Play golf in Mauritius

With the sea as their backdrop, the golf courses of Mauritius offer some fine challenges. Located 800 km east of Madagascar, this independent republic of 2,000 km2 and over a million inhabitants has become a popular destination for golfers.

While the first course in this little corner of paradise in the Indian Ocean, the Mauritius Gymkhana Club, dates back to 1844, the majority have been built in recent years to the delight of those who love the little white ball. In Mauritius, religions and cultures form currents where syncretism takes on its full meaning, all the more so as voodoo and beliefs are associated with them which, while not necessarily obscure, can be for conventional minds, on the edge of things. But in Mauritius, unlike many other countries in the world, religions and landscapes intermingle without ever hurting each other, different and complementary, exalting a different way of living together and inducing a different island nature. In Mauritius, kindness, gentle living, climate and hospitality reign supreme.

Heritage Golf Club

The Heritage Golf Club, part of the five-star Heritage Resorts & Golf complex, is home to the 18-hole championship course La Reserve Golf Links, designed by Peter Matkovich and 2010 Open champion Louis Oosthuizen. The course hosts the DP World Tour's AfrAsia Bank Mauritius Open.

It was the first contemporary golf course in the Indian Ocean when it opened in 2023, located in the beautiful south-west region. Inspired by the great seaside golf courses of Ireland and Scotland, it features elevated tees, elevated greens and spectacular views over the tropical bays of Mauritius. Matkovich also designed the Le Château golf course , a superb 18-hole championship course set in the lush grounds of the elegant 19th-century château from which it takes its name. The views of the Indian Ocean are breathtaking. Heritage Resorts & Golf, located by the sea on a former sugar plantation, offers exquisite five-star glamour in its three resorts: Heritage The Villas, Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort and Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort.

Four Seasons Golf Club in Anahita

Built on the east coast, Anahita stretches over 6 kilometers of shoreline on the island's largest lagoon opposite Ile aux Cerfs. Designed by Masters and US Open winner Ernie Els, Anahita is set amid lush vegetation and offers a championship course worthy of the world's finest. Here, the fairways are wide and the quality of the greens remarkable. Natural water hazards are dangerous, particularly on the par 3 5th and the scenic 17th hole. At times, it's as if you were in Scotland, with, for example, the low wall close to the green on 14 or the stream with its steep walls winding its way along 9, a short par 4 reminiscent of Carnoustie. Special mention must go to hole 8, a long 200-metre par 3 with a view over the lagoon. The teeing area on the eighteenth hole is also one of the most spectacular in the world.

Ile aux Cerfs is another championship course offering superb views of the surrounding Indian Ocean. It is situated on its own island, accessible by a quick boat transfer - a heavenly treat in itself. Langer has created a challenging but incredibly scenic masterpiece, winding through a haven of coral islands with volcanic rock formations, lakes and tropical plantations.

Paradis Golf Club

Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort and Spa is one of the most prestigious five-star resorts in Mauritius. The exceptional Paradis golf course showcases the resort's unique landscape and tropical atmosphere. Bordered by the crystal-clear Rivière Noire lagoon on one side and backed by the Morne Brabant mountain on the other, it offers a combination of breathtaking scenery and challenging play.

Constance Belle Mare Plage

The five-star Constance Belle Mare Plage hotel is located on one of the island's most beautiful beaches and is a wonderful place to stay, with two 18-hole championship golf courses, the Legend and the Links.

Legend is a parkland course with mature trees and lush vegetation between the fairways. Home to the Mauritius Open in 2000, Hugh Baiocchi's layout is, as the saying goes, a true test of golf. A 6,018-metre par 72 built on a former deer sanctuary, still home to the deer that will gladly eat your divots. From a distance and up close, the design reveals itself to be quite narrow Links, between mangroves and volcanic rocks. A host of water hazards impede play, while tamarind and flamboyant Mauritian trees with dazzling red flowers narrow the fairways. Legend's signature hole is 17, a par 3 that spans an arm of the ocean, which is a little intimidating from the teeing ground.

A second course, the Links, designed by Rodney Wright, alternates with the Legend. Wider, less wooded, more permissive and therefore more accessible. The volcanic pebbles that line the course suggest a recent eruption, making the layout pleasing to the eye. Beware of the large, technical greens, which are not easy to approach, especially when the wind picks up.

Tamarina Golf Club

Tamarina is not only set in magnificent surroundings, it also offers a fun and stimulating test of a golfer's skills. The uniqueness of this vast course lies in the contrast between the wild intensity of its rugged surroundings and the finesse of its greens and fairways.

Luxury resorts

Resorts

The Telfair is inspired by 19th-century colonial architecture and is set in a historic manor house with tropical gardens, swimming pools, white sand beach and exclusive spa and beach club. The Awali is equally luxurious, featuring thatched and wood-tiled buildings with swimming pools, beachfront location, nature reserve, water sports and a breathtaking spa. Together, they offer 12 restaurants and 8 bars.

The villas, with two-, three- and four-bedroom options, are large, open sanctuaries with outdoor terraces protected by tropical vegetation. Surrounded by landscaped gardens, they feature an infinity pool, and guests enjoy full access to neighboring Heritage Awali Golf & Spa Resort and Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort.

Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita

This is a five-star resort with exceptional service, set in tropical gardens on a secluded lagoon overlooking Bambous Mountain. It comprises 136 spacious, open-plan, bungalow-style villas, each with its own pool and garden. It features the island's only stilt spa, with 12 sea-facing stilt suites. There are four swimming pools, four excellent restaurants and a kids' club.

Sun Resorts

Four incredible hotels offer privileged access to the Ile aux Cerfs golf course, including land shuttle transfer to the Pointe Maurice jetty and boat transfer. Guests also enjoy privileged access to the Legend, Links, Anahita, Tamarina and Avalon courses.

Long Beach Resort is a modern, chic five-star hotel located on the beautiful beach of Belle Mare. Surrounded by tropical gardens, each room has access to its own beach, garden or swimming pool. All have a private balcony or terrace.

To know more

Mauritius, often perceived as a tropical paradise, is a dream destination. Here's a complete overview of what this island has to offer:

Geography and location

* Location: Located in the Indian Ocean, around 800 km east of Madagascar, Mauritius is part of the Mascareignes archipelago, along with Reunion and Rodrigues.

* Landscape: The island offers a diversity of landscapes, from white sandy beaches fringed by turquoise lagoons to verdant mountains and sugarcane fields.

* Climate: Mauritius enjoys a mild tropical climate, with two main seasons: hot and humid from November to April, and cooler and drier from May to October.

Culture and people

* Cultural diversity: Mauritius is a veritable cultural melting pot, with a population of diverse origins: Indian, African, European and Chinese.

* Languages: The official language is English, but Mauritian Creole and French are widely spoken.

* Cuisine: Mauritian cuisine is a blend of Indian, African, Chinese and European flavors, offering a unique culinary experience.

Attractions and activities

* Beaches and lagoons: Mauritius is renowned for its heavenly beaches, such as Trou aux Biches, Belle Mare and La Morne. Water activities abound: diving, snorkeling, sailing, kitesurfing, golf, etc.

* Nature and hiking: The interior of the island offers superb mountainous landscapes, ideal for hiking. The Black River Gorges National Park is a must-see.

* Cultural sites: Port-Louis, the capital, is home to historic sites such as the central market, the citadel and the natural history museum.

Practical information

* Formalities: A valid passport is required for foreign nationals.

* Currency: The local currency is the Mauritian rupee (MUR).

* Health: No vaccinations are compulsory, but it is advisable to be up to date with current vaccinations.

• Approximately eleven-hour flight from Paris to Port-Louis (time difference + 3 hours with France)

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