Many Indian Ocean honeymoons combine two islands: a week by a lagoon in Mauritius and a few days on Réunion's volcanic trails, or Mahé and Praslin in the Seychelles before a last stop in Mauritius. The resort Wi-Fi stays at the hotel, and the islands follow different roaming rules: Réunion is part of France and the EU, while Mauritius and the Seychelles are not.
This guide covers resort Wi-Fi versus mobile data, how roaming differs island by island, the emergency numbers to save on each, and whether an eSIM for a honeymoon in Mauritius, the Seychelles or Réunion works best as two island plans or one Africa plan.
Key facts for a honeymoon in Mauritius, the Seychelles or Réunion
- EU roaming: Réunion is covered by Roam Like at Home; Mauritius and the Seychelles are not
- One plan for all three: the Africa plan covers Mauritius, the Seychelles and Réunion
- Local networks: Emtel or my.t in Mauritius, Airtel in the Seychelles, Orange in Réunion (depending on the plan)
- Emergency numbers: 999 in Mauritius and the Seychelles; 112 in Réunion
- Embassies: in Port Louis and in Victoria, on Mahé; none in Réunion, which is part of France
Resort Wi-Fi or mobile data?
Resort Wi-Fi covers the days you spend at the hotel. It stays behind when you leave, though: on a boat trip, a drive across the island, a dinner in town or the taxi ride back, which is when you want maps, messages and a way to reach your driver.
A data eSIM fills that gap without changing your number. Your own SIM stays in the phone for texts and bank codes, and calls go through apps such as WhatsApp over data.
Island by island: who is in EU roaming
Réunion is a French overseas region and part of the EU, so an EU SIM works there as at home under Roam Like at Home. Mauritius and the Seychelles are outside it, and EU operators charge their own roaming rates there. For travellers from outside the EU, including the UK, all three islands are roaming destinations unless the home tariff includes them.
So with EU SIMs, a couple on a Réunion and Mauritius trip may need plans for Mauritius only, one for each phone, while a couple from the UK or the US needs data on both islands.
Boat trips, trails and island coverage
On boat excursions the signal fades away from the coast, so agree the pick-up point and time before you sail. In the Seychelles, coverage is good on Mahé, Praslin and La Digue. In Réunion's cirques, and especially in Mafate, which has no roads, do not count on a signal: download offline maps and tell someone your route.
Which plan fits your trip
Each island has its own country plan, such as Mauritius or the Seychelles. For a trip split between two islands, compare two island plans with one Telcomia Africa plan, which covers Mauritius, the Seychelles and Réunion among 47 destinations.
Two island plans suit a trip with clear halves; one Africa plan keeps one eSIM on each phone for the whole honeymoon. Whichever you choose, open the plan details: the Activation line explains how the validity period is counted, and the details also show the duration, the data and whether you may share the connection.
Before you leave
- Install the eSIM at home on Wi-Fi and set it as your line for mobile data.
- Turn data roaming on for the eSIM and off for your home line.
- With two island plans, check each Activation line before installing the second, and switch the data line as you change island.
- Download offline maps of each island.
- Save your hotel's address and your excursion operators' numbers.
- Keep each eSIM until the trip is over: some can be installed only once.
Consular protection: island by island
- In Mauritius, 999 reaches the police, an ambulance and the fire service; 114 also reaches an ambulance and 115 the fire service.
- In the Seychelles, 999 is the number for the police, an ambulance and the fire service.
- In Réunion, 112 works for all emergencies; 15 is for medical emergencies (SAMU), 17 the police and 18 the fire service.
- Embassies are in Port Louis and in Victoria, on Mahé. Réunion has none, as part of France, and the UK covers it from Paris. The Telcomia app shows which mission is responsible for you, with address and phone.
- If you are an EU citizen and your country has no embassy or consulate in Mauritius or the Seychelles, the embassy of any other EU country must help you on the same terms as its own nationals (Article 23 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU).
- The app keeps key emergency phrases in French ready to show on screen.
Mauritius travel-safety page →
Seychelles travel-safety page →
Questions travellers ask about an Indian Ocean honeymoon
Does EU roaming work in Mauritius or the Seychelles?
No. Both are outside Roam Like at Home, so EU operators charge their own roaming rates. Réunion is different: it is part of the EU, and EU SIMs work there as at home.
Is resort Wi-Fi enough on a honeymoon?
It covers the time you spend at the hotel. For excursions, maps, taxis and dinners out you need mobile data, because the Wi-Fi stays behind.
One eSIM for Mauritius and Réunion?
Yes: the Africa plan covers both, and the Seychelles too. Compare it with two island plans; an EU SIM already works in Réunion.
Which emergency number do I call on each island?
999 in Mauritius and the Seychelles, and 112 in Réunion. In Mauritius, 114 also reaches an ambulance.
The short version
Resort Wi-Fi covers the hotel; mobile data covers the rest of the honeymoon. Réunion is inside EU roaming; Mauritius and the Seychelles are not. Compare two island plans with one Africa plan, and save 999 and 112 before you fly.
Related reads:
Ready to stay connected without surprises?
Activate your eSIM in seconds and travel connected in 200+ countries and territories.
See plans