La Pirogue

La Pirogue is a beach resort on the west coast of Mauritius, at Flic en Flac in the Black River district. The property runs along a stretch of white sand facing a turquoise lagoon, with the reef breaking the swell offshore. It is built low and close to the ground: 248 individual cottages, thatched in a style borrowed from local fishing boats, are set among coconut groves and gardens rather than stacked into a block. Rooms range from a 25 m² Garden Bungalow to the Duke of Edinburgh Suite, which has its own beach gazebo and a butler. Six restaurants and bars cover the range from buffet breakfasts at Wolmar to street food at Coconut Cafe and 60 wines by the glass at Van Der Stel. Water sport is free and largely unbooked: windsurfing, kayaks, paddleboards, snorkelling and a glass-bottom boat all go out on a first-come basis, while diving and deep-sea fishing carry a supplement. Golfers get unlimited green fees at Tamarina Golf Club inland and at the Bernhard Langer course on Ile aux Cerfs, reached by boat. Guests also have access to the restaurants and beach at the neighbouring Sugar Beach resort. Drones are not permitted on the grounds.