After the excitement, early starts and golden‑hour game drives of Our South African Encounters, it was time to switch gears completely. We packed away the ponchos, said goodbye to the hippos, and flew east for the second chapter of our two‑centre adventure – a beach escape in Mauritius, right beside the shimmering Blue Bay Marine Park.
Blog Contents
Preskil Island Resort: Easy, Spacious & Chilled
The Banyan Spa: Rain-soaked Bliss, Chattering Maniocs & Tennis Balls
Watersports: Snorkelling, Big Bertha & Paddle Board Battles
Mahebourg Market: Colour, Chaos & Coconut Water
South West Mauritius Day Tour: Volcanoes, Temples & Rum
Five Island Tour: Turquoise Waters, Reggae & BBQed Bananas
Preskil Island Resort: Easy, Spacious & Chilled
Preskil Island Resort turned out to be exactly what we needed – spacious, easy, and wonderfully relaxing. We’d chosen it because we wanted a two‑bedroom room, snorkelling, and à la carte dining included in the all‑inclusive package. Our room ticked every box: two generous bedrooms, a big bathroom, and views from our two‑storey block straight across the beach to the sparkling turquoise sea.
The whole resort has a lovely natural feel, with rock, wood, raffia and pops of turquoise that match the Mauritian lagoon. Walking between the apartment blocks feels lush and tropical, almost like wandering through a little island village. The banyan trees are the real showstoppers – huge, otherworldly tangles of vine‑like trunks and hanging tendrils. They look like something straight out of Avatar.
One of the absolute joys of Preskil is the sheer number of sun loungers. Even at 92% occupancy, there were loungers everywhere – by the beach, by the pool, tucked under trees – and we never once had to worry about finding a spot. It felt like such a luxury to simply wander out whenever we fancied and settle in without a second thought.
The beach itself is man‑made, though you’d never know unless you’re there during torrential rain. One afternoon the downpour washed the loose sand aside, revealing channels over a concrete‑like base – all quietly smoothed back into place by staff overnight. A little behind‑the‑scenes magic.
We’d opted for the all‑inclusive package. I’m still torn on how they manage it: the upside is no wristbands, the downside is signing chits throughout the day which are then zeroed off your account each evening. Breakfast was buffet‑style and perfectly fine, but for lunch and dinner we stuck to the à la carte restaurants. It’s a partial all‑inclusive, so some dishes and drinks come with a supplement, and you do need to be organised enough to book your restaurant for the following day. Our favourite quickly became 1810 – named after the battle between the English and French that took place right in the bay in front of the restaurant. Great food, great setting.
We also made full use of the spa and the watersports centre, and the laundry service was quick, efficient and very reasonably priced. It made the thought of returning home to work just that little bit easier.
Preskil Island had everything we needed: comfort, space, great food, and that easy island atmosphere that makes you instantly relax. It was the perfect base for our Mauritian adventures.
The Banyan Spa: Rain-soaked Bliss, Chattering Maniocs & Tennis Balls
The Preskil Island Banyan Spa was absolute heaven. On my first visit I was pummelled, stretched and kneaded into submission, all while listening to the rain pouring down outside and the birds calling to each other in the trees – pure bliss. I floated out afterwards feeling at least an inch taller, like someone had lengthened my spine and ironed out life’s creases.
For my second visit I arrived early and made the most of the sauna and steam room first, warming my muscles before their workout at the hands of the therapist. At times the massage was definitely on the painful side, but that satisfying kind of pain where you know it’s doing you good. Maya worked away at the knots in my neck – apparently the size of tennis balls – with the determination of someone tackling a DIY project.
About halfway through, I suddenly noticed the birds had started up again, chattering away from the banyan tree just outside the spa. Maya explained that it was the little grey maniocs, and in Mauritius they flock to the banyan trees at dusk to settle in for the night. They make quite the kerfuffle before they calm down – in Mauritius they say the maniocs are “saying their prayers”, which felt like the perfect description as their chorus drifted through the treatment room.
Watersports: Snorkelling, Big Bertha & Paddle Board Battles
After several days of red flags at the Preskil Island boathouse – “too windy, no watersports” becoming a familiar refrain – we finally woke up to a glorious black flag. All systems go!
We kicked things off with a snorkelling trip, heading out on the resort boat to a reef inside the Blue Bay Marine Park. We drifted gently with the current while the boat tracked alongside us. There were plenty of fish flitting about – not Maldives‑level, but still wonderfully peaceful and very enjoyable.
Next up was Big Bertha, the double‑seat inflatable a bit like a giant ringo. I stayed in the boat, happily playing spectator, while my husband and son were pulled across the waves behind a speedboat, catching air and bouncing around like two very excited kids. Their faces were priceless – huge grins stretching from ear to ear.
Then came paddle‑boarding, which very quickly morphed into a full‑blown battle, each of them trying to knock the other into the water. From paddle boards to kayaks, then pedaloes, and finally a laser dinghy for a sail around the bay – they worked their way through almost every piece of watersports equipment available. The only thing left untouched was the windsurfer…
Mahebourg Market: Colour, Chaos & Coconut Water
Mondays mean market day in Mahébourg, so we hopped in a taxi and set off from the hotel. I’d read that the market kicks off around 7am, with the busiest time between 10 and 12, so we thought 9am would be a good compromise – early enough to beat the crowds, but not too early for our son.
When we arrived, many of the stalls were still setting up, battling against wind and rain as they wrestled with awnings. The rain in Mauritius is warm, even in winter, so it felt more amusing than miserable. Stallholders were prodding at sagging pockets of water with long poles, sending little waterfalls splashing down – we kept our eyes peeled to avoid an unexpected soaking!
We wandered first through the fresh produce section, a riot of colour and scent: piles of fruit and vegetables, herbs, and the occasional pungent waft of dried fish. This was very much a locals’ market, with families stocking up on their weekly supplies. Our son was thrilled to sip from a fresh coconut, macheted open on the spot and handed over with a straw.
By the time we looped back to the main market, things had livened up. Stalls were buzzing, and there was a wonderful mix – yes, a few tourist souvenirs, but mostly everyday Mauritian life: kitchenware, ironmongery, fabrics, tools. It felt a bit like wandering through a real‑life Amazon warehouse, only far more colourful and chaotic.
A few trinkets later, and rather soggy, we headed back to the hotel. We tucked ourselves under a big canopy with steaming coffees just as the heavens properly opened. As biblical rain poured down, we couldn’t help but feel lucky – we’d timed our return perfectly.
South West Mauritius Day Tour: Volcanoes, Temples & Rum
Through Mauritius Attractions I’d arranged a driver for the day to explore the south‑west of the island. Right on time, Tom pulled up and off we went.
Our first stop was Curepipe, a sprawling inland town that edges right up to the volcano, Trou aux Cerfs. The crater itself was lush and green, like a sea of rainforest filling the centre. We walked around the rim, peering down into the depths, and across to dramatic volanic crags in the distance.
From there we drove through endless sugar cane fields towards Black River National Park. At Grand Bassin – also known as Ganga Talao – we saw the towering statues of Lord Shiva and the goddess Durga (her lion was mid‑repair). Around the lake, temples were thick with incense, families leaving offerings of fruit and flowers, and even a man cracking open a coconut to pour its milk over a statue. I half‑expected monkeys to swoop in and steal the fruit, but instead two women with brooms and bins quietly tidied the offerings away. The strangest sight was the police barrier tape circling the lake, presumably to stop worshippers entering the water during prayers.
It was equally odd to see so many mobile phone masts nearby, but Tom explained they’re essential for broadcasting the big Hindu festivals across the island.
As we wound deeper into the park, the rainforest thickened, the roads twisting up and down the mountains. Giant ferns sprawled everywhere, and the striking “Traveller’s Trees” stood tall – Tom told us you can drink water straight from their trunks, a natural refreshment for weary explorers.
Next came one of the highlights: Chamarel rum distillery. We strolled through flowering gardens into a courtyard where Anna, our guide, explained that all the sugar cane is harvested by hand. Since it was harvest time, we watched cane being fed into huge machines, juice squeezed out for fermentation before heading into the stills. The tour ended with a rum tasting – thirteen varieties lined up, and thanks to an enthusiastic Italian in our group, we tried them all! Single and double distillations, oaked, spiced, fruity liqueurs… the pineapple was divine, and the mandarin a surprising favourite. Lunch in the distillery’s restaurant was equally fabulous, complete with rum cocktails (the Pina Colada made with pineapple and coconut rum was so strong it made my eyes water). Even dessert came with a splash of coffee rum. Thank goodness Tom was driving.
Afterwards we visited Chamarel waterfall, tumbling dramatically over volcanic cliffs, and then the famous Seven Coloured Earths. The rolling dunes shimmered in shades of red, ochre, and purple – a natural rainbow of iron and aluminium oxides. The boardwalk led us past giant tortoises, sadly endangered, before we sat on the terrace with lychee ice lollies and coffee grown just metres away. Our son opted for fresh sugar cane juice, which was squeezed through a machine and had a slightly grassy taste – we got splattered in the process, but it was all part of the fun.
Leaving Chamarel, the road wound through rainforest lined with paperbark trees, their trunks peeling in sheets like parchment. We briefly stopped to be awed by the viewpoint over Black River Gorges National Park. We were so lucky, we’d managed to dodge the showers all day, and as we headed back through tea and sugar plantations, a rainbow stretched across the sky. The perfect ending to a fabulous day.
Five Island Tour: Turquoise Waters, Reggae & BBQed Bananas
I’d been eyeing up a private speedboat “Five Island Tour” along the east coast of Mauritius for months before we left the UK, but every time I got close to booking, the price made me baulk. In the end, it was just as well – from the beach at Preskil Island Resort we booked directly with Messiah Excursions for almost half the cost. A win before the day had even begun.
It was low tide, so our boat – captained by the ever‑chilled Jonathan – could only just nudge up to the jetty. Moments later we were skimming across crystal‑clear turquoise water, reggae music drifting from the speakers, the lagoon sparkling around us. Bliss.
Our first stop was a gentle potter around the edge of Île aux Deux Cocos, with its historic French fortifications and dramatic undercut rock ledges carved by centuries of tidal erosion. Then we zipped across to Île aux Fouquets, perched right on the edge of the lagoon where waves crash over the outer reef. We waded ashore and wandered around the derelict lighthouse, taking in sweeping views across the bay before heading to the cliff edge, where the rocks have been sculpted into beautiful shapes by millennia of wind and waves. Little skinks darted between the stones, glistening in the sun before burying themselves in the sand. Around the headland we found a tiny, perfect sandy bay – a postcard moment – before hopping back on the boat for the next chapter.
We passed a sea bass farm and kept our eyes peeled for dolphins who, according to Jonathan, love to hang around hoping for an escapee. Sure enough, a small pod arced gracefully through the lagoon. A magical sight.
Next came snorkelling on the reef – far more sea life than we’d seen earlier in the week, and the absolute highlight was spotting a seahorse. That made my day.
From there we headed up the Grand River South East towards the waterfall. The steep riverbanks were dripping with greenery, and near the falls we fed monkeys with the tiny bananas we’d saved from breakfast. I’ve been in traffic jams before, but never a boat jam – a queue of little boats waiting their turn to nose up to the waterfall one at a time.
Further up the coast we reached our most northerly stop: Île aux Cerfs, also known as Paradise Island. The arrival area was packed with catamarans and speedboats, but we quickly escaped the crowds and found a quieter stretch of shoreline. An ice cream on the beach, a wander along the forested coastline, seashells in deserted coves – it truly lived up to its name.
Back on the boat, our son tried his hand at fishing as we pottered along the shore (no luck, but plenty of enthusiasm). Jonathan then pulled up at a cluster of awnings on a sandy beach – our lunch stop. It was simple: plastic tables and chairs in the shade of the trees, but the food was incredible. BBQ chicken and rice to start, followed by BBQ fish steaks and the best garlic bread I’ve ever tasted. Dessert was, naturally, BBQed bananas. They even catered for me as a vegetarian, producing a gorgeous selection of curries – apparently part of their own lunch, as the boat company had forgotten to mention that I am vegetarian. The owners live across the lagoon and prep everything in their home kitchen before bringing it over to cook on the beach. It was such a chilled, authentic experience.
After lunch we sped back south towards the hotel, reggae providing the perfect soundtrack. I’m still not sure why it’s called the “Five Island Tour” as we definitely didn’t visit five islands – but honestly, it didn’t matter. It was a fabulous day from start to finish.
The Added Bonus: A Sixteen Hour Delay
As we tried to complete our online check‑in the day before departure, something wasn’t quite right. A bit of digging later and we discovered the “problem”… our flight had been delayed by sixteen hours. Oh, the trauma – an extra day in Mauritius!
We were doubly lucky. We’d already paid for a late check‑out, and the hotel had actually booked us in until the following day – our new departure date – which was just as well, as they were completely full. So instead of rushing around packing, I found myself lying in the Banyan Spa having just one more massage at the exact time I was supposed to be heading to the airport. I couldn’t help but smile.
We enjoyed one last unexpected meal at our favourite spot, the 1810 restaurant, and a wonderfully leisurely morning before our Mauritian chill finally came to an end. Not a bad way to round off a holiday.
Mauritius: Turquoise Calm, Rum Fuelled & Fully Restored
As we finally made our way to the airport – this time actually departing – we couldn’t help but feel that Mauritius had given us the perfect blend of adventure and ease. From turquoise lagoons and rum tastings to banyan‑shaded afternoons and unexpected extra days, it was a place that looked after us. Mauritius wasn’t just a holiday; it was a gentle exhale, a reset, and exactly what we didn’t know we needed.
