Caribbean vs Mauritius

[hinderland]

We go to the Caribbean most years. We want to try somewhere new this year so thinking a French island like Martinique or Guadeloupe, with maybe a few days in St Barths.

DH has come up with the idea of Mauritius. I don’t know a great deal about it other than flights are roughly twice the cost as Caribbean ones. Hotels seem much more reasonable though.

Has anyone been to both regions / countries?

We’ve been to Barbados in an October and Mauritius in July. Mauritius was less humid and slighly cooler. Mauritius is much bigger than barbados. Both are lovely. Look at the beachcomber hotels in Mauritius. We stayed at the troux au biches one - it was fabulous

JA, DR and Mexico are much more popular and will have a lot of AL hotels.

Not been to Mauritius but it looks beautiful! I guess you need to weigh up want you want from your holiday and what type of things you will do on holiday.

Have been to Dom Rep and St Lucia and also Mauritius. Prefer the vibe of the Caribbean but the Indian Ocean can’t be beat.

long beach in Mauritius, could not recommend enough

I've stayed at The Beachcomber at Troux Aux Biches too - beautiful hotel. I'm going back to Mauritius in January and staying at Constance Prince Maurice which also looks amazing before joining a cruise. I really like Mauritius but also like the Caribbean; they have very different vibes especially the smaller Caribbean islands.

We have been to Mauritius and Martinique. Martinique was back in 2000 though, very French compared to other islands in Carribbean which then had American feel and large US vehicles, Martinique seemed more cultured, less sales pushy and French then with less poverty as supported by very generous French benefits. Mauritius was in 2025 and in our summer, their winter, lovely holiday for relaxing though cheaper places had issues with stray dogs so check reviews. We stayed at Long Beach and Summer Beach hotels which were both excellent. Mauritius was great for beaches, snorkelling, boat trips and a few things to see on island, loved Ile aux Aigrettes and giant turtles. Both are for relaxing rather than very active holidays. Martinique remember botanical gardens, Express des Iles boat trip to St Lucia which had crazy waves and St Lucia was heavy sales but was back in 2000 and beautiful, rum places, Josephine's house, town with volcanoes history.