Operational nuances

Mostly no. Hotels here were built and refurbished for European and Réunion guests over the last 35–40 years, and Indian arrivals are only 5–7% of the total. Perhaps five or six properties on the island have Indian-style fittings as standard. Most have toilet paper; some have bidets.

Many hotels keep two to five rooms configured with a jet spray, held on request. They book out well in advance, so treat it as a request, not a confirmation.

Yes, and at no additional cost — but the request must go in advance so the DMC can brief the hotel. On arrival, guest relations introduces the guest to the chef, and the kitchen cooks to requirement for the stay. The guest also retains full access to the main buffet.

Most do, but not all — some properties, including in the south-east, do not. Never assume from the star rating. Confirm the specific property with supply before promising Indian food.

Generous. A four-star property can put out up to fifty items at breakfast, with live stations. The base is continental, with an Indian corner: expect two to three Indian vegetarian items daily, such as poori and sabzi or paratha. Where a property has no Indian menu, the chef will prepare something separately on request.

No. Every hotel on the island — and every DMC — operates a mixed-market model. There is no India-specific property, and implying otherwise sets up a disappointment.

All four- and five-star properties run evening entertainment, but the programme rotates daily: sega dance one night, a DJ another, traditional music, karaoke. Over six nights a guest sees several. Promise the variety, never a specific night.

Usually a 12- to 16-seater. A 29-seater is used only in rare circumstances. A dedicated guide is not guaranteed on SIC; it is the cheapest transport tier. Drivers act as driver-guides and explain everything en route, and a guide is provided where one is available.

It depends on the site. At places like Fort Adelaide the driver-guide goes in with the group. At sites with their own guides — Aapravasi Ghat, the Valley of Colours — guests are handed over on arrival. At the Valley of Colours, guests go to reception, are taken into a theatre room for the introduction, and are then accompanied by the park’s own guides.

Typically a 30- to 40-minute window, given by the driver-guide. Drivers will wait ten or fifteen minutes beyond it — but the time is taken from a later stop. Explain this in advance: a long stop at point one means a short stop at point four.

Within the 100 km and 8 hours allowance, yes. If a guest doing the North Tour asks to visit somewhere in Port Louis while they are already in the city, the driver will take them. On SIC this is not possible — the vehicle serves everyone in it.

Guests doing no activities take the direct shuttle from around 11:00 and get roughly 2.5 to 3 hours. Guests doing activities complete them in the lagoon first and reach the island around 13:30–14:00. The island closes around 16:00. Return timings are set by the skippers on the day.

No. There is a separate direct shuttle boat straight to the island for guests not doing activities. Guests who buy activities join the activity group in the lagoon first.

They are not licensed and not contracted to us. If a guest is injured there is no insurance and no recourse. Brief guests explicitly to buy only through the supplier desk at the jetty.

No. Snorkelling, hiking, catamarans, the parks — everything operates identically all year, and hotel facilities are unchanged. Only the rate is different.

Usually not. Mauritius is ringed by a strong coral reef, and the lagoon between the shore and the reef is wide and typically flat. When conditions are genuinely poor, activities are cancelled rather than run.

There has never been a recorded shark attack inside the lagoon — the coral reef keeps them out. This is a genuinely reassuring, genuinely true fact, and it is worth offering to nervous swimmers and to parents.

There is no legal age restriction on being on the boat. But a two-hour early-morning trip is not comfortable for a small child or for the parent, so it is not recommended below age five.

Dolphins, yes — on a dedicated speedboat swimming trip. On a catamaran cruise guests can see dolphins but not swim with them. Swimming with whales is illegal in Mauritius. Never sell it.