Golf Travel Mauritius
Mauritius offers cultural diversity, stunning landscapes and an incredible selection of quality golf courses. Often used as a gateway for people travelling to and from Europe, Mauritius provides the golfing holiday maker with the chance to completely unwind and soak up the warm hospitality and the fantastic on and off course experiences of this island paradise.
In 1844, under British rule, Mauritius became the third country in the world to be introduced to golf. Mauritius hosts nine 18-hole golf courses and five 9-hole golf courses, each of which provides a unique golfing experience to the visitor.
With its natural beauty, excellent climate and unique cultural blend, Mauritius is an island with so much to offer. Great golf is one of them! In 2008, the island was awarded the title of Golf Destination of the Year – Africa, the Indian Ocean and the Gulf States – by the International Association of Golf Tour Operators (IAGTO). Here, the visiting golfer has the chance to practise their favourite sport in optimal conditions on spectacular golf courses, located on beautiful sites with the sea as a backdrop.
Best Time to Visit
Mauritius has a sub-tropical climate, and tourists visit all year round to enjoy the warm summer and mild winter temperatures. Personally, I prefer the months between March and October (off-peak) when it is less crowded from Europeans escaping the cold northern winter and avoids the “Monsoon” season between November & February. It is also less expensive during the “off-peak” months, and great deals are available from the resorts and golf courses.
Best Golf Courses & Resorts
The leading resorts usually own the best golf courses in Mauritius. The Links and Legends Golf Courses are part of the Constance Belle Marge Plage Resort on the Mauritius east coast. The Legends course plays host to a European Senior PGA event each year in November. The championship Anahita Four Seasons Golf Club designed by Ernie Els serves guests at the Four Seasons Resort and the Anahita Village. Also on the east coast, but on its private island is Le Tousserok Golf Club, part of the Shangri-La Resort on the mainland. Designed by legendary golfer Bernhard Langer, this is the most challenging, but scenic golf course on Mauritius.
Travelling around to the south-east coast of Mauritius, you pass the Heritage Golf Club at Domaine Bel Ombre Resort, a Peter Matkovich stunning design built on the side of a mountain looking back to the Indian Ocean and host of a South African PGA event. Further west brings you to Tamarina Golf Club. This championship 18-hole, par 72 courses designed by architect Rodney Wright combines technical challenges with sweeping views over the stunning Rempart Mountain, Tamarin Bay and out to the Indian Ocean.
Further south, we come to Paradis Golf Club. This golf course is part of the 5-star sister resorts of Paradis and Dinarobin. Unforgettable is the only word to describe a round of golf at Paradis Golf Club set against the backdrop of majestic mountains, the fairways and greens curl along the shoreline of a spectacular bay. Built within the resort's grounds, the 18-hole Par 72 golf course stretches along 5,924 metres between the iconic Morne mountain and the crystal-clear lagoon of the Morne Peninsula. Much of the creative design of the bunkers and fairways is attributable to international golf legend Tony Johnstone who has spent several years playing the course through its many evolutionary stages. Having played all of these golf courses, I can guarantee a unique and memorable golfing experience in Mauritius.
Other Activities
When the golf is done, Mauritius provides so many other activities. Naturally, the island has many water sports such as deep-sea fishing, catamaran cruises, dolphin and whale watching and deep sea diving. There’s also skydiving, scenic helicopter tours, safari parks and walking trails. In the evenings the local bars and restaurants provide amazing local cuisine. There are so many ways to explore Mauritius. Hire a car for the day and take a drive to the other side of the island. Mauritius offers a vast range of rental vehicles including motorcycles and luxury European convertibles. Or sit back and relax on board a tour coach and discover the history of the destination named in 2008 as Africa’s Golfing Destination of the Year.
Golfers who choose to visit Mauritius for their sporting holiday are set to enjoy much more than golf alone. They will experience, at first hand, the Mauritian people’s innate hospitality, friendliness and commitment to quality of service. They will have the opportunity to stay in excellent hotels, each offering a broad range of additional services, including beautiful spas and world-class cuisine.
Mauritius is not a large island, but it is spectacular with large volcanic peaks and beautiful, pristine beaches. The country has an absorbing and colourful history, being colonised in succession by the Dutch, French and finally the British in the 19th century. Mauritius is a melting pot of culture and diversity. The people are a mix of European, Indian, Asian and African, and while English is the official language, a local French Creole language is regularly heard when people gather in the shops and streets.
Mauritius is a safe and secure destination for the family, with no health hazards and proper political stability. It is so beautiful that it is also recognised as one of the best destinations in the world to get married.
The prominent golf courses are located on the East Coast and South West Coast both a leisurely one hour drive from Mauritius’s International Airport. Air Mauritius flies three times a week from Australia to Mauritius using modern Airbus A320 aircraft with two class configurations. Departing Perth at lunch time and arriving at your Mauritian resort in time for dinner is a great way to start your Mauritian golfing experience.
