Mauritius vs Maldives: Where Should You Plan Your Next Holiday? (2024)

“Mauritius vs Maldives, which place should I choose for my next holiday?”

If you are planning for a tropical getaway and are confused between Mauritius and Maldives. This guide is for you! Yes, we know both the destinations are exotic, have beaches, thriving adventure activities, and a plethora of activities to indulge in, but the question remains, which is better for a holiday?

To clarify your doubts and help you with a clear thought, we have curated this comprehensive Mauritius vs Maldives guide. Scroll down to know the similarities and the differences to get an idea for planning your next trip without any confusion.

Ready? Let’s Dive In!

Mauritius Vs Maldives: Where To Go On Your Next Holiday

• Geography
• Weather and best time to visit
• Ideal for
• Cost of visiting Maldives vs Mauritius
• Accommodation
• Tourist Attractions
• Nightlife in both islands
• Marine Life

Mauritius Geography

The fundamental difference – The Maldives is built of 1,000 coral islands and each island boasts its own resort. While on the other hand, Mauritius is one big island and is dotted with numerous beach resorts and tourist attractions.

Every island has to be reached by a seaplane or a boat in Maldives and Male is the only place that can be accessed by road. And if you are in Mauritius, you can rent a car and explore the top-rated tourist places on your own.

Similarity – Both Mauritius and Maldives share the Indian Ocean but the waters in the Maldives are more crystal clear and blue, which is sure to take your breath away.

Comparison of Weather And Best Time to Visit

The weather is that one factor that can make or break your entire trip. Do you agree?

Mauritius– Thanks to the tropical climate of Mauritius, it enjoys great weather all throughout the year. However, the months from May to December are the best time to visit this island. It’s warmer and drier during this time. And you can have a great time sunbathing and indulging in other fun activities.

Maldives- On the contrary, the sun shines brightly in the Maldives all year round and is quite hot. Therefore, the best time to visit the Maldives is from November to April. Avoid visiting here during monsoon months from May to October to enjoy your time to the fullest.

Mauritius vs Maldives: Which is ideal for you?

Mauritius is a single island but when compared to the Maldives has so much more to offer in terms of sightseeing options and nightlife.

Both the places have iconic blue waters, powder-white beaches, and thrilling adventure activities but Mauritius has more sightseeing options. Therefore, it is more suitable for families and couples who want to plan a 5-6 days trip. Whereas, in the Maldives a trip for 3-4 days is sufficient.

Let’s take a look at what Mauritius and Maldives has to offer and why you should choose either of the two –

Mauritius Ideal For –

Adventure Seekers: Enjoy jet skiing after breakfast, windsurfing before lunch, and water king in the afternoon. Mauritius offers exhilarating adventure activities that keep thrill-seekers engaged throughout their trip. Also, non-motorized water activities plus snorkeling are generally free but you are charged for water skiing, parasailing, jet skiing, and scuba diving. There are golf courses too you can explore on a 4×4 trip.

Families: Enjoy a perfect beach vacation with your family with kids as the list of activities available in Mauritius are endless. It will keep you and your kids engaged and thrilled throughout. Many hotels and resorts have professional kids’ clubs to care for the kids if you want to enjoy a spa or something.

Couples & Honeymooners: Ah! Honeymoon. The most important part of your newly married life. And this can be wonderfully enjoyed in this tropical paradise. World-class hotels, hospitality, and a couple special services will leave a big smile on your face. There is no doubt that Mauritius has been and will be one of the favorite places for lovey-dovey couples.

Maldives Ideal For –

Scuba Divers and Snorkelers: Water baby? The Maldives is great for you! The island offers activities that will leave you thrilled. Home to blue lagoons and coral reefs, you explore the oceans by indulging in scuba diving and snorkeling activities for which the Maldives is known all over the world. Island hopping is also a popular thing to enjoy.

Couples & Honeymooners: Love birds or newly marrieds who want to spend quality time without any disturbances, Maldives is ideal for you. There is not much to see as you are stuck on one island but you do have romantic dinners and live shows. The resorts are top-notch and offer couple-friendly activities. Truly, the beauty of this place is such that you will feel the love in the air.

Check out our collection of Maldives Packages from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Pune

Which island is more expensive: Mauritius or Maldives?

Both islands are expensive. But the question is how much difference is there in the budget though? Well, the answer is not that simple and involves three main factors – flight tickets, accommodation, and food.

In short, Mauritius has cheaper accommodations and expensive flights. The Maldives has cheaper flights and extremely expensive accommodations.

Now, let’s discuss the factors one by one –

Flight Tickets – The Maldives is closer to India but does not have direct flights from Mumbai and Delhi. A flight from Kochi to Maldives will cost you around INR 15,000 (1.5 hours of flight). Whereas to Mauritius, direct flights are operated by Air Mauritius and Air India at least 4 times a week. The flight takes 6 hours to arrive in Mauritius from India and costs you a minimum of INR 35,000.

Accommodation – If you are planning a longer trip, say 6 nights or more, then Mauritius will be less expensive. It will cost you around INR 10k-15k for a night. Whereas a good resort in the Maldives will charge you around INR 30,000 for a night.

Food – When it comes to food, costs in the Maldives go through the roof. That is why most travelers book a resort and are reliant on their services for drinks and meals. Plan a Maldives tour package with a meal plan as per your taste. All-inclusive packages are the best in the Maldives that cover all your meals and unlimited beverages and alcohol. If not, you will spend a lot more on A la carte meals. On the other hand, Mauritius has dining options with a variety of cuisine and the prices vary. So, if you want to save some cash on food, Mauritius makes a better holiday destination.

Both the islands offer free visas on arrival for Indians. The visa is valid in the Maldives for 90 days and in Mauritius 60 days, which is enough to see the best of what Maldives and Mauritius have to offer.

Mauritius vs Maldives: Which Island Has Better Accommodation?

If you want a laid-back vacation and do not want to indulge in many activities, Maldives offers the best resorts. Each island has one resort that’s like a slice of paradise and outright dreamy. Resorts in the Maldives provide lavish stays with amazing views of azure waters. You can find more than 5 restaurants in a resort that attracts many travelers.

These are private islands and are not open to the general public except paying guests. So, you are sure to have all the island to yourself and enjoy a peaceful holiday. As compared to Mauritius hotels, the rooms in Maldives resorts are more spacious and luxurious. Beach villas, bungalows, and over-water villas are a bit expensive but if you prefer quality, Maldives makes a better choice for an indulgent holiday.

Continuing the price point, the accommodation options in Mauritius are less expensive. They offer Airbnbs, hotels, and great five-star hotels. Unfortunately, there are no over-water bungalows. You can enjoy your stay in ocean view villas with amazing views of the ocean.

Tourist Attractions in Mauritius and Maldives

The biggest attraction in the Maldives is its 5 underwater restaurants. If this is not one of the reasons to visit the Maldives, then we don’t know what is! There are a number of pristine beaches like Sun Island, Bikini, Alimatha, Veligandu, and Biyadhoo that are known for their unmatched beauty.

Fish Market and National Museum in Male are also great places to explore and gain an insight into local life. Mosques and fishing tours also entice many tourists and keep them occupied. And last but not least, the spa is the best in the Maldives.

When it comes to sightseeing options, Mauritius is a treasure trove. Even though it is an island, there are a plethora of beaches, national parks, hiking trails, waterfalls, and rich wildlife.

Some of the most famous places to visit in Mauritius are –

• Ile Aux Cerfs
• Black River Gorges National Park
• Chamarel Waterfall
• Le Morne Beach
• Grand Bassin
• Le Caudan Waterfront
• Flic en Flac Beach
• Chamarel’s Seven Colored Earth Park

The Maldives will offer you a relaxing trip with laid-back vibes while Mauritius will have a more intricate experience. Adventure activities are great at both places but the waters in the Maldives are unmatched.

Dolphin watching tours, fishing tours, scuba diving, snorkeling, and surfing are thriving adventure activities and sports offers at both places. If not water sports, then you can opt for quad biking, golfing, zip-lining, trekking in Mauritius but that cannot happen in the Maldives.

Also Read

• 18 Best Places to visit in Mauritius
• 10 Best Places to Visit in Maldives for a Blissful Vacay

Nightlife in Maldives vs Mauritius

Party lovers? Mauritius is a better choice. The island has an engaging nightlife as it has many pubs and bars where you can enjoy alcoholic drinks and groove to the electrifying music.

The Maldives has an okay nightlife. There aren’t that many bars or pubs. Moreover, Maldives is a Muslim country, therefore alcohol is only served at resorts that have special permits for liquor.

Top 17 Things to do in Mauritius

Which Island Has Better Marine Life?

While snorkeling in the Maldives, you can witness beautiful Manta rays, turtles, and baby sharks. The Whale Shark can also be spotted while scuba diving in the Maldives.

Meanwhile in Mauritius, the marine life has 18th-century shipwrecks, which attracts many travelers. Recent ones have created stunning artificial reefs. You can see many sponges and colorful sea anemones and fishes like Damselfish, Trumpet, Boxfish, and Mauritian scorpions.

Final Verdict

If you are lovebirds or a newly married couple looking for some quality time and want to live your fairytale honeymoon, choose the Maldives. The only thing to indulge in here is lovemaking and water sports. But if you are traveling with your family with kids and looking for fun activities to try, Mauritius is a better choice.

Hope your doubts about ‘Where should I visit: Mauritius vs Maldives’ are now clear and you can plan your trip with a clear head. If yes, book a package to either Maldives or Mauritius with Indian Holiday and enjoy an unforgettable experience that will last for a lifetime. So which place will you choose?

Related Posts:

• 10 Interesting Facts about the Maldives you must Know
• 10 Best Resorts in the Maldives for Couples for Unadulterated Relaxation
• 7 Best Resorts in the Maldives for Honeymoon to Ignite the Romantic Spark
• 10 Best Adventure Activities in Maldives That Challenge the Daredevil in you