Babies & toddlers

Best areas: West Coast, east coast and Bel Ombre

Why it works: Mauritius is surprisingly brilliant for a first long-haul family holiday. The small time difference from the UK is easy for little ones to adjust to, English is widely spoken, and new parents needn’t compromise on their pre-baby travel tastes, whether you’re looking for luxury or some adventure and adrenaline. The island’s brilliant family resorts make travelling with a baby or toddler much easier than you’d expect, with some offering proper baby care in the form of creches and babysitting, plus baby equipment to borrow and family-friendly accommodation with plenty of space and separate sleeping areas. The west coast offers sheltered beaches and warm lagoons, while the quieter east coast and Bel Ombre are lovely for families whose tiny tots aren’t yet demanding endless entertainment

Our favourites for babies & toddlers:

Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort and Spa

Heritage Le Telfair

School-age children

Best areas: West Coast and Le Morne

Why it works: Once the kids are old enough to demand more entertainment than a bucket and spade, Mauritius becomes one giant outdoor playground. The west coast is brilliant for families who like to stay busy, with easy access to boat trips, snorkelling, dolphin encounters and paddleboarding, while Le Morne complements beach days with hiking, dramatic scenery and adrenaline-fuelled thrills on the water, from kitesurfing and kayaking to windsurfing. The island’s best family resorts also add exceptional kids’ clubs, gorgeous pools and activity agendas to the mix, making it easy to combine proper exploring with plenty of downtime

Our favourites for kids:

LUX* Le Morne

Four Seasons Resort at Anahita

Tweens & teenagers

Best areas: North, east coast and Le Morne

Why it works: Mauritius really comes into its own with tweens and teenagers, when days can be filled with activities answering their calls for both independence and adrenaline: kitesurfing, kayaking, diving, snorkelling and wildlife adventures. The north brings lively restaurants, shops and buzzy vibes around Grand Baie, while the east coast is brilliant for watersports and beautiful beaches. Le Morne is our pick for active families, with hiking and some of the island’s most spectacular scenery. Add a resort with a dedicated teen programme and you have a pretty compelling combination that will crack a smile from even the hardest-to-impress almost-adult

Our favourites for teens:

LUX* Belle Mare

Shangri-La Le Touessrok

Still not sure where would work best for your family? We’ve rounded up more of our favourite family hotels in Mauritius here (and remember, Tiny Travel Agency are always on hand – and happy- to chat through the best options for your brood)

A direct flight from the UK to Mauritius takes around 11 to 12 hours, depending on your departure airport and the exact route. There’s no denying it’s a proper long-haul journey, but with plenty of direct flights options from London, and just a small time difference at the other end, Mauritius is a surprisingly straightforward choice for families looking to venture long-haul for the first time

You might be surprised to hear, we’d consider Mauritius is a year-round family holiday destination – not just a top winter sun spot. Generally, any time between May and October is considered ideal for a trip, when the weather is warm, sunny and relatively dry. These months are particularly good for exploring the island and enjoying outdoor activities, although the east and south coasts can be a little breezier

November to April are usually warmer in comparison, which comes with increased humidity, as well as higher rainfall – though honestly we wouldn’t let this necessarily deter you, as any tropical downpours tend to be short-lived (and you’re in no danger of getting cold!). A top tip if you’re planning to visit during this period: the north and west coasts tend to be more sheltered

In a nutshell, Mauritius can work well for UK families during any school holiday (and if you’re a lucky one with a tinier tot, take full advance of term-time savings while you can!)

Mauritius is only four hours ahead of the UK during British Summer Time, which drops down to a three hour difference during Greenwich Mean Time. Compared to most winter sun spots, the time difference is relatively easy for most children to adjust to, particularly if you’re also looking at destinations further east