It is entirely fitting that Mauritius has developed into every golfer’s ultimate paradise destination, and with its tropical, year-round climate, this picture-perfect island should be top of the list next time you’re in need of some sun, says Chris Bertram.

Unlikely history
On this Indian Ocean island some 1,200 miles off the east coast of Madagascar, golf has a surprisingly deep pedigree. The first course was created here way back in 1844, remarkably before the time golf had taken hold in either Ireland or Wales, after it had been introduced to Mauritius by the Royal Navy. They laid out a nine-hole course on the grounds of their military base in Vacoas, a course that still exists today, known as the Mauritius Gymkhana Club (MGC) – it is the oldest course in the southern hemisphere and the fourth oldest in the world.

Now an 18-holer, you can play it for around £40, as well as soak up history in a clubhouse that bears a distinct resemblance to an old-fashioned English pub. It is a worthwhile dash of history to go with the high-calibre resorts on the island that are manifestly the main reason golfers visit Mauritius.

Dream destination
Holiday golf has developed more impressively on Mauritius than on other similar destinations in the last twenty years. There are now eleven 18-hole courses and a handful of nine-holers on the island – a remarkable number when you consider it is barely more than 2,000sq km in size.

The collection of stellar courses is one reason for this, but far from the only one. The year-round splendid weather, with the average temperature never dipping below 20 C, and sunshine aplenty every month of the year is, needless to say, a key attraction. A varied selection of off-course appeals and the accommodation – which ranges from ultra-luxurious to simple-but-good-value – are two more reasons to draw you to this pristine corner of golfing excellence.

The natural landscape is another, with courses and their resorts set down on some of the most beautiful beaches in the world, as well as cutting through tranquil, colourful indigenous vegetation. The astute, breathtaking use of the coastline by golf resorts in Mauritius is second to none.

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