Advice From the Locals: Mauritius Muslim Travel Guide

Reading Time: 4 minutes

Published by: Halaal Travels

Author: Dr Naema Belath Osman

Mauritius is an Island nation that is located in the Indian Ocean. It is about 2000 km off the Southeast coast of the African continent. It is known for its beautiful beaches, coral reefs and diverse culture. 

The official languages in Mauritius are English and French, however the majority of the population speaks Creole, which is a mix of French, African and Indian languages. 

In this article we explore the best that Mauritius has to offer a world famous tourist destination from a locals perspective. This article covers Halaal (Halal) food options, masjids and many other insightful details that tourists might miss when visiting Mauritius. 

Mauritius Travel Guide From a Locals Perspective

I’m Dr Naema Belath Osman. I’m from a small town called Rose-Belle in Mauritius and I currently live in Durban, South Africa.

Where to stay when visiting Mauritius

There are no strictly Halaal hotels in Mauritius as such, however the majority hotels offer Halal food options and private villas for seclusion making it a great destination for Muslim travelers. If in doubt, make sure to email the hotels to confirm that they offer Halal options before you book. Here is a list of Hotels that offer Halal food as per my knowledge and personal experience. 

• Long Beach Mauritius 
• Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort
• Sofitel
• Maritim Crystal Beach
• Ambre 
• Coin de Mire Attitude 
• Maradiva Villas & Resort
• Aanari Hotel & Spa
• Trou aux Biches Beachcomber 
• Ocean villas
• Shanghai Beachcomber Resort
• Constance Belle Mare Plage
• Oberoi Hotel & Resort
• Le Touessrok 
• Veranda Point aux Biches Hotels. 

Depending on your budget and requirements. Cheaper options would be to book chalets which are self-catering.

Masjids in Mauritius

Masjids can be found all across Mauritius and even certain shopping malls offer prayer facilities. As a Muslim traveler, you shouldn’t find it hard to find a mosque, you can ask any local to kindly direct you to one.

Halaal Food in Mauritius

All butchers in Mauritius are Muslim-owned and are strictly monitored by the Meat Authority, so most establishments serve Halal food. The easiest way to verify the Halaal status of a restaurant is to find a copy of Halaal Certification, predominantly certified by the Jummah Masjid, displayed at the cashier of any Halaal restaurant.

Do you have any halaal authorization bodies that certify food and restaurants in Mauritius? If yes can you tell us about it?

I’m sharing an updated list of fast foods certified by the Jummah Masjid. Moreover, if you are out and about visiting Port-Louis which is the capital city, remember that most takeaways, restaurants and fast foods are Muslim Owned. Do make a trip to the Port Market to try our local street food namely Dhal Puri and Alouda which is undoubtedly part of the Mauritian experience.

Here is a list of restaurants that I would definitely recommend but don’t feel limited to these. 

1. Saffron Grill
2. Zub Express
3. Roti Darbarr
4. Flame n Grill
5. Domaine Anna
6. Shamiana 
7. Arabesque
8. Istanbul
9. Star Deg
10. Choice Palace
11. La Rose de Damas
12. King Dragon

11 Must visit iconic things to do as a muslim tourist in Mauritius

1. Number 1 on my list would be to enjoy the pristine beaches and luscious water. A lot of people in SA quite often ask me if the beaches are as beautiful as they look in pictures and I would always say yes they are very picturesque. The underwater world is perfect for snorkeling and diving. Pack your fishing gears if you’re a fishing fanatic. 
2. La Valley des Couleurs. Iconic 23 colored sand along with its unique flora and fauna. The establishment is Muslim Owned and offers various activities such as pond fishing, step jet, zip lines, Quad biking.
3. Casela Nature Park. Perfect for a whole day family outing close to Nature and enjoy the safari ride. 
4. Blue Bay Marine park. Discover the beauty of the natural aqua park on a glass bottom boat trip.
5. Chamarel Seven Colored Earth Geopark. 7 different colour sand dunes with a waterfall, giant tortoises and café. 
6. Bois Chéri Estate. Guided tour around the tea factory, tea tasting and restaurant.
7. Dolphin watch and Dolphin encounter at le Morne and Tamarin. 
8. Black River Gorge National Park with hiking trails and picnic areas.
9. Blue Penny Museum at Le Caudan Waterfront to find out more about our history and cultural heritage.
10. Odyssey Oceanarium For a Unique underwater experience. 
11. Pamplemousses SSR Botanical Garden.

Hidden gems you would recommend to muslim tourists visiting Mauritius

Ile aux cerfs. It is a small island located on the East Coast, Trou d’Eau Douce. Famous for its white sand beaches. Arrange with a hotel to book a Catamaran ride to the Island which offers a range of watersports, land activities and local cuisine.

Hiking options in Mauritius

You can hike at Black River Gorge National Park if you would like. 

List of ideas on where to shop and what to buy.

• Port-Louis Market, Mahebourg Market, Le Caudan Craft Market for local goods and produce.
• Bagatelle Mall and La Croisette Mall.
• Make a trip to Curepipe and Port Louis, plenty of shops to buy gifts from.

What modes of transport do you recommend they use?

Public transport is very reliable and we also have 2 metro lines. 

Otherwise, book a rental car and drive around at your own pace and convenience.

The best time to travel Mauritius

Best to stay along the coastal areas if you’re on holiday. Make the most of the relaxation time on the beach. September/December and April/June are best suited to enjoy Mauritius.

What duration of time do you think would be sufficient for a tourist to explore Mauritius

2 weeks would be perfectly suited duration to explore Mauritius. 

Authors Note:

I’m Dr Naema Belath Osman. I’m from a small town called Rose-Belle in Mauritius and I currently live in Durban, South Africa. I’m a wife to a wonderful South African man and a mother of 2 children. I would like to thank Halaal Travels who highly motivated me to write this article and share some useful tips and information for Muslim travelers seeking to travel to Mauritius.

 Instagram Account: @naema313

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