Santosha Guides

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Mauritius History & Must See
Found at the core of the Indian Ocean, Southern of Africa and east of Madagascar, this dreamy isle sits smack in between the Capricorn tropic and Equator giving you perfect tropical climate all year around. (20 17 S, 57 33 E).

Mauritius is the main island, from which the country derives its name, is of volcanic origin and is almost entirely surrounded by coral reefs with hundreds of amazing passes with perfect waves, lefts and rights, short and long barrels and deep to hollow tubes. The island also accounts numerous and enormous lagoons which provides great sailing, diving and fishing diversity. The problem is not a shortage of spots, swells, lagoons or wind, but that the information about all these things has never been passed on properly. This guide ensures you will now be able to experience the range of stunning spots on our beautiful island for yourself. Take the swells, sea breezes, add an Indian Ocean climate, great coral reef, enormous lagoons and a handful of quality breaks and you have the perfect surfing, windsurfing and kite surfing destination.

Last but not least “The Unique Mauritian Culture” is a blend of mixed Indian, Chinese and Creole sweetness and spices with an influencing European History in other words “Amazing Local Cuisine”. You can find a treat in every single corner of the island wherever it being a warm “Dol Pourie” on the street corner of Port Louis or a delicious hotel buffets or “A La Carte” to a well reputed local “Table D’Hotes” in Chamarel. They all have their specialties and are worth the try. Mauritius is now becoming reputed to the most amazing golf course with great architectural designs which imply a more challenging game, wherever you playing in one of the hotels golf-course or on the new Ile Aux Cerfs you surely will appreciate the surroundings. Mauritius Open PGA attracts many international and local professionals.

Mauritius offers unique access to either private or public beaches known to the world as some of the world most stunning beaches with turquoise waters. Combine that with the magnificent exotic sunsets and tropical vegetation of the various game reserves, national parks, private hunting estates and colonial houses St Aubin & Eureka where honeymooners can make their dream come true through private local caterers who now offer a wide quality range of services and facilities. Numerous activities like shopping in Flaq open air market which attracts large numbers, a vibrant and colorful market with fresh local products at a great value. The island is home to many Restaurants and Bars, Grand Bay’s Banana Bar is an iconic Bar which host various local & touring international artists, jazz to soulful music available all week. Various night clubs offers great atmosphere from the sound of local & international DJ’s, House, Dance & RnB music is most preferred and played by local Dj’s.

You will find great Catamaran and sailing boats in Grand Bay, Blue Bay & Black River which offers amazing trips to nearby islands Coin De Mire to Ile Plate or Ile au Gabriel, Ile aux Bennitier. Also famous spots for snorkeling and scuba diving at famous Silver Star wreck and at Cathedral underwater cave. Mauritius & Rodrigues offers some of the world best the best of deep sea fishing with many experienced skippers and fishing boat owner such as Tamarin local fishing legend “Jerome Moonsamy aka Mr Bull”. If the sea is not your cup of tea you have the choice of inland adventure tours from sightseeing by either four wheeled drive, mountain bikes or hiking the choice is yours from the Game Reserve of Domaine Du Chasseur offers great panoramic views and sunsets, to the magnificent Black River Gorges National Park which is home to many of the wildlife protected bird species such as the pink pigeon, kestrels and rare forest trees or the Vanilla Reserve des Mascareignes home to Nile Crocodiles. If gardening is your passion well The Pamplemousse Garden is one of the oldest tropical gardens in the world and offers various exotic flowers and tropical trees. If architecture is your kick the 1830 Eureka House or St Aubin Colonial House, The Ruins of Ballaclava and Martello Tower offers great history from early settlers, you will not be disappointed.

If history is your main purpose of visiting Mauritius the modern sugar cane exhibition of L’Aventure Du Sucre and the Salt Pans of Tamarin offers great knowledge and understand of the slavery trade. For the animal enthusiast Casela Bird parks is home 140 birds species from other 5 continents and also home to many wild stags, tigers and monkeys. Its unique 25 hectares of stretched tropical vegetation consists of a wide variety of palm trees, bamboos, eucalyptus and colorful exotic flowers such as the hibiscus and orchids which will perfume your day and also Yemen Nature Park offers great quad bike riding and abseiling close to the 3 Mamelles mountains. And finally the Mauritius Aquarium is home to 100’s of tropical aquatic life and fish. Deep sea fishing is possible outside the East, North and West coasts. Best operators are based in Black River and in Trou aux Biches. Better in summer (October to February) and best towards the end of Summer, (March to May.) Mr. Dominique Theveneau proposes fly-fishing and casting outings on reefs for individuals or small groups. Yann De Maroussem from Yanaventures is another great hiking enthusiasts who knows his way around the South well.

So where do we all get this amazing history and mixed backgrounds, well it all started back in the 10th century where the Arab navigators were already familiar with Mauritius and they gave it the name of Dina Arobi, but were not interested in conquering it. It was only rediscovered in the 16th century by the Portuguese who proclaimed the island in 1505, followed by the Dutch, who were believed to have instinct the famous Dodo bird (25Kg) and known to date as the emblem of Mauritius. The fight was still on when the French disembarked and finally the British before the independence was attained in 1968. Since then Mauritius has had a stable democracy with regular free elections (every 5 years) and a positive human rights record, the country has attracted considerable foreign investment and has earned one of Africa's highest per capita incomes. Due to recent poor weather in the last couple of years and the declining sugar prices have slowed economic growth, leading to some protests over standards of living in the Creole community, but tourism, textile and offshore investments are the other major economic contributors.

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