Does the idea of soaking up the sun on white, sandy beaches appeal to you? Or would you prefer to scuba dive amidst coral gardens and tropical fish? The green-emerald island of Mauritius, swathed in the translucent, turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean, offers visitors all this, as well as many other leisure pastimes from snorkelling, sailing and windsurfing, to big game fishing, nature walks and shopping for locally crafted jewellery, wooden model boats, clothing and flowers.

A year-round tourist destination with a hot, wet season from December to April, Mauritius also has a pleasantly cool, dry season from May to November. The months of January to May see the highest rainfall and the possibility of cyclonic activity.

Gardens of colourful corals thrive in the shallow, warm waters surrounding the island and within the protective reefs live giant clams, primitive sponges and anemones, gorgonias, colourful fish of all shapes and sizes, octopuses, giant eels, urchins and starfish. Dive sites can be selected according to the diver's experience and range from shallow beginner dives to shelf, wreck and night dives.

The Undersea Walk, submarine 'seafaris', snorkelling as well as luxury catamaran sailing excursions to Ile aux Cerfs, are just some of the highlights of a holiday in Mauritius. Coastal delights aside, the unusual Chamarel Coloured Earths, the Pamplemousses or Royal Botanic Gardens are other top attractions that will delight visitors.

A winding road leads from Case Noyale village to the coloured earths of Chamarel: an undulating landscape of different and contrasting shades of colours. The different shades of blue, green, red and yellow are apparently the result of the erosion of the volcanic ash. The neighbouring waterfalls of the Chamarel rise from the moors and the native plant life. The site possesses a rare beauty.

Situated in the Rivière Nore district, the Casela Bird Park stretches over 25 hectares and contains more than 140 bird species from all five continents. Other attractions include fish ponds, tigers, tortoises, monkeys and deer.

Mauritius is a honeymooners' paradise! If you are looking for a very special place to spend your honeymoon, Mauritius is definitely the place for newly weds. Every hotel on the island offers extensive wedding and honeymoon packages and will help you in organising every single detail of the ceremony.

Everything is possible. You can choose to have an intimate, private occasion or a more adventurous way of exchanging vows. On a sunny beachside, under the sea or in the sky, Mauritius will transform your wedding or your honeymoon into an unforgettable moment.

Mauritius will enchant you, uplift your soul and make you feel that you belong to the chosen few. Every visitor enjoys personal attention. Every encounter is an opportunity to discover a friendly face. Behind each smile lies the promise of a unique holiday. The island, a contrast of a multitude of colours and tastes, is set in its turquoise sea and is an oasis of peace and tranquillity.

South African Airways and Air Mauritius operate daily flights (four hours) to / from Mauritius and Johannesburg. The extremely well-priced packages offered by Mauritian operators make it a very attractive option for guests to extend their South African holidays to include this fantastic destination in their vacation itinerary.

Mauritius, a melting pot where past and present are smoothly blended together, offers an essential beauty that will compel you to return to its shores time and time again.