Scott Dunn: ANYTHING ELSE IS JUST A HOLIDAY

This surprisingly cosmopolitan town is situated in the north of the Mauritius. Just 20km from Port Louis, Grand Baie is a great alternative to the larger and more hectic capital. Grand Baie has a variety of bars offering a wide selection of local and imported beers and cocktails.

Mauritius is not regarded for its particularly lively nightlife, yet Grand Baie offers a relaxed alternative. Its cafes and bars are a perfect setting to spend an evening in, whilst tasting local spiced rums as traditional Sega music plays in the background.

Locals say to avoid the last two weeks of July, however there are good year round weather conditions for golfers. The mid 20-degree temperatures in September and October are the chosen months for golfing enthusiasts.

The newest addition to the east coast is the Ernie Els designed golf course at the Four Seasons Mauritius at Anahita. This 7440-yard, 18-hole golf course almost overlaps the sea with six ocean-side holes, wide fairways and elevated greens. One of the easier courses on the island, it is one of the best choices due to its exclusivity and attention to detail. Stay at the Four Seasons Mauritius at Anahita to use golf carts and a one-hour introduction. Also offered are private and group tuition and well as full game analysis at an additional cost.

Constance Belle Mare Plage Hotel on the east coast owns the two most well known golf courses. Opened in 1994, The Legends Golf Club is the oldest in Mauritius and has been rebuilt to USPGA specification. Set within thick forest, known for its comfortable clubhouse where deer roam in the evening, The Legends course at Constance Belle Mare Plage is a classic. The venue for the Mauritius Open Professional Tournament every December, The Legends golf course is definitely demanding, however its signature 160-yard 17th hole with spectacular views is worth the challenge. Its only fault is the dense vegetation that can occasionally affect a game. The second and newer Links course is 2km from the Constance Belle Mare Plage Hotel and provides more space to perfect technique, with an area of over 5900m and several practice fairways. The big greens lay on the grounds of an old sugar plantation, and the undulating terrain make this an interesting course with several challenges. The double dogleg at the second hole where golfers can take on the blind spot across volcanic outcrop make The Links Golf Course a constant surprise to play.

The most challenging course in Mauritius, this 18-hole Bernhard Langer designed golf course at the Le Tousserok resort is unique. Located on the Ile Aux Cerfs island just off the east coast, it can only be accessed by boat. Made in 2003, this relatively new course has four different sets of tee decks for each hole meaning it is still playable for less advanced golfers. The intricate slopes need accurate play and make a short game quite tough. Not fun for a higher handicapped player, there are plenty of opportunities to lose balls, so it is important to relax and enjoy your game and take in some of the best ocean scenery in Mauritius. Being a guest at the Le Tousserok resort allows complimentary access to the golf course. The resort itself is a luxury to stay in, and the Frangipani Junior Suites at the tip of the Le Tousserok have the best views.

Le Morne is a well known area of coast used by kitesurfers. This peninsular at the southern tip of Mauritius is constantly exposed to south-easterly winds and abundant wave spots on the reef known as “one-eye”. These are reserved for the more accomplished kitesurfer. There are also waist-deep, flat-water lagoons that are widely used by beginners. You will find two international kiteboarding Organization (IKO) affiliated kite centres on the south coast. The Yoaneye centre is small, yet its five dedicated and passionate instructors are willing to share their enthusiastic teaching for beginners and experts. The Club Mistral Skyrider centre is a larger institution, and has a variety of professional instructors that speak several languages. Luxury hotels on the south coast of Mauritius such as Heritage Le Telfair Golf and Spa resort and Shanti Maurice, A Nira Resort will organise kitesurfing within the Le Morne area for additional fees.

The east coast is less choppy than the south, yet still has continuous south-easterly winds. The long beach at Belle Mare is often the choice for beginners as it has safer waters. However, with wind speeds between force 4-6, Belle Mare still provides a good adrenaline rush. There are several Kitesurfing schools on the east coast of Mauritius, however it is worth taking a look at the One&Only Le Saint Geran. This hotel offers a wide variety of watersports and is affiliated with the International Kiteboarding Centre and John Battleday Water-ski and Wakeboard Academy (JBWA). The Ile aux Cerfs island is another highly recommended place to Kitesurf, yet its unpredictable currents make it a choice reserved for experienced surfers.

There are many Kitesurfing opportunities across Mauritian coastlines, and as world-class kitesurfing championships play out annually, take this opportunity to get involved, learn a new skill, and seek an adrenaline rush.

When visiting the Capital of Mauritius, Port Louis, its large markets are an instant attraction. This impressive, bustling open-air market offers an extensive variety of fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, and spices.

The Port Louis food market will give you a new perspective on food shopping. Even if you don't need anything, it is worth a visit just for the experience. This is a regular tourist destination, and prices are raised to accommodate bartering, so it is wise to be careful with agreed prices.

The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam botanical gardens are located near the village of Pamplemousses, 10km north of Port Louis. They contain a superb collection of tropical plants, from a variety of Asian, African and American continents.

A real treasure of Mauritius, the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam botanical gardens are the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere. The gardens were first constructed by Pierre Poivre in 1770. During the development of the sugar cane industry, the botanical gardens were used as a site of introduction to new sugar cane species. Famous for its Victoria Regia giant water lilies, these gardens are a shady haven to spend an afternoon getting lost beyond the tropical plants. Brilliant for families, and with over 37 hectares of land, it is unlike any other crowded tourist destinations.