Mauritius lies in the Indian Ocean, about 880 kilometres east of Madagascar and some 2,000 kilometres off the coast of Africa. The main island is only about 61 kilometres long, sits just north of the Tropic of Capricorn and is less than twelve hours from London on a direct flight. Here are the key facts at a glance — location, size, neighbouring islands, flight times, time difference, language and currency — recalculated and checked on 3 November 2026. To get a feel for the island from north to south, there’s the explorer map with real drive times.
Budget tip: in Mauritius, some activities can cost less. See how to save with discounts.
Where exactly is Mauritius?
Mauritius is a volcanic island in the south-west Indian Ocean, at roughly 20 degrees south and 57.5 degrees east. It lies in the southern hemisphere, in the tropics — so the seasons are reversed: when it’s winter in Britain, it’s summer in Mauritius. Together with Réunion and Rodrigues it forms the Mascarene Islands. Geographically, Mauritius is part of Africa.
The distances, recalculated as the crow flies from the capital Port Louis: Réunion is about 230 kilometres to the south-west, the east coast of Madagascar about 880 kilometres to the west, the Seychelles just over 1,700 kilometres to the north. The African mainland is some 2,000 kilometres away. Almost the whole island is ringed by a coral reef that shelters its calm lagoons.
How big is Mauritius?
Smaller than most people think. The main island covers about 1,860 square kilometres — a little larger than Greater London. From Cap Malheureux in the north to Gris Gris in the south it’s about 61 kilometres as the crow flies, and about 46 kilometres from west to east; the coastline is 177 kilometres long. The highest point is Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, at 828 metres. By road, crossing the island still takes longer than those numbers suggest: allow around an hour and a half from north to south.
The Republic of Mauritius also includes smaller, distant islands: Rodrigues about 620 kilometres to the east (about 1 hour 35 by Air Mauritius), the Agaléga islands about 1,100 kilometres to the north and the St Brandon atoll. Altogether the country covers 2,040 square kilometres. The 2022 census counted 1,235,260 inhabitants; the capital is Port Louis. For travellers, the main island is compact but varied enough for two weeks — the island’s 225 addresses, sorted by category, show how much fits into so little space.
Mauritius on the map: four coasts and the uplands
To understand where to stay and swim, it helps to think in four coasts and a centre. The north, around Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches and Pereybère, is the liveliest corner, with shallow, sheltered lagoons. The west, around Flic en Flac, Tamarin and Le Morne, is the driest and sunniest side and the sunset coast — and the starting point for dolphin and whale trips. The south is wild, with cliffs such as Gris Gris, tea plantations and the hills around Chamarel. The east, around Belle Mare and Île aux Cerfs, has long white beaches and the largest lagoon, but takes most of the trade wind in the southern winter. In the app, the beaches of each coast with their quirks help you choose.
In the middle lie the uplands, with towns such as Curepipe and Black River Gorges National Park: noticeably cooler and wetter than the coasts, with waterfalls and viewpoints. The capital Port Louis is on the north-west coast, the airport in the south-east. Which coast suits which holiday is in our guide Where to stay in Mauritius, and the island map with distances and drive times in Mauritius map.
How long is the flight to Mauritius?
Depending on where you fly from, between a little over ten and thirteen hours. The times below are the outbound times of direct flights found by Aviasales users for departures between November 2026 and May 2027 (checked on 3 November 2026). With a stopover, for example in Dubai, Istanbul or Paris, it’s usually 12½ to 13½ hours.
Good to knowFlight prices often rise as departure gets closer: comparing now, and checking nearby dates too, is often enough to bring the bill down.
Compare flightsCompare airlines on Aviasales- London Gatwick: direct with Air Mauritius, about 11 hours 40 (9,800 km as the crow flies).
- Paris-Charles de Gaulle: direct with Air Mauritius or Air France, about 11 hours 15.
- Frankfurt: direct with Condor, about 11 hours 25.
- Dubai: direct with Emirates, about 6 hours 35 — the most common stopover from the UK.
- Johannesburg: direct with Air Mauritius, about 4 hours.
Direct flights from Europe are mostly overnight: leave in the evening, land in the morning at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam airport in the south-east of the island. When to book for the best price and which direct flights exist: our guide Flights to Mauritius: when to book.
Full guide: Mauritius Airport Transfer: Taxi, Bus or Pre-Booked Driver — Which One Is Worth It?
Time difference: three or four hours from the UK
Mauritius stays on UTC+4 all year and doesn’t change its clocks. From the UK that means three hours ahead during British Summer Time and four hours ahead in winter; from most of continental Europe, two hours in summer and three in winter. When it’s noon in London in July, it’s 3 pm in Port Louis; in January, 4 pm. Jet lag is mild: after an overnight flight, it’s usually enough to take the first day easy and go to bed on local time.
Language, currency, driving on the left: what to know
Day to day, people speak Creole: in the 2022 census, 90 per cent of residents named Mauritian Creole as their home language. English and French are the de facto official languages — signs, menus and hotels work fine in English. You pay in Mauritian rupees (MUR); on 3 November 2026, one euro bought about 53 rupees.
Good news for British drivers: Mauritius drives on the left, a legacy of British rule. The country has been independent since 12 March 1968 and a republic since 1992. Everything practical about driving is in our guide Renting a car in Mauritius.
Good to knowIn high season, cars get booked up fast and prices rise as the dates approach. Comparing local rental companies before you go lets you lock in the car and the rate in Mauritius, with deposit and insurance shown upfront.
Rent a car in MauritiusLocal rental companies on LocalrentThe climate in one sentence — and when to go
Tropical but rarely oppressive: the Mauritius Meteorological Services distinguish a warm, humid summer from November to April and a mild, drier winter from June to September. On the coast, daytime highs sit between about 24 and 29 degrees all year, the sea between 24 and 28 degrees. The month-by-month climate table, coasts and uplands separately, is in our article Best time to visit Mauritius. On the ground, the land and sea weather, zone by zone tells you which coast is best today.
Mauritius, Réunion, Seychelles, Madagascar: which is which?
They often get mixed up. Mauritius is an independent country, English- and French-speaking, almost entirely fringed by lagoons and reef. Réunion, 230 kilometres away, is instead an overseas department of France — with the euro, EU law and far higher, wilder mountains. The Seychelles are more than 1,700 kilometres further north, close to the equator. And Madagascar is a huge country, more than three hundred times the size of Mauritius. For a two-island trip, Mauritius and Réunion are the easiest pair: the direct flight between them takes only about 50 minutes.
Once the trip is booked, the weekly planner helps spread the days across coasts and outings — on an island whose coasts rarely have the same weather at the same time.
FAQ
Where is Mauritius?
In the south-west Indian Ocean, at about 20 degrees south: around 880 kilometres east of Madagascar, around 230 kilometres north-east of Réunion and some 2,000 kilometres off the coast of Africa.
Is Mauritius part of Africa?
Yes, geographically Mauritius is part of Africa. It is an independent island nation (since 1968, a republic since 1992) and, with Réunion and Rodrigues, forms the Mascarene Islands.
How long is the flight from London to Mauritius?
About 11 hours 40 direct from London Gatwick with Air Mauritius. With a stopover, often in Dubai, it’s usually 12½ to 13½ hours.
How big is Mauritius?
The main island covers about 1,860 square kilometres, a little more than Greater London, and is about 61 kilometres long and 46 wide. With Rodrigues, Agaléga and St Brandon, the republic covers 2,040 square kilometres.
What is the time difference between the UK and Mauritius?
Mauritius is on UTC+4 all year with no daylight saving: three hours ahead of the UK during British Summer Time and four hours ahead in winter.
Is the app paid?
Yes: €24.90 once, for life, no subscription. Every function included — the island’s 225 addresses, hour-by-hour weather zone by zone, routes, the weekly planner, the trip journal and partner discounts. 30-day money-back guarantee.
