An insider’s guide to…

Grand-Baie. Grand-Baie is the departure point for catamarans heading towards the islands of the North. On the way there you could bump into pods of dolphins and shoals of flying fish. Beyond the coral reef, the mountain peaks and the beaches appear in all their magnificence, tinted with the purple of distance. In front of you a string of little islands appear. They have descriptive names: Corner of the Sea, Flat Island, Round Island, Serpent Island, Gabriel Island. These islands are natural reserves surrounded by translucent waters. Lie on the fine sand and look up into the sky. Troupes of white seabirds, the paille-en-queue, circle and dive in a never-ending ballet routine.

If you don’t have sea legs, you will be pleased to know that Grand-Baie is well connected to the rest of the island by a major motorway and several subsidiary roads. This makes outings by car or by public transport or through travel agencies very easy. For lovers of shopping, or food aficionados or insomniac night birds, Grand-Baie is the place to be. There are shops bearing designer labels or selling souvenirs along the main street or in commercial centres. There are restaurants of every kind and to suit every budget. A number of colourful street vendors will tempt you with local delicacies. In the evening, you can enjoy a cocktail in a bar under palm trees. If you’re keen to stay up till the small hours of the morning, the night clubs along the coast will allow you to do just that.
The beaches of Pereybere and Mont Choisy rank among the best island-wide. Whether you are sitting in the shade of a filao tree or stretched out in the sun, you will feel wonderful in these surroundings.