By Anel van Schalkwyk (Leisure Specialist – Fusion Travel & Tours)

There is not one thing wrong with sunny Mauritius. The only problem is that you won’t have enough time to explore all it has to offer.

The Indian Ocean island is only a four and a half hours flight from OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. The weather is nice and warm year-round.

I had the privilege of joining an educational group to visit the Beachcomber resorts on this beautiful island.

With a variety of resorts that will tickle anyone’s travel bug – the Beachcomber resorts offer a wide variety for every discerning traveller.

The capital of Port Louis with its local fish-, vegetable- and fruit markets is a must visit, with many interesting shops in the waterfront area. If you are lucky enough you will meet PEM, who is a local artisan that crafts objects out of eucalyptus wood for his visitors.

If you are staying in the Northern areas of Mauritius, be sure to visit Grand Baie which has a wide variety of restaurants, nightclubs and markets where you can bargain away for all your souvenir needs.

What is an island visit without rum? At the Rhumerie de Chamarel you can tour the distillery, do rum tasting, have lunch and then stock up at their shop where you can find a variety of rum, chilli pastes, jams and more.

Here is a first-hand guide to the Beachcomber resorts in Mauritius.

Mauricia Beachcomber Resort:

This is a 4* property situated in the heart of Grand Baie. The resort has a view over the bay and is perfect for the young at heart travellers looking for a night out in the lively Grand Baie area. Inside the resort, you can enjoy the nightlife at the private nightclub called La Rhumerie.

Cannonier Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa:

This 4* property has recently undergone a refurbishment throughout the entire resort. This resort has two separate scenic beaches. It is built on a small peninsula with historical significance and a few of the cannons, ruins and stone fortresses are still in place. The Cannonier boasts a spa nestled in between the magnificent banyan trees. You can also try your hand at some archery available directly at the resort.

Victoria Beachcomber Resort & Spa:

This is a 4* superior resort. With entry-level rooms starting at 60sqm in size, this property is a firm favourite under South African families.  For those seeking more privacy, you can try out the newly built adults-only wing called Victoria for Two. With Swim Up rooms, you can sit on your lounge chairs in the water and when you feel like a cocktail or snack, jump into the swimming pool and swim up to the bar to enjoy a great time. With a stunning beach, great nightlife entertainment and a good choice of restaurants, this is a resort not to be missed.

Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa:

This is an entry-level, all-inclusive 5* resort that is only a 10-minute drive from the airport. There are three separate beaches. Shandrani is a great choice for travellers looking for good food, great entertainment and some amazing snorkelling trips in the Bay.

Trou Aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa:

This is a lovely resort on a beautiful stretch of beach. The resort has an island feeling with the suites all in crescent shapes located close to the central pool. The Beachfront suites have their own private pools with a view over the ocean, perfect for beautiful sunsets. The resort has no less than six different restaurants to choose from and is the perfect breakaway for couples or families looking for something a bit different.

Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa:

This resort is situated on the Le Morne peninsula, with a great stretch of beach right in front of the resort. The rooms are made up in colonial style and arranged in crescent shapes near the central shared pool. The La Plage restaurant is situated right on the beach for delicious lunch options.

Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa:

The resort is home to an 18-hole golf course with the Le Morne mountain serving as a magnificent backdrop. You can improve your golf swing with a lesson at the Paradis Golf Academy. The rooms are being renovated so be sure to request a revamped room when booking your stay. Look out for the cocktail bar and stick around for the evening entertainment at the main bar. For authentic Mauritian cuisine do not miss the La Ravanne beach restaurant serving dinner only.

The Royal Palm:

This luxury 5* Beachcomber resort is a member of the Leading Hotels of the World Portfolio. The resort offers only 69 suites, making it a very intimate resort with impeccable staff service. Be sure to enjoy the magnificent spa, and then later enjoy a drink on the beach watching the beautiful Mauritian sunset.