Where to Stay with Family in Mauritius: Best Areas and Accommodation for Kids

Travelling with Family in Mauritius: Choosing the Right Accommodation

Mauritius is an ideal destination for families. It offers a safe setting, generally calm seas in the lagoons, hotels that are very well equipped for children, and a population that is naturally welcoming toward tourists, including the youngest ones. But choosing the right accommodation is crucial to a successful holiday for everyone, parents and children alike.

At a glance

Where	Grand Baie and Flic-en-Flac first, Belle Mare for luxury
Price	Around 150 to 400 EUR/night in an all-inclusive hotel, 200 to 600 EUR/night in a villa with a pool
Getting there	A rental car is strongly recommended, book a car seat in advance
Best time	May to December, avoiding January-February (heat and cyclone peak)
Who it’s for	Families with children of any age, from babies to teens

This guide helps you identify the best areas and the best types of accommodation depending on your children’s ages and your travel style. For an overview before diving into the details, check out our general guide to where to stay in Mauritius. And if you’re planning a full itinerary with kids, our family itinerary for Mauritius offers a proven trip structure.

Which Areas Should You Choose for a Family Stay?

The North: Grand Baie, the Safe Bet for Families

Grand Baie is often the first area recommended to families visiting Mauritius for the first time. Here’s why:

The area is very well equipped: supermarkets, pharmacies, doctors, restaurants, shops — everything you might need with children is easy and quick to reach. If a child gets sick or you need sunscreen, Grand Baie has it all close at hand.

Activities are varied and kid-friendly: catamaran trips, diving try-outs for ages 8 and up, dolphin-watching outings, visits to nature parks — there’s no shortage of options to keep curious kids busy. Our guide to family activities in Mauritius lists all these options in detail.

The range of family accommodation is the widest on the island. From 3 to 5-star hotels with kids clubs, to villas with pools, to family apartments — the choice is considerable for every budget.

On the other hand, Grand Baie’s own beach isn’t the island’s finest — the sea can be choppy and not ideal for young children to swim in. Families with little ones tend to prefer the calm lagoons of their hotels or head to Pereybere, the neighbouring beach, which is more suitable and calmer.

What you’ll find: all-inclusive hotels with kids clubs, villas with secured pools, family apartments, guest houses, and every nearby service you could need.

What’s missing: an ideal beach for very young children (offset by hotel pools and by Pereybere).

The West: Flic-en-Flac, the Perfect Beach for Kids

Flic-en-Flac is especially popular with families thanks to its long white-sand beach (8 km) and its calm, shallow lagoon in several spots. Children can paddle and swim safely here, which isn’t always the case up north.

The area is more residential and quieter than Grand Baie. The mood is relaxed and the pace unhurried. There are fewer restaurants and shops than in the north, but enough that you won’t feel isolated.

Flic-en-Flac hotels often offer excellent family programmes: well-supervised kids clubs, water-based activities, dedicated children’s pools, and a safe beach right in front of the property.

Sunsets on the west coast are among the most beautiful on the island — a moment children enjoy too and one the whole family will remember.

For day trips, Tamarin, a few kilometres to the south, is the island’s best spot to swim with wild dolphins — an unforgettable experience for the whole family. Outings depart early in the morning from Tamarin.

Our dedicated guide to where to stay in Flic-en-Flac covers accommodation in this area in detail.

The East: Belle Mare, for Families Who Value Luxury and Nature

The east coast is less ideal for smaller budgets, but it offers the island’s most beautiful lagoons for calm swimming. The hotels of Belle Mare and Trou d’Eau Douce are equipped with very high-quality kids clubs and often offer programmes tailored by age group.

If your priority is the beach and water quality, the east coast will give you unforgettable memories. The lagoon at Belle Mare is extraordinary: shallow, turquoise, and protected from waves by the reef.

Ile aux Cerfs, a 10-minute boat ride from Trou d’Eau Douce, is a must with children: water activities in a magnificent lagoon, beach restaurants, and easy snorkelling for older kids. A private excursion is preferable for younger children.

The Blue Bay Marine Park, in the southeast, is absolutely worth the detour for family snorkelling in waters dotted with coral and colourful fish. An experience that’s as educational as it is fun.

The South: Le Morne, for Families Who Want Grandeur and Nature

Le Morne is a spectacular but more remote area. The resorts here are all upscale and offer quality kids programmes. It’s an excellent choice for families who want to alternate between resort relaxation and exploring the south’s wild landscapes.

Kitesurfing conditions at Le Morne are among the best in the world — for teens aged 12 and up, it’s a memorable introduction. Several clubs offer lessons suited to beginners.

The Most Suitable Types of Accommodation for Families

All-Inclusive Hotels with Kids Clubs

The all-inclusive package is often the least stressful option for families. A fixed budget, meals available around the clock, included activities, and a baby club or kids club supervised by professionals: parents can relax knowing the children are in good hands.

The best all-inclusive hotels for families:

Tamassa Resort Bel Ombre — The “The Nest” kids club welcomes children aged 2 to 17 with programmes tailored by age group. Calm beach, pools, regular entertainment. One of the best value-for-money options on the island for families. Rates: 150 to 280 EUR/night.

Club Med La Pointe aux Canonniers — The Club Med formula is reassuring for families: the G.O.s look after the kids (Baby Club from 4 months, Mini Club, Junior Club) while parents relax. Sports, entertainment, unlimited meals. Rates: 200 to 400 EUR/night.

Shandrani Beachcomber Resort and Spa — Facing the Blue Bay marine reserve. Three beaches, exceptional snorkelling for kids curious about marine life. A well-supervised mini-club. Rates: 200 to 380 EUR/night.

Canonnier Beachcomber Golf Resort and Spa — Located on a peninsula in the north, with several beach access points depending on weather conditions. Kids and teens club, lagoon pools, plenty of activities. Rates: 180 to 350 EUR/night.

Pearle Beach Resort and Spa — On Flic-en-Flac beach. Separate pools for adults and children, a mini-club, daily entertainment. A well-calibrated all-inclusive formula for families. Rates: 150 to 300 EUR/night.

Villas with Private Pools

A family villa with a pool is often preferred by families who value independence and have children of different ages. Everyone can go at their own pace: breakfast whenever suits, a spontaneous swim, home-cooked meals on some evenings.

For families with babies or very young children, a villa offers a level of comfort beyond a hotel: a cot in the parents’ room, a kitchen equipped for preparing the child’s meals, and a private outdoor space to play.

Important points for a family villa:

• A secured pool (fence, alarm, depth suitable for children)
• Enough bedrooms
• A cot available if needed (check in advance)
• Reasonably close beach access (under 15 minutes on foot or by car)
• Good-quality TV and wifi
• A fully equipped kitchen

Our guide to villas in Mauritius gives you all the details to choose well.

Family villa budget: 200 to 600 EUR/night for 4 to 6 people depending on the area and standard.

Apartments in Tourist Residences with a Pool

For families on a more modest budget, a tourist residence offers a good compromise: an independent apartment with a kitchen, a shared but well-maintained pool, and often an on-site dining area.

The price is generally 30 to 50% lower than an equivalent-standard hotel for the same number of people. And having a kitchen means you can prepare simple meals for the children, which cuts costs and avoids some tension.

Our guide to apartments in Mauritius lists the best residences by area.

Budget for a residence with a pool: 100 to 200 EUR/night for a 2-bedroom apartment.

Criteria for Choosing Family Accommodation

Safety at the Beach and Pool

Mauritian lagoons are generally safe, but currents can exist in certain areas. Never leave young children alone in the water. Some beaches have lifeguards, others don’t — check this if you’re travelling with young children. Equip your children with armbands or swim vests for water activities.

For the pool, check for a fence and/or an alarm system. This is essential for villas and residences with children under 6.

Proximity to Medical Facilities

If your child gets sick, you’ll need a pharmacy or doctor quickly. Grand Baie and Flic-en-Flac have pharmacies and doctors’ offices. In more remote areas (Le Morne, Bel Ombre), the nearest hospital can be 30-45 minutes away.

Age-Appropriate Activities

Children aged 2 to 5 need shallow beaches, fine sand, and shade. Children aged 6 to 12 love water activities, snorkelling, and water parks. Teens want adrenaline: kitesurfing, wakeboarding, diving, excursions. Choose your accommodation with your children’s actual ages in mind.

Meal Logistics

Children often eat at different times from adults, and not always the same food. An all-inclusive hotel with a continuously available buffet is very practical. A villa with a kitchen gives you total freedom. An apartment is a good compromise. Avoid packages where meals are only available at strict times.

The Car Question with a Family

Renting a car is almost essential with a family, unless you’re staying in central Grand Baie where everything is within walking distance. With children, the bus is often impractical (irregular schedules, crowded at peak times). A car gives you the flexibility to go to the beach whenever suits, head out on an excursion once the kids have had a good sleep, and get back quickly if someone’s tired.

Book a baby or child seat in advance with your rental company. Note that driving is on the left in Mauritius (a British legacy) — an adjustment that takes a few hours but quickly becomes natural.

Family Health in Mauritius

Mauritius is a country at risk for dengue fever (transmitted by day-biting mosquitoes). Protect children with age-appropriate repellents. Avoid products with a high DEET concentration for younger children (under 10% for kids). Mauritian pharmacies are well stocked with common medications.

Pack a complete travel kit: painkillers, anti-diarrhoeal medication, high-protection sunscreen (SPF 50 minimum), insect bite treatment, and motion sickness medication if your children are prone to it (the central mountain roads can be winding).

Comparison Table of Family Accommodation

Accommodation	Price/night	Kids club	Kitchen	Pool	Beach
All-inclusive hotel	150-400 EUR	Yes	No (buffet)	Yes (heated)	Depends on hotel
Villa with pool	200-600 EUR	No	Yes	Yes (private)	Walking or driving distance
Tourist residence	100-200 EUR	No	Yes	Yes (shared)	Often walking distance
Guest house	50-100 EUR	No	No	Rare	Often walking distance

Must-Do Activities for Families

Beyond the beach, Mauritius offers plenty of activities kids will love:

• Casela World of Adventures: an animal park with lions, giraffes, ziplining, and a tube jump for teens — book entry to Casela World Adventures
• Ile aux Cerfs: a lagoon island with water activities for all ages
• Pamplemousses Botanical Garden: giant tortoises, giant water lilies, baobabs — visit to the Pamplemousses botanical garden
• Mahébourg Museum: the island’s history told for children
• Catamaran outings with snorkelling and a barbecue lunch
• Dolphin watching off Tamarin (from age 6)
• Try-dives from age 8 in the lagoon waters

The weather in Mauritius also plays an important role in planning activities. In July-August, the trade winds blow harder on the east coast — favour the leeward west coast with young children.

Our Recommendation by Family Profile

Family with a baby or toddler (0-3 years): a villa with a secured pool in Flic-en-Flac or Grand Baie, close to pharmacies, with a calm beach at Pereybere or Wolmar.

Family with school-age children (4-12 years): an all-inclusive hotel with a kids club in the north or west. Tamassa in Bel Ombre or Shandrani in Blue Bay are excellent.

Family with teens (12-17 years): a group villa or a hotel with sports options. Le Morne for kitesurfing and windsurfing, the east coast for diving and Ile aux Cerfs.

Family on a budget: a tourist residence with a pool in Flic-en-Flac or an apartment in Grand Baie with access to Pereybere. Check out our budget accommodation guide for the best affordable addresses.

Planning a Family Trip Budget in Mauritius

The budget for a family trip to Mauritius depends heavily on the number of children, their ages, and the type of accommodation chosen. Here are realistic estimates to help you plan.

All-Inclusive Family Budget (family of 4: 2 adults + 2 children aged 6 and 9)

A mid-range all-inclusive hotel like Tamassa in Bel Ombre or Pearle Beach in Flic-en-Flac costs between 250 and 320 EUR/night for a family room, children included (generally free for under-12s at these properties). For 10 nights: 2,500 to 3,200 EUR for accommodation plus meals, drinks, and basic activities included.

Add flights (1,500 to 2,500 EUR for 4 people depending on class and season), the airport transfer (80-120 EUR for 4 people), and a few paid excursions (catamaran: 320-500 EUR for 4, Ile aux Cerfs: 100-150 EUR). Total budget: 5,000 to 7,000 EUR for 4 people for 10 nights, flights included.

Family Villa Budget (family of 4)

A 2-bedroom villa with a pool in Flic-en-Flac or Grand Baie costs 200 to 350 EUR/night. For 10 nights: 2,000 to 3,500 EUR for accommodation. Add meals (groceries + 4-5 restaurant meals: 800 EUR), car rental (500 EUR), excursions and activities (600 EUR), and the airport transfer (100 EUR).

Total budget for accommodation and stay (excluding flights): 4,000 to 5,500 EUR for a family of 4. That’s a lower cost per person than the all-inclusive option, with far more space and freedom.

Questions Families Ask Before Travelling

At what age can you take children to Mauritius?

There’s no minimum age. Families travel with babies as young as 3 months old. However, the journey is long (11-12 hours by air from Paris) and the time difference (2-3 hours depending on the season) can disrupt young children. The heat from October to March can be intense for infants. Families with babies often choose the cooler season (June-September) and a hotel with everything close at hand.

Can children swim safely?

Mauritius’s lagoons are generally shallow and protected by the reef. Pereybere, Flic-en-Flac, and Blue Bay beaches are particularly safe for children. However, some areas do have currents. Always equip your children with armbands or vests and never leave them alone in the water.

Are vaccines needed to travel to Mauritius with children?

No vaccine is required to enter Mauritius from France. Recommended vaccines (based on the child’s usual vaccination record) are those on the standard immunisation schedule. Dengue is present — protect children from mosquitoes with age-appropriate repellents.

Do the kids clubs actually work well?

At good all-inclusive hotels, kids clubs are run by professional staff, often trained in educational activities. Programmes are tailored by age group (2-4, 5-8, 9-12, and sometimes a teen club). Children are generally delighted — new friends of all nationalities, fun activities in a dream setting. Parents can typically enjoy 4 to 6 hours of free time daily.

Sample One-Week Family Itinerary

Here’s a sample programme for a week in Mauritius with the family, based out of Flic-en-Flac.

Days 1-2: Settling in and discovering the beach. Arrival, check-in, first swim in the lagoon. First meals at the hotel or beachfront restaurants. Rest and adjust to the time difference.

Day 3: Catamaran excursion. A catamaran outing with snorkelling and a barbecue lunch. Kids generally love this outing. Book ahead through your hotel or a local agency.

Day 4: Beach and water activities. Free day at the beach, with kayak or paddleboard lessons for older kids. In the late afternoon, enjoy the sunset from the beach or your accommodation’s terrace.

Day 5: Inland excursion. Chamarel and its waterfalls, the Seven Coloured Earths, the Chamarel Rum Distillery. Rent a car for the day. Lunch at a restaurant with a panoramic view.

Day 6: Ile aux Cerfs. Early departure for Trou d’Eau Douce (1-hour drive), then a boat taxi to Ile aux Cerfs. A day on the beach with water activities for the kids, lunch on the island. Return in the late afternoon. You can also opt for a catamaran excursion with lunch served directly on the island, well suited to families: book the Ile aux Cerfs catamaran trip with lunch.

Day 7: Casela World of Adventures. The island’s most complete leisure and animal park, with lions, giraffes, and ziplining. A day the kids will all love.

Our complete family itinerary expands this programme over 10 and 14 days with suggestions tailored to different children’s ages.

What to Do on Bad-Weather Days with Kids

Even outside the rainy season, some days can be too windy or humid for the beach. Fortunately, Mauritius offers several ways to keep children entertained without relying solely on the hotel pool: the La Vanille nature park and museum lets you observe giant tortoises and crocodiles under cover, while our guide to rainy-day activities in Mauritius lists other indoor options, from the cinema to workshops.

For families staying outside all-inclusive hotels, it’s a good idea to always keep an indoor activity in reserve, especially during the austral summer (January-March) when short but intense tropical showers can hit in the late afternoon.

Getting Around with Family Without a Car

Some families choose to travel without a car, especially if they stay their whole trip at a single all-inclusive hotel in central Grand Baie. In that case, everything is within walking distance and excursions can be booked with transfer included from the front desk. Our guide to Mauritius without a car and our comparison with and without a car detail the pros and cons of this approach for a family.