Island Route App FAQ
Everything you need to know about using the Island Route app. Find answers about getting started, tours, pricing, technical setup, and troubleshooting.
Getting Started
What is Island Route?
Island Route is a GPS-powered audio tour app that turns your smartphone into a personal tour guide for the island of Mauritius. Explore the island at your own pace with automatically triggered local insights, essential directions, and audio stories as you visit beaches, waterfalls, historical sites, and hidden gems across Mauritius.
How does the app work?
The app uses your phone's built-in GPS to determine exactly where you are and in which direction you're travelling. As you drive or walk, audio commentary plays automatically based on your location. It's like having a local tour guide in your car, but you control the pace and stops.
Is Island Route really offline?
Yes! Once you download the app and access your tour content, you can download your tour audio to make it work offline. You won't need WiFi or cellular data while exploring, just GPS, which works everywhere via satellites. Download your tours before your trip or while you have internet access.
What's the difference between GPS and the internet?
Many people confuse the two. GPS is provided by satellites high in the sky and works almost everywhere, even in remote areas. Internet/cellular data often comes from cell towers and may not work in remote locations. Island Route uses GPS, and once you download the tours on your phone, you can explore anywhere on the island without worrying about signal.
Tours & Pricing
How much do tours cost?
You can purchase individual tours or tour bundles, which offer significant savings and include multiple tours across different regions of Mauritius. Please check the app for the current pricing.
What's included in a tour bundle?
Bundles include all tours for a specific area or theme (e.g., West Coast tour, Port Louis tour, or a complete island bundle). Bundles are the best value if you're planning to explore multiple regions.
How long are the tours valid?
There are no time restrictions on the tours! Use them at your leisure and if there are new updates the app will be automatically updated.
Can I use the tours multiple times?
Absolutely! There's no limit to how many times you can use a tour. You can preview the route before your trip, use it during your visit, and even listen again when you're back home as a souvenir of your adventure.
Do I need to buy a separate tour for each destination?
It depends on how much you want to explore. If you're only visiting one specific area, a single tour might be perfect. But if you're exploring multiple regions, a bundle offers much better value.
Purchasing & Account Setup
How do I purchase tours?
You can purchase tours using your phone. In-app purchase: Buy directly through the Island Route app (iOS or Android)
Do I need to create an account?
Yes, you'll need to create an account to purchase and access your tours. You can sign up using:
- Email and password
- Continue with Google
- Continue with Apple
I bought a tour, but I don't see it in the app. What do I do?
- Try signing out and back in to refresh the app
- Make sure you're logged in with the SAME account you used to purchase
- Make sure your purchase went through
Can I share my tours with family or friends?
Tours are licensed per account. Each person should have their own account and purchase to ensure the best experience and support future tour development.
Downloading & Technical Setup
How do I download tours?
After purchasing:
- Open the Mauritius Island Route app
- Go to "Tours"
- Tap the tour you want to download "View Tour"
- Under the main image on the right of the title of the tour, you will see a download icon
- Wait for the download to complete (You can select audio, video, and images)
- Keep the app open during download for best results
NOTE: You will need an internet connection to operate Google Maps in Mauritius. We don't recommend using offline maps with Google.
When should I download my tours?
Download tours before your trip while you have a strong WiFi or cellular connection. Hotel WiFi or home internet is ideal. Don't wait until you're at the tour location, as you may not have strong internet access there to stream the audio.
NOTE: You will need an internet connection to operate Google Maps in Mauritius. We don't recommend using offline maps with Google.
The download is frozen or very slow. What should I do?
- Check your internet connection
- Close other apps running in the background
- Keep the app open during the entire download
- Try pausing and resuming the download
- If on public WiFi, switch to cellular data
- Force-quit the app and restart it
- Delete and reinstall the app, then try downloading again
- Make sure your phone has sufficient storage space
How much storage space do I need?
Each tour typically requires 200MB. Bundles require more space. Check your phone's available storage before downloading.
Will the tours be compatible with my device?
Island Route works on smartphones with GPS:
- iPhone (iOS 15 or later)
- Android phones (Android 15 or later)
Using the App on Tour
How do I start a tour?
- Open the Island Route app
- Go to "Tours"
- Select your tour
- Tap "Start Tour"
- If you're not at the starting point, you can use Google Maps to get to your first location.
- Once at the starting point, the audio will begin automatically
Where does the tour start?
Each tour has designated starting points designed for where most visitors arrive. You can find the starting point on the tour map (look for the "1" dot). However, you can also join a tour from any point along the route.
Can I start mid-tour or join from anywhere?
Yes! While tours have designated starting points for the best narrative experience, you can join from any stop along the route. The app will pick up from your current location.
Do tours go in one direction, or can I do them in reverse?
Most tours are designed to go in a specific direction for the best storytelling experience. Some tours can be taken in either direction. Check the individual tour details in the app to see which directions are supported.
What if I make a wrong turn?
Google Maps doesn't always provide accurate directions in Mauritius. Be cautious and obey the road signs first, in case Google Maps directs you to turn onto a "No Entry" road. Usually, as you keep driving, Google Maps will re-route to the next best turn.
Can I pause the tour?
Yes! You can exit the app when making long stops (restaurants, hikes, bathrooms). This saves battery and GPS usage. Remember to reopen it when you resume; the tour will pick up exactly where you left off.
Will the tour continue if I turn off my phone screen?
Yes, the audio will continue playing in the background even with your screen off, which helps save battery.
What if I want to skip a stop?
That's the beauty of self-guided tours, you choose! Simply drive past any stops you're not interested in, and the tour will continue to the next point.
Battery & Device Management
Will the app drain my phone battery?
GPS usage does consume battery. We highly recommend:
- Bring a car charger or portable battery pack
- Using a car charger
- Turning off your screen when not needed (audio continues in the background)
- Turning off the tour app during long stops
Can I play my own music while using the tour?
Yes! Island Route works in background mode.
Can I connect to my car's speakers?
Absolutely! You can connect via:
- Bluetooth
- USB cable
- Aux audio cable
- Apple CarPlay (audio only; use phone screen for visuals)
- Android Auto (audio only; use phone screen for visuals)
Tour Experience
What kind of information will I hear on tours?
Tours include:
- Historical and cultural stories about sites you're visiting
- Essential driving/walking directions
- Local legends and folklore
- Practical travel tips (bathroom locations, parking, and other recommendations)
- Information about amenities, accessibility, and facilities
- Timing recommendations and photography tips
- Curated local music to enhance your experience
Are tours suitable for families with children?
Yes! Many tours are marked as "kid-friendly" in the app. Tours feature engaging stories that appeal to all ages, complemented by educational content. We also have tips if the tour stop is not baby stroller / pram-friendly.
What about accessibility? Can elderly travellers or those with mobility issues use the tours?
Tour stop descriptions include information about:
- Wheelchair accessibility
- Terrain difficulty
- Walking distance requirements
- Recommended visitors (elderly-friendly, fitness level required, etc.)
How long do tours take?
Tour durations vary depending on the destination and the number of stops made. Each tour page shows the estimated duration. Remember, you control the pace; take as much time as you need at each stop!
Can I split a tour over multiple days?
Absolutely! The app remembers where you left off. You can complete tours over several days, picking up exactly where you stopped. It's a great way to discover the island and book a hotel near the end of each tour. Note that it takes about 1.5 hours to drive from the North to the South of the island without traffic, and about the same from East to West.
Trip Planning Features
Can I see what's on a tour before purchasing?
Yes! Each tour includes:
- Preview of tour stops with photos
- Duration estimates
- Difficulty level and type of experience
- Number of destinations included
Does the app help me plan my trip?
Yes! Island Route will let you:
- Find the approximate time at each tour stop
- Create a custom trip where you can select your own stops
- Browse your interests (beaches, waterfalls, culture, etc.)
- Transportation options
- Timing (best times to visit sites)
- Tours near your hotel
- Site types and amenities
Can I bookmark spots or customise tours?
Yes! You can:
- Save favourite spots to your Planner
- Bookmark locations you want to revisit
- Customise tours by area, specific sites, or themes
- Hide certain stops you're not interested in
Support & Troubleshooting
I'm having technical issues. How do I get help?
Contact our support team at [email protected] or use the Support section in the app. We're here to help! Please include:
- Your device type and OS version
- Description of the issue
- Tour name (if applicable)
- Screenshots or screen recording if possible
The app crashed or won't open. What should I do?
- Force-quit the app completely
- Restart your phone
- Reopen the app
- If the problem persists, delete and reinstall the app
- Log in with your account, your purchased tours will still be there
I can't hear the audio. What's wrong?
- Check your phone's volume
- Make sure the app isn't muted
- Try the audio check feature in the Help section
- Disconnect from Bluetooth if you're not using car speakers
- Make sure headphones are properly connected if using them
- Restart the app
The tour audio doesn't match my location. What should I do?
- Make sure you start at the designated starting point
- Check that you're following the route in the correct direction
- Verify your GPS is working (check with Google/Apple Maps)
- Make sure Location Services are enabled for the app
- Try closing and reopening the app
I'm unhappy with my tour. Can I get a refund?
We want you to have an amazing experience! If you're not satisfied, please get in touch with us at [email protected] and let us know how we can improve. We are a small family-run local business. We'll be happy to discuss tour exchanges or refunds.
About Mauritius Tours
What areas of Mauritius do you cover?
Island Route covers all major regions, including:
- The North
- The South
- The East
- The West
- The Centre
- The Capital: Port-Louis
What types of tours are available?
Tours are available for:
- Beaches and coastal drives
- Waterfalls and nature trails
- Viewpoints
- Historical and cultural sites
- Museums and heritage locations
- Family-friendly activities
Are new tours added regularly?
Yes! We continuously add new tours and update existing ones based on user feedback and new discoveries. Check the app regularly for the latest additions.
Before Your Trip
What should I bring on my tour?
Essential items:
- Fully charged smartphone
- Car charger or power bank
- Phone mount for safe viewing
- Headphones or earbuds (for walking tours)
- Water and snacks
- Sunscreen and hat
- Comfortable shoes
- Camera (though your phone works great!)
- Cash (some spots don't take credit or debit cards)
When is the best time to download the app?
Ideally, download the app and your tours before leaving your accommodation with a stable WiFi connection. Don't wait until you're on the road! The app will work with a data connection on your phone, but some areas may not have good cellphone reception.
Can I use Island Route if I'm not in Mauritius yet?
Yes! You can:
- Preview tours before your trip
- Plan your itinerary
- Listen to tours virtually at home to get excited about your visit
- Check out routes and stops in advance
Company & Contact
Who creates the Island Route tours?
We are a small family-owned local business. Our tours are created by local Mauritians who know the island intimately, along with experienced travel writers. Every tour is professionally narrated and thoroughly researched to provide a local, authentic and engaging experience.
How can I contact Island Route?
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: islandroute.io
- Blog: islandroute.io/blog/
- Support: support.islandroute.io
Can I suggest new tours or improvements?
Absolutely! We love hearing from our users. Contact us with suggestions for new tours, corrections, or improvements. Your feedback helps us make Island Route better for everyone.
Do you offer tours outside of Mauritius?
Currently, Island Route specialises exclusively in Mauritius, providing the highest quality and most comprehensive experience of the island. We're experts in our home!
Still have questions?
Contact our support team at [email protected] and we'll be happy to help!
Ready to Explore Mauritius?
Download Island Route and discover the beauty, culture, and hidden gems of Mauritius with our GPS-powered audio tours. Your personal tour guide awaits!
Get the App