Briefing d'orientation à Maurice

Bien que connue des marins arabes et européens depuis au moins le début du XVIe siècle, l'île Maurice était inhabitée jusqu'en 1638, date à laquelle les Néerlandais y établirent une colonie baptisée en l'honneur du prince Maurice de NASSAU. Leur présence entraîna la disparition rapide du dodo, oiseau incapable de voler, devenu depuis l'un des exemples d'extinction les plus connus des temps modernes. Les Néerlandais abandonnèrent leur colonie, financièrement en difficulté, en 1710, bien qu'un certain nombre d'anciens esclaves soient restés sur place. En 1722, les Français établirent ce qui allait devenir une colonie très rentable, axée sur les plantations de canne à sucre, lesquelles reposaient sur le travail d'esclaves amenés à Maurice d'autres régions d'Afrique. Dans les années 1790, l'île connut une brève période d'autonomie lorsque les propriétaires de plantations rejetèrent le contrôle français en raison des lois abolissant l'esclavage, temporairement en vigueur pendant la Révolution française. La Grande-Bretagne s'empara de l'île en 1810 dans le cadre des guerres napoléoniennes, mais conserva l'essentiel de l'administration française, laquelle subsiste aujourd'hui dans les codes juridiques du pays et dans l'usage répandu de la langue créole française. L'abolition de l'esclavage en 1835, plus tardive que dans la plupart des autres colonies britanniques, conduisit à un recours accru à des travailleurs sous contrat originaires du sous-continent indien pour travailler dans les plantations. Aujourd'hui, leurs descendants constituent la majorité de la population. Maurice demeura une base navale britannique d'importance stratégique, puis une station aérienne, et joua un rôle pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale dans les opérations anti-sous-marines et d'escorte de convois, ainsi que dans la collecte de renseignements d'origine électromagnétique.

Maurice a accédé à l'indépendance vis-à-vis du Royaume-Uni en 1968 en tant que république parlementaire et demeure une démocratie stable, dotée d'élections libres et régulières et d'un bilan positif en matière de droits de l'homme. Le pays a également attiré d'importants investissements étrangers et possède aujourd'hui l'un des revenus par habitant les plus élevés d'Afrique. La politique de coalition mauricienne, souvent conflictuelle, est dominée par deux grandes familles, chacune ayant compté des couples père-fils qui ont été Premier ministre sur plusieurs mandats, souvent non consécutifs. Seewoosagur RAMGOOLAM (1968-1976) fut le premier Premier ministre de Maurice ; il fut remplacé par Anerood JUGNAUTH (1982-1995, 2000-2003, 2014-2017), puis par son fils Navin RAMGOOLAM (1995-2000, 2005-2014) ; et Paul Raymond BERENGER (2003-2005), seul Premier ministre non hindou de Maurice depuis l'indépendance. En 2017, Pravind JUGNAUTH devint Premier ministre après que son père eut démissionné avant la fin de son mandat, et il fut élu en son nom propre en 2019.

Maurice revendique l'île française de Tromelin ainsi que l'archipel britannique des Chagos (Territoire britannique de l'océan Indien). Depuis 2017, Maurice a obtenu des résolutions favorables de l'Assemblée générale des Nations unies ainsi qu'un avis consultatif de la Cour internationale de Justice concernant son différend de souveraineté avec le Royaume-Uni.

Before you travel 

No travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to: 

• see general advice for women travellers
• read our guide on disability and travel abroad
• see general advice for LGBT+ travellers
• read about safety for solo and independent travel
• see advice on volunteering and adventure travel abroad

Travel insurance 

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency. 

About FCDO travel advice

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice. 

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Terrorism

There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.    

UK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.

Terrorism in Mauritius

Although there’s no recent history of terrorism in Mauritius, attacks cannot be ruled out.

Crime 

Most crime is non-violent such as burglaries from tourist villas or theft of unattended bags. Petty crime is common, particularly in tourist areas such as Port Louis, Grand Baie and Flic en Flac. There have been some reports of sexual assaults on tourists.    

Community unrest

Localised demonstrations and community unrest occurred in parts of Mauritius after a police shooting incident on 9 October 2026. This resulted in road closures, transport disruption and interruptions to public services.

The Government of Mauritius introduced temporary curfews during the evenings and overnight, covering most areas of the main island, which lasted from 12 October to 18 October, ending at 4.30am on Monday 19 October.  

Stay away from demonstrations and large public gatherings and follow the advice of local authorities.

You can contact our consular teams via telephone or email.

Protecting yourself and your belongings

You can take steps to reduce your personal risk by:

• making sure your hotel room or accommodation is secure
• keeping important documents such as your passport in a hotel safe
• not walking alone at night on beaches or in poorly lit areas of town, particularly in the backstreets of the business district of Port Louis
• only renting accommodation that is registered with the Mauritius Tourism Authority
• not doing business with street or beach vendors

Report any incidents to the Mauritius tourist police by calling 999.

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

Police may occasionally ask to see your ID, such as your passport or driving licence.

Cigarette paper

It’s illegal to possess or import cigarette papers.

Illegal drugs

Illegal drugs, including cannabis, carry severe penalties. Pack all luggage yourself and do not carry anything through customs for anyone else.

You should expect a long jail sentence and heavy fines for possessing, using or smuggling illegal drugs, including when transiting through the airport.

Airports in Mauritius have excellent technology and security for detecting illegal items. This is also used to scan the baggage of transiting passengers. 

If you are found with any drugs, it’s unlikely you’ll be bailed, regardless of the type of drug. Prosecutions take a year or more to come to court, and you’ll be detained until your trial.

Police investigations

If you’re under police investigation, you’ll be provisionally charged and not allowed to leave the country without consent from a judge. It can take up to 2 years for the authorities to decide whether to issue a formal charge. You’re not allowed to renew your occupation or resident’s permit if you’re provisionally charged with a crime. If you cannot support yourself financially you’ll be kept in prison while the police finish their investigation.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex sexual activity was decriminalised in October 2023. Mauritius is a relatively conservative society and local attitudes to the LGBT+ community vary across the country. LGBT+ people still face discrimination, and verbal and physical confrontation cannot be ruled out. 

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Outdoor activities and adventure tourism

Water sports

If you’re taking part in any kind of water sports, make sure the:

• operator holds a valid permit issued by the Ministry of Tourism
• boat has enough life jackets on board
• captain can contact the coastguard if needed

Transport risks

Road travel

If you are planning to drive in Mauritius, see information on driving abroad.

As in the UK, left-hand traffic is standard across Mauritius.

You can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Mauritius. Carry your licence with you when driving. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence. 

Hire car companies often have stricter requirements for their customers, such as a year of driving experience, a higher minimum age and holding an IDP.

Drivers are expected to carry in their vehicles yellow chalk, or other appropriate yellow indelible marker. This should be used to mark the position and registration number of their vehicle on the surface of a road in the event of an accident or breakdown, before moving their vehicle off the road where possible.

Drink-driving is a serious offence in Mauritius. Penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol, even at very low levels (a quarter of England’s legal limit of alcohol in your system), can include fines or imprisonment. 

Driving conditions 

Accidents are common in Mauritius. Motorbikes are slow and often do not use headlights at night.

Some roads are narrow and do not have pavements. Pedestrians and cyclists often use main roads, including motorways, during the day and at night.

Sea travel

There is still a significant risk of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean, where piracy has been reduced but not prevented. Pirates can attack up to 1,000 nautical miles from the Somali coast or more.

If you’re travelling by sea, read about the regional risks at sea.

Extreme weather and natural disasters

Find out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.

Tropical cyclones

The tropical cyclone season in Mauritius usually runs from November to May.

If a tropical cyclone happens, follow the advice of the Mauritian government information service. Mauritius Meteorological Services has a well-structured system of phased warnings.

Cyclones can cause extensive damage to property. During a cyclone you’re not allowed to leave your accommodation, and car insurance policies often become invalid.

Landslides

Some areas are prone to landslides, especially during cyclones and torrential rains. Mauritius Meteorological Services has 5-stage landslide warnings. Local authorities may organise evacuations of threatened areas.

Before you travel check that:

• your destination can provide the healthcare you may need
• you have appropriate travel insurance for local treatment or unexpected medical evacuation

This is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.

Emergency medical number

Call 999 or 114 and ask for an ambulance.

Contact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.

Vaccine recommendations and health risks

At least 8 weeks before you travel:

• check the latest vaccine recommendations for Mauritius
• see where to get vaccines and whether you have to pay on the NHS travel vaccinations page

See what health risks you’ll face on Mauritius, including:

• dengue
• Schistosomiasis
• Chikungunya

Stonefish stings are rare but can be fatal. Get urgent medical attention if you are stung. Many hotels stock anti-venom serum.

Medication

The legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.

Read best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.

You can bring common medicines for your own use but you must carry a copy of the prescription. Tranquillisers, hypnotics, narcotics and other strong painkillers will require prior authorisation. You can check details with the Mauritius Ministry of Health and Wellness. If in any doubt, get advice from the Mauritius High Commission in the UK .

Healthcare in Mauritius

Good private healthcare is available but can be expensive. More complex cases may require evacuation to Réunion or South Africa. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and repatriation.

Private and state ambulance services are available, but the quality and response speed can vary. If you can, go directly to the hospital.

FCDO has a list of medical providers in Mauritius where most staff will speak English.  

Travel and mental health

Read FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.