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Mauritius with Kids: What You Should Know Before Flying to This Island Paradise with Little Ones
- Katy M
- May 25
- 4 min read
We traveled to Mauritius for a 10-day family vacation with our three-year-old son Dan and five-month-old daughter Li this past April. In this post, I’m excited to share all our recommendations, impressions, and tips for enjoying a family-friendly trip to Mauritius with small children.
Getting to Mauritius
We chose to fly with Emirates via Dubai. It was a smooth connection, with comfortable night flights and aircraft well-equipped for families.
We pre-booked a bassinet seat for our five-month-old daughter Lee, and she slept through the entire flight—much to our relief 🙂. If you're traveling with an infant, it’s definitely worth requesting a bassinet in advance.
Getting Around Mauritius
To my surprise, Mauritius is a fairly large island and requires driving to get from place to place. The roads aren’t particularly modern—most pass through small villages or towns, so even short drives can take longer than expected.
The two main options for getting around are renting a car or using taxis.
Since we were traveling with young children, we decided to rent a car in advance—with two child safety seats—and it was waiting for us at the airport upon arrival.
Looking back, this was the best decision we made. Our chosen location on the island required us to drive almost daily, and having a rental car was not only more convenient but also far more economical.
One important note: driving in Mauritius is on the left-hand side (like in the UK), but the roads are mostly manageable—although they’re sometimes narrow or a bit worn.
Where to Stay in Mauritius
General tip for choosing accommodation in Mauritius
The island is large, and the road infrastructure isn't great, so it’s quite normal to have drives of over an hour. Since the attractions are scattered across the island and there isn’t one central area, I recommend splitting your stay between two locations—say, the north and the south.
This way, you get to experience different landscapes and save travel time by staying closer to each region’s key attractions.
Mauritius is packed with hotels and resorts—ranging from luxurious to budget-friendly—offering something for every kind of traveler.
Since we were traveling with a toddler and a baby, we specifically looked for a resort that offers a baby club for infants. Our goal was to be able to leave Li in good hands for part of the day and enjoy some couple time too.
Most resorts on the island offer excellent kids’ clubs, but very few have a baby club for children under one. At the time of our research, we found only four resorts on the island that offer baby clubs for ages 0–3.
We chose to stay at Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort, a five-star luxury resort located in the southwest of the island, in the Bel Ombre area.
About Heritage Le Telfair
The hotel is nestled in stunning natural surroundings—white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, and lush green hills—and offers a blend of colonial elegance and modern comfort.
Named after the 19th-century Irish botanist Charles Telfair, the resort’s design is inspired by French colonial architecture: white villas, wooden balconies, manicured gardens, and tranquil pools. The vibe? Luxurious, peaceful, and intimate.
There are six restaurants on-site, including a fine-dining French restaurant located in a beautiful 19th-century chateau.
For families, it’s the perfect setup:
A Kid’s Club for ages 3 and up with activities throughout the day—from cooking classes and swimming to lagoon boat trips
A professional Baby Club for ages 0–3, with trained caregivers and an environment specially tailored to little ones
Other Resorts in Mauritius with Baby Clubs for Under-1s:
Club Med La Pointe aux Canonniers
Top Kid-Friendly Activities in Mauritius
Mauritius may be a tropical island wrapped in palm trees and surrounded by endless blue ocean—but lounging by the pool is far from the only activity on offer.
The island has much more than postcard views: lush nature reserves, green parks, and unique islands make it a great destination for exploring, even with small kids.
A huge safari-style park filled with attractions for both kids and adults. You’ll find open vehicle safaris, petting zoos, ATVs, zip lines, and even lion feeding (for the brave!).There are also penguins, gentle zip lines, and a great indoor play area for toddlers.
Dolphin Watching Tour
An unforgettable experience: depart at dawn on a speedboat along the island’s west coast to spot dolphins swimming, jumping, and playing right by the boat.We did this tour with Dan, and it included a quick snorkeling stop in a shallow lagoon—great even for kids who are just getting used to snorkel gear.Parent tip: Bring soft earplugs or headphones to help with the engine noise.
Glass-Bottom Boat + Île aux Cocos Visit
Perfect for families with small kids. The boat ride is calm and glides over a crystal-clear lagoon floor full of colorful fish, starfish, and corals.There are shallow snorkeling stops (you can just float with a mask and life vest), followed by a visit to Île aux Cocos—a small tropical island off Blue Bay with soft white sand, calm water, and the perfect setup for a relaxed picnic.Also ideal for toddlers—no big waves, and plenty of natural shade.
La Vanille Nature Park
A magical tropical zoo with giant tortoises, crocodiles, monkeys, sea lions, a small petting area, and a shaded playground that’s hard to leave.There’s a family-friendly restaurant on site and easy stroller paths throughout the park.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for an exotic yet safe destination with great weather, amazing nature, and that true “vacation” feeling that both you and your kids will love—Mauritius is a fantastic choice.
The combination of family-friendly luxury resorts, incredible outdoor adventures, and peace of mind makes Mauritius a rare gem where both parents and little travelers can truly enjoy themselves.
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