Blog · 4 November 2026
Mauritius from India: beaches, Île aux Cerfs and Chamarel, how many days, and what a trip costs
Mauritius is a small island in the Indian Ocean ringed by a coral reef, so the sea inside is calm, warm and a bright turquoise. It's one of the easiest beach holidays abroad for Indians: there's no visa to apply for, many people speak Hindi or Bhojpuri, vegetarian food is everywhere, and there are direct flights from Mumbai. It's popular for honeymoons, but it works just as well for families.
How many days do you need?
Plan on six to seven days and split them between two coasts. The north, around Grand Baie, has the most restaurants, shops and boat trips. The east, around Belle Mare, has long quiet beaches and is the base for Île aux Cerfs. The west, around Flic en Flac and Le Morne, has the best sunsets and is closest to Chamarel and the dolphin trips. Nothing on the island is more than about an hour and a half's drive away, so you can also stay in one place and go out on day trips.
What a trip costs
For a couple flying from Delhi and staying in a midrange hotel, a 7-day Mauritius trip in December comes to about ₹4,06,500, or ₹2,03,250 per person. That covers return flights, airport transfers, the hotel, food, local transport, the activities we pick for you, travel insurance and a 10% buffer. Flights are a big share of the total, and fares from Chennai and Hyderabad are often much lower than from Delhi, so check them if you live in the south.
You can change the dates, travellers, hotel and activities on our Mauritius trip cost page and see every line update.
Things worth paying for
- Catamaran cruise to the northern islands with BBQ lunch: about ₹8,541 per adult, a full day of snorkelling and sailing off Grand Baie.
- Île aux Cerfs speedboat trip with lunch: about ₹4,745, for the island's white-sand beaches and lagoon on the east coast.
- Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth and waterfall tour: about ₹4,271, the island's best-known sight, with sand dunes in bands of colour and a tall waterfall in the forest.
- Swim with dolphins at Tamarin Bay: about ₹5,694. Boats leave early in the morning, when the dolphins come into the bay.
- Undersea walk: about ₹6,643, a walk on the seabed in a helmet that needs no swimming, good for non-swimmers and children.
- Submarine ride: about ₹10,439, to see the reef without getting wet.
- Pamplemousses botanical garden and Port Louis tour: about ₹3,796, for the giant water lilies and the capital's market.
- Casela Nature Park: about ₹2,847, with animals and outdoor activities that children enjoy.
- Le Morne Brabant guided hike: about ₹4,745, a steep climb to a famous view over the lagoon.
Free and cheap things to do
Every beach in Mauritius is public, even in front of the big resorts. Pereybere near Grand Baie is good for an easy swim, Belle Mare has kilometres of soft sand, and Le Morne's beach sits right below the mountain. Watch the sunset at Flic en Flac or Grand Baie. Many Indian visitors also stop at Grand Bassin, a sacred lake with a large Shiva statue in the hills, on the way to Chamarel. For lunch, try dholl puri and other Indo-Mauritian street food, which costs very little.
When to go
September to December, and May, are the best months: dry, sunny and calm, which is also when prices are highest. June to August is the cooler winter, still pleasant for sightseeing but windier and with cooler water. January to March is hot and humid and falls in the cyclone season, so flights and hotels are cheaper but your plans may need to change at short notice.
Visa for Indians
Indian citizens don't need to apply for a visa. You get a free visa on arrival for up to 90 days. Carry your return ticket, your hotel booking and proof that you can pay for your stay, as immigration and the airline can ask for them, and make sure your passport has a blank page for the stamp.
Tips that save money
- Book boat trips directly with local operators in Grand Baie or Belle Mare, or a day ahead online; resort desks often charge more for the same trip.
- Hire a driver for a full day to cover Chamarel, Grand Bassin and the south-west in one go, instead of taking separate tours.
- Stay in a guesthouse or apartment near the beach rather than a big resort; you'll still get the same lagoon.
- Travel in June or July, or in early April, for lower hotel rates outside the cyclone months.
Want the numbers for your own dates and group? Plan your Mauritius trip and send it to us for live flight and hotel prices.