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Mauritius in August: is it a good idea?
Yes, if a mild winter suits you: 24 to 26 °C by day, 16 to 18 °C at night, a sea around 24 °C and trade winds at their strongest. Stay on the west coast, the driest. August is outside cyclone season and great for kitesurfing and whales, but it is a peak month: book early.
Going to Mauritius in August is a good idea, as long as you know it is the southern winter. Expect 24 to 26 °C by day on the coasts, 16 to 18 °C at night, a sea around 24 °C and trade winds at their strongest. Stay on the west coast, by far the driest, and make the most of the month's two highlights: kitesurfing and humpback whales.
August is outside cyclone season. On the other hand, it is a peak month for tourism, so book early.
Mauritius in August: a mild winter, not a cold one
The Mauritius Meteorological Services (MMS), the national weather service, describe two seasons. Summer, warm and humid, runs from November to April. Winter, cooler and drier, runs from June to September. May and October are transition months.
July and August are the two coolest months. According to the MMS, the average night low then drops to 16.4 °C. The winter mean is 20.4 °C, against 24.7 °C in summer.
The tourism board (MTPA) calls winter “rather mild,” with an average of around 22 °C. Days are short: at the peak of winter, the sun rises around 6:45 a.m. and sets around 5:35 p.m.
The bottom line: during the day, it is still warm enough for the beach. In the evening and in the hills, it gets cool. The UK Met Office suggests packing a light fleece for these winter months.
The sea in August
The sea is cooler than in summer, but still fine for swimming. Climates to Travel gives about 24 °C in August, and 23 °C at Port Louis. The Met Office says the sea reaches 27 °C in summer. The tourism board describes the water as pleasant for swimming in both summer and winter.
Our advice
If you feel the cold, bring a neoprene top for snorkeling. After an hour in 24 °C water, with the wind, you cool down fast.
Mauritius weather in August, coast by coast
This is what changes everything. In winter, the southeast trade winds hit the east and south first. The Met Office notes that the east coast and the central plateau get most of the rain, while the sheltered west coast is much drier.
The MMS regional climate sheets confirm it. Here are their August averages, station by station:
| Region (MMS station) | Day | Night | August rain | Rain days (over 1 mm) | Sunshine per day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West (Medine) | 25.9 °C | 17.0 °C | 15 mm | 3 | 7.6 h |
| North (Pamplemousses) | 25.9 °C | 16.2 °C | 75 mm | 13 | 7.7 h |
| South (Plaisance, near the airport) | 24.2 °C | 17.8 °C | 88 mm | 15 | 5.9 h |
| East (Fuel) | 23.8 °C | 17.0 °C | 105 mm | 15 | 6.1 h |
| Centre (Vacoas, on the plateau) | 21.8 °C | 15.1 °C | 119 mm | 18 | 7.2 h |
The gap is clear. At Medine, on the west coast, it rains on average 3 days in August. At Fuel, in the east, it rains 15 days. Sunshine follows the same pattern: more than seven and a half hours a day in the west and north, about 6 hours in the east and south.
The west, the winter coast
The tourism board describes the west as the sunniest and driest region of the island, with a pleasant temperature all year round. Flic en Flac, Tamarin and Le Morne are therefore the safest bases in August. The north, around Grand Baie, stays warm and fairly sunny, with more frequent showers.
The east and south, windier and cooler
The east is “constantly under the influence of the south-eastern winds, stronger in winter,” according to the tourism board. The Met Office adds that these trade winds make the east and south coasts feel cooler in winter. The big hotels of Belle Mare remain pleasant, but the lagoon can be choppy and the evenings cool.
To pick your base precisely, read our guide on where to stay in Mauritius, which compares beaches, atmosphere and distances from the airport.
August compared with other months
Here are the west (Medine) and the east (Fuel) at five points in the year, from the same MMS sheets. Temperatures are average highs and lows.
| Month | West: day / night | West: rain | East: day / night | East: rain | Cyclones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| February | 30.3 / 22.7 °C | 182 mm | 28.7 / 22.3 °C | 334 mm | Cyclone season |
| May | 28.1 / 19.5 °C | 43 mm | 26.2 / 19.3 °C | 168 mm | Season until May 15 |
| August | 25.9 / 17.0 °C | 15 mm | 23.8 / 17.0 °C | 105 mm | Outside the season |
| October | 27.8 / 18.6 °C | 17 mm | 25.4 / 17.9 °C | 62 mm | Outside the season |
| December | 30.0 / 21.6 °C | 116 mm | 28.2 / 21.0 °C | 202 mm | Cyclone season |
So August is one of the driest months in the west, but also the coolest. October is just as dry in the west, slightly warmer, and much less rainy in the east. According to the MMS, October is in fact the island's driest month, and February and March the wettest.
The tourism board rates April to June and September to December as the most pleasant periods. That way you avoid the peak heat of summer and the heart of winter. If your dates are flexible, September or October are good compromises. If August is your only option, Mauritius is still a very good destination.
The August wind: a drawback for some, a bonus for others
The Met Office points out that the southeast trade winds are at their strongest in July and August. The wind cools the air, but it can spoil an afternoon on an exposed beach.
For board sports, this is the best season. According to the tourism board, “the months of July and August are the windiest for the greatest pleasure of surfers, kite surfers and windsurfers.” Surfing and kitesurfing happen mainly at Tamarin and Le Morne, on the southwest coast.
Our advice
New to kitesurfing? Take a lesson with a school based on site and ask which day the wind is most steady. Non-kiters will find more sheltered beaches in the north and west.
Humpback whales, the big reason to go in August
Every southern winter, humpback whales leave Antarctica to give birth and nurse their calves in the warm waters of Mauritius. Mauritius.com puts the whale watching season at generally July through November. The Savetheblu association, quoted in an article published on AllAfrica in July 2025, gives the same period. So August falls right in the middle of the season.
Trips mostly leave from the west coast. Mauritius.com mentions Tamarin Bay and the Le Morne peninsula. Savetheblu lists Le Morne, Rivière Noire, Coin de Mire and Îlot Gabriel among the sites cetaceans often visit.
Choosing a responsible operator
The same article describes abuses: more than ten boats around a group of whales, tourists urged into the water near sperm whales. The association is calling for patrols and penalties against offending operators.
Whales held hostage by the quest for the sensational.
The 2012 dolphin and whale watching regulations require a Tourism Authority license for any paid trip. They also govern how boats approach the animals, according to their summary in the UNEP legal database.
Watch out
Ask to see the operator's license before booking. Turn down any trip that offers to let you swim with whales or sperm whales, or to chase a group of animals.
No cyclones in August
You can relax on this point. According to the MMS, the official cyclone season runs from November 1 to May 15 of the following year. France Diplomatie (the French foreign ministry's travel advice) gives a season of November to April. Either way, August is outside it.
That does not mean a glassy sea: the wind stays strong on exposed coasts. The MMS issues heavy swell warnings, so follow its bulletins and the beach instructions during your stay.
Crowds and prices in August
August falls during the European summer holidays. According to an analysis by Tax Free Shopping Mauritius published in October 2025, July and August are the peak months for arrivals, driven by those holidays. In August 2025, the island welcomed 115,491 tourists, according to Statistics Mauritius figures reported by the news site ION News.
We found no reliable source putting a figure on the August price increase. Just keep in mind that demand is high at this time.
Our advice
Book flights and accommodation several months ahead for August. Also look at the last two weeks of June or late September: the same mild winter, outside the two peak months.
To get from one coast to another this season, see our guide to renting a car in Mauritius. To plan your stay, our article on how many days in Mauritius suggests 7, 10 and 14 day itineraries.
Holidays in August
The tourism board lists Assumption Day, August 15, among the public holidays of Mauritius. In 2027, it falls on a Sunday.
Ganesh Chaturthi, a Hindu festival and public holiday in Mauritius, follows the lunar calendar. It falls in August or September depending on the year. For 2027, the site PublicHolidays.mu gives Saturday, September 4, a date to confirm on the official list of public holidays. Other religious festivals in August also vary each year: check the dates before you go.
The full calendar is on our page of festivals in Mauritius.
Health and safety in August
There is no malaria in Mauritius, according to France Diplomatie. The ministry still recommends protecting yourself from mosquitoes against dengue, chikungunya and Zika. Vaccines and a travel kit are covered on our health page.
The sea calls for caution. According to France Diplomatie, powerful currents regularly cause disappearances and drownings. Respect swimming bans and choose insured water sports providers. The local guide Maurinet warns of strong currents at the passes, the openings in the reef. It also warns about the highly venomous stonefish, and about sea urchins.
Watch out
Wear thick-soled water shoes in the lagoon. If a stonefish stings you, get out of the water, call emergency services (SAMU 114) and see a doctor right away.
The country is under normal vigilance according to France Diplomatie, which has however reported protests in some localities since October 13, 2026. Also check the travel advice of your own government. Risks and emergency numbers are gathered on our Mauritius page.
Entry requirements
Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. A return ticket is required, and you may be asked for proof of accommodation and funds. Before departure, fill in the Mauritius All in One Travel Form online. Check your case on our page of entry requirements for Mauritius. If you need a visa, apply one to two weeks before departure.
So, Mauritius in August: who is it for?
- Yes, without hesitation: kitesurfers, windsurfers, whale lovers, hikers (it is less hot for walking), travelers who struggle with humid heat.
- Yes, with a few precautions: families and couples on a beach holiday, staying in the west or north.
- Better another season: if you dream of 27 °C water and warm evenings, aim for December to April instead, accepting the rainy and cyclone season.
Our advice
For August, pack a light fleece, a windbreaker and a neoprene top for snorkeling. Don't forget sunscreen for beach days.
Frequently asked questions
Is it warm enough to swim in Mauritius in August?
Yes, for most swimmers. The sea is around 24 °C and the air reaches 24 to 26 °C by day on the coasts. The wind can make you feel chilly when you get out of the water, especially in the east.
Which coast is best in August?
The west. At Medine, the MMS records an average of 15 mm of rain and 3 rain days in August, against 105 mm and 15 days at Fuel, in the east. The north is a good second choice.
Are there cyclones in August?
No. The official cyclone season runs from November 1 to May 15, according to the MMS. The main risk in August is the wind, not cyclones.
Can you see whales in August?
Yes, August is in the middle of the humpback whale season, which runs roughly from July to November. Trips mostly leave from the west coast. Choose a licensed operator.