Mauritius: why this Indian Ocean island deserves more attention from golfers

Mauritius has long been known for its luxury resorts, white-sand beaches and year-round sunshine, but it is increasingly becoming one of the most exciting long-haul golf destinations. With championship layouts carved through volcanic landscapes, oceanfront fairways and some of the best all-inclusive resorts in the world, golf in Mauritius offers far more than just winter sun.

On our recent trip to Mauritius, we explored some of the island’s standout golf courses while experiencing the unique blend of relaxation, hospitality and dramatic scenery that makes the destination so appealing. What quickly became clear is that Mauritius offers a completely different style of golf holiday. It combines world-class golf with a true island escape, where luxury resorts, incredible food and unforgettable coastal scenery all come together effortlessly.

While Mauritius may traditionally have been seen as more of a honeymoon destination, it is now attracting more golfers looking for something different from the usual Spain or Portugal golf break. For those willing to travel a little further, the reward is a golf experience unlike anywhere else.

After an overnight flight from London Gatwick, we arrived into Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport and made our way to Paradis Beachcomber. The drive immediately gave us our first glimpse of Mauritius’ tropical beauty, lush greenery, towering mountains and endless ocean views.

Paradis Beachcomber proved to be the perfect introduction to the island’s laid-back luxury. Positioned on a unique stretch of land with panoramic views of both the ocean and surrounding mountains, the setting felt incredibly exclusive. After settling in, we enjoyed dinner overlooking the water, with wild boar meatballs and local seafood starters setting the tone for the week ahead.

The relaxed atmosphere of the resort immediately stood out, combining luxury with a sense of calm that makes it easy to settle into island life from the moment you arrive.

Our first full day in Mauritius began at Paradis Golf Club, and it could not have been a better introduction to golf on the island. Set beneath the iconic Le Morne Brabant mountain, the course winds its way alongside turquoise lagoons and pristine beaches, creating one of the most scenic golfing settings in Mauritius.

The layout itself is generous from the tee, making it enjoyable for golfers of all abilities, but the constant ocean views and dramatic mountain backdrop make the experience feel truly memorable. Every hole seemed to offer a different postcard-worthy angle of the coastline, and it quickly became clear why Paradis is such a popular opening stop for golfers visiting Mauritius.

Following the round, we enjoyed lunch at the Blue Marlin restaurant onsite before preparing to continue the trip towards Heritage Le Telfair Golf & Wellness Resort.

Signature hole: The closing stretch beside the lagoon provides a spectacular finish, with oceanfront fairways framed by Le Morne mountain.

Bonus fact: Paradis Golf Club is one of the few golf courses in the world located directly beneath a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Le Morne Brabant.

Course highlights:

• Championship par-72 layout
• Oceanfront fairways and lagoon views
• Wide playable design suitable for all abilities
• Stunning backdrop of Le Morne mountain
• Beachfront clubhouse and practice facilities

The next two days were spent experiencing Heritage Resorts on the south coast of Mauritius, including both Heritage Awali and the flagship Heritage Le Telfair. The scale and elegance of the resort immediately stood out, combining luxury accommodation with some of the island’s best golf facilities.

Our first round was at Le Château Golf Course at Heritage Golf Club. The immaculate conditioning stood out from the opening tee, with wide fairways, rolling terrain and scenic mountain backdrops creating an enjoyable and playable layout. The course offers enough challenge to remain interesting while still being enjoyable for golfers of all abilities.

Signature hole: The par-5 finishing hole provides a dramatic risk-and-reward finish framed by mountains and tropical vegetation.

Bonus fact: Heritage Golf Club has hosted multiple DP World Tour events and is consistently ranked among the best golf resorts in the Indian Ocean.

Course highlights:

• Wide forgiving fairways
• Immaculate conditioning throughout
• Mountain and tropical scenery
• DP World Tour host venue

However, the real highlight came the following day at La Réserve Golf Links. Quite simply, this was one of the best golf experiences I have had anywhere in the world. The combination of challenge, creativity, conditioning and coastal scenery makes it truly exceptional.

This contemporary links-style course delivers panoramic ocean views from virtually every hole and provides a demanding test for even the strongest golfers. Every aspect of the course feels carefully designed to maximise both strategy and scenery. It is an absolute must-play for anyone visiting Mauritius.

Signature hole: Several dramatic coastal holes stand out, but the elevated ocean-view par-3s are particularly memorable.

Bonus fact: La Réserve Golf Links became the first contemporary links-style course in the Indian Ocean and was co-designed by Open champion Louis Oosthuizen.

Course highlights:

• Links-style design overlooking the coastline
• Spectacular ocean views from every hole
• Exceptional course conditioning
• One of Mauritius’ most exclusive golf experiences

Day five saw us move west to Tamarina Golf & Spa Boutique Hotel, which offered a completely different atmosphere to the previous resorts. Tamarina feels more intimate and rugged, surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery and vivid tropical greenery.

The golf course itself felt unlike anywhere else we played during the trip. With dense vegetation, volcanic landscapes and towering mountains surrounding the fairways, it genuinely felt like playing golf in Jurassic Park. When I think of tropical forest golf, Tamarina immediately comes to mind.

Signature hole: The back nine offers several elevated holes framed by mountains and dense tropical vegetation.

Bonus fact: Tamarina Golf Club was designed by Rodney Wright and stretches across a former savannah landscape beneath Rempart Mountain.

Course highlights:

• Dramatic mountain backdrops
• Tropical forest-style golf setting
• Championship standard layout
• Relaxed boutique resort atmosphere

One of the highlights of the entire trip came on day six with a round at the world-famous Ile Aux Cerfs Golf Club. Even reaching the course feels memorable, with players transferred to the island by boat before arriving at one of the most unique golfing locations in the world.

Designed by Bernhard Langer, the course weaves through tropical island landscapes with spectacular coastal views back towards mainland Mauritius. Every hole feels secluded and unique, with ocean vistas appearing constantly throughout the round. Combined with a stay at the luxurious Long Beach Resort, this created one of the most memorable golf experiences of the entire week.

Signature hole: The coastal par-3s are unforgettable, with island greens framed by crystal-clear water and tropical vegetation.

Bonus fact: Ile Aux Cerfs is located entirely on its own private island and can only be accessed by boat transfer.

Course highlights:

• Designed by Bernhard Langer
• Accessible only by boat
• Stunning coastal and island scenery
• One of the most unique golf settings in the world

The final two days of the trip were spent at Constance Belle Mare Plage, home to two of the finest golf courses on the island, the Links Course and the Legend Course. What makes this resort particularly impressive is how different the two layouts feel from one another.

The Links Course was arguably the most visually intriguing course we played all week. Fairways carved around volcanic rock formations create a dramatic and unusual landscape, while the elevated clubhouse terrace overlooking the driving range provides the perfect setting for a post-round drink in the sun.

Course highlights:

• Volcanic rock formations throughout
• Visually striking design
• Relaxed clubhouse atmosphere
• Scenic practice facilities

The Legend Course provided the perfect finale to the trip. Having hosted both the Ladies European Tour and Legends Tour, the course delivers a stern championship test where accuracy is essential. Water-lined fairways and tight driving areas punish poor shots, while rewarding precision and strategy.

Signature hole: Several water-lined closing holes create a dramatic championship-style finish.

Bonus fact: The Legend Course hosts the annual MCB Tour Championship on the Legends Tour.

Course highlights:

• Championship tournament venue
• Tight, demanding layout
• Water in play throughout
• One of Mauritius’ most prestigious golf courses

Mauritius exceeded expectations in every possible way. Not only as a golf destination, but as a place where luxury, hospitality and natural beauty combine effortlessly. Every venue showcased a completely different side of the island, and every golf course delivered something memorable and unique. Few destinations manage to offer such variety while maintaining such a consistently high standard throughout.

Whether it was the oceanfront golf at Paradis, the world-class experience at La Réserve, the tropical landscapes at Tamarina or the island setting of Ile Aux Cerfs, Mauritius constantly felt fresh and exciting from one day to the next. Eight days somehow felt both packed with experiences and far too short at the same time.

For golfers looking for a luxury long-haul golf holiday with world-class courses, outstanding resorts and scenery unlike anywhere else, Mauritius is rapidly establishing itself as one of the most complete golf destinations in the world.

• Book internal transfers in advance: Mauritius is larger than many golfers expect, and travelling between resorts can take time. Organised transfers make moving around the island far easier. Our Travel Experts can help with organising this.
• Plan for different course styles: Mauritius offers a huge variety of golf experiences, from links-style coastal layouts to tropical parkland and volcanic terrain.
• Pack for warm conditions year-round: Temperatures remain consistently warm and humid, so lightweight golf clothing and sun protection are essential.
• Combine golf with relaxation: Many of the island’s luxury resorts offer world-class spas, beaches and restaurants, making Mauritius ideal for both golfers and non-golfers.
• Allow time away from the course: Boat trips, beaches and local dining experiences are all worth building into your itinerary.

Q: Is Mauritius good for a golf holiday? A: Yes, Mauritius is one of the world’s premier luxury golf destinations, offering championship golf courses, five-star resorts, tropical scenery and year-round warm weather.

Q: When is the best time to play golf in Mauritius? A: Mauritius enjoys warm temperatures throughout the year, although the driest and most comfortable golfing conditions are generally between May and November.

Q: How long does it take to fly to Mauritius from the UK? A: Direct flights from London to Mauritius typically take around 12 hours overnight.

Q: Which is the best golf course in Mauritius? A: La Réserve Golf Links is widely regarded as one of the best golf experiences on the island, although Ile Aux Cerfs, Heritage Golf Club and the Legend Course are also standout layouts.

Q: Is Mauritius suitable for non-golfers? A: Absolutely. Mauritius offers luxury beaches, spas, water sports, fine dining and sightseeing, making it an excellent destination for couples and mixed holidays.