Beautifully contrasted and blessed with never-ending sunshine, the western coast of Mauritius is the perfect place to spend your holidays. This side of the island is lined with some dazzling white sand beaches like Flic en Flac. The small coastal village of Flic en Flac is ideal for those looking to discover Port Louis and its surroundings. Other than its beaches, the west coast of Mauritius has a lot of natural attractions and sights.
Flic en Flac
Flic en Flac is known to be the best beach resort of Mauritius. Along its beaches, you will find a series of hotels following one another. Unlike other regions of the island, Flic en Flac records very little rainfall throughout the year. The sun always shines on its dazzling turquoise lagoon.
Flic en Flac climate
Like Port Louis, Flic en Flac is sheltered from the South East Trade Wind of the Indian ocean and is one of the hottest places in Mauritius. Here the temperature never drops below 26°C and it easily reaches up to 35°C. The temperature of the lagoon varies from 26 to 28°C depending on the season. The beach itself is very spacious and is lined with Casuarina trees which help provide some shade. The climate of Flic en Flac is reflected in its lagoon, crystal-clear warm water contributing to a fabulous aquatic life.
Snorkeling & Diving in Flic en Flac
The beach of Flic en Flac is nearly two kilometers long and you can swim, snorkel or dive all year round. In fact, the beach is a paradise for diving with its numerous caves and wrecks like Cathedral and Rempart Serpent. Divers and snorkelers will really appreciate the lagoon of Flic en Flac as the current is nearly inexistent while visibility is at its best. So get your snorkel and diving equipment ready for the wonderful coral reefs and colorful underwater life of Flic en Flac. Its is advisable to wear protection shoes or snorkel fins to protect yourself from sea urchins and corals.
Around Flic en Flac
Other than its beaches, hotels, and villas, Flic en Flac has everything for the well-being of visitors. The village is equipped with numerous facilities like spas, clinic, beach restaurants, pubs, nightclubs, supermarkets and shopping malls. Nightlife there is much appreciated by locals and tourists alike. Few kilometers away from the village you will find the Casela Nature Bird Park, one of the oldest attractions of Mauritius.
Hotels in Flic en Flac
Over the last years, Flic en Flac has seen a lot of development. Many hotels and villas settled to level the increasing number of tourists. There are more than 10 large hotels along its coastline. But beware that some hotels in Mauritius are better placed than others in view of front beaches. Pearle Beach, Hilton and Villa Caroline are the better placed for bathing and snorkeling. Nevertheless, you can still stroll along the beach and find your own bathing spot.
Port Louis
Mauritius isn’t just a beach destination, its capital city Port Louis is a living proof of that. With nearly 150, 000 inhabitants, Port Louis and its old streets is the liveliest city of Mauritius. The city is home to the major administrative and financial institution of the island.
Enclosed by a mountain range and the sea, Port Louis is the hottest city of Mauritius. When visiting Port Louis, it is very easy to spot the ancient buildings, Creole houses, and religious monuments. It is common to see a mosque, a temple, and a church just streets apart in Port Louis. This is the result of the great ethnic mix of the Mauritian society.
Port Louis is representative of the island’s colonial past. Alley after alley, the city of Port Louis reveals more and more about its culture and authenticity. You just have to stroll art and history will be everywhere around you.
The Port Louis Market
Also referred to as “grand bazaar” by locals, the Port Louis Market is the oldest market of Mauritius. It is the best place to find anything that the island has to offer. From exotic fruits and vegetables to tastiest Mauritian street foods, the market is a delicious food trip. Amongst the many street foods you will find there, the Dholl Puri is certainly the most famous of them all. In the case of thirst, we recommend you visit one of the many stalls of the market to taste the Alouda, a typical local milk-based beverage.
The market is quite crowded and loudly on weekdays, but this curiously adds to its charm. You will discover attaching and welcoming characters at the stalls. It is so nice to amble and ferret out the beauties of Mauritius in this market. In addition to the food, you will find the best handicrafts and souvenirs of Mauritius in the extended section of the market. Souvenirs like miniature musical instruments, clothing, spices, scents, original sculptures and many more.
Port Louis attractions
The city of Port Louis is a must-see attraction in Mauritius especially for travelers who want to get soaked in the beautiful mix of culture and traditions. Place d’Armes, Champ de Mars, Fort Adelaide Chinatown, Jummah Mosque or Saint Louis Cathedral are charming religious architectures worth visiting. Port Louis is also the ultimate place for shopping in Mauritius, the Port Louis Caudan Waterfront is one of the biggest shopping malls of Mauritius. The waterfront has it all, hotels, pubs, restaurants, cinemas, live music and events, you can really a good day there.
Driving in Mauritius
Port Louis and Flic en Flac are just minutes away by car and a little bit longer in by bus. While the bus is inexpensive in Mauritius, it tends to be time costly. The easiest way to get around the island is to rent a car. This requires bringing a valid license, but you will be able to visit the different attractions at your own pace. Car rental tariffs are fairly competitive across the island and the price of fuel is fairly low. Driving is on the left and road signs are mostly displayed in English. The only downside of Port Louis is its regular traffic jams, especially from 8hrs to 9hrs in the morning and 16hrs to 17hrs. So plan your trip to Port Louis accordingly.
Have nice holidays in Mauritius!
