History of Mauritius Island: The discovery of Mauritius Island was first made by the Arab sailors when the island was a dense forest. Arabs sailors were not interested in settling on the island. Fernandez Pereira, a Portuguese sailor who saw the island decided to give it the name of Cerne. Discovered by the Portuguese in 1505, Mauritius was subsequently held by the Dutch, French and British before independence was attained in 1968. The first to colonise the island were the Dutch. The Dutch settlers came on the island by a bay in the south eastern part of the island which was named Warwyck Haven after the commander VanWarwyck, the bay is now known as Grand Port. Mauritius also got its name during this period named after the Prince of Holland Mauritz de Nassau. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam also known as the "Father of the Nation" was the one who brought the island to independence and did a lot for the country. On the 12 March 1992, Mauritius became a Republic.

Factoid: "Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam also known as the "Father of the Nation" was the one who brought the Mauritius Island to independence."

Best Time to Visit Mauritius Island:

Mauritius is an all-year-round holiday resort saved from extreme temperatures. In the summer months, from November to April, the temperature varies from 20ºC to 33ºC on the coast. From May to October, the average temperature is 19ºC in the centre of the island, rarely falling under 13ºC at night. On the coast all temperatures are about 5ºC higher. The sea temperature approaches 27ºC in summer and is down to 22ºC in winter. The hours of daylight are approximately from 5am to 7pm in summer, and 6am to 5.30pm in winter (June, July and August). The rainy season occurs from January to March, especially on the central plateau.

May to September is the ideal time to be on the islands. Not only is the weather pleasant, you can also have the islands almost to yourself. The rush of tourists is mainly concentrated from November to March, and August.

What to Pack:

Take your best beach and casual wear. In the winter months (June -September), carry some light woollen clothing for the cool evenings. Please show due respect when visiting religious places. Wear appropriate clothing (and remove leather shoes and belts) when entering the premises.

• Sunscreen with high SPF (Sun Protection Factor) The sun is exceptionally strong on Mauritius. Even on cloudy days, please make sure that you use a good sun cream

• Sunglasses

• Hat or Cap for shade from the sun

• Light cotton clothing

• Bathing Suits

• Credit Card (Visa, American Express, MasterCard, Diners Club, and Eurocard are accepted)

Mauritius has a well advanced textile industry so that instead of taking all your holiday clothes with you might consider buying them locally on the local market. The shops are full of ready to wear polo shirts, T-shirts, shorts, shirts, trousers, pullovers, dresses and beachwear at low prices.

Health Care and Safety:

The medical standard on Mauritius is well advanced and the hospitals are free of charge. This applies to visitors as well. There are now additionally many private clinics in the island and they offer a more attractive environment plus frequently some of the latest medical equipment available. They are however not free and you would be well advised to check that your health insurance is valid for Mauritius before you come.

A tourist police service has been set up to ensure security in tourist zones. The following essential pieces of advice are meant for you :

For sea excursions, do not rent boats with inadequate security standards.
During individual sea trips, always notify the person responsible for the boat house.
Do not go swimming in areas where it is forbidden.

Festivals & Culture of Mauritius Island:

Mauritius is a blend of diverse cultures and religions which our immigrant population brought from their ancestral countries. Their festivities are celebrated in a spirit of peace and harmony throughout the year. The population consists of Hindus, Creole, Chinese, Muslims and Europeans.

• Cavadi : This Festival is celebrated in January/February.

• Divali: The Festival of Lights is celebrated in October or November

• Father Laval: Every September 9, Mauritians of all faiths walk or drive towards the tomb of the Blessed Jacques Désiré Laval, the «Apostle of the Black People» at Ste-Croix, Port-Louis.

• Ganesh Chaturthi: This Festival is celebrated in August/September by Hindus

• Holi: This Hindu festival is as colourful as the many legends from which it originates.

• Id-El-Fitr: The Id-El-Fitr festival signals the end of the Ramadan.

• Ugadi: Telugu New Year and is usually celebrated in March.

• Spring Festival: The Chinese New Year is celebrated each year on a different date

Shopping in Mauritius Island:

The Mauritius Island’s reputation as a shopping paradise is enhanced by the diversity and quality of shopping opportunities.

The number of tourists-only duty-free shops where passports and air tickets must be shown is on the increase. Prices are very reasonable.

What can one buy in Mauritius?

Models of old ships. (Note : Airline companies charge for freight on ship models according to size and weight.) Mauritius has an enviable reputation for textiles production, namely for pull-overs and knitwear. Leading brands of shirts, trousers, suits, dresses, suits for women, shorts or swimwear are sold at unbeatable prices. Basketwork, embroidery, pottery, cut stones and recycled glass are very much in demand. Those who love cooking will be able to take back fruit jellies, chillies, and other types of spices and pickles - delicious bits of raw vegetables soaked in oil, spices and chilly. Do not forget to buy some Vanilla tea or Rum. Only accredited shops are allowed to sell duty-free goods to tourists.

Coffret des Iles, on the other hand, offers a wide range of gift-parcels ready to offer, home delivered in France, England and Germany within 72 hours.

Blue Safari Submarine and Sub Scooter Diving - a rare experience:

Blue Safari Submarine is the only operator of real submarines in the Indian Ocean. At 35m depth, your dream comes true as you discover the magic of the marine life. You will enjoy a rare and unforgettable experience, travelling in total security and comfort, on-board very sophisticated, air-conditioned submarines. A unique adventure which should not be missed, whether you are 2 or 90years old. Upon boarding the surface vessel "Betty of the Mascareignes". It has 2 ultrasound phones onboard which provide permanent communication with the submarine. During your 40 minute dive, amongst multicoloured fish, you will discover the beauty of the corals and who knows what surprises awaits you!

The Pilots trained in marine biology will guide you through your dive. Viewing the wreck of the "Star Hope" and its numerous inhabitants is always a magical moment. During the descent the colours  change as the Infra-red rays of the light are filtered out by the water. At 20m depth, Red becomes Brown then Violet at 30m. Yellow becomes Green, then Blue after 30m. Blue is the dominant colour at the deepest part of your dive.

For your Photographs, we recommend 400-1000 ASA Film, No Flash and manual focus. On board the "Betty", a Photo Souvenir service as well as Video Films are on sale.

Sub Scooter: Pilot your own underwater sub scooter by 3 meters of depth and enjoy a unique experience in the World ! No need to be a diver or swimmer to control the sub scooter...

Comfortably seated one behind the other, you breathe freely and naturally in a broad common, transparent and panoramic Cupola.

For your safety, a guide diver will accompany you during the 30 minutes of your underwater cruise...

Entry Formalities and Mauritius Island Visa:

A visitor must be in possession of a valid passport and a Return or Onward ticket. A visitor’s visa is normally granted for a period of two weeks to one month upon arrival, to almost all holders of a valid passport, with one or two exceptions. Visitors are strongly recommended to contact the Passport and Immigration Office in Mauritius or the nearest Mauritian Embassy or Consulate.

On Arrival Tourist Visa for Nationals from Republic of India visiting Mauritius for a period of stay up to 15days!!!