Mauritius doesn’t just have great beaches, it’s got variety, catering to every visitor’s beachside whim.

While Mauritius is a multifaceted and culturally diverse African island with lots to explore, it’s not hard to see why its beaches – picture-perfect stretches of fine white sand and retina-pulling turquoise waters – are a big draw. They each have their own atmosphere: charming jumping-off points for surfing or dolphin-watching, beaches with an off-the-grid vibe, shallow lagoons for little ones to paddle in or secret coves where you can eat al fresco.

Here’s our list of the best beaches in Mauritius to reset and unwind. They’re also great places to get a feel for island culture that has been patched together by people from all over the world who’ve made a little piece of this paradise their own.