What do the Maldives and Mauritius have in common? Well, they’re both located in the Indian Ocean, they both feature some of the most beautiful beaches in the world and they’re both popular with holidaymakers looking to escape to a tropical island paradise for a week or two.
With the help of travel experts, Destination2.co.uk, we’ve had a look at the differences between these two popular holiday destinations to help you decide which one’s more suited to you.
The best time to go
The Maldives enjoy hot temperatures throughout the year, with averages ranging from 27°C - 29°C. However, alongside this tropical climate comes an abundance of rainfall, which is more common from May through to October, during the aptly named rainy season. It’s worth noting that the rainstorms in the Maldives are different to the ones we have in the UK, in that they usually don’t last very long, and the hot sunshine dries everything up in next to no time.
A great time to visit the Maldives is during December and January. On December 31st, many of the luxury resorts on the islands have elaborate New Year’s Eve celebrations right on the beach!
Mauritius has more of a range of temperatures throughout the year, with averages ranging from 21°C to 26°C - still great beach weather! However, it does still have a rainy season, which begins in January and ends in April. This makes Mauritius a great place to visit for a summer holiday, as the dry season will be in full swing.
Things to do
Each year, millions of tourists flock to the Maldives to relax in the hot sun and sample some delicious local cuisine. With that being said, there’s not an awful lot more to do here, aside from snorkelling and watersports. Snorkelling in the Maldives is a truly unforgettable experience - with miles of colourful coral and fascinating sea creatures, it’s like being in a dream world.
We advise that you go whale watching during your Maldives holiday. Many of the islands have trips where you can be sailed out to sea and watch the spectacular whales do their thing - magnificent!
Mauritius, although still very much an island paradise, is much more built up that the Maldives. The island has lots of heavily promoted attractions, including hikes over the rolling hills, undersea walks, the Black River Gorges National Park and the Crocodile & Giant Tortoises Park and Nature Reserve, to name but a few.
It’s due to the sheer amount there is for holidaymakers to do on Mauritius, that we recommend this island for families with younger children, so as to keep them occupied. However, many of the resorts in the Maldives do have kids clubs for the kids to attend during the day, so it really does depend on personal preference.
Cost
Maldivian resorts tend to be expensive due to their incredible luxury. The best option when selecting a hotel in the Maldives is to book an all inclusive option, which includes drinks, food and flights. Due to the remoteness of the islands, many Maldivian resorts are specifically designed so that you don’t have to leave them for the duration of your holiday.
Mauritius can be slightly less expensive than the Maldives, and holidaymakers usually have a choice ranging from ultimate luxury to mid-budget hotels. As the island generally has more going on than the Maldives, it’s not essential to go all inclusive here, but we recommend it to ease the stress of budgeting once you’re there.
Both the Maldives and Mauritius are stunning island jewels, surrounded by the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean. For a luxury escape on a white beach, with nothing else but relaxation and delicious cuisine to fill your day (bliss!), choose the Maldives. If you’re looking for a holiday that’s got a little bit more going on, but you still want that stunning island scenery, Mauritius is the perfect island escape for you.
