If you liked St Lucia, you’ll love Mauritius

Love a bit of  St Lucia? Soft sands, turquoise seas – it’s a big old tick in the best-of, boujie beach holiday box. Now, fancy some more of the same but want to scratch a new name off the map? Hello, Mauritius. This is idyllic island life, take two. Expect more golden shorelines, magical marine life and tropical trails, but with a fresh French-meets-Creole culture and you can trade in the Caribbean Sea for the Indian Ocean.

Hike Black River Gorges National Park

If you picture St Lucia as a fly-and-flop holiday, think again. Take the Piton Mountains, for example, which are the island’s crowning glory. Did you know that these twin peaks have been stamped with World Heritage Site status? These protected mountains are the ideal excuse to go exploring – you can hike your way to the top of Gros Piton, which is the bigger of the two and the easiest to climb. And when you reach the top, snap up a panorama of the entire island – the views are a sight for sore Instagram feeds.
Mauritius has plenty to offer you adventurous types, too. A top pick is Black River Gorges National Park, which is just a 25 minutes’ drive away from Bel Ombre. It’s a must-visit if you love everything David Attenborough – you’ll see tonnes of wildlife and tropical plants as you hike through the zigzagged routes. Plus, you can cool off by going for a dip in the emerald-green rivers when it’s time for a pit stop. Fancy a shortcut on the way back? You can also abseil down the canyon walls and tumbling waterfalls – the choice is yours.

Snorkel at Blue Bay Beach

It goes without saying that St Lucia’s reefs are some special snorkelling territory. Top of the list is Anse Chastanet reef, which is a world-class diving site and one of the best in the Caribbean. And if you opt to paddle around Anse de Pitons, you’ll get to float past the base of the protected peaks.

But, back at it with another big blue to rival the best, Mauritius’ Blue Bay Beach is a real stunner. It’s the brightly coloured coral reefs that draw in the crowds here. The underwater gardens were Mauritius’ first marine park, and they play host to all kinds of sea life, including sea turtles, trumpet and parrot fish. Plus, the shallow water and mild currents make it a sure swim spot for families with little ones or less-confident swimmers.

Party all night in Grand Baie

Here for the happy hour? Look no further than Rodney Bay Marina in St Lucia. This former pirate bay is famous for its chic cocktail bars, where rum-based tipples, like caipirinhas and daiquiris are on tap. And if you’re looking for a place to dance with your pals, nightclubs stay open until the early hours of the morning.

Over in Mauritius, Grand Baie is hard to beat for late-night vibes. The island’s best nightlife spots can be found along Royal Road, where the range of cocktail bars, karaoke joints, and stay-up-late nightclubs will leave you spoiled for choice. Banana Beach Club has been a favourite among locals and holidaymakers for more than 20 years, thanks to its lively atmosphere and never-ending menu of beers and spirits. Catch one of the live DJ sets – they take place on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights.

Visit Île Aux Aigrettes National Park

Pink pigeons? This is no joke. St Lucia’s Pigeon Island didn’t just earn this name for fun. As well as its exotic wildlife, this national park is home to unreal beaches, and there’s a stunning lookout point over the entire island.

Over in Mauritius, day trips are all about Île aux Aigrettes. You’ll find the small-but-mighty national park just 800 metres off the south east coast of Mauritius. This teeny island is famous for its sanctuary-like status and used to home the now-extinct dodo.

Keep your eyes out for Aldabra giant tortoises, ebony-coloured trees, and orchids as you go. And if you sign up to a tour of the protected reserve, your next stop will be Ile des Deux Cocos. This marine park shelters sea life in every colour you can think of. Just when you think that’s the best bit, you top it all off with a barbecue lunch, washed down with a cold beer, wine or traditional rum punch – chef’s kiss.

Shop from nine ‘til five in Port Louis

One thing you can’t miss in St Lucia, is the weekly Castries market. This huge market is full of bright stalls, where locals sell everything from hand-crafted souvenirs to authentic Creole snacks (like accra and plantains) and home-grown produce. While you’re there, you can check out the Insta-worthy 17th-century fortress and the largest church in the Caribbean.

Mauritius packs a pretty big punch when it comes to shopping, too. Make tracks for Le Caudan Waterfront in the island’s capital, Port Louis. This place is full to the brim with high street favourites, like Mango and L’Occitane. At the other end of the scale, you’ve got high-end places, including Ralph Lauren and Diesel. Hungry? There’s an al fresco food court to keep you fuelled up, and you can even catch a movie at the cinema if you fancy it.