Mauritius: We arrived at this insane island on a direct flight from Israel
As the whole world preys on flights to summer destinations in Europe and the Mediterranean Basin, Maor Ben Harush flies to the heart of the Indian Ocean, to the island of Mauritius - where the belly-back in turquoise, resorts are indulgent and there are dives with sea turtles and dolphins.
And with today's prices for Europe - it turns out to be really lucrative
Maor Ben Harush
21/06/2022
Tuesday, 21 June 2022, 14:04 Updated: 14:37
Share on Facebook
Share on WhatsApp
Share on Twitter
Share on Email
Share on general
Comments
Comments
Holiday in Mauritius (Photo: Ziv Reinstein)
The island of Mauritius is a relatively small island (60 km long by 40 km wide), located in the heart of the Indian Ocean, in a good location midway between Africa and India, not far from the Seychelles and the island of Madagascar.
Its tiny size is also its advantage, so in an hour and a half you drive from north to south of the island (and that too only because the roads are not the most sophisticated in the world).
Mauritius is an island that combines a mix of cultures, of people from the countries from which most of its inhabitants came - India, Britain and France.
By and large, everything you could imagine on a tropical island with a hot climate and a name so exotic, but not only.
Apart from a tummy tuck vacation and enjoying a cocktail under the coconut trees - you can enjoy country walks in nature reserves, a volcano, rich history, spectacular views and well, lots of tummy tuck.
Located in the heart of the Indian Ocean.
Mauritius (Photo: ShutterStock)
How to get to Mauritius?
Air Seychelles operates once a week a connecting flight to Mauritius with a short connection to Seychelles.
The total flight time from Tel Aviv to Mauritius is 11 hours and 10 minutes, including a two-hour and 15-minute stopover in the Seychelles.
The price of a flight ticket will range from $ 1,300-900, depending of course on the period.
More on Walla!
Between Africa and India: Back-belly and action in Mauritius
To the full article
What time is it in Mauritius?
Unlike Thailand or other tropical places, and despite the distance of 8 hours of flight in total, the time differences are much more minor.
In summer the Mauritian clock precedes us by one hour, in winter by two hours.
So if you too have been working from home since the Corona - there is a situation where you can (and will) settle there more.
Most of the islanders came from India, Britain and France (Photo: Walla! NEWS, Ziv Reinstein)
When should you come?
Mauritius is a tropical island, most of the time hot, but if you arrive between May and September which are the winter months (not that there is really summer and winter on the island, and according to the locals it is always hot) there is a situation that will catch you rain.
But do not worry, it too will pass in a few minutes.
currency
Mauritius uses a Mauritian rupee, which if we compare to our shekel then every 12.5 rupees is one shekel.
Almost everywhere on the island there are currency exchange changers from dollars and euros.
In touristy and tidy places will also respect these coins, but you will get a surplus in rupees.
Mauritius is a tropical island that is hot most of the time (Photo: ShutterStock)
Things not to be missed in Mauritius
Swim with dolphins and sea turtles (1,000 rupees - 75 shekels).
15 sea turtles are found on the reef near the north coast of Mauritius.
They may be on the least reef rich in spectacular fish and coral like the one next to it, but to watch this slow animal, the animal at a different pace from the rest swim from a few millimeters away from you - it's a crazy experience.
To catch a band of dolphins you will need a little more time and luck, but that too happens and is really cheap.
The skipper will already tell you when to jump into the water when he picks up a band, and all you have to do is put on binoculars, a snorkel and fins and watch dozens of items swimming in the depths.
An experience not to be missed, so give yourself one hour.
The brave and better swimmers have the option to dive with whales - a more challenging attraction that requires swimming skill, plus a good few hours (4 to be exact) of waiting in the heart of the ocean.
This pleasure will cost 4,000 rupees which is about 300 shekels - a ridiculous price compared to other places.
There are endless possibilities.
Diving in Mauritius (Photo: Walla !, Alon Cohen)
2. Sunbathe in the sun at the resort
If you have always dreamed of a back-to-back vacation alongside Coconut, which has just been picked from the tree in the cabin two steps from the sea - you have come to the right place.
The tiny island is rich in spectacular resorts.
The Beachcomber chain of 9 resorts is spread throughout the island.
If you are tired of the short journey to the magical island and want to land five minutes after leaving the airport, in your hotel room - Shandrani is the place for you.
The resort is located right next to the small airport, so if you count really well you will not get to more than six flights during the day, so the noise of the planes does not really bother.
The resort is very suitable for the Israeli public, as there is the option for what we love so much "all inclusive" - from restaurants to marine attractions, such as snorkeling and water skiing.
Price per night per couple:
$ 358 in June, $ 402 in July and September and $ 442 in August on a half board basis.
If you want the all-inclusive route - you will have to add $ 83 per night per person.
Throughout the year there is a 25% discount up to one month before arrival.
If you close less than a month then 15% off.
If you decide to go the extra mile and pay a little more, Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa
is the destination for you.
Quite a few tourists come with their golf and tennis rackets to the prestigious and photogenic resort, which does not even need a drop of filter to provide amazing photos.
Price per night per couple: The
resort starts at $ 540 per couple for half board in June-July, and starts at $ 600 per night per couple in August.
At the end of December, prices go up and can reach $ 1,800 and more.
The target to be marked V.
Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa (Photo: Walla !, Alon Cohen)
3. Go to a casino
to understand that you are not in Vegas, nor in Bucharest, and how pristine the place is - surprising to find out that Mauritians have a casino.
As Israelis, we had to check out the attraction.
Three casinos located in Grand Baie, and another one in the center of the capital, and let's say that if you can not really give up gambling abroad - you will reach the building with tables and slot machines.
4. Excursion to the Ebony Forest Reserve Chamarel
The nature reserve, which overlooks the entire southern region of the island, looks like it was taken from a photo of a postcard.
The reserve workers work to preserve this natural treasure by maintaining the place and tourist tours, such as a jeep tour upon arrival to observe the area.
A two-hour trip will cost you 900 rupees, which is 70 shekels per person.
For an additional 1,000 rupees you can help preserve the place and plant four trees just like on Tu B'Shvat.
The view from the Ebony Forest Reserve (Photo: Walla !, Alon Cohen)
5. The Botanical Garden
Unlike other peanut gardens, here you can really feel the history.
The garden itself has existed since 1770 and has endless types of trees that are 250 years old and in huge sizes.
With the help of a handy guide that you can rent, you will hear some interesting and ancient stories about some of the collection.
Price: 200 rupees - 16 shekels, children up to the age of 5 free).
There is no end to the types of trees that are 250 years old and in huge sizes.
The Botanical Garden (Photo: Walla !, Shannon Maroz)
6. Port Louis Central Market to Caudan Waterfront
If until now you forgot about being Israeli - this is exactly the time to remember.
The Mauritian market is divided into two: one - a fruit market vegetable and an infinity of spices, and is mostly rich in amazing aromas.
The second - a souvenir market, where you will already hear a few words in Hebrew, such as "hello" and "please it's cheap", and it is indeed cheap.
Pearl necklaces, storage containers made of coconut and countless bags, clothes and souvenirs that will close a corner with the relatives left at home, and will also make you smile every time you see them and remember the magical island.
In this market, bargaining is not a bad word and it in most cases also cuts almost 50 percent of the starting price.
Rich in amazing scents.
The food market (Photo: Walla !, Alon Cohen)
Bargaining is not a bad word there.
The souvenir market (Photo: Walla !, Alon Cohen)
Heritage
Although there are currently no Jews living on the island, but here too there is a history that is close to us.
During World War II, in 1940, the British deported over 1,600 illegal immigrants to prison in Mauritius.
There is a Jewish cemetery on the island with about a hundred graves, right next to a Christian cemetery and a museum, which tells the whole chain of events and the Jewish residents who lived on the island at the time.
More than a hundred tombs.
The Jewish cemetery in Mauritius (Photo: Walla !, Alon Cohen)
8. Sailing to Gabriel Island in the Catamaran
If if you did not have all the turquoise (and did not have enough!), Then sailing in the catamaran is the stamp of your daily plan.
The boat will be waiting for you (she and about 30 other people) at the tiny harbor in Grand Bay (Le Grand Baie) and from there it will depart for an hour and a half of sailing and amazing views, like tiny islands, and if you are lucky also groups of dolphins, as we have seen.
At the end you will reach the island "Gabriel" like from a scene taken from the reality show "Survival", get off the ship straight to a rubber boat that will lead you to a pristine beach with white sand and water that redefines the color blue.
After about an hour you will return to the boat again, and this time you will enjoy a rich lunch that the crew made sure to prepare while you sunbathed.
Price: 2,600 rupees - 200 shekels.
An hour and a half cruise in stunning scenery and tiny islands.
Catamaran boat in Mauritius (Photo: Walla !, Alon Cohen)
The reporter was a guest of Air Seychelles and Beachcomber resorts
.
Tourism
World tours
Africa
Tags
Mauritius
World tours
Africa
