This one is for all family holidaymakers! This year, make Mauritius your choice of destination to spend quality time with your family. Plan a vacation that is absolutely enticing for kids as well. This island destination tucked near Africa in the Indian Ocean isn’t just an island with sandy beaches, blue sky and serene sea views. The townships near the beaches have a lot of fascinating experiences that would keep kids entertained throughout their holiday. Amid the blissful beach escapes, offer a touch of excitement for children with visits to these below-listed kid-friendly places in Mauritius.
La Vanille Nature Park
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Mauritius is a destination known for its fascinating wildlife. At Vanille Nature Park, kids can marvel in awe at the largest herd of endangered giant Aldabra tortoises in the world. Watch their delight as they pet and feed them. Later, you along with your family can take a souvenir photo with one of these gentle creatures. The park is home to many such exotic wildlife species such as Nile crocodiles, Japanese carp, lemurs and iguanas. This attraction also has some of the best kid-friendly activities in Mauritius themed on wildlife and is located on the south of Mauritius island.
Location: Rivière Des Anguilles
Tickets: 405 MUR per person and 295 MUR per child under 12 years of age.
Timings: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth
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Include the Chamarel 7 Coloured Earth tour in your Mauritius family holiday and get ready with kids for a magical journey to explore one of the most enigmatic places on earth. Among the family attractions Mauritius has to offer, this is perhaps the most fascinating one that piques the amazement and curiosity in kids. Watch in wonder the surreal ways nature creates its masterpieces as the earth is sheathed in seven vibrant colours of red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow due to the effects of geological events through time. Spend some time watching the hues lighten, deepen and darken with the movement of the sun, then later visit the wondrous Chamarel waterfall and wind down with a good cup of Mauritian coffee at Café de Chamarel.
Location: La Crête, Chamarel
Tickets: 550 MUR perperson
Timings: daily from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.
Ile aux Aigrettes
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Did you know that you can go island hopping in Mauritius? Mauritius Island is the main island, but surrounding it, you can find a selection of petite isles off the shores. One such beautiful island is the Ile aux Aigrettes, set in Mahebourg Bay – south-east coast of Mauritius. The protected wildlife island sanctuary on this island, which stresses the well-being of the island’s flora and fauna, is what makes it unique, in addition to its azure sea and white sand beaches. Join a guided tour where grownups and kids can go exploring one of the best preserved dry coastal forests and watch some of the unique collection of birds and wildlife. This short trip of 1.5 hours will reveal an enigmatic side of Mauritius distinct from the main island and acquaint you with the fact that Mauritius is more than just a beach vacation destination.
Timings: Daily from 9.00 am to 4.30 pm.
Blue Bay Glass-bottom Boat Experience
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Kids are too young for snorkelling or scuba diving in the deep waters of Mauritius. But, you do not have to disappoint them or deprive them of viewing the magical underwater realm on a Mauritius holiday. The best way to view what’s beneath the crystal clear waters of Mauritius without diving in the waters is to take a glass-bottom boat trip. Blue Bay, which is quite popular for its fascinating collection of corals and fishes with pristine water clarity, is the perfect spot to enjoy a glass-bottomed boat ride. Let kids join you for a wonderful sail along the clear waters and enjoy an enchanting view of colourful fishes swimming nonchalantly beneath the waves while simultaneously admiring the serene beauty of the Mauritius beach and skies.
Location: Blue Bay Marine Park
Tickets: Prices range from 400 to 800 MUR
Vallée des Couleurs Nature Park
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If you enjoyed viewing the Chamarel 7 coloured Earth, wait till you witness a place that has 23 distinctly coloured landscapes! Head to Vallée des Couleurs Nature Park where kids and teens along with grownups can go on a nature expedition, view wildlife, trek on hills, see waterfalls and then pause and admire the surreal natural phenomenon of 23 Coloured Earth. There are plenty of activities as well to enjoy such as ziplining, buggy rides, luge kart rides and more. You can also book a Private 4×4 guided tour to explore this nature park. With so many activities, visiting this nature park is definitely one of the best things to do with kids in Mauritius.
Location: Chamouny
Tickets: Admission fee – 500 MUR per person, 300 MUR per child(6-11 years)
The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden
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Immerse in refreshing verdant vibes on your Mauritius holiday with a visit to botanical gardens. The most famous one to visit is the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, also known as the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden. Regarded as the oldest botanical garden in the Southern Hemisphere, it has thrived through time right from the 18th century and still houses a variety of plants, trees, palms and blooming flowers. The main highlight of the garden is the wide leaf lily ponds and the sights of Mauritian flying foxes. The garden is one of the most visited spots in Mauritius and definitely a not-to-miss attraction for its verdant, tranquil scenery.
Location: Pamplemousses
Tickets: Around 200 MUR per person
Family Stays in Fabulous Mauritius Resorts
Besides planning what to do in Mauritius with kids, another point of utmost importance is to ensure kids have a comfortable stay during their Mauritius holiday. The stunning natural surroundings of Mauritius have drawn numerous luxurious resorts, many of which have marked few beaches as their top locations to soothe and relax tired tourists. With posh accommodations overlooking the turquoise sea and facilities that take care of every need a traveller has, Mauritius has managed to make its mark as a destination for laid-back leisure. Some resorts focus eagerly on making families comfortable during their stays and offer a delightful assortment of culinary experiences with bountiful activities that kids and grownups can enjoy together. Hotels and resorts place a particular focus on offering families uninterrupted time together as well as separate time for children to get involved in a variety of activities. Kids can enjoy entertaining activities in the comforts of a home away from home at properties like Ocean Creek Beach Hotel, La Pirogue Mauritius, One and Only Saint Geran, and LUX Belle Mare.
Conclusion
Mauritius is a destination dominated by white sandy beaches and an ambience of azure waters and breathtaking sunsets. It instantly gets tagged as a honeymooner’s favourite destination. But Mauritius goes beyond beaches and blue skies. It has some of the loveliest seatowns and its landscapes are scattered with nature parks and wildlife havens. It is a destination where its wildlife and nature trails stand on par with the beauty of its beaches. Mauritius is more than just the idyllic getaway for recently weds or the romantic destination for sunset dinners. Over the years, family vacationers have discovered that Mauritius is an island that, once experienced, puts everyone at ease.
