Sitting just over 1,100 km off the east coast of Madagascar, Mauritius is a delicious island paradise of beautiful beaches and very, very swimmable waters. A top Indian Ocean destination, the island is a playground for visitors of all ages thanks to its array of activities and family-friendly resorts. We’ve rounded up a selection of our favourite Mauritius properties to suit the entire brood.
LUX* Belle Mare Resort & Villas
Set along the white sands of the east coast, LUX* Belle Mare Mauritius ticks many boxes when it comes to family credentials. The resort has one of the largest pools on the island and mum and dad can enjoy the water with a cone from the poolside ice cream parlour in hand, whilst the kids splash in the shallow lagoon. Adding to the ticklist, there’s a fantastic array of activities on offer from bike rides to watersports (and even an outdoor cinema!), as well as clubs for both kids and teens, a toddler zone, and a babysitting service. Restaurants are varied and distinctive, offering superb local and internationally-inspired cuisine and plenty of simpler food for the kids too. Accommodation-wise, choose from a selection of bright and breezy villas. Bright and full of island chic, they all make an ample home-away-from-home and some even have their own pool.
Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort & Spa
With access to no less than six fabulous beaches – which in some cases are just a short walk from the front door – Le Touessrok is as dreamy as they come. With a laidback, beachy charm, the resort has a selection of connecting rooms and suites as well as three exclusive villas, which are just right for families. Apart from the sea-facing main pool, the kid’s club has its own swimming area and treehouse and teens can enjoy complimentary activities like stand-up paddleboarding. There are plenty of other activities that are fun for the whole family including kayaking, coastal e-biking excursions and island-hopping boat rides. You’ll also never tire of dining options with six different restaurants and choices for all palettes (and requests!).
Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa
Situated on Mauritius’ Le Morne Peninsula, the Paradis Beachcomber enjoys kilometres of sun-dappled beach and the largest lagoon on the island. A superb option for active families, the resort has a plethora of adventurous activities including glass-bottomed boat rides, wakeboarding and even snorkelling with the resident pod of dolphins. The kids club is a hub of entertainment; lagoon ‘fishing’ and mini golf is on offer for the littlies (parents can enjoy the real championship course), and teens can delve into everything from tennis to water sports lessons. For the utmost privacy, stay in one of the luxury villas along their own stretch of beach.
La Pirogue Hotel
When it comes to family-friendly hotels in Mauritius, La Pirogue is hard to beat. For starters, under-12s stay for free, but there’s also an abundance of multi-room accommodation options, and a lengthy stretch of beach that melts into shallow, protected waters and is perfect for young swimmers. Other amenities include an infinity pool with a slide and hot tub, as well as both a kids and teens club, offering pirogue painting, archery and marine discovery lessons. There are also plentiful watersports to choose from including snorkelling, kayaking and windsurfing, as well as a few rounds at the nearby golf course.
One&Only Le Saint Géran Hotel
Occupying a private peninsula on Mauritius’ northeast coast, the beach is never far from reach when you’re at the One&Only, making it ideal for little ones who long to play in the sand and splash in the shallows. For added space and privacy, book one of the two-bedroom villas and enjoy having your own kitchen, chef and pool, and mix it up with visits to one of the four restaurants, all offering an array of cuisines prepared by world-class chefs. Outside, there’s a children’s play area with a dedicated pool and watchful staff and in terms of activities, you can head out on scenic bicycle rides, go golfing, or even learn to scuba dive amongst the sheltered coral reefs. If you’re up for a good helping of adventure, hop into a helicopter that’ll whisk you and the brood off for an island picnic.
Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa
Surrounded by 24 acres of tropical gardens, this all-villa resort is paradise for families looking for a private slice of Mauritius. The villas (including a number of family options) will make you feel like you have the entire island to yourself, and all have their own pool and butler. The Boathouse takes care of all your water-based activity needs, including snorkelling amongst the reefs, kayaking and sunset cruises. Apart from that, the Peter Pan Club will keep little ones more than entertained with its shallow pool, indoor and outdoor play zones, and dining area. While that sounds plenty to keep you busy, the bustling village of Flic-en-Flac is just a short walk along the beach if you fancy exploring a little.
Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita
The resort promises all the refined service typical of a Four Seasons, whether you choose to spend time at the award-winning over-water spa (there are special kids treatments available) or make yourself at home in one of the poolside pavilions. Thanks to its prime location on a peninsula, there are two beaches to choose from with temperate waters for snorkeling and swimming to your heart’s content. Each and every villa has its own patch of garden and private pool, and the largest accommodation has room for up to eight people. Children will enjoy the novelty of scooting around on a bicycle, whether you’re heading for lunch in one of the three restaurants or for a game of tennis on the enormous courts. The resort also has an exclusive beach on the nearby Ile aux Cerfs, which makes for a fun day out.
LUX* Grand Gaube Resort & Villas
Bordering two idyllic lagoons on Mauritus’ north coast, the Grand Gaube Resort takes family vacations to the next level. The kids and teen clubs offer an impressive array of activities; the former includes eco-art projects and time at the kids pool with mini sunbeds to boot, while the latter offers plenty of beach and water-based fun. As for parents, there’s an adults-only section where you can enjoy a little R&R for a while. Protected by a nearby reef, the surrounding lagoons are ideal for learning water sports and splashing in the shallows, while evenings can be spent at the cinema under the stars. Looked after by a private butler, the villas promise supreme exclusivity and your own section of beach, but every room can be set up to cater to unique family needs.
Constance Belle Mare Plage
Looking out across miles of turquoise ocean, the Constance Belle Mare Plage is well-situated for families, its waters protected by offshore coral reefs and allowing for plenty of safe swimming, snorkelling and other watersports. The facilities are particularly diverse here, and you’ll find tennis courts, five pools and seven restaurants, as well as a kids club. Children can spend time in the games room, playground or heated pool (under the watch of eagle-eyed staff), while parents can head off to the spa for a little pampering. The rooms and villas are beautifully-appointed and all offer sea-facing views – for families, we’d opt for a ground-floor room so kids can enjoy the grassy lawns before heading down to the beach.
The Oberoi Mauritius
Set amongst acres of lawns peppered with waving palms, the Oberoi has a collection of gorgeous villas that all open onto a private walled garden, the most private of which enjoy their own pool. Families of all generations will be kept happy by the diverse range of watersports including windsurfing, waterskiing and snorkelling in the sublime Turtle Bay. On land, the white, sandy beach is paradise for kids of all ages. There are also two main pools to enjoy and meals roll around, you can choose from the aptly-named On the Rocks or the historic Gunpowder Room, both of which have plenty of choices for younger guests.
