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| Mauritius
Information: General
| North | South
| West | Center
| Capital |
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Mauritius
East
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The East Coast is the region that has witnessed
the fastest tourist development in the last 10 years.
Apart from the private
bungalows that were built there since the 1920's
or so, the East coast was left wild for many years.
The first two modern hotels were built there in the
70's; they remained on their own for approx 10 years
until the promoters, local and international understood
the great potential of the longest and nicest beach
of "Belle Mare." Contrarily to other coasts of
Mauritius, the important villages of the East are relatively
far from the shore. When residing on the East coast
it is essential to rent
a car to discover the island. |
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Climate |
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Like the
south coast, the East coast faces the southeast trade
winds, which prevails almost all year round. The region
often gets too windy especially in winter where high-pressure
cells pass by.
During winter, (June to August) it can get cool as early
as 5 p.m. and warm clothes are necessary after sunset.
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| Topography |
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The
longest and largest lagoon of Mauritius starts
at the very South-East point of Pointe D'Esny and
stretches on twenty-two Kilometres along the East
coast, up to Trou-d'Eau-Douce. ànd from the North
of Trou-d'Eau-Douce, stretches the lagoon of Palmar
/ Belle mare. In most places, these lagoons are shallow
with deep canals, generating hundreds of different
greens and blues on sunny days.
The lagoons of the East are not the sole attraction
of this region. In the south-eastern part, especially
around the "Vieux Grand Port" the mountains come down
steeply into the sea.
The view of the lagoons on one side and the vegetation-rich
mountains on the other makes this region without any
doubt, the richest coastal scenery of Mauritius. It
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also one of
the few coastal roads having few walls and buildings
obstructing the view.
The East coast of Mauritius is in fact the place for
real "sea, sand and sun" holidays, especially outside
the winter months of June through August. In order to
fully enjoy the beach, we recommend residing in a beach
villa or a hotel on the beach. The wonderful public
beaches and of course the famous "ile aux Cerfs"
are good solutions for those having found an off-beach
accommodation as they are and rather quiet on week days.
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Ile
Aux Cerfs |
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Ile aux Cerfs is
an islet in the lagoon of "Trou d'eau Douce" which
is exploited by a group of hotels; which recently
set a magnificent golf course on the islet. However,
the resort can be visited and enjoyed by everyone.
There are regular shuttles from the shore that take
people to Ile-aux-Cerfs and back.
The disappointing aspect of Ile aux Cerfs is
that it is highly visited by Mauritians and Tourists
and the boat traffic is intense. It has a few restaurants
and now a 5
star golf course. According to our clients and
visitors, Ile aux Cerfs remains a place of rare beauty
with its sand bank and the colours of the lagoon around
it. Furthermore, it was still easy to find a sweet
spot to spend a wonderful day. They are absolutely
right! |
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| Grande
Riviere Sud-Est |
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Grande Riviere Sud
Est is the longest river of Mauritius
and it is possible to charter boats from Trou d'eau
Douce to go up its mouth and bathe under the short
cascade that makes the last step before it meets the
sea. The vegetation is wild and rich, making it possible
to spend most of the day in the shade while staying
on the boat. Several speedboats and catamarans
visit the place every day; it is therefore not the
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undiscovered
sweet spot; however the trip offers magnificent sceneries
and occurs within the lagoon. Good reasons to spend
a fantastic day at sea.
Pointe du Diable is just a point along the
coastal road where the French had erected a fort and
a cannon battery to defend the "Vieux-Grand-Port"
from (English) invaders. The stonewalls are still there
and traces of the great "Vieux-Grand-Port" (1810) battle
can still be observed. "Pointe du Diable" is also the
ideal spot to stop for a rest as it is a viewpoint on
the "Vieux-Grand-Port."
For those who like trekking, the Lion mountain
which in the vicinity is easy to climb and offers a
magnificent view on almost a quarter of the country
and on the lagoon. |
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Roches
Noires |
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Roches
Noires is exclusively a residential area along the
East coast of Mauritius Island where most
bungalows
and villas are secondary residences; making it an
ideal hideaway for those seeking peace & tranquility,
away from urban buzz.
This part of the East coast of Mauritius
is peculiar as it consists of several secluded tiny
coves of white beach ensuring privacy and intimacy.
The lagoon is several kilometers long and magnificent
with myriads of greens and blues. |
Roches Noires pleases the sportsmen
also as within a 20 minute drive towards the East, one
can kitesurf (school and rental centre nearby,)
play Golf on superb 18-hole courses of "Links"
in "Belle Mare" or the "Ile
aux Cerfs" championship course. In "Trou-d'eau-Douce"
it is also possible to join a sailing boat trip or rent
a power boat.
In terms of restaurants and greengrocers the region
is now better geared. A good restaurant & pizzeria is
now open along the coastal road. "L'admirable" the grocery
shop nearby has more than the basic stuff. For a wider
choice, a supermarket is found at the entrance of the
village of Goodlands, at a 15 minutes' drive towards
the North / Grand
Bay. |
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| Trou
d'eau Douce |
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Trou d'eau
Douce is to our opinion it is the most typical
and worth passing by. Trou d'eau Douce is like most
coastal regions, a weekend and summer resort for those
who own beach cottages, but it is also a fishermen's
village. Trou d'eau Douce has chosen
to remain the remote coastal village despite the emergence
of hotels nearby. The houses are modest
but well kept and are generally hidden behind as much
trees and plants as it is possible to grow in the tiny
surfaces of their gardens.
People are generally poor and the level of education
remains relatively low. These factors give the impression
they are all blunt and unfriendly. In fact, the people
of Trou d'eau Douce are simply in their
own world and generally do not interfere |
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with foreigners
unless solicited to do so. Clocks in living rooms are
mainly for ornamental purposes as the rhythm to the
lives of its inhabitants depends on the tide and the
moon phases.
Trou d'eau douce being the starting point of numerous
sea excursions, the village has since
a few years lived a fantastic upspring, fortunately
quite muted in terms of buildings and infrastructure.
The people of the surrounding regions have moved in
and now the village is quite animated at some times
of the day. One can see Mauritians and tourists of all
kinds all happy with the smile that strongly contributes
to the good reputation of Mauritian hospitality.
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Activities
& to visit |
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Hiking,
mountain-biking or quad biking within the largest
natural reserve of Mauritius.
Rent a speedboat to Ile aux Cerfs or preferably
to some of the islands outside Mahebourg. Please carefully
choose whom you deal with and although several operators
own a skipper's licence, many of them drive like crazy.
Kite Surfing Conditions are excellent along the East
coast. Kite2Fly kite school & rental operates every
day at La Colombiere Kite surfing residence, Poste
Lafayette (25 minutes drive from Trou d'Eau Douce). |
The Links
and Ile
aux Cerfs Golf courses are accessible against a
green fee.
Diving is possible by contacting the numerous
dive centres operating from hotel premises. |
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| Accommodation |
Private
beach villas remain the best alternative for those
who wish to discover the Mauritian "art de vivre,"
peaceful, quiet, luxuriant.
The few apartments and guesthouses offer quality accommodation
at reasonable costs; ideal family accommodation solutions.
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| Of
course, the hotels remain the most popular partly due
to their wonderful settings. The East coast counts several
5 star resorts with Golf Courses and Spas. |
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| Updated:
May 2007 |
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| Accommodation:
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| Lodges
& Guesthouses,
Bungalows
110-150 Euro, Villas
180-360 Euro, Luxury
Villas |
| Hotel
Promotions, Golf
Hotels Mauritius, Honeymoon
Packages, Early Booking Offers, Spa
Hotels |
| 2
& 3 star Mauritius Hotels, 4
Star Hotel Mauritius, 5
Star Mauritius Hotels |
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Mauritius
for Two:
Culture
/ Sightseeing,
Holidays
in Spas, Honeymoon
in Mauritius, Weddings |
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Active
Holidays:
Golf Holidays,
Hiking
Holidays, Horse
Riding Holidays, Kite
Surfing Holidays, Mountain
Biking Holidays, Nautical
Holidays |
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Vehicles:
Car
Rentals, Vehicle
hire services, Airport
Transfers |
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