Natural, unique yet modern living with all the facilities…

 

Schools

Finding the right school for your children is one of your highest priorities when moving to Mauritius. In and around the Grand Baie area are a number of nursery, primary and secondary schools which offer a superb standard of education in surroundings which are not only conducive to academia, but to the wider, and no less important skills, such as sport, art, and self awareness.

Northfields secondary school

Northfields is located within the Grand Baie catchment area of Mapou. Students sit the IGCSE examination (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) at the end of Year 5 and ultimately study for the International Baccalaureate. This English speaking school has an excellent pass rate and many students elect to continue their education in universities and colleges worldwide. Recently, Northfields opened a new library, art room and computer and science laboratories. They are currently expanding their sports facilities to include a swimming pool, basketball court, football pitch and multi-purpose hall

International Preparatory School
IPS, as it is more frequently referred to, is conveniently situated directly opposite Northfields. This English language primary school is the only primary school in Mauritius which has been accredited by the CIS (Council for International Schools).

Martin Ecol’ette
A private nursery school which accepts children from 18 months to five years. It is an important feeder school for the primary schools in the North of the island and takes pleasure in teaching children French or English through play .

Ecole du Nord
A French language school and is also located in Mapou. It consists of Maternelle, Primaire and College thus encompassing ages three to 16. It is a member of the AEFE or L’Agence pour L’Enseignement de Francais a L’Etranger and as such falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education in France.

Lycees
There are several lycees on the island, thereby allowing French speaking children to continue their education up to university level. Chief among them is the Lycee des Mascareignes, the recipient of many students from Ecole du Nord.

Health Care

You can rest assured that when you move to Mauritius, your health, as well as your wealth, will be cared for. Internationally certified doctors, dentists, nurses, and healthcare professionals are employed at private hospitals and clinics across the island which are, in turn, equipped with up-to-the-minute medical equipment and facilities.

Apollo Bramwell Hospital
The hospital works on the principle of centres of excellence which encompass such fields as the heart, the kidneys and urology, gastroenterology and Neuroscience, to name but a few. It also has a plastic and cosmetic centre.

Fortis- Clinic Darné
Located in Curepipe in the centre of the island, this private hospital is a speed-dial must.

Dentcare
It is housed in a lava stone building in the grounds of an old sugar cane factory in Labourdonnais, in the North of the island . All its dentists speak English and French and qualified in universities in France or the United States.

Recently, a number of clinics have opened specialising in cosmetic surgery (to expand further, depending on sponsorship).

Retirement

If you are looking for a place to retire that offers a gentle pace of life, low cost of living, excellent healthcare facilities, a balmy climate, and property with all the mod cons, then look no further than Mauritius.

Coastal towns to the north of Mauritius, such as Grand Baie, Mont Choisy and Pereybere are ideal locations. With golden sandy beaches, supermarkets offering a range of international products, modern hospitals and clinics, as well as a real feeling of community, they are all excellent choices for mature citizens who are searching for a place in the sun. There is also a very active social French and English community, with bridge clubs, tennis and golf clubs as well as a variety of sailing clubs.

A three year Residence Permit is awarded to retired non-nationals who are able to fulfil the following:

At least 40,000 US Dollars must be transferred to a bank in Mauritius annually (or its equivalent in freely convertible foreign currency)

The applicant should make an initial transfer of at least 40,000 US Dollars (or its equivalent in freely convertible foreign currency) when first settling in Mauritius

A holder of a Residence Permit for retired non-nationals is not allowed to work in Mauritius

Buying Property

A Guide to Renting & Buying Property in Mauritius

The First Step

If you err on the side of caution, you may elect to rent a house or apartment, prior to making the final commitment to buy. The good news is that there are a number of reputable estate agents in Mauritius who will source the perfect pad for you to lease, thereby providing you with a base from which you can get to know the island. Key among the agencies is Pam Golding (insert link). With three offices, strategically located in the North, West and Centre of the island, and a host of experienced sales agents, Pam Golding is an ideal first point of contact when you arrive in Mauritius.

Your Own Home

The age-old idiom, ‘your home is where your heart is’, is never truer than in Mauritius. Through a number of government-approved schemes, non-nationals are able to purchase freehold properties on the island.

From luxurious, Balinese-inspired villas featuring natural materials such as teak and granite, to sleek, contemporary penthouses juxtaposing polished concrete floors with brightly laminated kitchen units; from plunge pools, jacuzzis, gymnasiums, and cafes to 24 hour security and landscaped gardens, Mauritius offers accommodation for every taste and budget.

Today, property developers in Mauritius comply with international standards of construction and this is evident in the finished product. For over 4 years, 2Tribes (insert link) has made it their business to provide newcomers to the area around Grand Baie, often referred to as the Saint Tropez of Mauritius, with upmarket freehold RES villas and apartments which are equal in quality and style to any development in the Western world. Perhaps the only difference is that they come with an added bonus – they have dramatic views of the Indian Ocean (or are within walking distance of the beach).

As non-nationals looking for your dream home on the island – you may be an investor looking to grow your property portfolio, acquire a holiday house or indeed, a primary residence – there are three options:

The Integrated Resort Scheme (IRS) in which properties start at US $500,000 and which provides purchasers with an automatic Residence Permit.

The Real Estate Scheme (RES) – there is no minimum or maximum price set and in general

Leisure

Wild for Water – Water Sports

With a 330 kilometre coastline which is almost entirely surrounded by one of the largest unbroken coral reefs in the world, Mauritius is a water sports paradise.

Diving down
Beginners may opt to dive in one of the many lagoons which are scattered around the island’s periphery, whereas the more experienced divers can test their skills by exploring the ancient wrecks which made the seabed their home hundreds of years ago. You will find the Mauritian sea life rich and varied, with brightly coloured fish jostling for space amongst the vast coral formations. We highly recommend Nico Kux’s run dive centre in Grand Baie, Kuxville. Nico is island famous for owning and running the best dives on the island.

KiteSurfing
Anse La Raie to the North of Grand Baie is fast becoming infamous for its large sandy bay and reef break further out. There are a number of kite schools operating in the vicinity but again we highly recommend Nico Kux’s Kitecentre

Sailing the High Seas
Caran and yacht excursions to one of the nearby islands (Coin de Mire, Isle Plat, Isle au Gabriel) are a grt way to get that holiday feeling, even when you are well established in Mauritius. It is not unusual to see dolphins and whales, particularly during August and September. Alternatively, take a Pirogue (wooden fisherman’s boat) and navigate the channels made by Mangroves for a really authentic Mauritian experience. [/learn_more]

Be Grounded – Land Sports

Those who prefer terra firma can pack their back packs and hike along Black River Gorges, or through the countryside around Bel Ombre and Valriche. Other options include rock-climbing in the canyons, quad-biking, cycling, horse-riding and golf (while under British rule, Mauritius became the third country in the world to be introduced to the sport).

Shop Till You Drop – Shopping and Retail

Today, you can buy almost anything in Mauritius. French cheeses, Australian meat, South African wine and even biltong, Indian rice and Phoenix Beer from Mauritius make their appearance in the various international supermarkets which have sprung up all over the island.

Bustling Markets
If you want to combine the practical with the theatrical, visit the one of the many local markets. Not only are they very reasonably priced, but they are alive with the sounds of traders haggling with seasoned bargain hunters. Stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables, often grown in small gardens around the island, sit alongside tables groaning under the weight of household appliances imported from China. A medley of unusual and unexpected smells, sounds and colours will ensure that your trip to the market is a memorable one.

Notable markets:
Grand Baie market is a tourist paradise – t-shirts and sarongs, jewellery and woven baskets all make great gifts and will not break the bank.
Go to Goodlands market on Tuesdays or Fridays for textiles / garment or Wednesdays and Saturdays for vegetables and fruits.
Flaq market, on the East coast, is a colourful open air market where haggling is considered an art form.