Mauritius is small enough to drive across in ninety minutes, which convinces most people to book one hotel and day-trip everything. Moving base twice costs you almost nothing and changes the trip completely.
The liveliest coast. Boat trips to the northern islets, the botanical gardens at Pamplemousses, and Port Louis market half an hour south.
Onward: Road, 1 hr. Down the east coast
Long empty beaches and the best lagoon on the island. Île aux Cerfs is a boat ride offshore.
Onward: Road, 1 hr 30. Across the south to Le Morne
The mountain at Le Morne, kitesurfing in the lagoon below it, and inland to the seven coloured earths, the waterfall and Black River Gorges.
On six nights, north and south west. The east is the easiest to drop.
Add two nights on Rodrigues, a ninety-minute flight east and about forty years behind the main island.
Booking one resort for the whole stay and expecting to see the island from it. Distances are short but the roads are single carriageway and slow, so a day trip to the other end burns three hours in the car. Two moves, and everything is within twenty minutes.
Read the full Mauritius travel guide or take the Mauritius packing list.