Getting to the island

After your international flight lands at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (SSR, on the southeast of the island), every resort is reachable by road — no boat or connecting flight — but the drive varies a lot: about 30–60 minutes to the east coast and the south, and about 1–1.5 hours to Le Morne, the west and the northwest. Choosing a coast also decides how long you spend in the car on arrival day.

Road transfer (private car / taxi / resort shuttle)

Every resort on the main island is reachable by road from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (SSR) in the southeast, with no ferry or plane needed. Resorts usually arrange a private car or shared shuttle; you can also book a taxi or ride-hailing car. Boat shuttles are only needed for day trips (such as Île aux Cerfs) or a few island stays.

Time: About 30–90 minutes depending on the coast (east and south are closest, north and west farther), plus baggage and formalities
Cost: Private transfers are priced per car and shared shuttles per person; check the resort or transfer operator. Some resorts include the transfer in the package. (booked by the resort, usually a separate line on the bill)
Runs: Runs on demand and matches your flight; airport arrivals and taxis operate around the clock

Good for

Almost every traveller — the simplest, most flexible way to get to any resortFamilies and older relatives, with few transfers and no baggage limitsAnyone who wants to combine coasts or move hotels mid-trip

Watch out

· Traffic around Port Louis and on the motorway can be heavy at rush hour, so leave a buffer before an afternoon flight
· Drive time to the north or west can be well over an hour; confirm the transfer time with your resort
· Taxis have no reliable meter culture — agree the fare before you go or book a fixed-price transfer

Helicopter transfer / Rodrigues flight

Air Mauritius flies to Rodrigues Island (about 1.5 hours), the only real domestic flight. On the main island a few operators and resorts offer helicopter transfers or scenic flights (paid extras), but there is no need for one to reach a resort.

Time: Rodrigues about 1.5 hours; helicopter from the airport to a coastal resort is usually well under an hour (check the operator)
Cost: Flights to Rodrigues are priced per person return; helicopter transfers are pricey and quoted by the operator or resort (booked by the resort, usually a separate line on the bill)
Runs: Rodrigues has scheduled daily or near-daily flights, weather and season permitting; helicopters fly by booking in daylight

Good for

Adding a quiet, off-the-beaten-track stay on RodriguesA special-occasion arrival or a scenic flightTravellers short on time who want to save the road transfer

Watch out

· Rodrigues flights and baggage limits are set by the airline; check them before packing
· Helicopter transfers depend on weather and the operator’s availability
· For a normal resort stay a road transfer is enough; only add these if you want them

One-line advice

· With elders / infants, short trip, red-eye arrival → prefer a speedboat island (North / South Malé Atoll).
· Going to Baa, Noonu and other northern luxury atolls, arriving in daylight → seaplane, and enjoy the view.
· Going to Laamu and other far-southern atolls → domestic flight transfer; leave enough connection time.
· Evening / night arrival but want a seaplane island → likely a night in Malé; check when booking.

Search by transfer type