Mauritius with kids: a guide by age group

At a glance

Best bases	North (Grand Baie, amenities) or East (Belle Mare, wide beaches) depending on the vibe you’re after
Indicative budget	€7,000 to €11,000 for a family of 4 over 10 days in a 4-star all-inclusive hotel, flights included
Flight	About 11 hours direct from Paris, mild time difference (2-3 hrs)
Best time to go	April-June or September-November (warm sea, less rain, moderate prices)
To avoid with young children	February-March (peak cyclone season and humid heat)
Car rental	Recommended from ages 3-4, useful for timing naps and schedules

Why Mauritius is one of the best family destinations in the Indian Ocean

Four concrete reasons:

The lagoon. The coral reef creates a shallow, calm body of water at 25-28°C year-round. On dozens of beaches, you can stand in water for several hundred meters out. It’s ideal for children learning to swim or who aren’t yet confident in the open ocean.

The hotels. Most 3-5 star resorts are designed with families in mind: free kids clubs, separate children’s pools, evening entertainment, available babysitters, adapted menus. This level of infrastructure doesn’t exist with the same density in the Seychelles or Reunion Island.

Safety and comfort. No major tropical disease (no malaria, no endemic dengue), safe tap water in hotels, decent medical infrastructure, low crime. Your children can play in the hotel grounds or go to the beach without particular worry.

The flight. 11 hours direct from Paris is long, but doable. A time difference of 2-3 hours means light jet lag. Compare this to Asian destinations (Thailand, Bali) where a 6-7 hour time difference really disrupts young children.

With a baby aged 0 to 2

The best beaches: Trou aux Biches (north), Mont Choisy (north), Belle Mare (east), Pointe d’Esny (southeast). All offer fine sand, little current, natural shade, and shallow water over wide areas.

Hotels to consider: LUX Belle Mare, Veranda Pointe aux Biches, Heritage Awali. They offer free baby cots, high chairs, baby bathtubs, baby food and babysitting (€15-25/hr).

To avoid: long excursions (8-hour catamaran trips, hikes). Save those for when your child is older. Stick to a beach-pool-nap routine, punctuated by a half-day trip to Pamplemousses or a local market.

Health tip: baby-specific sunscreen (mineral SPF 50+), a hat, an anti-UV t-shirt. Mauritian sun is intense, especially between 11am and 2pm.

With children aged 3 to 6

This is the age when Mauritius really comes into its own. Children have enough independence to play, but you still have to do everything with them.

Suitable activities:

• Glass-bottom boat at Blue Bay: 1.5 hours, perfect for discovering the underwater world without having to swim.

• Casela Nature Park: a full day, mini-zoo, tiger and lion encounters (viewing only, no close contact for young children), children’s zipline from age 6, restaurant with kids’ menus.

• Pamplemousses Garden: giant water lilies, centuries-old palm trees, a pleasant walk. Allow 1.5 hours on site. Much less tiring than hikes.

Hotels with kids clubs: Constance Belle Mare Plage, LUX Le Morne, Veranda Paul et Virginie. All have a kids club from age 3, structured, supervised, with daily activities (treasure hunts, painting, supervised swimming).

With children aged 7 to 12

The sweet spot for families in Mauritius. Everything opens up.

Classic activities:

• Catamaran trip to Ile aux Cerfs: a day at sea with a BBQ lunch. Kids love the sailing and swimming in the lagoon. Life jackets provided, snorkeling possible once they’re comfortable with a mask and snorkel.

• Snorkeling at Blue Bay Marine Park: 3 hours with supervision. Kids discover parrotfish, damselfish, green turtles. Magical at this age.

• Moderate hike to Tamarind Falls: 4-5 hours, swimming in natural waterfall pools. Doable from age 8 with a good level of fitness. Unforgettable.

• Casela Nature Park: accessible ziplines, treetop courses, cheetah encounters (for the more adventurous from age 10).

• Visit to Chamarel and the Seven Coloured Earths: a day combining nature and geology. Curious kids love the mineral colors and the waterfall.

Tip: alternate 1 day of excursions with 1 day at the hotel/beach. At age 7-12, children need free time to play, read, and swim at their own pace — not just move from one supervised activity to the next.

With teens aged 13 to 17

Mauritius can win over teenagers, provided you offer activities that match their level. Pitfalls to avoid: too much beach time with nothing else, family hotels where they get bored, an adult-paced itinerary.

Activities that always work:

• Swimming with dolphins: an early-morning outing in Tamarin, emotionally intense. Teens talk about it for years afterward.

• Quad biking or 4x4 in the south: thrills, independence, photos for social media. Half-day to full-day depending on the operator.

• Scuba diving: try-dives from age 8-10, PADI Junior Open Water certification from age 10 (3-4 days, €350-450). A worthwhile investment for later in life.

• Kitesurfing: Le Morne is a world-renowned spot. Beginner lessons from age 12 with a certified instructor, 2 days of lessons (8 hrs) for €250-350.

• Helicopter ride: 30 minutes above the island. Expensive but memorable. Ideal for a teen’s birthday or a reward for academic success.

• Canyoning at Tamarind: abseiling, jumps into natural pools. An adrenaline activity for the sporty ones.

Accommodation: choose hotels with a teens club or teen-specific activities (LUX Belle Mare, Constance Prince Maurice). Avoid resorts that only offer a kids club. The “all-inclusive with a bar” concept also appeals to teens (unlimited mocktails).

Practical tips for traveling with a family

The flight. Book a window seat for curious children. Ask the airline for a bassinet for babies (up to 10 kg). Pack slow-release snacks, a change of clothes, a charged tablet and personal headphones.

Arrival. Book a private transfer. With children exhausted after an 11-hour flight, it’s not the time to hunt for a taxi or deal with a car rental.

Pacing. One activity per day maximum with young children (ages 3-8). Two activities a day are possible with teens and older children if they’re compatible (morning at sea, relaxed afternoon).

Naps. Protect the routine. An excursion ruined by a baby’s exhaustion meltdown is a wasted day. Better to do less and do it well.

Meals. All-inclusive buffets generally please children: variety, self-service, no waiting. Local restaurants welcome children without issue, but Creole cuisine can surprise palates used to milder food (spiced, sometimes hot).

First-aid kit. Prepare a kit: children’s paracetamol, pediatric anti-diarrheal medicine, antihistamine cream, disinfectant, bandages, saline solution, thermometer. Everything is available locally but at higher prices.

When to travel as a family

April-June: an excellent period, warm sea, often clear skies, moderate prices. European schools have spring break in April.

July-August: dry high season. Beautiful weather, but peak prices and packed hotels. Book 4-6 months ahead.

September-November: the best value for money. Good sea, mild skies, fewer crowds. If your children can take a few days outside of school holidays, this is ideal.

December-January: a beach Christmas is a memorable experience for children. High rates, but plenty of hotel entertainment.

February-March: to avoid with young children. Active cyclone season, more rain, sometimes rough seas. Possible with sporty teens.

Where to stay depending on your family’s profile

The choice of region matters as much as the choice of hotel. Here’s how the main family bases compare.

Area	Strengths for families	Points of caution
Grand Baie / North	Restaurants and pharmacies within walking distance, plenty of boat trips, evening entertainment	Narrower beaches, busier traffic
Belle Mare / East	Large public beaches, sprawling family resorts	Rainier during the austral summer (November-April)
Flic en Flac / West	Sunsets, often calmer sea in the morning	Fewer high-end kids clubs than in the east
Blue Bay / Southeast	Shallow, protected lagoon, easy snorkeling for beginners	More limited hotel selection

To dig deeper into choosing accommodation, our guide to where to stay as a family breaks down properties by budget range, and our north-south comparison helps you decide between liveliness and tranquility.

Safety and health for children on site

Mauritius is a reassuring destination, but a few precautions avoid unpleasant surprises. The lagoon protects against swell but not against currents in the reef passes: keep an eye on children even in shallow water, particularly near reef passes where currents can pick up. Water shoes prevent injuries from stonefish and sea urchins in rocky areas.

On the health side, no vaccinations are mandatory, and medical infrastructure in tourist areas is adequate for common emergencies. Our health guide to Mauritius details the recommended travel medicine kit and the best-equipped clinics, and our safety guide covers general precautions (swimming, driving, beaches at night).

To organize a sequence of days suited to your children’s pace over the whole trip, our family itinerary offers a realistic day-by-day framework, adjustable to your children’s ages.

Conclusion

Mauritius is probably the easiest long-haul tropical destination to manage as a family from France. If you’re torn between other islands or Thailand, Mauritius is often the place to start.

To start planning: begin with our guide to family activities, which breaks down outings by profile, and our selection of family hotels.

Frequently asked questions

From what age can you take a child to Mauritius?

From 6 months with no major contraindication. The 11-hour direct flight is still long but manageable with preparation. Avoid cyclone season (January-March) with very young children. Favor family-friendly hotels with a free baby cot.

Do children need specific vaccinations?

No vaccination is mandatory for Mauritius. Recommended vaccines should be up to date per the standard schedule (DTP, MMR, hepatitis B). For babies and young children, see a pediatrician 4 to 6 weeks before departure to adapt this based on age and medical history.

Are Mauritian hotels suited to families?

Yes, about 60% of resorts have a free kids club (ages 4-12), sometimes a teens club (13-17). Children under 2 are generally free, and those aged 2 to 11 get discounted rates of 30-50%. Ask when booking.

What activities suit children aged 4 to 8?

Casela Nature Park (mini-zoo, animal encounters, children’s zipline), glass-bottom boat at Blue Bay, calm beaches at Trou aux Biches or Mont Choisy, swimming in the protected lagoon, La Vanille crocodile farm, Pamplemousses Garden for the giant water lilies.

What activities suit children aged 9 to 12?

Catamaran trip to Ile aux Cerfs (life jackets provided), snorkeling with mask and snorkel at Blue Bay, moderate hike to Tamarind Falls, horseback riding on Le Morne beach, a day at Casela with the safari, quad biking for accompanied teens.

What activities suit teens aged 13 to 17?

Quad biking and 4x4, scuba diving (try-dives from age 8-10, PADI Junior certification from age 10), swimming with dolphins, kitesurfing at Le Morne with an instructor, surfing at Tamarin, canyoning at Tamarind, large-format zipline, helicopter ride for a memorable experience.

How much does a family trip to Mauritius cost?

For a family of 4 (2 adults + 2 children aged 8-12) over 10 days in a 4-star all-inclusive hotel: €7,000 to €11,000 all in. Flights: €2,800-4,400, hotel: €3,000-5,000, car rental: €350, excursions: €800-1,200.

Do you need a car or a private transfer when traveling with children?

A rental car gives you more flexibility for timing naps and heading out early in the morning, but driving on the left with tired children on the first day isn’t always comfortable. Many families combine both: private transfer on arrival, then a rental car from the second or third day.

What budget should you plan for family excursions?

Count on around €40 to €90 per adult, and often a discounted rate of 30-50% per child, for supervised excursions (catamaran, snorkeling, Casela). Over 10 days, plan for 2 to 4 excursions maximum with young children to leave free time at the hotel.