Mauritius and Réunion

Posted by Lane (Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico) on 01/02/26 05:48 AM

I'm going to Madagascar in June/July (already have made all my arrangements for that part of the trip).

I want to start with visits to Mauritius and Réunion. Thinking 4 nights each, but I'm open to lengthening that a little.

Has anyone been to either or both of these islands? I have some questions, and I can go into more detail if anyone on this forum can offer help based on experience.

Good areas to stay on each island
Booking tours vs. renting a car and self-guiding

I'm not interested in lying on the beach or beside a pool, but I do love the ocean, and I enjoy snorkeling. I'm looking to see magnificent scenery, do some easy to moderate hikes, and pick up some culture along the way.

Posted by Elizabeth

L'Occitanie, France

01/02/26 01:36 PM

11675 posts

I can't answer this as a visitor either, but we know many people who have lived on Réunion for long periods of time as doctors, medical researchers, teachers, and even have two friends who went in the 1980s and still live there. Coincidentally, three former Réunionais were at my home for New Year's Day lunch yesterday. Réunion is a French department with the same status as any other department in Occitanie, Bretagne, Corsica, etc. You will use the euro, of course, and find all the French administration, and infrastructure. Don't forget to say bonjour, merci, au revoir, LOL. Be aware of mosquito control on Réunion because the chikungunya virus from the tiger mosquito has been a problem in the past; I don't know the current status.

Mauritius is an independent country after being first a French colony and then a British colony . I don't know anyone who lives there or has lived there though I've certainly run across people from Mauritius working here in France.

Posted by Jenpen5

01/13/26 05:07 PM

2 posts

If visiting Mauritius in July or August it's best to, avoid the east and south coasts as its Mauritian winter and the south easterly trade winds blow at their strongest which can make it cool some days and also result in water sport cancellations. Better to stay in the west, north or north west of the island.
Visited Mauritius a number of times and lived there for 9 years at one point.

Posted by Lane OP

Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico

01/13/26 05:16 PM

2316 posts

Jenpen5, thank you for the tip!

I booked a hotel in Trou-aux-Biches, so that should work out okay. But I also booked this tour one of the days I'm there:

https://www.getyourguide.com/en-au/trou-d-eau-douce-l32321/trou-d-eau-douce-5-islands-tour-with-snorkeling-and-bbq-t825356/

Hopefully I'll be lucky and the weather will cooperate.

Posted by Jenpen5

01/14/26 05:51 PM

2 posts

The hotel should be fine but just be aware that if you get unlucky and the weather is bad on the east coast your trips could be impacted. I wouldn't book anything too far in advance or make sure that your trips are refundable if the worst happens.