by Erin St John

Created on: March 16, 2007   Last Updated: April 23, 2007

Located 1200 miles off the southeast coast of Africa, the small island nation of Mauritius is truly a paradise, secluded yet offering a host of amazing activities, experiences, and scenery. Teeming with a blend of cultures, this volcanic island offers tourists a unique destination with a spectacular backdrop.

Mauritius is blessed with nearly 200 miles of coastline and beautiful white sand beaches. With summer temperatures between 75 and 100 degrees (22-34 C) and temptingly warm waters, visitors can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, surfing, and sailing. Grand Bay, Belle Mare, Ile aux Cerfs, and Blue Bay are all popular spots for swimming and water sports; the small cove of Pereybere is one of the finest bathing spots on the island.

Besides its immaculate beaches and romantic coves, Mauritius is renowned for its ecotourism. With spectacular native plant species, a trek through the forests and mountains of the island is unlike any other. Hiking, mountain biking, and kayaking down breathtaking waterfalls all provide incomparable views of the coastal regions below. You can also visit Ganga Talao, one of two interior lakes, that rests in the crater of an extinct volcano. Another excellent stop is at the SSR Botanical Gardens, which display many of the unusal flora indigenous to the island including talipot palms and giant water lilies.

Because of the reefs that surround this volcanic island, Mauritius has a vast wealth of marine life and fabulous deep sea fishing in the nearby waters. Brightly colored fish, moray eels, sea turtles, and 17th century shipwrecks are all part of the reef, and can be seen either while scuba diving or on board the Blue Safari submarine. If fishing is more your bent, Mauritius is one of the most renowned locations in the world for deep sea fishing. The ocean drops to 70 meter depths less than a mile from the coast, and many species - including blue and black marlin, yellow tuna, and all types of sharks - can be found in these waters. Nearly all the hotels will charter fishing expeditions, and one even hosts the prestigious Marlin World Cup.

If you'd rather stay on land, there are many other relaxing activities to do, including golf. Mauritius boasts three 18-hole courses, and five 9- hole courses. The most impressive of all is the 18-hole Le Touessrok. Set on its own island, all of the holes overlook the white sand beaches with a breathtaking backdrop of Mauritius's lush mountains. There are also many world-class spas on the island, as well as fabulous shopping in many of the markets.

Any trip to the island would be incomplete without experiencing some of the remains of Mauritius's colonial past, as well as many of today's cultural treasures. The remnants of the first Dutch fortifications are currently under excavation at Vieux Grand Port, and you can see the work in progress. You could visit the ruins of the Balaclava Estate, or steep yourself in the island's sugar plantation past by taking in L'Aventure du Sucre. For immersion into the Mauritius of today, visit the village of Flacq to enjoy the largest open air market and an important social center for islanders. In the village of , you can see the largest Hindu temple on the island, first built in 1819 for Shiva, Vishnu, Krishna, Brahma, Ganesh, and Muruga.

A journey to Mauritius is the trip of a lifetime: amazing activities, history, and a mix of cultures, all within a gorgeous setting. Whatever your fantasies for a relaxing holiday, Mauritius has much to offer.

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