustling beach towns — for our final three nights in a self-catering unit. It was a bit of a long drive, but it gave us the chance to see more of the island. After five wonderful nights at Preskil, we made the journey up north to Grand Bay — one of Mauritius's most vibrant and bustling beach towns — for our final three nights in a self-catering unit. It was a bit of a long drive, but it gave us the chance to see more of the island.

Exploring Grand Bay

The next morning was all about exploration. Grand Bay is a fantastic place to wander — it's lively, colourful, and full of character. We visited all the local shops, browsed through market stalls, and made our way down to the public beach. Along the way, we sampled some local Mauritian street food — flavourful, fresh, and completely delicious — and tried a fresh coconut drink, cracked open right in front of us. If you've never had fresh coconut water straight from the shell in a tropical country, put it on your list immediately. 

That evening, we kept things simple and had Steers — yes, a South African fast food staple has made its way to Mauritius, and sometimes a burger is exactly what the moment calls for. We had absolutely no regrets.

Day 11: The Grand Day Tour — A Feast of History and Culture

This was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our entire trip. We booked a full-day tour and packed in an extraordinary amount of sightseeing. Here's what we saw:

The Hindu Temple

Mauritius has a rich and vibrant Hindu heritage — nearly half the population practices Hinduism — and the island is dotted with beautiful, ornately decorated temples. The temple we visited was a stunning example of traditional Tamil and Hindu architecture, filled with vivid colours, intricate carvings, and a spiritual atmosphere that was genuinely moving. Visitors are typically welcome to enter respectfully, and it's a wonderful window into the culture and faith of a significant part of the Mauritian community. Shoes must be removed before entering, and modest dress is appreciated.

Notre Dame Auxiliatrice — The Red Roof Church at Cap Malheureux

The Notre Dame Auxiliatrice Church is famous for its lovely red roof, which attracts many curious passers-by and offers a picturesque backdrop for photographs. This simple chapel was founded in 1938 and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary, situated at the very northern point of Mauritius and offering breathtaking views of the five northern islets, including Coin de Mire (Gunner's Quoin). It is one of the most photographed spots in all of Mauritius, and it's easy to see why. The contrast of the vivid red roof against the brilliant blue of the Indian Ocean behind it is genuinely stunning. We stopped for photos — you simply have to.

Fort Adelaide (La Citadelle)

The fort was originally built with the aim of protecting the port from a possible invasion and to manage any possible unrest following the racial tensions of the time. Completed in 1840, the fort was never used for military or police purposes, as tensions had already died down. The Fort Adelaide still towers over Port Louis on a hill. The walk to the top takes about 15 to 20 minutes on foot, but the great view that extends over the entire city is definitely worth the climb. Standing up at Fort Adelaide with the whole of Port Louis spread out below you is a genuinely memorable experience. The city, the harbour, the mountains in the distance — it's a view that puts everything into perspective. 

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The Port Louis Central Market

The Central Market in Port Louis is the central trading point for the entire country. There is a section for fruit and vegetables, a section for meat and sea products, an emporium upstairs that sells souvenirs, and a section selling clothes. You can also find local crafts, religious artefacts, knick-knacks, spices, and a food hall serving dishes like Dholl Puri, Biryani and local Mauritian specialties. It's a bustling, sensory explosion of colour, smells and sounds — exactly what a good market should be. We browsed, bartered, and picked up a few bits and pieces. If you're looking for authentic Mauritian spices, local crafts, or just want to soak up local life, this is the place to be.

The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden (Pamplemousses)

Saving what might be the best for last on our tour — the famous Pamplemousses Botanical Garden. Known formally as the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, this is the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere, first constructed in 1770 and covering around 37 hectares. The garden is famous for its long pond of giant water lilies (Victoria amazonica) and features an extraordinary collection including spices, ebonies, sugar canes, and 85 varieties of palms from Central America, Asia, Africa and the islands of the Indian Ocean. Many trees within the garden have been planted by world leaders and royalty, including Princess Margaret, Indira Gandhi, and François Mitterrand. 

And of course — the giant water lilies. We stopped for photos with these incredible floating platters of nature, and they are every bit as impressive as the pictures suggest. The lily pads are enormous, lush, and absolutely photogenic. Don't leave without getting your shot.

After a long but thoroughly rewarding day, we made our way back to Grand Bay and had dinner at a nearby restaurant, completely satisfied and slightly overwhelmed in the best possible way.

Day 12: Last-Minute Shopping

Our final full day in Mauritius was dedicated entirely to what every good holiday should end with — shopping for gifts. My mom and I spent the day tracking down the perfect souvenirs and treats to bring home for family and friends. Grand Bay is a great base for this, with plenty of shops, boutiques, and markets to keep you busy.

Day 13: The Journey Home

The moment we'd been dreading finally arrived.

Our shuttle picked us up and took us to the airport for our FlySafair flight back to Johannesburg.

We checked in, got through security — and then discovered our flight was delayed by almost two hours.

What to do? We did what any self-respecting travellers would do: we found a Burger King (sometimes you just need a Whopper before a long flight), and then proceeded to absolutely shop the duty-free store from top to bottom. Two hours goes surprisingly fast when there's Mauritian rum, vanilla, and chocolate involved.

And then we were in the air, heading home, with hearts full of memories and bags full of goodies.

Final Thoughts

Mauritius is, without question, one of the most beautiful and welcoming destinations in the world. From the turquoise lagoons and powdery beaches to the rich culture, incredible food, and warm-hearted people — it has everything. Our split-stay between Solana Beach Resort, Preskil Island Resort, and a self-catering unit in Grand Bay gave us the perfect mix of resort luxury and local adventure, and I wouldn't change a thing.

Just... maybe plan your trip outside of cyclone season. 😄

My stay in brief:

• Solana Beach Resort, Belle Mare — 2 nights
• Preskil Island Resort, Mahébourg — 5 nights
• Self-catering unit, Grand Bay — 3 nights

Stay tuned for the next one.