BEACHES
TIMELESS SANDS A
With a turquoise lagoon encircled by a coral reef and 205 miles (330km) of coastline, Mauritius’ beautiful beaches are a key draw. They are as idyllic as the brochures promise, with white or golden sand bordering an azure sea
ll beaches on Mauritius are public, but locals respect the privacy of hotel beaches.
A concentration of good beaches is found around the lively resort – and emerald waters – of Grand Baie in the northwest, fl anked with après-beach shops, trendy bars, restaurants and clubs. It’s a mecca for water sports enthusiasts and hotels such as Villas Mont Choisy, Club Mediterranee, Le Canonnier, 20Degrees Sud, Le Mauricia, Veranda, Royal Palm and the Merville Beach.
“The Sunset Mauritius collection touches upon all the fi nest properties on the island from the renowned beaches of Belle Mare with its pure white sand and sublime deep lagoon at the eastern coast, to Mont Choisy, a beautiful long beach on the northern coast.” SHAMIRA KAUMAYA-HATT, SUNSET FARAWAY HOLIDAYS
Popular beaches nearby include the deeper, clear blue lagoon at Péreybère, ideal for snorkelling and La Cuvette, a long silky beach with clear water. The east coast has the island’s
most beautiful white sand beaches, although currents are stronger and the water shallower. The pristine six-mile (10km) long Belle Mare Plage is lined with exclusive resorts Le Prince
Maurice, One&Only Le St Géran, Constance Belle Mare Plage, Long Beach (Spring 2011), The Residence and Beau Rivage. A boat hop from the fi shing village
of Trou D’Eau Douce, is Île aux Cerfs, a tiny idyllic island with talcum-sand, translucent water on a sand bar and water sports. The west coast is known for its
golden sand beaches, and the best sunsets. Its typically fl at, shallow beaches, with a milder current, suit families, and a deeper lagoon offers excellent watersports. Mont Choisy is a narrow stretch of sand curving from Grand Baie to Trou aux Biches, one of the prettiest beaches on the island with clear shallow water and the reef close to shore. It’s home to Trou aux Biches, Casuarina Hotel, Le Cardinal, The Oberoi, Le Victoria and Le Meridien Ile Maurice. Further down, Turtle Bay is home to
The Grand Mauritian Resort & Spa, The Maritim, The Oberoi, Intercontinental Mauritius Resort and Angsana Balaclava (Summer 2011). With safe shallow waters, the lively beach resort of Flic en Flac is lined
by family-friendly La Pirogue, Sugar Beach and Hilton Mauritius, Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa and The Sands Resort. Nearby Tamarin is the only surf beach on the island. The south coast is Mauritius’ wild
side, with waves crashing on the beach and sculpted basalt rocks at Gris Gris, perfect for clifftop walks. The beaches of Bel Ombre are bordered by lush vegetation and resorts such as Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Spa Resort, Tamassa, Movenpick, Shanti Maurice and So Mauritius (Spring 2011). Resorts along the stunning
marine park of Blue Bay, include Beachcomber’s Shandrani and the three-star Blue Lagoon Beach Hotel. A favourite day excursion is to Naiade’s island paradise, Îles des Deux Cocos. With 2.5 miles (4kms) of golden sand
beaches and the stunning backdrop of Le Morne mountain, Le Morne Peninsula in the southwest has been dubbed ‘the fi ve star strip’, with resorts Les Pavillons, Dinarobin, and Le Paradis, and later this year, the prestigious St Regis.
The white or golden sand beaches of Mauritius are a major draw
15
VERANDA
TOP AND BOTTOM NAIADE
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32