Mauritius, contrary to popular belief, is one of the most perfect places for family holidays abroad. It's not just for couples and honeymooners, but it gives its visitors some stunning luxury family holidays. 

In Mauritius, you're not just looking at a beach holiday: there are so many things to do for adults and children alike, all with varying levels of luxury and class.

The majority of hotels in Mauritius are incredibly child friendly, most having large rooms and staff that are great with the kids. The excellent restaurants are used to catering for children, so you can all eat well and not be worried about anything. School holidays, no matter what time of the year, can be filled with a trip to Mauritius as the weather there is almost perfect for holidays, the only short wet season they have is January to March, but even then the weather is still excellent.

Why you should get away with the family to Mauritius

• From the UK Mauritius is 12 hours away and there are regular flights. BA fly from Heathrow to Mauritius three times a week and Air Mauritius have five flights a week.
• Some of the world's finest hotels can be found in Mauritius and facilities for both children and adults are generally terrific.
• Mauritian food is a fantastic mix of French, Chinese and Indian cuisine, so there's bound to be something for all the children.

Places to see whilst your there

• Casela Nature and Leisure Park is an unmissable family day out. From activities like rock climbing and mountain biking or quad biking to safari photo shoots and nature walks spotting Java deer, wild boar and giant fruit bats, there's mini golf for kids, aviaries containing 1,500 birds plus a wonderful hill top restaurant with unbeatable views of the west coast, Casela has it all and will keep everyone amused all day!
• L'Aventure du Sucre is a former working sugar factory is now a fascinating museum. It is the only place in Mauritius where you can learn about every aspect of the history of sugar and its impact on the economic and social development of the nation. If you want to education and fun then put aside at least half a day and finish off with tastings of speciality sugars in the adjacent Village Boutik - which is also a lovely place to visit.
• Coloured Earths - Until recently this monument to the volcanic origins of the island was disappointing, due to unregulated access and the trampling of tourists. However now timber viewing platforms and walkways encircle this geological wonder of multicoloured rolling landscape. The colours, best seen in the morning, never fade and some scientists say it is due to the uneven cooling of volcanic lava - it's a wonderful sight that can be fun and educating at the same time!
• Honeymooners, empty nesters and families with kids all enjoy the tropical ambience of Ile aux Cerfs for water sports and boating. Tour operators can arrange trips from here to Mauritius' longest river, Grand River South East and its impressive waterfalls. Whatever you choose to do, you now know that family holidays in Mauritius are very much possible and great fun for all!

Catering to all ages

Under 5's

If you have a lively little one, who loves constant interaction, then the beaches of Mauritius are an ideal place for a daily beachcomber with the bucket and spade! The island of Mauritius is almost completely surrounded in a coral reef, a few hundred meters off the beaches. Therefore the waves which come into the island break on the reef, leaving most of the beaches with gently lapping waves. They are also gently sloping, with soft golden sand, making it ideal for those first cautious steps into the ocean!

Each of the Beachcomber Hotels have Bob Marlin Mini Clubs for children aged between 3 and 12 years, and are open all day, every day of the week. Most of the mini clubs have facilities which are suitable for younger children under supervision of a parent. Activities include use of the play room for colouring and DVD's, fun trips around the hotel treasure hunting for shells and flowers. Lunches and dinners can also be arranged in the mini clubs, where your little ones will be treated with the same elegant service that you would expect.

Babysitters are also available at each of the Beachcomber hotels, both during the day as well as in the evening. If you would like to book one for most of your holiday it's probably worth doing this before you leave, and they can then meet you on arrival.

5 - 12 year olds

For the more independent children the mini clubs offer activities which will keep them busy all day. Sports lessons are often popular with tennis courts, golf (in those with golf courses), glass bottom boat trips and sailing lessons all available. If adrenaline is what they are after, water skiing, snorkelling and the bubble maker scuba programme (for age 8+) are also available at selected hotels.

The staff at each of the hotels are all extremely friendly, and for football loving boys, there is often a football match happening somewhere in the background of the hotel!

Over 12's

If it's important to keep the teens occupied and they like a bit of a sporting challenge, then Mauritius is the place to hone their skills. Tennis, golf, water skiing, sailing, scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking even pedalos are all available from most of the resorts. Dinarobin and Paradis are particularly good for the older children as there is an 18 hole golf course, and plenty of tennis courts and water sport facilities for them to use. There is also a wide range of restaurants so if they were feeling a bit independent one evening it's easy for them (or you) to escape to a different restaurant!

No matter what the age of your children, the main reason it's such a good destination for families is no doubt the friendly welcome you will all receive. The child minders in the mini clubs deal with the multi lingual mix of children with ease, and the staff from the hotel managers to the waiters and room service will treat the whole family like royalty.

Related Articles:

If you're looking for luxury family holidays, or for any family holidays abroad, you might like these articles.

Family Holidays Abroad: Tenerife

Family Holidays Abroad: Slovenia

The Best Family Holidays Abroad: Minorca

The Best Family Holidays Abroad: Egypt