A volcano erupted on White Island, New Zealand on 9 December 2019. Follow the instructions of local authorities. Updates are available from the New Zealand Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management.
Call 995.
Call 114 for Service Aide Medicale d'Urgence, a free state-run ambulance and emergency service.
Go direct to a hospital.
Call 118 for Darne private clinic.
Call 999 or visit the nearest police station.
Call 210 3894 or 686 5500 for the tourist police.
Exercise normal safety precautions in Mauritius.
Exercise normal safety precautions
Use common sense and look out for suspicious behaviour, as you would in Australia.
Crime levels are low. But petty crime occurs, including pickpocketing and bag snatching. Don't walk alone after dark. Use ATMs in banks, hotels and shops, not on the street.
Some travellers have been robbed and assaulted in unregistered beachside bungalows. Stay in accommodation that's registered by local authorities.
Rallies and protests occur sometimes. These can turn violent. Avoid large public gatherings.
Cyclone season is from November to May, but cyclones can happen at any time. Cyclones and heavy rainfall can cause flooding and disrupt services. Know how to evacuate from your hotel or cruise ship.
Mauritius can experience tsunamis. Know the warning signs and move to high ground straight away. Don't wait for official alerts.
Full travel advice: Safety
Insect-borne diseases include dengue, malaria and chikungunya. The risk of malaria is low. Ensure your accommodation is insect-proof. Use insect repellent. Consider taking anti-malarial medication.
HIV/AIDS is a risk. Take precautions if you're taking part in high-risk activities.
Swine flu (influenza H1N1), occurs. Consider getting vaccinated before you travel.
Foodborne, waterborne and other infectious diseases include hepatitis and tuberculosis. Drink only boiled or bottled water. Avoid raw or undercoooked food.
The standard of public medical facilities varies. Most travellers go to private doctors or clinics. If you're seriously ill or injured, you may need medical evacuation. Ensure your travel insurance covers this.
Full travel advice: Health
Don't use or carry illegal drugs. Penalties for drug offences include prison sentences of up to 60 years and heavy fines.
Know and follow local laws. It's illegal to buy counterfeit or pirated goods. It's also illegal to own cigarette papers or rolling machines used to make cigarettes.
If you break the law, you may need to stay in Mauritius to wait for your court hearing.
Same-sex relations are legal, but it's illegal to take part in sodomy, regardless of gender.
Mauritius has conservative dress and behaviour standards. Take care not to offend, especially when visiting rural areas or religious sites, and attending religious events.
Full travel advice: Local laws
You can get a 'free of charge' visa on arrival if you're staying less than 60 days. For other types of visits, you'll need a visa. Contact your nearest Mauritian embassy or consulate for details.
If you can't show proof of an accommodation booking, immigration officials may not let you enter Mauritius.
If you've come from a country known to have malaria, the Mauritian Health Department will ask you to do a blood test.
Carry your yellow fever vaccination certificate if you're coming from a country where yellow fever is present. You'll need to show it to enter.
Transport and tour operators may not follow safety or maintenance standards. For water-based activities, ask if your operator has a valid Ministry of Tourism permit. Also ask if they are able to contact the coast guard if necessary.
There have been no pirate attacks in Mauritius's waters, however piracy is a major threat in the Indian Ocean. If you're travelling by boat, check the International Maritime Bureau's piracy reports.
Full travel advice: Travel
The Consular Services Charter details what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
For consular help, contact the Australian High Commission in Port Louis.
Full travel advice: Local contacts
Crime levels in Mauritius are low. However, petty crime happens and includes:
pickpocketing
bag snatching
theft
street robbery near ATMs
Some incidents of assault, rape and murder have occurred, including in resorts.
The risk increases:
after dark
on beaches
in poorly lit city streets
in secluded areas
The rate of crime is higher in downtown Port Louis and in the coastal tourist centres of:
Grand Bay
Pereybere
Flic en Flac
Staying at unregistered beachside bungalows can also be dangerous. Some travellers have been assaulted and robbed at such accommodation.
Stay in accommodation that's registered with local authorities.
To protect yourself from crime:
be aware of your surroundings
watch your belongings
avoid walking alone at night
Avoid using ATMs on the street. Use ATMs in:
banks
shops
hotels
shopping centres
Stay alert when withdrawing cash.
Mauritian authorities now use camera surveillance, particularly in tourist areas.
Rallies and demonstrations occur sometimes.
Public protests and events that draw large groups of people can turn violent.
To protect yourself during periods of unrest:
avoid all crowds and demonstrations
monitor the media and avoid protest areas
follow the instructions of local authorities
More information:
Transport and tour operators don't always follow safety and maintenance standards. This includes adventure activities like diving and swimming with dolphins.
Travellers have died in accidents during water-based activities.
If you plan to do an adventure activity:
check if your travel insurance policy covers it
use only well-known and registered operators
ask about and insist on minimum safety requirements
always use available safety gear, such as life jackets or seatbelts
If proper safety equipment isn't available, use another provider.
For water-based activities, ask if your operator:
has a valid permit issued by the Ministry of Tourism
is equipped to contact the coast guard if necessary
Mauritius can experience natural disasters and severe weather, including:
Monitor local media and other sources including:
If a natural disaster occurs:
secure your passport in a safe, waterproof place
follow the advice of local authorities
keep in touch with your friends and family
ask your tour operator if tourist services at your destination have been affected
Cyclone season is from November to May. However, cyclones can occur throughout the year.
Cyclones can cause:
floods
gale force winds
property damage
disruptions to services
The direction and strength of cyclones can change with little warning.
If there's a cyclone or severe tropical storm:
you may get stuck in the area
flights could be delayed or suspended
available flights may fill quickly
ports may close
shelter may not be available
Stay up to date on weather conditions and forecasts. Monitor the World Meteorological Organisation Severe Weather Information Centre.
If a cyclone is approaching or a warning is in place:
know how to evacuate from your hotel or cruise ship
identify your local shelter
For up-to-date cyclone information:
call 8996 from a landline
call 171 from a mobile phone
Mauritius can experience high levels of rainfall. This can cause severe floods.
Stay up to date on weather conditions and forecasts throughout your stay.
Mauritius can experience tsunamis.
Be alert to warnings. A tsunami can arrive within minutes of a nearby tremor or earthquake.
To receive tsunami alerts, register with the Global Disaster Alert and Co-ordination System.
To protect yourself from tsunamis, move immediately to high ground if you:
are advised by local authorities
feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
hear loud and unusual noises from the sea
Don't wait for official warnings.
Once on high ground, monitor local media.
Get comprehensive travel insurance before you leave. Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.
If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.
If you're not insured, you may have to pay many 1000s of dollars up-front for medical care.
Confirm:
what activities and care your policy covers
that your insurance covers you for the whole time you'll be away
Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition.
See your doctor or travel clinic to:
have a basic health check-up
ask if your travel plans may affect your health
plan any vaccinations you need
Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.
More information:
Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.
If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Mauritius. Take enough legal medicine for your trip.
Carry a copy of your prescription and a dated letter from your doctor stating:
what the medicine is
how much you'll take
that it's for personal use
More information:
Insect-borne illnesses occur, particularly in the warmer months from October to May.
Disease risks include:
Some cases of malaria are reported in Mauritius. There's no risk on Rodrigues Island.
To protect yourself from disease:
make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
use insect repellent
wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing
consider taking medicine to prevent malaria
Get medical advice if you develop a fever, muscle pain, a rash or a bad headache.
HIV/AIDS is a risk. Take precautions if taking part in activities that put you at risk of infection.
Swine flu (influenza A H1N1) occurs.
Have a flu shot before travelling.
More information:
Waterborne, foodborne, parasitic and other infectious diseases are a risk, including:
Serious outbreaks sometimes occur.
To protect yourself from illness:
drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
avoid raw or undercoooked food, such as salads
Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.
More information:
The standard of public medical facilities varies.
Most travellers go to private doctors or clinics. You will usually need to pay upfront before they will treat you.
There's only one decompression chamber, at Victoria Hospital in Quatre Bornes.
If you become seriously ill or injured, you may need to be flown to South Africa or another place with better facilities. Medical evacuation can be very expensive.
You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.
If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.
Legal cases take a long time to process. If you become involved in a legal matter, you may have to stay in Mauritius until your case is resolved.
Maurutius has severe penalties for drug offences, including fines and jail terms of up to 60 years.
More information:
In Mauritius, it's illegal to:
buy counterfeit or pirated goods
take part in sodomy, regardless of gender
own cigarette papers or rolling machines used to make cigarettes
Same-sex relationships are legal, however Mauritian society is conservative. Avoid public displays of affection.
More information:
Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you're overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.
More information:
Mauritius has conservative standards of dress and behaviour.
Take care not to offend, especially if you visit:
rural areas
a shrine, temple, mosque or other religious site
a religious event
Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders.
Make sure you meet all entry and exit conditions. If you don't, the Australian Government can't help you.
If you're staying less than 60 days a 'free of charge' visa will be provided to you on arrival. For other types of visits, you'll need to apply for a visa prior to your travel.
Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the nearest embassy or consulate for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.
You must give details of your accommodation on arrival. If you can't show proof of a booking, immigration officials may not let you enter.
If you're arriving from a country known to have malaria, you'll receive a follow-up visit from the Mauritian Health Department. You must do a blood test for the malaria-causing parasite.
You need a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Mauritius if you're arriving from a country with yellow fever.
More information:
Some countries won't let you enter unless your passport is valid for 6 months after you plan to leave that country. This can apply even if you're just transiting or stopping over.
Some foreign governments and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. Travellers can receive conflicting advice from different sources.
You can end up stranded if your passport is not valid for more than 6 months.
The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport's expiry date before you travel. If you're not sure it'll be valid for long enough, consider getting a new passport.
Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.
Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.
If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:
In Australia, contact the Australian Passport Information Service.
If you're overseas, contact the nearest Australian embassy or consulate.
The local currency is the Mauritius Rupee (MUR).
Declare all amounts of more than MUR 500,000 when you arrive and depart. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.
Don't change money on the street. Use banks and official exchange bureaus.
ATMs are common in most towns and in large shopping centres.
You can use credit cards at most hotels, restaurants and large shops.
Ask your bank if your cards will work in Mauritius.
To drive in Mauritius, you need to be at least 18 years old and have either:
a valid Australian driver's licence; or
an International Driving Permit (IDP)
Obtain your IDP before leaving Australia.
More information:
Mauritius Police Force Traffic Branch, phone: (+230) 208 1212
You're twice as likely to be killed in a motor vehicle accident in Mauritius as in Australia. Mauritius has a zero tolerance policy on alcohol consumption and driving.
Hazards include:
poorly maintained and unlit narrow roads
pedestrians and stray dogs on roads
motorcyclists
deep ditches beside roads
lack of guardrails
If you plan to drive:
check you have the right insurance cover
get to know local traffic laws and practices
More information:
Make sure your insurance policy covers you before riding a motorbike or similar vehicle.
Always wear a helmet.
Use only registered taxis and limousines. Try to book them through your hotel.
Book in advance if you're travelling at night.
Public and private buses run:
between all main town centres from 5am to 11pm
in remote areas until 6pm
More information:
Cruise liners visit Mauritius.
There have been no pirate attacks in Mauritius's territorial waters. However, piracy is a major threat in the Indian Ocean.
Don't travel within 1000 nautical miles (1852km) off the Somali coast. Sailing vessels are a target for pirates. Read piracy reports from the International Maritime Bureau.
More information:
DFAT doesn't provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.
Check Mauritius' air safety profile with the Aviation Safety Network.
More information:
Depending on what you need, contact your:
family and friends
airline
travel agent
tour operator
employer
insurance provider
Call 995.
Call 114 for Service Aide Medicale d'Urgence, a free state-run ambulance and emergency service.
Go direct to a hospital.
Call 118 for Darne private clinic.
Call 999 or visit the nearest police station.
Call 210 3894 or 686 5500 for the tourist police.
Always get a police report when you report a crime.
Your insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.
Contact your provider with any complaints about tourist services or products.
Check the Consular Services Charter for what the Australian Government can and can't do to help you overseas.
Get consular help from the high commission in Port Louis.
2nd Floor, Rogers House
5 President John Kennedy Street
Port Louis, Mauritius
Phone: (+230) 202 0160
Fax: (+230) 208 8878
Website: mauritius.highcommission.gov.au
Facebook: Australia in Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar and Comoros
Twitter: @AusHC_MU
Check the High Commission website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.
In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:
+61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
1300 555 135 in Australia
Be the first to know official government advice when travelling.