After you have played a hard game of golf can you picture yourself lounging on a pristine beach, surrounded by palm trees, rum cocktail in hand looking onto a bright blue ocean?

The Mauritian experience is all about feeding the soul and it seems almost everything, from the slow paced atmosphere and delicious food, to the cheerful locals is guaranteed to uplift the spirit of the most stressed out traveller.

Although this island is famous for its lavish resorts and relaxing day spas there is so much else to discover and you could easily stay there for weeks without getting bored. The best method of exploration is to hire a driver, pick a section of the island and spend a day exclusively in that area. The roads are tough to manoeuvre in certain areas, as is getting used to the Mauritian driving skills, but this is a stress-free holiday remember.

If you only want to spend one day on sightseeing then the north of the island will most likely be the first choice. Some sights worth seeing, other than the fantastic beaches, are the Bay of Tortoises and the Balaclava Estate Ruins, the village of Triolet Shivala and its massive white Hindu Temple and the colourful fruit trees and flowers at the Labourdonnais Orchards. End the day in Grand Bay (Grande Baie) - the island's hub for shopping, cuisine, bars and nightclubs.

The town itself is safe and great for walking through, with designer stores lining the streets. If you venture a little away from the main road you'll find local gems, from bikini stores to ‘all-sorts' shops which sell anything and everything. If peckish in between all the shopping, take a short break near a traditional food stall alongside the main road for a treat or two. Don't be afraid to snack on as much of it as possible - there isn't anything unappetising or suspicious about what's on offer.

The east of the island has loads on offer as well, for shopping there is the large open air Flacq Market which attracts buyers and sellers from all over the island. Families and water-junkies will absolutely love the Waterpark Leisure Village, a theme park with giant water chutes located near Belle Mare, as well as Ile aux Cerfs. This island is a paradise all on its own, perched just off the Mauritian east coast and a hotspot for water sports. If you move a little more to the south of the east coast you find the gems such as the

Dutch Ruins at Vieux Grand Port, one of the oldest settlements in Mauritius. Well known for its bird life (remember the Dodo?), Mauritius is a haven to kestrels, pink pigeons and many other endangered species, and they can all be seen in their natural habitat at Ile aux Aigrettes. Another fantastic wildlife experience is found at the 900 hectare Domaine du Chasseur, the Mauritian version of a game park where stags, monkeys, boars and many more animals roam the lush hillside. Of course you also have to experience a true fishing village and Mahébourg is a firm favourite, great for scenic photography and superb fish lunches. A last stop could be made in the seaside resort of Souillac and its famous Telfair gardens and the cliff top view point commonly known as Gris Gris.

The west end of Mauritius is a treasure trove of gorgeous sights, and the one to choose along with the north if you have limited time to explore. You can't miss the salt pans along your drive in Tamarin, one of the natural products in abundance from all the sunshine the area receives. Nature lovers are spoilt for scenery here with another magnificent bird park at Casela, game reserve at Yemen and especially magical Chamarel with its Seven Coloured Earth and waterfalls (detailed in the Five Minute Guide), just watch out for the mosquitos!

Smack bang in the middle of Mauritius and you are deep in island jungle! The sight to see is the gold statue of Shiva at Grand Basin (detailed in the Five Minute Guide), a terrifyingly large statue to try fit into a photograph, and a surprise to see peeking over the trees after driving through the island jungle. The Black River Gorges national park is expansive and awe-inspiring and holds what remains of Mauritius' native forests, keep your eye out for the monkeys while you picnic and enjoy the orchids. The ancient sugar mill at L'Aventure du Sucre exhibits the history of Mauritius and its sugarcane production in an interesting and interactive manner, including tastings of special unrefined sugars as well as the famous local Mauritian rum!

With its melting pot of cultures and diverse history, Mauritius is a kind of home away from home for South Africans, but we often forget to put down the cocktails and go exploring. Mauritius is a haven of gorgeous natural sights and you shouldn't be fooled into thinking there isn't much to see, so the next time you fly to the island, make sure you've brushed up on your basic French and go exploring amongst the local villages and natural wonders!

Jo Anne King