Indian Ocean, one or two stops
Flights to Mauritius from the US and Canada
Mauritius is a long way from North America and worth the two connections it usually takes. How the routing works, when to go, and what the island is like once you land.
By All Travel Fun. Published November 1, 2026.
How you get there
There is no nonstop from North America. The practical routings are through the Gulf on Emirates or Qatar Airways, through Paris on Air France or Air Mauritius, through London on British Airways, or through Johannesburg. Total time is 20 to 26 hours from the US east coast. The Gulf routings often have the shortest connections and the best fares; Paris lets you break the trip in Europe.
Because every itinerary connects, the agent's job is choosing the connection that is protected on one ticket and long enough to survive a delay. Say if you would rather have one long layover than two short ones.
When to go
Mauritius sits in the southern hemisphere: its summer runs November to April, hot and humid with the cyclone season peaking January to March; its winter, May to October, is dry and mild with highs in the 70s Fahrenheit. September and October are the sweet spot for weather and fares. December and January are the peak for Europeans on holiday.
Where people stay
The north around Grand Baie has the most hotels and nightlife; the east coast at Belle Mare has the long beaches and the trade winds; the south-west around Le Morne and Flic en Flac has the mountain backdrop and the calmest lagoon. Resorts dominate, many of them half-board or all-inclusive, and most tours collect from the lobbies.
What there is to do
Catamaran days to the islands off the north and east coasts, swimming with dolphins off Tamarin in the early morning, the Black River Gorges and the coloured earth at Chamarel, the botanical garden at Pamplemousses and the street food in Port Louis. The reef keeps the lagoon flat; the surf is outside it.
Documents
US and Canadian citizens get visa-free entry for tourism with a passport valid for the stay, a return ticket and an address. Check the current rules before you fly. English is official and widely spoken, French and Creole more so.
Questions before you call
How long is the flight to Mauritius from New York?
About 20 to 24 hours with one connection, depending on the layover. There is no nonstop from North America.
Is Mauritius expensive?
The resorts are priced like the Caribbean's upper half; food and transport outside them are reasonable. The flight is the largest single cost, which is why the agent compares every routing.