Ten years ago, Azuri Ocean & Golf Village in Roches Noire was all but barren land and considered practically in the middle of nowhere in Mauritius terms. But the developers had a vision. Today, it is the centre of a thriving community, combining luxury residences with modern amenities, including a championship golf course, private beach access, and vibrant community spaces. Designed for both locals and expatriates, it provides an ideal blend of exclusivity and convenience, with proximity to essential services, dining, and leisure activities. It is a favourite stop-off for travellers from the north en route to work in the east. It is an excuse to stop for coffee or a meal at the popular Italian bistro, Café Gioia, or to attend the monthly market or entertainment offered on the estate. It’s open to all, not just homeowners.
— Clockwise, from top left: Celimar Aerial View, Celimar Apartment Terrace, Celimar Pool View
Living like a local for a few days, I relished the opportunity to take a backseat and simply people-watch. A regular at that bistro occupies the same corner table every day with his laptop and pooch, curled up on its chair, snoozing happily. Another resident pops in with her dog on a lead, presumably after work, to collect a takeaway or to enjoy a coffee and a chat. A husband rushes in to collect the last baguette for the dinner his wife has prepared, and two young mothers push in prams while keeping an eye on their toddlers quite at home in the space. As a guest at the four-star Radisson Blu Azuri Resort & Spa, I could eat at any of several independently managed restaurants nearby, and I chose this one first. I was blown away, not expecting the sterling service and attention from the chef who gently dissuaded me from ordering the pizza I was eyeing when she heard I was gluten intolerant. Reminding me that her homemade spaghetti made on-site would be much kinder to my sensitive stomach, she vanished into the kitchen to patiently chop vegetables into tiny pieces to add to the mix. I went back for more mothering several times over the few days I was there, partly as an excuse to try the bakery items. The cakes are delicious, and they also bake all their bread on-site.
However, it wasn’t only there that I was made to feel welcome and at home despite that being the Mauritian way. At Black Rock Bar & Grill, I was introduced to Gister Premium beer, gluten-free, made by Phoenix, which tasted just as good as the traditional option. I sat inside to avoid the mosquitoes, gazing through floor-to-ceiling glass at the goings on outside. I had a vegan burger with gluten-free bread on the day of the weekly Lobster special. A couple arrived, requesting a table for two, and I almost held my breath while the waiter checked his reservation list. Bookings are essential at every restaurant – and bills can be signed to your room if you’re a hotel guest – but I was mystified by the apparent busyness of the staff with little evidence of patrons. On further inspection, I discovered rows of tiered seating under the trees, out of sight of the walkway, where diners devoured delicious morsels under the stars.
Exploring by day, I discovered the Sealoy Flights Mauritius office to the right of this area, where you can book a brilliant seaplane flight covering various routes and priced accordingly, and a path meandering through landscaped gardens between the lagoon mangroves and La Baie’s prime residences with ocean views. I encountered homeowners walking their dogs, gardeners sheltering in the shade having tea, and birds waiting for crumbs – the red-whiskered bulbuls were on high alert.
Retracing my steps, I followed the shoreline to the boathouse to book an excursion. The wind and tide weren’t conducive to sailing the Laser dinghies available, so I opted for a joyfully solo boat ride from the jetty out to a platform where I could swim and play, quite literally, in the famously cyan depths – shallow enough to stand if I wanted to and take in the privilege of my surroundings. It was lunchtime, and only one other boat of snorkellers was nearby, so I had this piece of paradise to myself for a blissful hour.
Back on shore, had I felt like a round of golf, I could have tested my swing at The Nine, voted the best par 3 course at the 10th World Golf Awards, but I opted for another delight – that much-vaunted seaplane flip, which ultimately began a 20-minute drive away at Palmar Beach on the east coast. Azuri is officially northeast, and two seaplanes are parked there permanently, using the beach here as a departure point if the tide is low enough. That day, it was not, so I headed for Palmar to meet the pilot, passing Bras d’Eau National Park and making a mental note to plan a forest walk.
— The Nine (left); Azuri Village Nov 2023 ©Mark Sampson
Anybody considering investing in property in Mauritius is well advised to spend a decent amount of time there to suss out the different areas and get a sense of what’s available to suit your needs. The Radisson Blu has everything you’d expect from a hotel – Cinq Mondes spa, fitness centre, and swimming pool near the beach, the venue for one of the best-attended welcome cocktails I’ve ever seen. The new spa menu features full-body massages that are worth investigating further. Treatments are drawn from Bali, Brazil, Polynesia, the Orient, Greece, and India.
Amara Villa G+1 Type B Entrance (left); Amara Villa Type A Golf View
Could I live in Azuri? In a heartbeat. Azuri is well set up now with several real estate options, all exuding luxury and comfort. Whether selling off-plan or complete and on resale, they’re all in demand, from two- and three-bedroom apartments to townhouses and luxury villas. Safe, secure, and gated – a coastal village with the community at its heart – Azuri is ideally located between the increasingly congested north and tranquil east of the island, appealing to homeowners intent on investing in an improved lifestyle, health and well-being.
— Above: Amara Villa Type A Living Room and Entrance
Little Black Book
- Azuri Ocean & Golf Village, Azuri Property Sales, Elodie Rey, Sales Manager, email [email protected], call +230 5499 9995
- Air Mauritius offers daily flights from Johannesburg and twice-weekly flights from Cape Town
- Radisson Blu Azuri Resort & Spa, call +230 402 3700
- Sealoy Flights Mauritius, email [email protected], call +230 5848 0909
