This lively French-speaking island in the Indian Ocean more than a thousand miles off the east coast of mainland Africa is home to gorgeous pearly white sand beaches, marbled sapphire and topaz ocean, luxury resorts and excellent food thanks to influences from France, Indian, China and local Creole communities. The locals are friendly here, and unlike the Maldives, there is more to do on a Mauritius holiday than experience the beach and ocean. Here the luxury resorts come with extensive water sport options, and there is excellent diving and snorkeling, but also choices for hiking in the mountainous interior, playing a few rounds of golf on a championship course or horse riding in the ocean.