Fancy a holiday to Mauritius but don’t know where to start? Beachcomber gives its top tips on where to go this summer

Once just a famed honeymoon destination, the Indian Ocean island of Mauritius is now much more than a fly and flop option with an outdoor playground of natural wonders, incredible land and water activities, beautifully friendly locals and, most importantly, year-round balmy weather. 

As pioneers of the tourism industry in Mauritius, Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels launched its first hotel, Le Chaland (now Shandrani Beachcomber Resort and Spa) in 1960, and now has eight four and five-star resorts and hotels dotted around the island. 

Although small in size, each area of the island offers something different to visitors - see below for Beachcomber's top picks on where to go this spring and summer... 

Mauritius For nature, culture and adventure lovers:

Choose Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa for the best all inclusive offering on the island 

• Location: Set in the unspoiled south, surrounded by 70 acres of gardens and the Blue Bay Marine Park, Shandrani is located on a magnificent stretch of Mauritius's south coast. 

• Why choose  Shandrani Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa? Located on a private peninsula, the resort offers its guests three incredible beaches, with a magical underwater world just off the beach, making it perfect for snorkelling. The four-star resort also offers  an engaging and educational Kids' Club, mountain biking and hiking, plus a pitch and putt golf course, perfect for children looking to learn how to play. With a huge selection of restaurants, covering multiple cuisines, the Executive Chef is passionate about using local ingredients and combining Mauritian flavours with international cuisine to give guests a unique experience. Shandrani offers two all inclusive options, the Serenity and Serenity Plus packages specially designed for those who are fond of Mauritius, taking the all-inclusive and all-inclusive plus concepts even further. Including all food and beverages, an unlimited selection of drinks with, a range of sweet and savoury snacks from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m, daily replenishing of tea and coffee in the rooms, pool service, beach bar, minibar, picnic basket as well as an extensive choice of land- and water-based sports, the packages have been created to allow guests to enjoy a hassle-free holiday.

• Did you know: The resort also features an eco-touristic programme - the first to be launched and unique to Shandrani - which allows  guests to take part in mountain biking and hiking activities focused on the discovery of  endemic flora and fauna, and local bird life, as well as engaging with the local culture and communities. New for this year is also two Escape Rooms, great fun for the whole family! 

Mauritius For families and foodies

Choose to unwind and recharge this summer in an oasis of wellness at Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resorts & Spa

• Location: Located at the foot of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Le Morne Brabant Mountain - a 556 metre basaltic monolith - on the western coast. The interior of the island is characterised by rolling landscapes and plains against a backdrop of low mountain ranges with jagged peaks, remnants of the island's volcanic past.

• Why choose Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resorts & Spa? A refined tropical property surrounded by nature, the hotel offers four-bedroom villas and suite-only accommodation, with lots of space for family fun. With plenty of land and water sports, including tennis, football, jogging track, mountain biking, windsurfing, sailing, lasers and hobie cats, there's plenty to keep all entertained. Guests can also enjoy privileged access to Mont Choisy Le Golf - a world class 18-hole golf course and firm favourite for both world-class players and amateurs alike. There's also a choice of four restaurants including the wonderful Umani, a high end Japanese inspired dining experience.   

• Did you know: All of the rooms are designed in a crescent shape around five private garden pool areas - plus there's the option to upgrade to a Zen Suite, which is exclusively for adults only, with a private pool and beach, and no little ones in sight! Dinarobin also has its very own Kite Surf School - launched last year in collaboration with ION Club.

Mauritius For activity-seekers and families with teens

Choose the tropical, adventure playground of Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa 

• Location: Located on the sunniest coast of Mauritius at the heart of a lush tropical garden, Trou aux Biches Beachcomber is close to lively Grand Baie and Port Louis and is set along one of the best stretches of beaches on the island. 

• Why choose  Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa? With brilliant family villas, spacious suites and interconnecting room options, plus a vast selection of land and water sports, included as standard, the resort is perfect for those looking to combine action with relaxation. Great for older families, even the fussiest is catered for with the choice of six restaurants - and an all inclusive option - and its large variety of activities means no day will be the same, with tennis, mountain biking,  beach volley, water skiing, windsurfing, sailing, stand up paddleboarding, golf and much more. 

• Did you know? Along with a Kids' Club, there's a Teens Club (12-17 year olds), providing a fun space to socialise and enjoy competitive tournaments and activities. Plus, Trou aux Biches is great for those who want to learn something new, with private sport coaching, tennis coaching and PADI diving courses (including reef, wreck, drive, drop off and night dives!). 

For romantic getaways and babymoons

Choose sophisticated luxury and elegance at Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury

• Location: The hotel is set on a palm-fringed ivory sand cove in the sheltered, sunny northwest, a short walk from the attractions of Grand Baie. The capital Port Louis is a 30-minute drive away, and airport transfers take just 20 minutes thanks to its very own helipad.

• Why choose Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury? Ideal for those seeking a peaceful haven, with just 69 rooms, the intimate hotel feels very private, and offers a sumptuous and colonial feel. Perfect for couples, the all-suite hotel drips with luxury, with outstanding service and a staff to guest ratio of three to one, plus a wealth of gastronomic delights, including La Goëlette restaurant and La Brezza, which recently hosted a guest chef pop-up with French chef, Cyril Lignac. 

• Did you know: The resort offers its guests tailored relaxing options as well as adventurous activities which can include horseback riding on the beach, stand-up paddle along the mangroves, cooking classes, blind wine tastings, meditation, muscle awakening, Hatha yoga and sunset Vinyasa yoga flow.

For more information about Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels, visit www.beachcomber-hotels.com.