Britain’s beaches play host to a plethora of natural life, just waiting to be discovered by curious little beachcombers. While children adore exploring this stimulating habitat, there are a few considerations that should be taken into account

Swap your ski jacket for waterskis with a stay at Beachcomber’s Shandrani Resort & Spa in Mauritius. Winner of the Junior Design Award 2011 for Best International Hotel, it’s an ideal option for active families because of its huge range of land

Magical MauritiusThis pretty Indian Ocean island with its lush mountains, fine beaches and coral reef, is renowned for its hospitality and nature reserves. There’s an incredible choice of resorts, but the local Beachcomber Tours is still among

,655 per person. This palm-kissed paradise also lends itself to super-safe bathing for children and perfect conditions for snorkelling, either in its lagoon or along its reefs. Another Beachcomber hotel directly on the beach is the five-star Le Paradis

, treasure hunts, crabbing, snorkelling and beachcombing. Each room comes with a butler (who can entertain the children while you enjoy a lie-in). There’s a special offer until December 21 where a family of four can stay seven nights for £4,530. This includes

The Shandrani, MauritiusPart of the family-friendly Beachcomber group of hotels, Shandrani’s family suites open directly onto the beach and feature private gardens with children’s sand pits.The resort has long been the destination of choice

long haul with children would fill most parents with dread, the fact that there’s only a small time difference between Mauritius and the UK (three hours in the summer, four in the winter) means there’s no jet lag to contend with.Once there (the resort

children’s clubs and all of them have beautiful white sandy beaches and offer every watersport under the sun.The whole island is encircled by a coral reef but the West coast tends to be more protected, and it’s here that you’ll find long stretches of sandy

in knots, we paddled in kayaks out to where the ocean meets the reef; beachcombed for speckled cowrie shells; and swam in the pool under the shade of an immense Indian banyan tree. Children are well catered for at the Shanti Maurice with a club

children. Book via Beachcomber Tours. Tel: 01483 443 685; www.beachcombertours.co.uk SANDY LANEBARBADOS Glamour rating One of the original luxury hideaways and still one of the best. The resort’s original classic coral stone facade remains, and each