9 Things That Prove Mauritius & Reunion Island Are Magical

Weekender heads across the Indian Ocean to experience the best of this tropical paradise

Photos: Weekender, shot on Olympus EPL-8

The twin stars in the western Indian Ocean, Mauritius and Reunion Island are largely known as dreamy beach destinations for sun lovers and thrill seekers.

However, as we discovered, there are many more exciting experiences to be had at this paradise.

Mauritius was once a French (1715-1810) and then a British (1810-1968) colony, and while the government uses English as its official language, you’ll hear mostly French being chattered and hollered in the streets.

Led by a helpful and friendly guide from Kreola Ltd, we uncovered these gems on our journey.

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4. The Royal Botanic Gardens of Pamplemousses

Commonly known as the Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens, this park is located near the capital of Port Louis. We enjoyed its famous giant water lilies, while strolling past rows of spices, sugar canes and palms, of which there are a whopping 85 varieties from Central America, Asia, Africa and the islands around the Indian Ocean.

The Botanical Gardens offer different views of the city and beyond, making for a serene and lush getaway after a day of adventure on the island.

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Weekender would like to thank Air Mauritius, Atout France and the Reunion Island Tourism Board for this trip.

Air Mauritius will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary on 12 Jun. The airline operates direct flights from Singapore thrice weekly. Air Mauritius has received several international awards recognising the quality of its service and has been voted the leading airline in the Indian Ocean. The "Air Corridor" signed between the two countries makes Mauritius a gateway to Asia through Singapore for the islands of the Indian Ocean and countries of eastern and southern Africa.