We arrived in Mauritius with cautious optimism, fully aware that tropical showers were part of the deal, as March is one of the wettest months on the island. But as any seasoned travel agent will tell you, sometimes the best trips come from ignoring the rulebook. What we didn’t expect was just how kind the weather would be to us. Most of the rain fell overnight and on only a couple of occasions did we see short bursts during the day.

From the moment we boarded the flight, it was clear we weren’t alone in our thinking. The cabin was full of families with young children. There’s a quieter, more relaxed feel to everything, and Mauritius lends itself beautifully to family travel. It’s easy, welcoming, and wonderfully accommodating for little ones. Mauritius may only be about the size of Surrey, but the comparison ends there. The diversity packed into this small island is remarkable. One day you can be on the wild south coast, watching dramatic waves crash against rugged shores. The next, you’re somewhere entirely different—on a calm, sheltered beach lined with palm trees, where the sand is powder-soft and the water glows in impossible shades of turquoise. Venture inland, and the scenery shifts again. The island’s interior feels like a lush, living garden—bursting with tropical flowers, mountains and endless sugar cane plantations.

One of the most striking things about Mauritius is how well cared for it is. Everything feels immaculately maintained—from the spotless beaches to the excellent road network that makes getting around surprisingly easy. And it’s precisely because of this accessibility that we chose not to stay in just one place. Experiencing different parts of the island gave us a fuller picture of its character—each region offering its own mood, landscape, and pace.

Our first stop was the beautiful Long Beach Mauritius, set along the east coast in the tranquil Belle Mare area. This part of the island feels wonderfully removed from the busier pockets—peaceful, unspoilt, and home to some of the most exclusive resorts in Mauritius.

The resort itself is spacious and modern, designed in a way that never feels crowded, even when it’s busy. As an all-suites property, it offers a real sense of comfort and flexibility—something we especially appreciated travelling with a young child. Our Premium Junior Suite was perfectly positioned with direct access to the lawn, which turned out to be one of those small details that makes a big difference. Mornings became effortless: our son would grab his bucket and spade, step straight out onto the grass, and make a beeline for the beach with pure excitement.

We opted for half board, which gave us the flexibility to dine across several of the resort’s restaurants. While it was tempting to explore them all, in reality convenience won most evenings, and we found ourselves returning to the buffet. Thankfully, it never felt like a compromise—the variety and quality were genuinely impressive, with something for everyone and plenty of choice even for a fussy toddler. It made evenings easy, relaxed, and stress-free.

And then there’s the beach—arguably the highlight of this part of the island. Belle Mare is known for its long stretches of soft white sand and calm, clear water, and it absolutely lived up to expectations. Starting our trip here set the tone perfectly—calm, comfortable, and effortlessly family-friendly.

Our second stop brought a shift in both scenery and atmosphere, as we headed to the newly opened Constance Le Chaland. Having long associated Constance Hotels & Resorts with understated luxury and exceptional service across the Indian Ocean, I was especially keen to experience it firsthand—and it more than lived up to expectations.

Set in a more rugged and untamed part of the island, this area feels beautifully raw. The coastline here is wilder, with waves rolling in more dramatically and a sense that nature is very much in charge. It’s less about postcard-perfect lagoons and more about atmosphere—windswept shores, deeper blues, and that constant, soothing soundtrack of the ocean. The ocean was a joy to swim in, beach so peaceful it almost felt like we had it entirely to ourselves. Alexander loved jumping through the waves, and once he’d had his fill of the water, he happily settled into building and playing in the sand. Our room was perfectly positioned to take it all in. We had the most stunning sea view, and from morning through to night, the sound of waves crashing in the background became part of the experience.

What stood out most about the resort, though, was how thoughtfully it has been designed to sit within its surroundings. There’s a real sense of harmony with nature here. The architecture doesn’t compete with the landscape; it blends into it. Pathways wind through tropical greenery, and everywhere you go, you’re reminded of the island’s natural beauty. The Aqua pool was a particular highlight. Surrounded by lush tropical forest and alive with the sounds of birds, it felt almost like a hidden sanctuary. Early evenings quickly became our favourite time to be there—slipping into bath-warm water and enjoying the balmy air. It had a calm, almost meditative quality that’s hard to replicate. We opted for half board again, and this is where the resort truly excelled. Each meal felt carefully crafted, with a real focus on quality, presentation, and flavour. It was very much fine dining standard, yet without any of the formality that can sometimes come with it.

If our first stop was about ease and family-friendly comfort, this felt like a more elevated, immersive experience—still perfectly manageable with a child, but with an added layer of refinement and connection to the natural surroundings. Staying in the south of the island, we were keen to make the most of being within easy reach of some of Mauritius’ most well-known attractions. It’s a part of the island that feels a little more authentic and untouched.

Our first stop was La Vanille Nature Park, a wonderfully laid-back wildlife park set in lush, shady surroundings. It’s the kind of place that works perfectly with a young child—easy to navigate, not overly large, and full of interesting things to see at every turn.

Of course, the undeniable stars of the show are the giant tortoises. There’s something quite special about seeing them up close—not just observing, but interacting. Alexander absolutely loved feeding them leafy branches, and it quickly became clear that these gentle giants are far from shy. In fact, they’re surprisingly sociable—the ones doing the chasing rather than the other way around.

From there, we made our way to the iconic Le Morne Beach. If the morning was about calm exploration, the afternoon was full of energy and life. It happened to be a Sunday, and the beach was buzzing with locals making the most of their weekend—families gathered under trees, barbecues sizzling, music playing, and people dancing right there on the sand.

The atmosphere was infectious, joyful, and completely authentic—offering a glimpse into local life that you don’t always see when staying within resort settings. Against the backdrop of the dramatic Le Morne Brabant, the whole scene felt even more special. Mauritius, once again, showing another side of its personality.

Mauritius isn’t just a winter sun escape. It’s a year-round destination, and for families willing to be a little flexible, the rewards can be significant. For us, it was a trip filled with ease, variety, and those small, joyful moments that come from travelling together—rain or shine.

Maryna travelled to Mauritius in March 2026

Visiting Mauritius in low season with the family