They’re around 12,000km apart with one island country off the east coast of Africa while the other lies off the east coast of Australia.
Surrounded by the Indian Ocean and due east from Madagascar, Mauritius is a vacation destination that is defined by its immaculate white beaches, reefs and lagoons while its interior is dominated by rainforests and waterfalls.
Fiji meanwhile lies in the South Pacific Ocean and is made up of more than 300 islands and 540 islets. Fiji is known the world over for the warmth of its people, its laid-back island feel and its tropical beach appeal.
So when it comes to choosing a vacation to Fiji or Mauritius how can you pick between the two? Continue reading our guide to Fiji vs Mauritius to help you decide.
They’re around 12,000km apart with one island country off the east coast of Africa while the other lies off the east coast of Australia.
Surrounded by the Indian Ocean and due east from Madagascar, Mauritius is a vacation destination that is defined by its immaculate white beaches, reefs and lagoons while its interior is dominated by rainforests and waterfalls.
Fiji meanwhile lies in the South Pacific Ocean and is made up of more than 300 islands and 540 islets. Fiji is known the world over for the warmth of its people, its laid-back island feel and its tropical beach appeal.
So when it comes to choosing a vacation to Fiji or Mauritius how can you pick between the two? Continue reading our guide to Fiji vs Mauritius to help you decide.
FIJI VS MAURITIUS VACATION
There’s no denying the natural beauty of both Fiji and Mauritius – we’re talking too seriously good looking islands here.Whether you prefer to relax or be adventurous, there’s plenty to choose from with a Fiji vs Mauritius vacationfrom manicured beaches, warm azure waters and rugged, tropical interiors.
Mauritius offers activities aplenty for adventure-loving travelers, including the Black River Gorges National Park with rainforests, waterfalls and hiking trails or the Champs de Mars horse track in the island’s capital Port Louis. There’s also the preserved Maison Eureka plantation house and the 18thcentury Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Gardens – a must for any visit to Mauritius.
In Fiji you’ll also be able to explore volcanic mountains and verdant rainforests with plenty of activities to suit the adventurous traveler. There are lots of hikes to enjoy in Fiji, with the country’s highest mountain, Mt Tomanivi, looming over Viti Levu’s mountainous middle. You can join a three-hour trek from Navala village in the Ba Highlands. Noted for its thatched buildings, it is one of the few settlements in Fiji which has retained its architectural traditions. From Navala village, the track passes through moisture-laden cloud forests laden with ferns and orchids and home to birds like the giant forest honeyeater and the masked shining parrot, a large bright-green and yellow-breasted parrot that is endemic to Viti Levu.
But there’s still plenty for the sun worshipers in Fiji with powdery white sand beaches and warm azure waters. Stretched out to the northwest of Fiji’s main island is a stunning group of small volcanic islands, called the Yasawas. Here there are less crowds, with no big resorts, shops or roads, so you’ll feel as if you’ve got the place to yourself.
On and under the waves, Fiji is all about its marine activities from snorkelingto scuba diving with a huge array of marine life including hundreds of types of coral and sponges, plus manta rays, sea turtles and dolphins.
Given its locale in the warm Indian Ocean, you’ll want to spend a lot of time in – or on – the water during a vacation to Mauritius. You can snorkel or dive among the coral reefs, or book an island cruise to sheltered lagoons along the east coast.
FIJI VS MAURITIUS WEDDINGS
It’s hard to beat an island wedding, barefoot on the beach, with the bride arriving in a boat. Whether you choose a Fiji or Mauritius wedding, you’ll have unforgettable (and highly Instagrammable) backdrops of sea, sand and mountains!
With their year-round balmy temperatures and stunning natural assets Fiji and Mauritiusare top choices for weddings for international visitors with a range of packages available across hotels and resorts.
One advantage Fiji has over Mauritius and other island destinations is the cost. For a fraction of the price of a wedding in many other countries, you can tie the knot and honeymoon in style, with affordable wedding package deals.
Plus, in Fiji it’s easy. Most Fijian resorts have wedding coordinators who can organise everything – from the venue and catering to the flowers and photography. Couples can choose from Fijian choirs and warriors, kava ceremonies and lovo – a traditional Fijian feast where the food is cooked underground.
In Fiji the choice of wedding venues is seemingly limitless too from pristine private islands and South Seas sand spits, to more remote venues like the Garden of the Sleeping Giant, the mountains of the Nausori Highlands or a ceremony at Tavenui’s Bouma Falls.
Brides in Fiji can be escorted down the aisle by a group of traditionally-clad Fijian warriors, or be transported to the ceremony on a garland-draped bilibili (a traditional Fijian raft made from bamboo). You might want to actually swap your white wedding dress for a traditional Fijian gown or have a Fijian choir as part of the ceremony – just some of the popular options for wedding couples.
In Mauritius couples can choose to tie the knot with their toes in the sand and the Indian Ocean as their backdrop, or they might elope to a private island for a more intimate and exclusive wedding ceremony.
Mauritius is naturally, breathtakingly beautiful with so many white sandy beaches on which to say ‘I do’. The majestic Le Morne Mountain serves as the backdrop in Mauritius, while most resorts will have dedicated wedding planners to plan your perfect day. You can choose from an intimate wedding at an adults-only resort or invite the entire family.
FIJI OR MAURITIUS HONEYMOONS
How do you choose the perfect honeymoon location? Most couples will initially want somewhere to relax and spend time with each other after all the preparations for the wedding day. Take a look at Fiji and Mauritius for some well-earned relaxation. Both destinations offer five-star hotels, private beaches and top qualitycuisine.
Mauritius has a huge selection of hotels and resorts with the largest choice of luxury accommodation on any island, as well as plenty of budget places to stay and guest houses. Mauritius is known for its service so whether you stay in a top-of-the line resort or a simple guesthouse, you’ll be treated like royalty.
Honeymooners will love the beachside locations of the top hotels which offer premium all-inclusive packages and luxury amenities such as spas, championship golf courses and private restaurants, as well as 24-hour butler service, helicopter transfers and plunge pools.
In Fiji, honeymoon couples will have the pick of romantic hotels that cater to their every whim, with private dinners on jetties overlooking the water, or a mountain-top table for two, plus private beach picnics and spa treatments for two.
On Fiji’s exclusiveTurtle Island Resort, located in the Yasawa Islands, you can choose from 12 private beaches, and with only 14 couples hosted at any one time, which means each couple will get access to their own private beach for exclusive use every second day. Plus every couple at Turtle Island has their own ‘Bure Mama’ (personal concierge) assigned to them on arrival, making them feel loved and looked after from the moment they arrive.
However, Fiji and Mauritiusboth offer honeymooners plenty of other activities, in addition to staring into each other’s eyes!
In Mauritius you can hike up the prominent basalt peak of Le Morne Brabant, take helicopter rides to waterfalls and experience real Creole cuisine, with locally-grown ingredients and the chance to meet the people of Mauritius.
There are walking trails and mountain bike tracks through Bras d’Eau National Park, home to the Mauritius paradise flycatcher, as well as beaches, lakes and native trees which lie on the rocky remnants of a lava flow on the island’s north-east coast.
Keen divers will love The Cathedral, one of the best dives sites in Mauritius. The sheer drop off fuses with enormous boulders to create an exciting mix of caves and arches, home to lobsters and multitude of fish. The dive spot is located on the west coast of Mauritius near Flic-en-Flac, a seaside village in the Black River district.
BEST TIME TO VISIT FIJI AND MAURITIUS
While Fiji and Mauritius offer balmy climates year round, the weather does play a part in when to visit.
Thanks to its tropical climate, Mauritius enjoys warm temperatures all year round, but October is the best time to visit the island for warmer and drier weather. The island is just heating up after the slightly cooler winter months, but it’s not yet humid and rainy.
In Fiji winter (the dry season) runs from May to November where temperatures range from 19°C – 29°C. Winter (the wet season) runs from December to April and sees temperatures sitting at a comfortable 22°C – 33°C.
HOW TO GET TO FIJI AND MAURITIUS
Unfortunately there are no direct flights from the US to Mauritius so flights can take around 24 hours as you have to fly via London or a European city, such as Paris.
From London there are 12-hour flights to Mauritius with British Airways that arrive into Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International (MRU) Airport.
Fiji is easier to reach than Mauritius with more direct flights from major international ports. Fiji’s national carrier is Fiji Airways which operates daily direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Singapore.
Visitors arriving in Fiji will land at Nadi International Airport on Viti Levu. From here, you can either stay at one of the many resorts or hotels or venture out to the smaller islands which requires another transfer either by boat, seaplane or helicopter.
EXPLORE TURTLE ISLAND FIJI
Turtle Island Resort offers the perfect luxury escape for honeymooners andwedding couples. With only 14 bures (Fijian villas)among500 acres of tropical lush forests and 12 white-sand beaches, you’ll be forgiven for thinking you’ve got the place to yourself.
See yourself here? Then get in touch with us today to start planning your next vacation.
