Mauritius – tropical beaches and island life
Mauritius is famous for its powder-white beaches, palm trees and turquoise lagoons – but the island is much more than a tropical cliché. In this gallery I explore coastlines around Flic en Flac, Belle Mare, Trou aux Biches and Le Morne, as well as quiet moments at boutique hotels and beach clubs.
Further inland you will find Chamarel’s Seven Coloured Earth, lush waterfalls, misty Ganga Talao and rural fields and villages. All photographs on this page were taken by Norwegian landscape and travel photographer Svein Magne Tunli.
Wide sweep of white sand at Flic en Flac, Mauritius, with sun loungers under thatched parasols and green mountains framing the turquoise lagoon.
Long arc of Belle Mare Beach on Mauritius’ east coast, where shallow turquoise water meets powder-white sand and lines of palm trees.
Infinity pool at a Le Morne beach resort in Mauritius, backed by towering Le Morne Brabant and fringed with palm-roofed villas.
People strolling along the soft sand at Trou aux Biches beach in Grand Baie, with thatched parasols and clear emerald water.
Holidaymakers wandering along the shoreline at Belle Mare Beach, enjoying the warm shallows and palm-fringed sand.
Water sports set-up on Flic en Flac beach, Mauritius, with dinghies, kayaks and life jackets lined up beside the turquoise lagoon and swaying palms.
Sandy beach volleyball court at Le Morne, Mauritius, set between golden palm trees and the dramatic cliffs of Le Morne Brabant.
Fisherman in a small boat at Trou aux Biches, Grand Baie, calmly preparing his gear beside a wooden jetty on the turquoise lagoon
Two local fishermen standing on black rocks at Belle Mare Beach, casting long rods over the clear turquoise lagoon.
Local fisherman sitting on black lava rocks at Pointe d’Esny, Mauritius, looking out over the calm turquoise lagoon and anchored boats.
Wave-shaped dunes of the Seven Coloured Earth in Chamarel, Mauritius, with rust-red, violet and brown tones contrasting against the green forest.
Chamarel Waterfall plunging down a sheer cliff into dense rainforest, framed by tropical trees under a moody sky in Mauritius.
Stone meditating figure above a curved infinity pool at Lakaz Chamarel, overlooking misty green valleys in the mountains of Mauritius.
Wooden chair facing a circular garden labyrinth and thatched meditation pavilion at Lakaz Chamarel, surrounded by lush green hills.
Secluded lakeside cabin at Lakaz Chamarel, its red walls and veranda reflected in still water and framed by lush palms and flowering bushes.
Hillside bungalow tucked into dense tropical gardens at Lakaz Chamarel, with layers of palms and trees under a bright Mauritian sky.
Cosy suite at Lakaz Chamarel in the Mauritian mountains, with a four-poster bed, wooden doors and rose petals scattered across the floor
Hindu devotee in red making fruit offerings at the mist-covered Ganga Talao crater lake in the highlands of Mauritius.
Relaxed lounge at 20° Sud in Grand Baie, Mauritius, opening onto a reflecting pool and palm-fringed bay on the island’s north coast.
Guest relaxing with a book in the stylish reception at Constance Belle Mare Plage, looking out over pools, palms and the lagoon in Mauritius’ Flacq district.
Welcome arrangement of tropical flowers and chilled champagne on a balcony at Constance Belle Mare Plage, with the beach and palms below.
Romantic turn-down at Constance Belle Mare Plage, with a bubble bath sprinkled with petals and a bed in the next room dressed in rose hearts and candlelight
Hobie Cat catamarans and small sailboats pulled up on the sand at Constance Le Prince Maurice, ready for a sail on the calm lagoon.
Boardwalk lined with loungers and flowering pots at Constance Le Prince Maurice, leading past over-water villas on a tranquil lagoon.
Romantic beach wedding pavilion draped in white and purple fabric on a Mauritius lagoon, set for a ceremony beside the clear blue water.
Woman in a flowing orange dress walking along the wooden jetty at Constance Belle Mare Plage, with the turquoise lagoon and beach loungers behind her.
Bright pink lounge sofas set under palm trees on the beach at Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok Resort, perfect for soaking up Mauritian luxury.
Chilled beach club setting on Ilot Mangénie, the private island of Shangri-La’s Le Touessrok in Mauritius, with white sand, palms and relaxed daybeds.
Local woman harvesting leafy greens in a sea of vines on a hillside field in rural Mauritius.
Small neighbourhood shop in Mauritius with women choosing fruit from a colourful street stall outside a shabby pharmacy.
Circle of deep red tropical leaves arranged on pale sand, decorated with shells and coral pieces on a Mauritius beach.
Woman in bright orange outfit wading through the crystal-clear shallows at Belle Mare Beach, framed by deep blue sky and reef-protected lagoon.
Ornamental pond with orange goldfish and a thatched pavilion set in manicured lawns and palms at LUX* Belle Mare on Mauritius.
Dramatic sunset over Flic en Flac beach on Mauritius, with glowing purple clouds, lit palm trees and daybeds along the tranquil lagoon.
All photographs on this page were taken by Norwegian landscape and travel photographer Svein Magne Tunli.