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Where to stay in Mauritius: which coast should you choose?
The north (Grand Baie, Pereybère) for nightlife and sheltered beaches, the west (Flic en Flac, Tamarin, Le Morne) for sunshine and dry weather, the east (Belle Mare) for long beaches and big hotels, but more wind in winter. The southeast (Blue Bay, Mahébourg) is closest to the airport.
Where to stay in Mauritius? The north, around Grand Baie, for nightlife, restaurants and sheltered beaches. The west, from Flic en Flac to Le Morne, for sunshine, dry weather and sunsets. The east, at Belle Mare, for long beaches and big hotels, at the cost of stronger wind in winter. The southeast, around Blue Bay and Mahébourg, is closest to the airport.
The island is small: you can stay on one coast and visit the others on day trips. The right choice depends mostly on the season, your budget and how much you want to drive.
Where to stay in Mauritius: the coasts compared
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is at Plaine Magnien, in the southeast, 48 km from Port Louis. The travel times below come from the France Guide website. They are rough estimates that leave out traffic jams.
| Coast | Beaches and lagoon | Wind and weather | Atmosphere and accommodation | From the airport | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North (Grand Baie, Pereybère, Trou aux Biches) | Sandy beaches, calm lagoon | Beaches sheltered from the wind | Lively, hotels, restaurants, shops | Grand Baie: about 65 km, 1 hr 15 min | First trip, going out, no car |
| West (Flic en Flac, Tamarin, Le Morne) | Long beaches, calm lagoon | The driest and sunniest region | Village feel, apartments, big hotels | Flic en Flac: about 55 km, 1 hr | Families, sunsets, kitesurfing |
| East (Belle Mare, Trou d'Eau Douce) | Very long beaches, Île aux Cerfs | The windiest coast, cooler in winter | Quiet, upscale hotels | Belle Mare: about 25 km, 30 min | Couples, hotel stays |
| Southeast and south (Blue Bay, Mahébourg) | Marine park, few big beaches in the south | Constant breeze, cooler in winter | Village feel, guesthouses, bungalows | Blue Bay: about 5 km, 10 min | Arrival or departure, snorkeling, local life |
| Center (Curepipe, Quatre Bornes) | No beach | Cooler and wetter | Urban | Not specified | Sightseeing, not a beach vacation |
Wind and weather: the real deciding factor
Mauritius has two seasons, according to the Mauritius Meteorological Services, the national weather service. Summer, hot and humid, runs from November to April. Winter, cooler and drier, runs from June to September. May and October are transition months. February and March are the wettest months, October the driest.
The trade winds blow from the southeast. They hit the east coast first. According to the tourism authority (MTPA), the east is constantly under the influence of these winds, which are stronger in winter. July and August are the windiest months. The north and the west are warmer and drier.
The UK Met Office agrees. The east coast and the central plateau get most of the rain. The more sheltered west coast is much drier.
Our advice
Traveling between June and September? Choose the west or the north, which are sheltered from the wind. The east is still pleasant, but bring a light sweater for the evenings and expect a lagoon that is sometimes choppy.
The north: Grand Baie, Pereybère and Trou aux Biches
Beaches and atmosphere
The north is the most touristy region. According to the tourism authority, its beaches are sheltered from the wind all year round. Grand Baie is its hub: Rough Guides describes it as the island's tourist capital, with the widest choice of beaches and excursions. You will find hotels, shops, restaurants, bars and nightclubs.
Pereybère, right next door, is a smaller, quieter village. Its public beach is very busy. Farther west, Trou aux Biches is one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and is good for snorkeling, according to the same guide. Hotels line it, but the beach stays open to everyone. It is lively on weekends, with lots of boats.
Who is it for?
The north works well for a first trip. It is also the most convenient coast without a car: shops, restaurants and excursion departures are right there. Boats leave from here for the northern islets, such as Île Plate or Île Gabriel.
The downside: the north is far from the airport. Allow about 1 hour 15 minutes by road according to France Guide, and more at rush hour around Port Louis.
The west: Flic en Flac, Tamarin and Le Morne
The driest coast
According to the tourism authority, the west is the sunniest and driest region of the island. It is sheltered from the winds, with mild temperatures and little rain all year. It is the coast for sunsets, since it faces west.
Flic en Flac
The public beach at Flic en Flac is one of the longest on the island. It is lined with casuarina trees that give shade. The lagoon, protected by the coral reef, is especially calm here. On weekdays the mood is peaceful. On weekends, Mauritian families come in large numbers.
The tourism authority notes that Flic en Flac is very popular with families. You can live at the pace of the village, in an apartment, a traveler advised on a travel forum in August 2023. Part of the seafront, however, is taken up by big hotels.
Tamarin
Tamarin Bay is a surf spot. It is also the starting point for boat trips to see dolphins, according to the tourism authority. Its salt pans, still in use, make good photos at dusk.
Watch out
For dolphin trips, choose an operator licensed by the Tourism Authority, as required by the 2012 regulations. The UK government also advises checking the license of any water sports provider.
Le Morne
Le Morne Brabant towers over the southwest. Its cultural landscape has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. The mountain served as a refuge for runaway slaves, the maroons, in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
Its white sand beach draws surfers and kitesurfers. According to the tourism authority, steady southeasterly winds make kitesurfing possible there almost all year. Le Morne is more isolated: a traveler on a travel forum noted in 2023 that there is less choice of accommodation.
The east: Belle Mare, Trou d'Eau Douce and Île aux Cerfs
The longest beaches
The east has very long sandy beaches. Belle Mare's is the longest on the island, according to the tourism authority. It stretches for several kilometers, protected by the coral reef. Palmar, next door, is quieter and wilder.
The coast is lined with big hotels. The tourism authority mentions a choice of luxury hotels. Most places to eat are inside the hotels. It is a good choice for a hotel stay, as a couple or on a honeymoon.
The wind, something to factor in
The east is the windiest part of Mauritius. The tourism authority describes it as pleasant in summer and cooler in winter. A breeze is welcome when it is hot. In July and August, on the other hand, the wind can spoil a beach day.
Our advice
Heading east during the southern winter? Ask the hotel whether its beach is sheltered and whether it has a pool protected from the wind. Keep a day for the west coast on very windy days.
Trou d'Eau Douce and Île aux Cerfs
Trou d'Eau Douce is a former fishing village turned quiet resort. Shuttles and water taxis leave its jetty for Île aux Cerfs all day long. The crossing takes about ten minutes.
Île aux Cerfs is known for its beaches, its lagoon and its water sports. Catamarans also go there from the southeast. Belle Mare is only about fifteen minutes by road from Trou d'Eau Douce.
The southeast and the south: Blue Bay, Mahébourg and the wild south
Blue Bay and the marine park
Blue Bay is the resort closest to the airport, according to Rough Guides. Allow about ten minutes by road, according to France Guide. Its public beach is a favorite with Mauritians.
Offshore, the Blue Bay Marine Park covers 353 hectares. It has been a Ramsar site since 2008. You can explore it by glass-bottom boat or with a mask and snorkel. The tourism authority considers its beach one of the most beautiful on the island.
For accommodation, Rough Guides mentions seafront bungalows, small guesthouses and a few hotels. Pointe d'Esny is lined with bungalows. Both lie under the flight path, but flights mostly take place during the day.
Our advice
Arriving late or leaving very early? A night in Blue Bay or Mahébourg saves you a long drive in the dark: the airport is only about ten minutes from Blue Bay.
Mahébourg
Rough Guides considers Mahébourg the most charming town on the island. Its market is the only one in the south, and it is liveliest on Mondays. The waterfront has a fine view of the bay. The trade winds bring a constant breeze all year. Pointe d'Esny can be a little windy in winter.
Staying here makes sense for a first or last night, near the airport. It is also a good choice for a more local experience.
The wild south
Farther west, the south lives up to its nickname, the “wild south,” according to the tourism authority. You will see an ocean that never stops moving, cliffs and sugarcane fields. Big sandy beaches are rare. People come here for the scenery instead, on day trips by car.
The center: a different option
The central plateau, around Curepipe, Vacoas and Quatre Bornes, is urban. At 400 to 600 meters above sea level, it is cooler than the coasts, according to the tourism authority. It is also wetter: it can get up to twice as much rain as the coast. Stay here for a business trip or sightseeing, not for a beach vacation.
Combining two coasts: a smart move
For a stay of more than a week, many travelers split their time. For example, a few nights in the west for the sunshine and Le Morne, then a few nights in the east or the north. You get a change of scenery without losing a day on the road.
Otherwise, maybe go for 2 places to stay.
Another practical combination: your last night in Blue Bay or Mahébourg, near the airport. Useful if your flight leaves early in the morning.
To get from one coast to another and explore the interior, a car helps a lot. Our guide to renting a car or taking taxis in Mauritius covers licenses, deposits, driving on the left, taxis and buses.
Where to stay in Mauritius for your travel style
Still unsure where to stay in Mauritius? Start from the way you like to travel.
- With family: the west, at Flic en Flac, for its calm lagoon, or the north, for its services. The tourism authority also names Le Morne and Saint-Félix as family friendly.
- As a couple: the east, at Belle Mare, for its hotels and long beaches. Or the west, for the sunsets.
- On a tight budget: look at apartments in Flic en Flac or guesthouses in Blue Bay and Mahébourg. The east caters mostly to upscale hotels.
- Without a car: the north, around Grand Baie and Pereybère, where everything is within walking distance or a taxi ride.
- For kitesurfing or surfing: Le Morne and Tamarin.
Our advice
Before booking, look the hotel up on a map. Check whether it is on a public beach, how far it is from restaurants, and which side of the island it is on relative to the wind in your season.
Swimming safely
According to the French foreign ministry (France Diplomatie), strong currents regularly cause disappearances and drownings. Obey the no-swimming signs. The ministry also advises swimming in supervised areas and asking about currents.
The local guide Maurinet warns of strong currents at the passes, the openings in the reef that connect the lagoon to the open sea. It also points out the stonefish, which is highly venomous, and the many sea urchins.
Watch out
Wear water shoes with thick soles: thin soles do not protect against stonefish spines. If you are stung, get out of the water, call for help and see a doctor right away.
The French public health website Santé.fr adds a reminder: even with shoes on, never walk on coral.
Cyclone season and safety
Cyclone season runs from November to April according to France Diplomatie, and from November to May according to the UK government. Go with the wider window, November to May. During that time, the authorities can order people to stay indoors for a few days. Follow the weather forecast and your hotel's instructions.
Watch out
Between November and May, check what your travel insurance covers if a cyclone causes a cancellation or delay. Keep water, batteries and some food on hand, as France Diplomatie recommends.
According to France Diplomatie, the whole country is at the normal level of vigilance. Since October 13, 2026, however, the ministry has reported protests in some localities, with roads closed. Avoid walking on deserted beaches at night. Check your own government's travel advice too.
Risks, health and emergency numbers are gathered on our Mauritius page. Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality: check your case on our Mauritius entry requirements page. If you need a visa, apply one to two weeks before you leave. To avoid busy dates, see also our calendar of festivals in Mauritius.
Frequently asked questions
Which coast of Mauritius is the least windy?
The west and the north. The tourism authority describes the west as sheltered from the winds and the beaches of the north as protected all year round. The east is the coast most exposed to the southeast trade winds, especially in July and August.
Where to stay in Mauritius in July or August?
Preferably in the west or the north. It is the southern winter: cooler, drier, but windy in the east. Flic en Flac, Tamarin or Grand Baie then have the most sheltered beaches.
Can you visit the whole island from one coast?
Yes, the island is small. But from the north, the southeast is more than an hour's drive away. If you want to move around a lot, combine two coasts. A traveler on a travel forum also found Flic en Flac a convenient base for exploring, in 2023.
Do you need a car if you stay in the east?
It is more comfortable. The east has mostly big hotels, and people eat mostly at their hotel. Without a car, plan on taxis at a fare agreed in advance for your outings.