North
The sunniest part of the island, boasting chalky-white beaches and good proximity to Port Louis, it’s hardly surprising the north is the tourism hotspot, especially around Grand Baie, with plenty of restaurants lining Coastal Road. When it comes to activities, there’s everything from sky diving to parasailing, underwater walks to submarine excursions, or simply a catamaran cruise, to sleepier Ilot Gabriel. Shaded by tall casuarina trees, ** Trou aux Biches** is considered one of the best beaches on the island and Mont Choisy, a 2km stretch of white sand, also curves north from here. Up at the island’s most northerly tip is the peaceful fishing village of Cap Malheureux, or Cape of Misfortune, named for its history of shipwrecks.

East
Home to beaches such as 10km Belle Mare, the eastern shoreline is where many of the original luxury hotels started life, such as One&Only Le Saint Geran and Shangri-La's Le Touessrok Resort & Spa. Definitely plan a day at sea from here, stopping off at Ile aux Cerfs, a popular island on a boat trip from the tourist hub of Trou d’Eau Douce. Blue Bay Marine Park – the only one in Mauritius – on the southeast coast near Mahebourg, is one of the best places to snorkel close to shore, or you can take a ride in a glass-bottomed boat. The reserve is home to private Ile des Deux Cocos, complete with 1920s villa and managed by LUX Resorts, who can reserve it for an overnight stay, day trip, or exclusive event. Or opt for Ile aux Aigrettes, a conservation island where tortoises lumber in the shade and you can spot the rare Telfair’s skinks, the ornately-coloured day gecko and pink pigeons.

South & West
The “sunset coast”, which stretches along the west side of the island from Port Louis down to Le Morne Peninsula, has some of Mauritius’ most breathtaking scenery and is home to Black River Gorges National Park. A fascinating side trip is Grand Bassin, a crater-lake and sacred Hindu site with a towering 33-metre statue of Shiva. For family holidays, La Vanille Nature Park has hundreds of Giant Aldabra tortoises to wander among, while Casela Nature Park has canyon swinging, quad biking or a more sedate safari among some of Africa’s most famed creatures. More key attractions include Flic en Flac, a legendary surf spot in the 1970s now famed for its dolphins, while Le Morne in the south is home to exclusive hotels and excellent kite surfing with the monolith of Le Morne Brabant among the island’s best climbs. Historically the south is less developed, with empty beaches and fishing villages, but several “domaines” or sugar estates, have now been turned over to nature and activity tourism, such as the one at Bel Ombre.