The perfect Mauritius honeymoon

You’ll definitely have bragging rights if you honeymoon in Mauritius, an island nation off the southeastern coast of Africa. You’ll come home with stories about hiking up rocky peaks and through narrow gorges, snorkeling around impressive coral formations, and boating around bays that are the deepest shade of turquoise you’ve ever seen. And the beaches here are some of the prettiest in the Indian Ocean.

This island knows how to pamper honeymooners. You won’t have to look hard to find romantic restaurants in historic plantation houses or on sandy beaches. The hotels are luxurious and secluded, with stunning suites, private dinners for two, and all the couples massages you can dream of. Still not enough privacy? You could even opt for a stay on a private island.

Even though Mauritius is small—only about 38 miles long—there’s plenty to keep you busy. Best of all: You don’t have to do all the planning on your own. We’ve used the Tripadvisor community’s top tips as we plot out the ultimate three-day honeymoon in Mauritius.

Begin the first morning of your honeymoon at Blue Bay, on the southeastern corner of Mauritius. The easiest way to take in the scenery—stop at Blue Bay Beach, a crescent of powdery white sand. There are glass-bottom boats to take you around the harbor and a handful of eateries within easy walking distance (including the top-rated Esco Burger), so it’s possible to while away a few hours here.

But Blue Bay Beach is just your starting point for an exploration of Blue Bay Marine Park, a sprawling nature preserve with some of the island’s most eye-catching underwater scenery. Perhaps the most impressive sight here is a massive brain coral measuring more than 22 feet across. Since brain coral takes years to grow an inch, this formation is estimated to be 1,000 years old. There are three dozen other species, including flat-topped table coral and spiny staghorn coral. Park rangers keep an eye on things to help protect the coral (and are bringing some damaged pieces back to life).

From shore you can spot several tiny islands. The closest is Ile des Deux Cocos, a private island where you can spend the day lounging on the beach, swinging in a hammock, or snorkeling in the bathwater-warm water. There are rarely many people here, so you’ll be about to find a secluded spot for just the two of you. If you like it so much here that you can’t bear to leave, there’s a villa you can book for overnight stays.

Just outside Blue Bay is the Ile aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve, on a small island in nearby Mahebourg Bay. Ranked as one of the “best of the best” attractions by Tripadvisor readers, Ile aux Aigrettes has the region’s last remnants of dry coastal forest. Telfair’s skink, a stocky lizard with a mottled appearance, is one of the creatures you'll find on this tropical paradise, along with several species of brightly colored ornate day geckos. Look up to see the Mauritius fody, a bird with a brilliant red head. The main attraction on the island, however, is the community of giant tortoises that is thriving here. It's like finding a little bit of the Galapagos right off the coast of Mauritius.

A few miles from Blue Bay, Le Jardin de Beau Vallon—in a colonial-style house with a verandah—is the perfect spot for a lovely, relaxed lunch The dining room is attractive, but try to snag an outdoor table where you can feel the breezes blow in from the ocean. Begin with the crab soup, then move on to the venison with a spicy green pepper sauce. Don’t miss the house-made crème brûlée.

Heading west, make sure to stop at Gris Gris Beach, one of the prettiest spots along the island’s southern coast. When you stand on the rugged cliffs overlooking the shore, you can hear the waves crash on the shore with tremendous force. It's too rough to go in the water, but many people stop to take in the views and admire the force of nature.

The widest waterfall in all of Mauritius, Rochester Falls never fails to impress. The natural rock pool below the cascade is a great place to cool off on a hot day, so make sure to bring along a swimsuit. It’s a bit of the tourist trail, so there’s a good chance that you’ll have the place to yourself.

The first night of your honeymoon calls for a romantic meal. If you’re staying on the southwestern coast, there’s a wide selection of restaurants within easy driving distance. According to Tripadvisor readers, the best in the area is Le Château De Bel Ombre, set in a 19th-century plantation house. After cocktails on the terrace, you’ll head inside to the elegant dining room. When the weather’s warm, the French doors are thrown open to catch the breeze. The farm-to-plate menu spotlights the best of the island’s produce, so the wild boar comes with pineapple compote and a coffee sauce.

If you’re looking for a more relaxed—but equally honeymoon-worthy—atmosphere, consider Gin'ja, a Japanese restaurant just steps from the beach. With its unobstructed views, it’s a prime spot for watching the sunset. For a showstopper dish, try the flaming lobster.

Set your alarm clock, because this isn’t a morning for sleeping in. You’ll want to get to the trail up Le Morne Brabant—a rocky monolith rising almost straight up into the air—before the crowds get there. That means arriving at 7 a.m., when the gate opens. On a peninsula jutting into the Indian Ocean, Le Morne Brabant has what are probably the best views on the island. It's a challenging hike, especially the steeper sections toward the top, but you won't be sorry once you reach the summit. Wear sturdy hiking boots and a hat, and bring along plenty of water.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Le Morne Brabant has an interesting history as well. In the 19th century it was reputedly a refuge for runaway slaves who had been brought to the island to work on the sugar cane plantations. In 1835, the year slavery was abolished in Mauritius, a group of police officers scaled the cliffs to tell the inhabitants that they were free. Some of them, fearing they were going to be returned to slavery, leaped from the cliffs. Tripadvisor readers rank Le Morne Brabant among the “best of the best” destinations on the island.

Also getting raves from readers is nearby Le Morne Beach, which literally sits in the shadow of Le Morne Brabant. Reward yourself with a post-hike dip in the turquoise waters. Stretching for more than two miles, this band of brilliant white sand is backed by lush casuarina trees. It's a favorite spot for windsurfers and kitesurfers, so the sky is likely to be dotted with dozens of colorful sails.

One of the finest restaurants in the region is L'Alchimiste, where every dish looks like a work of art. Begin with the delicately flavored crab gratin, then try the hearty braised wild boar flavored with rum that's made right on the premises. The restaurant sits on the grounds of Rhumerie de Chamarel—you can see the working distillery through the floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining room—so it’s no surprise that the best of the desserts is a liquor-soaked pastry called rum baba.

A few miles away, the Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark just might be the area’s most unexpected sight. The sand dunes here are composed of undulating waves of different colored sand, including brick red, yellow, green, blue, and purple. And the lunar landscape is unlike anything else you will encounter on the island.

Another nearby option is the breathtaking Ebony Forest Reserve, where endemic species like the pink pigeon and the echo parakeet have been reintroduced. You can take a tour of the forest, either on foot or in an open-sided four-wheel-drive vehicle. The view of the coastline from here can't be beat.

Wind down at one of the island’s most enchanting spots, Flic en Flac Beach. (The name supposedly comes from the Old Dutch phrase “fried landt flaak,” referring to the flat terrain.) Extending for almost five miles, this stretch of coral sand is perfect for strolling hand in hand. Backed by shady casuarina trees, the northern end attracts mostly locals. It often has a bit of a party atmosphere, especially on weekends. Look for vendors selling snacks like chicken curry wrapped with roti.

The farther you head south, the more travelers you’ll encounter from the nearby resorts. It’s still beautiful, but much more sedate. Activities here range from snorkeling at the nearby reef (moray eels, brain coral, and spiny sea urchins—be careful not to brush against them) to horseback riding along the shore.

It’s a little hard to find, but Pakbo is worth searching for. At first glance, the menu at this storefront eatery in the town of Flic en Flac seems a bit too ambitious—some dishes are inspired by India, others by Italy—but the team in the kitchen pulls it off. Some of the best choices, including the savory octopus curry and the prawns simmered with tomatoes, chilis, and garlic, are Mauritian favorites. Hung with handsome artworks, the dining room is sleek and sophisticated.

Start the day in the most serene spot in Mauritius: the Grand Bassin, a sacred place for Hindus (the largest religious group on this island). It’s a pilgrimage site for Hindus from around the world, who come to see the 108-foot-tall statue of Lord Shiva, pray, and meditate. It’s also a gorgeous spot to enjoy a walk around the placid lake at the center of the cluster of temples.

Just up the road is Black River Gorges National Park, where you’ll find more than 30 miles of trails leading down into deep chasms and through canopies of thick forests. Several interesting hikes begin at the park's Le Pétrin Information Centre, including the Macchabee Viewpoint Trail. It's a fairly easy walk, and along the way you might catch a glimpse of a flying fox, a wild boar, or (most likely) a troop of long-tailed macaques.

When you are ready for lunch, head a few miles down the road to La Varangue Sur Morne. It sits at the top of a mountain, which means there are sweeping views of the valley from almost every table on the covered patio. In the distance is Le Morne Brabant, standing tall and proud. Tripadvisor readers say they were wowed by the location, along with the careful service and traditional Mauritian dishes incorporating flavors from Asia, Africa, and Europe.

North of Black River Gorges National Park is Tamarind Falls, which many locals refer to as Les Sept Cascades, or the Seven Cascades. It's a not-too-strenuous hike along the short loop, which you can accomplish in about an hour. Hire a guide if you want to take the longer loop, which is unmarked in some spots. Your reward at the end is a dip in one of the natural pools along the way. Tripadvisor readers say it's an unforgettable experience.

Head north past the capital city of Port Louis to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanic Garden, famous for its peaceful pond filled with giant water lilies that can measure 10 feet across. The oldest botanic garden in the southern hemisphere, it was established in 1736 by French Governor Mahé de Labourdonnais. You'll notice that surname a lot around the island today, including on the nearby Château de Labourdonnais. A magnificent mansion dating from 1859, the estate has formal gardens that are a nice contrast to the more natural ones down the road. After walking through the orchards, make sure to taste the house-made fruit juice, fruit paste, and jams. There are also sips of the locally made rum.

For the last night of your trip, you’ll want to head to a beach and take in the sunset. Mont Choisy Beach is one of the best choices, with a crescent of gleaming white sand. On an island where brand-new businesses seem to pop up everywhere, this spot has managed to remain unspoiled. Just about the only sign of commercialization is the ice cream vendor who wanders along the shore.

You’re a short drive from Grand Baie, a former fishing village near the ocean. It’s now a buzzing town that’s home to some of the island's most popular eateries, including Le Poivrier. The honeymoon-worthy setting—a lush garden where something always seems to be in bloom—is one of the most romantic on the island. Some of the seafood dishes, like the lobster with truffles, rise so far off the plate that they seem to defy gravity. After dinner, take a moonlit walk along Grand Baie Beach.