The ‘secluded’ island that’s a new favourite among Love Islanders with snorkel trips, dolphin cruises and wild monkeys
“NAME anywhere else in the world you can do this?” Kai Fagan asks me, grinning.
The former Love Island contestant reels off tales of his dreamy yacht day spent snorkelling among tropical fish, feeding wild monkeys and watching dolphins soar through the ocean while the sun set in the background.
This trip took place on the island of Mauritius, which he’s just returned from with partner and fellow Love Islander, Sanam Harrinanan.
It’s not the usual holiday destination for former contestants, both Kai and Sanam admit.
“Mauritius is beautiful though – it’s a little secluded island,” says Kai.
“Normally, I like to do some activities when I go away, but this was a relaxing resort holiday – exactly what Mauritius is made for.”
This was the couple’s first ever getaway together, celebrating Sanam’s birthday with Travel Republic and Le Méridien Ile Maurice on the northern coast of the island was the perfect place to spend it, they tell me.
“Our hotel was stunning,” Sanam says.“Five restaurants, entertainment, everything.”
Although there was a clear favourite when it came to day time grub, the couple tell me: Le Méridien’s beach club bar.
“We went back about three times because [Kai] loved it so much – it was the beef Wagyu burger he kept ordering,” Sanam laughs.
It’s not just the food that caught the couples’ eyes either.
“One night we had cocktails from a mixologist that they’d flown in from Italy, then we had a wine tasting day with a man who had travelled the world – they had all these experts all in one space,” says Kai.
After something a little stiffer?
Go rum-tasting, the couple suggest, with the island home to rows and rows of sugar cane plants that produce the dark, sweet booze.
Aside from a room with a beach view and sliding doors into a plush bathroom, the standout feature of the resort for Kai and Sanam was the long jetty leading from the hotel’s beach and straight into the ocean where fisherman were sat waiting for their daily catch.
And if hospitality is a big factor in deciding on your holiday destination, then Mauritius takes the biscuit.
“Anything we needed, they were there,” says Sanam. “You’d go to make a drink and they’d tell you to sit down and relax as you’re on holiday and make it for you.”
If you do like to get out and about then there’s paddle boarding – which is tougher than you think, admits Kai, who had his fair share of sea wobbles during his attempts.
Plus there’s boat trips to even smaller island’s off the Mauritian coast.
Fancy walking in Kai and Sanam’s footsteps?
You can book a seven-night getaway to the same hotel with Travel Republic for £2,089pp, on a half-board basis, including flights from Gatwick on October 5.
Prices correct at the time of going to press.