Size and population
Mauritius
2,040 km², about 1.3 million residents. More densely populated than Reunion Island.
Reunion Island
2,512 km², about 870,000 residents. Bigger but less densely populated.
Practical FAQ · Choosing a destination
Mauritius or Reunion Island? A detailed comparison to help you choose
Two islands in the Indian Ocean, 170 km apart and just 45 minutes by plane, yet two completely different holidays. Mauritius is lagoons, resorts and an easy English-speaking welcome. Reunion Island, a French department, is volcanoes, cirques and the finest hiking in the Indian Ocean. Here's how to pick, or how to do both.
12 criteria compared6 profiles of travellers45 min flight between the twoA 10-15 day combo possible
Updated in September 2026
The two-sentence takeaway
Mauritius is the beach and lagoon choice (an almost continuous coral ring, resort hotels, a luxury Indian Ocean atmosphere). Reunion Island is the nature and adventure choice (an active volcano, cirques, 1,000 km of marked trails, hiking up to 3,070 m). To explore Mauritius, see the Mauritius hub; for Reunion Island, see my 10-day itinerary.
You're on Sous Les Étoiles 974
The independent guide to planning your trip to Reunion Island
To plan the Reunion Island half of the trip, I bring together over 470 partner activities (helicopter, paragliding, hiking, whale-watching cruises, airport transfers...), a catalogue of hotels and gîtes across all 24 municipalities, and dozens of practical guides. An independent site run by someone passionate about Reunion Island.
On a map, Mauritius and Reunion Island look like twins: two tropical islands east of Madagascar, 170 km apart, with Creole languages and cuisines in common. On the ground, they could hardly be more different, and the right choice depends on whether you want to switch off or get your boots dirty.
Mauritiusis an independent republic (since 1968) and a Commonwealth member, where English is the language of administration. Most of its 1.3 million people are of Indian descent, and an almost unbroken lagoon rings the island, giving it about 300 km of white-sand beaches: the Indian Ocean's classic beach destination.
Reunion Islandhas been part of France since 1946, as an overseas department, so it uses the euro and sits inside the EU. It is slightly bigger (2,512 km²) and far less crowded (870,000 residents), with a wild volcanic interior that tops out at 3,070 m on Piton des Neiges and includes Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world's most active volcanoes. The lagoon is limited to a 25 km strip on the west coast: this is an island for hikers and outdoor lovers first.
Below you'll find the two islands compared on 12 criteria (climate, beaches, hiking, language, currency, getting there, prices and more), a verdict for 6 types of traveller, and a sample plan for combining both in 10 to 15 days.
Mauritius
300 km of beaches and an almost continuous lagoon
12 criteria side by side
Mauritius vs Reunion Island: a detailed comparison
Official figures, geography, currency, prices, flights and climate: exactly what changes from one island to the other.
Status
Mauritius
An independent republic since 1968, a Commonwealth member. Capital: Port Louis.
Reunion Island
A French overseas department and region since 1946. Main town: Saint-Denis.
Official language
Mauritius
English (administration), Mauritian Creole (spoken), French widely used. Many people are trilingual, which makes it easy going for English speakers.
Reunion Island
French (official), Reunion Creole (everyday use). English is rarely spoken outside tourist areas, so a few words of French go a long way.
Currency
Mauritius
Mauritian rupee (MUR). €1 ≈ 50 MUR. Cards are widely accepted.
Reunion Island
Euro (€), since the island is part of France and the EU. French banks, and cards work as they do in mainland France.
Getting there
Mauritius
From Paris: about 11 hours direct, with Air Mauritius, Air France or Corsair, plus seasonal flights from Beauvais. From elsewhere: check the connections from your home airport.
Reunion Island
From Paris: about 11 hours direct, with Air Austral, Air France, Corsair or French Bee, with daily flights. From elsewhere: check the connections from your home airport.
Visa and formalities
Mauritius
French nationals get a free 90-day visa on arrival and need a passport. Other nationalities: check the official rules for your passport.
Reunion Island
No visa for French and EU nationals, an ID card is enough (it's a French department). Other nationalities: check the entry rules for your passport.
Climate
Mauritius
Tropical maritime, a milder southern-hemisphere winter (22-26°C in July). Sea temperature 22-28°C.
Reunion Island
A contrasted tropical climate, a cooler southern-hemisphere winter (18-25°C in July). Sea temperature 22-28°C depending on the west coast.
Beaches and lagoon
Mauritius
An almost unbroken lagoon around the island (300 km of beaches), fine white sand. Mauritius's strength.
Reunion Island
The lagoon is limited to the west coast (Saint-Gilles to Étang-Salé, 25 km). The rest is wild coastline or cliffs.
Terrain and hiking
Mauritius
Peaks of 600 to 828 m at most (Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire). Hiking exists but stays modest.
Reunion Island
Piton des Neiges at 3,070 m, an active volcano at 2,632 m, three cirques, over 1,000 km of marked trails.
Cuisine
Mauritius
An Indo-Creole-Chinese-French blend: briani, dholl puri, chilli cakes, vindaye, fried noodles.
Reunion Island
A well-defined Creole cuisine: sausage rougail (a spicy tomato-based stew), chicken curry, chayote gratin, samosas, sweet-potato cake.
Accommodation
Mauritius
A high density of all-inclusive resort hotels (Beachcomber, LUX, Constance), lagoon bungalows.
Reunion Island
More rural gîtes, Creole cottages, independent hotels. Few resort chains, few all-inclusive options.
Annual tourism
Mauritius
About 1.3-1.4 million visitors a year. An economy heavily oriented towards international tourism.
Reunion Island
About 500,000 visitors a year, mostly from mainland France. A more niche market.
Reunion Island
Piton de la Fournaise and 1,000 km of trails
Recommendation by profile
Mauritius, Reunion Island or both: my verdict by type of traveller
Six typical profiles, each with a reasoned recommendation. Where both islands hold up equally well, combining them can be the best answer.
Honeymoons and romantic trips
→ MauritiusAn all-inclusive resort by the lagoon, deserted beaches, upscale spas, golf and boat trips on request. Hotel standardisation is an asset here.
Families with young children
→ MauritiusA protected lagoon, flat and safe beaches, kids' clubs in hotels, English-speaking doctors available. Daily life simplified by hotel services.
Hikers and nature lovers
→ Reunion IslandThree cirques, the GR R1 and GR R2 trails, Piton des Neiges, Piton de la Fournaise, marked trails, mountain gîtes, UNESCO primary forests. Nothing comparable on Mauritius.
Budget and backpacker trips
→ Reunion IslandCamping allowed in marked zones, affordable ONF (state forestry office) gîtes, French supermarket chains and prices you can plan around. Van rentals at €50-90/day. No currency exchange if you already use euros.
Adventure and extreme sports
→ Reunion IslandParagliding in Saint-Leu, canyoning, helicopter flights, enduro mountain biking, surfing in Saint-Leu, coral diving. Mauritius has kitesurfing and diving, but Reunion Island packs in far more adrenaline.
Culinary and cultural trips
→ ComboMauritius for Indo-Mauritian cuisine (Port Louis street food, the central market), Reunion Island for sausage rougail, curry and Creole festivals. Visiting both in 10-15 days is doable via an inter-island flight (45 min, Air Austral or Air Mauritius).
Two trips, two countries
Combining both islands over 10 to 15 days
Mauritius + Reunion Island combo
A typical 10-12 day combined trip
Instead of choosing, many travellers prefer to string both islands together. The inter-island flight takes just 45 minutes and costs €200-350 return.
Phase 1 · Mauritius, 4 to 6 days
Arrival at SSR (Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam), staying on the west or north coast. Itinerary: lagoon downtime, scuba diving, Île aux Cerfs, Pamplemousses, Le Morne, the Seven Coloured Earths in Chamarel, Port Louis (the central market, Le Caudan).
Typical accommodation: a 3-5 star resort, half-board or all-inclusive, to unwind.
Phase 2 · Reunion Island, 6 to 8 days
A 45-minute inter-island flight to Saint-Denis or Saint-Pierre. Itinerary: a driving tour of the island, climbing Piton des Neiges, hiking in Mafate, the Piton de la Fournaise volcano, diving in Saint-Leu, whale watching from June to October, the Saint-Paul market.
Typical accommodation: a mix of rural gîtes in the Hauts and a coastal hotel for transition nights.
Good to know: Air Austral and Air Mauritius operate several daily flights between the two islands. Booking the inter-island ticket at the same timeas the long-haul flight often gets a better combined rate. You'll need your passport for Mauritius. French and EU citizens can enter Reunion Island with an ID card; everyone else should check the entry rules for their passport before booking.
Frequently asked questions
Mauritius or Reunion Island: your questions answered
Which island should you choose, Mauritius or Reunion Island?
It depends on the type of trip. For beaches, a protected lagoon and all-inclusive resorts, Mauritius is unbeatable with its near-continuous coral ring. For hiking, a volcano, cirques and raw landscapes, Reunion Island wins by a wide margin. In short, Mauritius means relaxation and Reunion Island means adventure. Both islands can also be combined over 10 to 15 days.
What's the distance between Mauritius and Reunion Island?
About 170 km as the crow flies. The inter-island flight takes 45 minutes, operated daily by Air Austral and Air Mauritius from Roland Garros to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam (SSR). Expect €200-350 return depending on the season. It's possible to combine both islands in a single trip.
Which island is bigger, Mauritius or Reunion Island?
Reunion Island, at 2,512 km² against 2,040 km² for Mauritius. Reunion Island is therefore about 23% bigger. Mauritius, however, has 1.3 million residents against 870,000 in Reunion Island, meaning a higher population density in Mauritius (about 640 people/km² against 346 in Reunion Island).
Is Mauritius cheaper than Reunion Island?
For local food and dining, yes: a dholl puri costs 30 rupees (~€0.60), a meal at a local eatery €5-10. In Reunion Island, prices are close to mainland French levels: a full curry meal at a canteen costs €12-15. On accommodation, Mauritius has a wider range: €40-500 depending on the standard. In Reunion Island, €30-300.
Do you need a visa to go to Mauritius?
Not for French nationals: a free 90-day visa is issued on arrival, and a passport valid for 6 months after the departure date is mandatory. For Reunion Island, French and EU nationals need no visa or passport: an ID card is enough, as it's a French department. Entry rules depend on your nationality, so if you hold another passport, check the official requirements of both destinations before booking.
What's the best time to go to Mauritius and Reunion Island?
The southern-hemisphere winter (May to October) for both islands: less rain, no cyclones, pleasant temperatures. Mauritius stays warmer and more humid in winter. Reunion Island is better for hiking during this period. Avoid January to March (peak cyclone season, maximum rainfall, muddy trails).
Is there a better lagoon in Mauritius or Reunion Island?
Mauritius wins by a wide margin. Its lagoon surrounds almost the entire island, across about 300 km of beaches, with a well-preserved coral reef more than 300 m from shore. In Reunion Island, the lagoon is limited to a 25 km strip on the west coast (Saint-Gilles to Étang-Salé), with a fragile reef closer to shore.
And for hiking, which of the two islands is better?
Reunion Island, without a doubt. Piton des Neiges at 3,070 m, the active Piton de la Fournaise volcano at 2,632 m, three U-shaped cirques (Cilaos, Mafate, Salazie), the GR R1 and GR R2 trails totalling over 1,000 km of marked paths, 100 high-altitude gîtes. Mauritius has modest terrain (Le Morne at 556 m, Pieter Both at 820 m) but without the trail network or the altitude.
Which cuisine is more distinctive, Mauritius or Reunion Island's?
Both have blended Creole cuisines, but with different dominant influences. Mauritius is marked by a strong Indian influence (briani, dholl puri, chilli cakes, vindaye). Reunion Island keeps a French backbone with Indian, African and Chinese influences (sausage rougail, chicken curry, samosas, bouchons, which are steamed dumplings). Despite the apparent similarity, they end up very different.
Can you combine Mauritius and Reunion Island in a single trip?
Yes, it's an increasingly popular option. The inter-island flight takes 45 minutes, and a Reunion-Mauritius return ticket costs around €200-350 depending on the season. A combined 10-15 day trip allows for 4-7 days in Mauritius (beaches, lagoon) and 6-10 days in Reunion Island (hiking, volcano, cirques). See my Mauritius hub for activity details.
Which island is safer?
Both are among the safest destinations in the Indian Ocean. Mauritius has a low crime rate, especially in tourist areas. Reunion Island has French public services (police, hospitals). Standard precautions apply everywhere: no flashy jewellery, watch out for bag-snatching in Port Louis or Saint-Denis.
Which island should you choose for a first trip to the Indian Ocean?
It depends on your profile. For a classic sun-beach-cocktail trip, Mauritius is the safe bet. For a trip that mixes landscapes, culture and nature, and isn't limited to the beach, Reunion Island offers more impressive variety. If you're torn, a 10-12 day combo settles the question.
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Related pages on the site
Page updated in September 2026.