Lagoon Versus Cliff
The two coastlines could not be more different. In Mauritius, the reef sits offshore and the water in front of most resorts stays waist to chest deep for a long way out. It is warm all year and good for kayaks, paddleboards and lazy snorkeling. Le Morne, with its UNESCO-listed mountain above a long lagoon, is the most dramatic setting. Belle Mare has the longest white beaches.
Uluwatu is all about the edge. Tall limestone cliffs drop to water that shifts from turquoise to deep blue, broken by small beaches such as Padang Padang, Bingin and Suluban, reached by long flights of steps. Many of these beaches have strong waves and currents because of the surf breaks, so swimming is often best in your villa pool.
If you picture yourselves floating in calm water, Mauritius wins. If you picture yourselves watching the sunset from a cliff with a drink in hand, Uluwatu does it better.
Seasons
Mauritius has two seasons. Summer, from about November to April, is hot and humid with short tropical downpours, especially from January to March. It also brings cyclone risk. Winter, from May to October, is drier and cooler, with breezy east and south coasts from June to August. The sweet spots are April to early June and September to early December. October is usually the driest month.
Uluwatu's dry season runs roughly April to October, with sunny days, lower humidity and the most reliable sunsets. It is also prime surf season on the west-facing breaks. July, August and the Christmas holidays are busiest. May, June and September are excellent alternatives. The wet season, from about November to March, brings heavier showers, often in the afternoon or evening, along with lower rates.
May, June, September and October work well for both. Dengue occurs in Mauritius and Bali, so if you're pregnant or hoping to be soon, check CDC travel health notices.
Getting There From the US
Neither has nonstop flights from the US, but the routes point in different directions.
For Mauritius, most couples fly Emirates through Dubai, with a long first leg and a shorter hop of about six and a half hours. Air France and Air Mauritius fly from Paris, British Airways from London and Turkish Airlines from Istanbul. Door to door is roughly 20 to 26 hours into Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Airport (MRU). Transfers to Le Morne take about 75 to 90 minutes.
For Uluwatu, you fly into Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport (DPS), usually through Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei or Hong Kong. Total travel time often runs past 20 hours. The airport is only about 30 to 45 minutes from Uluwatu, depending on traffic, which makes it an easy first or last stop.
West Coast couples often find Bali's Pacific routing simpler. East Coast couples may prefer Mauritius via Dubai or Europe.
Where to Stay
Mauritius has polished beach resorts, usually on half board. On the Le Morne peninsula, LUX* Le Morne, The St. Regis Le Morne and Paradis Beachcomber share one of the best lagoons on the island. On the east coast, Constance Prince Maurice sits near Belle Mare. In the south, Heritage Le Telfair occupies a quiet stretch of Bel Ombre. Many couples split their stay between two coasts and finish near the airport.
Uluwatu's clifftops hold some of Bali's best resorts. Bulgari Resort Bali sits roughly 500 feet above the ocean, with private pool villas, an inclinator down to a long beach and Il Ristorante, led by Italian chef Niko Romito. Alila Villas Uluwatu has contemporary architecture by WOHA, pool villas with open-air pavilions and the famous Sunset Cabana suspended over the cliff.
Uluwatu also has many private villas near Bingin and Padang Padang for couples who want to surf at dawn.
Costs
The two are closer in price than you might expect. All figures are approximate.
In Mauritius, four-star beach hotels often run $250 to $450 a night for two with breakfast or half board. Five-star resorts typically start around $600 and can pass $1,500 in peak weeks. Street snacks such as dholl puri cost a dollar or two, while dinner for two at a local restaurant might be $40 to $80. A rental car runs roughly $30 to $50 a day.
In Uluwatu, the top clifftop resorts run from several hundred to well over a thousand dollars a night. Smaller villas near Bingin can cost $150 to $400. Outside the resorts, beach cafes, warungs and drivers are inexpensive. Imported wine and spirits are pricey across Indonesia because of import taxes.
Bali's lower daily costs and cheaper villas give Uluwatu the edge for tighter budgets. At the five-star level, the two are similar.
Days Out Together
Mauritius gives you a whole island within reach. Drive up to Chamarel for the Seven Coloured Earths and the waterfall. Hike a Black River Gorges trail in the cool morning hours. Take an early boat from Tamarin to see spinner dolphins, choosing an operator that keeps its distance. Spend a morning at the Port Louis Central Market, then visit Pamplemousses botanical garden. Book a catamaran to the northern islets or a boat to Île aux Cerfs.
Uluwatu's days follow the tide and the sun. Watch the Kecak fire dance on the cliffside at Uluwatu Temple at sunset, keeping sunglasses and hats secure from the macaques. Spend a lazy day at Padang Padang or Bingin. Take a surf lesson together on a gentler break your instructor chooses. Book a Balinese flower bath and couples massage. Head north to Jimbaran Bay for grilled seafood on the sand.
For temples in both places, cover shoulders and knees.
Building Each Trip
Mauritius works best as a ten-day honeymoon on its own. Start with three or four nights at Le Morne or the west coast, with day trips to Chamarel and the gorges. Move north to Grand Baie for catamaran days and dinners out, then finish on the east coast at Belle Mare, close to the airport. With fourteen days, add a few nights on Rodrigues, a rustic island about 90 minutes away by plane.
Uluwatu is usually one part of a Bali trip. Plan at least three nights there, ideally at the end, since it is close to the airport. Before that, spend three or four nights in Ubud for rice terraces, temples and jungle villas, about 1.5 to 2 hours away by car. With more time, add Sumba or the Gili Islands.
In short, Mauritius is a self-contained island honeymoon. Uluwatu is the coastal finale of a richer Bali itinerary.
