Why was the Mauritius was discovered by portuguese settlers?

Mauritius was discovered by Portuguese explorers in the early 16th century, primarily due to their maritime exploration efforts across the Indian ocean. They were drawn to the region for its strategic location and potential for trade routes. However, the island was not settled by the Portuguese; it remained largely uninhabited until the Dutch arrived in the 17th century, followed by the French and then the British. The Portuguese primarily used Mauritius as a waypoint rather than a permanent settlement.