West and south Mauritius: Flic en Flac, Le Morne, Blue Bay, Bel Ombre

The west coast and the south are the two regions where my catalogue is shortest. That is not an oversight: I would rather offer a few places I know than list names I have never visited. Here is what I have, and why.

Flic en Flac: the west’s long beach

Several kilometres of sand, a calm lagoon, and filao trees giving shade right down to the water. This is where Mauritians come at the weekend, which gives it a very different feel from the touristy north.

The diving is well regarded — the Cathedral drop-off is one of the island’s best-known sites. And the sunsets live up to their reputation, since this is the only coast where the sun sets over the sea.

Manisa Hotel, from 70 € a night. Three stars. This is the cheapest address in my entire catalogue, any region. A simple hotel a few minutes from the beach, for anyone who plans to spend their days outside rather than in their room.

See the Flic en Flac page.

Le Morne: the mountain and the lagoon

Le Morne Brabant is the mountain that drops straight into the lagoon at the south-west tip. It is UNESCO-listed — not for the landscape but for its history: runaway slaves took refuge there, and the name comes from that.

The lagoon at its foot is one of the best kitesurfing spots in the Indian Ocean. Hotels are few and far apart, which is precisely the point: this is where you see the fewest people.

Hotel Riu Turquoise, from 299 €. Four stars, all-inclusive, facing Le Morne. It is the only all-inclusive in my catalogue, and it suits people who want to stop thinking about anything once they arrive.

See the Le Morne page.

Blue Bay and Bel Ombre: the south

Two very different moods.

Blue Bay lives up to its name: the lagoon is protected as a marine park and the coral bottom is visible from the surface. The airport is ten minutes away, which makes it a good first or last night.

Preskil Island Resort, from 369 €. Four stars on a peninsula, with the marine park in front.

Bel Ombre is the southern coast, where the island forgets itself. Converted sugar estates, a nature reserve inland, a lagoon facing the mountains. It is far from everything, and that is what people come for.

Shanti Maurice Resort & Spa, from 469 €. Five stars. Allow an hour and a half from the airport, two hours from the north.

Excursions on this side of the island

The west coast is where the dolphin trips leave from:

• West coast catamaran — Crystal Rock & Ile aux Benitiers, from 129 €.
• West coast catamaran & Le Morne bay, from 139 €.

And the southern interior is within reach: Chamarel, Grand Bassin and the gorges, or the Tea Route. It is all set out in my guide to the southern excursions.

Something I would rather say plainly

My catalogue is short on the west. If you are after something specific on that side — a villa, a particular resort, a category I do not carry — ask me before booking elsewhere. I have contacts I have not put online, and I can go and find what is needed.

That is the kind of thing a booking site will never do for you.