Oh, yes, Mauritius is a paradise destination that attracts beach and nature lovers more and more every day. This exotic island, nestled in the Indian Ocean, was on my travel list for a long time. Finally, my wish came true in April 2023.

Even now, when I look at the photos and videos made in Mauritius, I wish to go back there again.

Sunset on the Flic En Flac Beach

The best Mauritius beaches

The azure water of the Indian Ocean laps the coast of Mauritius, which is 330 km long.

After the formation of the island following the volcanic eruption, one part of the soil rose along the volcano and formed the protective reef. This reef is almost all around the coast, protecting the island from large waves, as well as sharks. Because of this, swimming and snorkelling in the lagoons are completely safe.

Flic en Flac Coast and reef, drone view by Aleksandar Petrović

Each coast part offers a unique experience, from hidden lagoons and long sandy beaches to rugged cliffs. This guide will take you through the best beaches on the north, south, west, and east coasts of Mauritius.

Generally, the beaches are public. But the space and facilities in front of the hotels and resorts are for their guests. By the way, the public beaches are crowded at weekends. Besides tourists, Mauritian families arrive equipped for picnics, carrying everything from food to sunbeds and tarps to protect them from the sudden rain!

Flic En Flac Beach

Definetely, it is not possible to see all the beaches during one vacation. So make a plan, enjoy your time and check here for more updated information about Mauritius

Mauritius beaches on the west coast

Since our apartment was in Flic en Flac, I will start with the west and southwest coast.
This part of the island is a very popular tourist spot with many facilities and a wide range of accommodation.

So, the most famous beaches in this part are Flic en Flac, Le Morne and Tamarin Beach.

Flic en Flac Beach

Drone view (Aleksandar Petrović) of the Flic en Flac coast and tourist place

Flic en Flac is located in the village of the same name, probably derived from the Old Dutch word for “free flat land”.

Flic En Flac Beach, drone by Aleksandar Petrović

The beach is almost 8 km long with a nice natural shade of native casuarina trees. The water is warm and shallow, which is perfect for families with kids. Besides swimming and snorkelling, there are water sports such as parasailing, jet skiing, paddle boating, banana boating, kayaking and deep-sea fishing.

Flic en Flac Beach

Around the beach, there are many bars, restaurants and food trucks offering fresh seafood and dishes from local cuisine.

Food trucks on the Flic En Flac Beach

By the way, the weather could change suddenly. It means that you are enjoying sunbathing, and in 15 minutes, dark and grey clouds come and rain starts, together with thunderstorms. Sometimes it is a light rain, and soon, the sun is shining again. But sometimes it is a heavy rain for hours and hours. During our stay, we experienced both situations, even though it was in April, the period when a few rainy days were expected.

This beach is known for its spectacular sunsets.

An amazing sunset on the Flic en Flac Beach

You can see people coming to the beach just to catch these romantic moments.

Sunset on Flic En Flac Beach, drone view

Accommodation in Flic en Flac

Flic en Flac offers a wide range of accommodations for every budget. You can choose from apartments, 2* hotels, to luxurious villas, bungalows and 5* hotels.
Some of the best hotels are: Hilton Mauritius Resort & Spa, Sofitel Mauritius L’Imperial Resort, Sugar Beach Mauritius, and Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa. 3* Aanari Hotel is a very good choice for a mid-range hotel, located close to the beach.

The rent prices of the apartments are different, depending on location and equipment. They range from 35 to 100 EUR per day.

View of the Flic En Flac Coast, drone by Aleksandar Petrović

Tamarin beach

About 10 km from Flic en Flac, there is the Tamarin beach in the village with the same name.
It belongs to the Black River district. Once a fishing village, today it is a popular residential and tourist area. There are various boutique hotels, villas, apartments and hotels from 2* to 5*.

Tamarin Beach is a wide, sandy beach with waves, perfect for surfers and watersports.
Close to the beach, there are: saltpans, Tamarina Golf Club, Casela Nature Park, and Cascavelle Shopping Village, with local and international brands.

Le Morne Beach 

Well, Le Morne Brabant is the most famous place in Mauritius.
This landscape of Mauritius is situated on the peninsula, on the southwest coast of Mauritius. Casuarina trees and the Le Morne Brabant Mountain surround the beautiful beach with white-gold sand.

Le Morne Public Beach

By the way, Le Morne was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site List. In the previous posts about Mauritius, I wrote about the sad story of the runaway slaves who lived on the mountain. In 1834, slavery was abolished. But when maroons saw the British soldiers who wanted to tell them that they were free, they feared being recaptured again. So, they committed suicide and threw themselves from the top of Le Morne mountain. They choose death, without knowing that finally, they could be free…

If you enjoy hiking, there are three-hour hiking tours with a guide to the top of the mountain. The tour is not easy, but you will be rewarded with a fantastic ocean view and coast from the top.

Le Morne Beach

In my opinion, Le Morne is the best beach on the island.

Beautiful Le Morne beach

It is known as a unique natural phenomenon: it is an underwater waterfall! Actually, it is an optical illusion, but it can be seen only from the air! We thought of making a video using a drone, but it was too windy on that side of the beach and ocean, so we gave up.
I hope to visit Mauritius again and see it during the helicopter tour (a 30-minute flight costs around 600 EUR, for 2 persons ).

Enjoying the Le Morne Beach

Kitesurfing on the Le Morne Beach

Kitesurfers on Le Morne Beach

Because of its specific location, Le Morne is a perfect place for kitesurfing.
Actually, it is one of the best spots in the world, with a big lagoon and warm water all year round.

Kitesurfers on the Le Morne Coast, viewed by drone of Aleksandar Petrović

The best time is from June to November, and the wind speed is about 15-25 knots.

Kitesurfing on the Le Morne Beach

Accommodation in Le Morne Beach

This area is also known for the most luxurious resorts on the island.

Le Morne, Grand Beachfront Villas, drone view by Aleksandar Petrović

You can find several 5* luxury resorts there, such as JW Marriott Mauritius Resort, LUX Le Morne, RIU Palace Mauritius, Grand Beachfront Villas, and Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa.
Also, around Le Morne, there are apartments, villas, and small boutique hotels.

Mauritius Beaches in the South 

Some of the beaches on the southern part of the island are Baie Du Cap (close to the Maconde viewpoint), La Cambuse, Pomponette, Souillac, Le Bouchon, Riambel, and Gris Gris.

Gris Gris Beach

We were so delighted by the Gris Gris!
Even though this golden sandy beach looks marvellous, it is very dangerous. Swimming and snorkelling are not allowed. The reasons are wind, rocks, strong sea currents, and big waves. In this part, there is no coral reef, which means that waves are crashing strongly on the rocks in the water.

Beautiful and dangerous Gris Gris Beach

I think that I could stay there all day, just watching the powerful play of the wind and waves!

Amazing Gris Gris Beach

The Mauritius beaches on the northern side

The most popular beaches of the North are Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy, La Cuvette, Grand Baie, Pereybere, and Cap Malheureux.

Troix aux Biches is located in the town with the same name, and it is one of the favourite beaches among tourists. Since we had limited time, we just stopped for a while at Grand Baie.

Grand Baie Beach

It is a very popular tourist place with many various types of accommodation, shops, nightclubs, bars and restaurants.

Mauritius, Grand Baie

Cap Malhereux Beach and the Church with a red roof

Going further north, we visited Cap Malheureux Beach.
It is located in a small fishing village close to Grand Baie. This is the most northerly point of the island.

Cap Malheureux Beach, drone view by Aleksandar Petrović

The beach is surrounded by a beautiful lagoon with a few islets.

Cap Malheureux Beach

By the way, “Cap de Malheureux” means “Unlucky Cape”, and the name was given by the French who controlled the island in the 18th century. But in 1810, the British surprised them. They landed there, and the French were defeated. Because of it, this area got its name as a reminder of the British invasion.

Cap Malheuerex Beach

However, it is also known as the Notre Dame Auxiliatrice Church or the Red Roof Church. Indeed, the church has a red roof, which is not very common.

Cap Malheureux Chapel of Notre-dame Auxiliatrice

The blue ocean, lagoon and church offer visitors an unbelievable scene. It is a very popular place for wedding ceremonies. We saw that during our excursion because, at that moment, it was full of guests who were waiting for the wedding ceremony to start

Take a look at the lagoon, the Red Roof Church, the boats and the ocean…
I hope you enjoy the view (drone by Aleksandar Petrović:)

Mauritius beaches on the east

The most popular beaches on the east are Belle Mare, La Pointe d’Esny, Post Lafayette, and the beach of Ile aux Cerfs.

In this area, there are 5-star hotels such as Shangri-La Le Touessrok, LUX Belle Mare, Constance Belle Mare Plage Mauritius, 4-star Radisson Blu Poste Lafayette Resort & Spa, and several 3-star hotels, as well.

From Trou d’Eau Douce, start excursions to the island of Ile aux Cerfs, one of the most popular things to do in Mauritius.

Catamaran Adventure to Ile aux Cerfs

So, several private operators offer this excursion, for half or the whole day. You can take a speedboat, catamaran or yacht to Ile aux Cerfs.

The cheapest way is the boat, which will take 15 minutes to reach the island, and it costs around 30 EUR per person.
If you enjoy catamaran tours, it will cost you approximately 65 to 125 EUR per person, depending if the transfer to your hotel is included or not.

Catamaran Tour

So, we took a catamaran tour, and we enjoyed sailing around the East Coast and Ile aux Cerfs.

Enjoying the Catamaran Tour

Usually, this tour includes a visit to the famous Grand River South East (GRSE) waterfall, which is about 500 m upstream. We moved from a catamaran to a speed boat and went close to the waterfall, going around the river banks surrounded by trees, rocks and greenery. Sometimes you can see the monkeys as well.

GRSE Waterfall

What to do on the Ile aux Cerfs?

Then we came back to the catamaran and sailed to Ile aux Cerfs, or Deer Island.
The island got its name because it was once inhabited by deer brought from Java by the Dutch in the 17th century. Today, there are no more deer on the island, and the area of ​​87 hectares is a tourist attraction.

Ile Aux Cerfs beach

So, you can swim, snorkel, walk around or soak up the sun on the island. Water sports are also available, such as parasailing, water skiing, wakeboarding and banana rides. Depending on the operator, the tour includes a BBQ lunch set with soft drinks, water, beer, wine or local rum, on the beach or the catamaran.

Facilities on the Ile Aux Cerrfs

Well, I have to admit that I enjoyed the wind, the sailing and the view of the waters of the Indian Ocean

Ile Aux Cerfs Beach

 Golf and Bubble Lodge

Golf enthusiasts can enjoy the Ile Aux Cerfs Golf Club, an 18-hole golf course. It was designed by the famous golf champion, Bernhard Langer.
There are no hotels on the island, but there is something: Bubble Lodge Ile aux Cerfs.
You can spend the night in luxurious “balloons”. There are only three balloons, and being in them is a unique experience. The package includes a private boat transfer, dinner and breakfast at the golf club restaurant, access to the club’s private beach (towel, sunbeds, umbrellas) and a golf lesson

Roughly, one night in this balloon costs around 500 euros, and reservations are made through the golf club.
For more nights, check out various hotels on the coast of Trou d’Eau Douce.

Definitely, Ile aux Cerfs is one of the top excursions in Mauritius

Enjoy stunning Mauritius beaches

I hope you enjoyed my story of the beautiful Mauritius beaches.
The crystal clear water, endless white-gold sandy beaches and breathtaking sunsets give an unforgettable experience for travellers.

Walking along Le Morne beach

While I looked at the sun going down, I was so happy and thankful to have the opportunity to visit this paradise. There are no words to describe the feeling of being surrounded by amazing nature and powerful waves.

And yes, it is not just a feeling that you are “lost somewhere in the ocean”.
It is true, especially when you see Mauritius as a small point on the world map, somewhere in the blue Indian Ocean…

Sunset on the Flic En Flac beach

“Mauritius was made first, and then heaven, and heaven was copied after Mauritius”, once said  Mark Twain.

Hm, maybe it is why Mauritius is also known as “a honeymoon island”

Amazing sunset on the Flic en Flac Beach

How to get to Mauritius

The Republic of Mauritius is located in the southwest of the Indian Ocean. It is about 800 km east of Madagascar, and about 200 km from Reunion Island, which belongs to France. This African country consists of the islands Mauritius, Rodrigues and almost 50 islets. Together with Reunion, they belong to the Mascarene Islands. By the way, Mauritius is 45 km in width and 65km in length.

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is Mauritius’s main airport, also called “Plaisance Airport”. It is located 48 km southeast of the capital city of Port Louis. The island is connected with many countries worldwide with Turkish Airlines, Air France, Emirates, Fly Dubai, Lufthansa, and other air companies.

A few words about Mauritius’ history

It is believed that Arab sailors were the first who visit the island. But officially, Mauritius was discovered by the Portuguese according to Portuguese maps at the beginning of the 16th century.

For centuries, Mauritius was home to the Dutch, the French, the English, the Africans, the Indians, and the Chinese. And yes, it is an incredible mix of cultures. All of them had an impact on the Mauritian population.

The first inhabitants were the Dutch, who settled on the island in 1598, in the southeast, driven by a storm. They named the island “Ile Maurice” after Prince Maurits van Nassau, the governor of Holland. So, the Dutch were responsible for the start of the production of sugarcane, for domestic animals and deer. However, the colonists struggled with cyclones, diseases, and the delayed shipment of supplies. They left the island in 1710.

By the way, an interesting bird Dodo and a giant tortoise lived in Mauritius. However, the Dutch presence contributed to the extinction of this endemic bird because of hunting it for food. Today, Dodo is the national symbol.

Then, five years later, the French arrived, and they changed the name of the island to “Isle de France”. They established Port Louis as a naval base, shipbuilding and trade centre. During this period, the trade of slaves from Africa and Madagascar increased because of the development of the sugarcane industry. The French ruled the island until 1810.

By the way, you can read more about the Slave trade in Zanzibar, the largest slave centre in Africa, here.

 The British and the Sugarcane industry

In 1810, the British occupied the island and renamed it “Mauritius” again.
So, Mauritius became the British Empire’s main sugar-producing colony, and huge social and economic changes were made. But the most important thing was the abolition of slavery in 1835, and the start of the program “Great Experiment” initiated by the British Government.

It resulted in the arrival of more than 462,000 indentured labourers who came to Mauritius between 1835 and the First World War. They were from India, Madagascar, Mozambique, China, and Southeast Asia. Most of them were of the Hindu and Muslim religions, who changed the society’s structure.

But tensions between the Indian and the Franco-Mauritian populations started in the 1920s. The Mauritius Labour Party was born in 1947, and these elections were the first steps towards independence. Finally, the British rule ended in 1968. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam became the first Prime Minister on 12 March 1968. In 1992, Mauritius became a republic.

Mauritius economy today

After gaining independence from Britain, the country had a rapid development in tourism, textiles, sugar and financial services. Also, there was the development of property, information and communication technology, renewable energy, education, healthcare and other services, making Mauritius one of the wealthier countries in Africa. The economy attracts foreign investment, as well.

Even though you can see the sugarcane fields all around the island, today there are only three mills. But once, there were many more. For example, in 1860, there were 296 mills…

Mauritius Sugarcane Field

The best time to travel to Mauritius

Mauritius has a tropical climate, which means that you can visit it and swim in the ocean all year round. But the weather could change suddenly. It means that it is a mix of hot, sunny hours and rain, with or without wind. Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, which means that the summer and winter are opposite to the seasons in Europe. There are two main seasons.

The summer in Mauritius is from November to April. Days are long and humid, with average temperatures of 28 to 34°C. Also, the average water temperature is between 26-30°C. The sunset is approximately 7.00 PM. The cyclone season is from late December to March.

The winter season is from May to October. The temperatures are from 22 to 28°C, the humidity is reduced, and the average water temperature is between 22-25°C. Generally, the western and northern areas are warmer and drier than the central, eastern and southern parts of the island.

Where to stay

Depending on your budget, there are various types of accommodation: from hostels, apartments, small boutique hotels, and hotels with 2*, 3*, 4*, and 5*,  to 6* luxury resorts. Prices vary due to the periods, but the highest prices are in December, January, February and March, as well as for Christmas and Easter.

The most popular tourist places are located in the north and north-west, such as Grand Baie and Trou aux Biches. In this area, there are many hotels, apartments, restaurants and bars.

Le Morne is one of the landscapes of the island, located on the south-west. It is an amazing area with stunning beaches and luxurious resorts, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.

Flic en Flac is also a popular tourist place in the west, with a long beach and many tourist facilities.

Generally, a low-budget traveller can expect to spend around 50 to 80 EUR per day, while a mid-range traveller around 100-150 EUR per day. Well, everything depends on your accommodation, meals, transportation, interests, and activities. 

What to see on Mauritius and how to get around the island?

Mauritius offers a diverse range of attractions for travellers who seek relaxation, cultural sights, nature and sea adventures.

So, you can rent a car and explore the island yourself or book various organised excursions. Bear in mind that in Mauritius you have to drive on the left side of the road.

Since we arranged our trip to Mauritius by ourselves, we contacted the Taxi Mauritius transfer agency. Generally, two-way transport (arrival & departure) costs from 65 EUR (2 persons) to 100 EUR for a minibus (10 persons).
Sham, our driver, waited for us at the airport and took us to our apartment in Flic en Flac. At the same time, he was our driver and guide in exploring Mauritius. We had a great time with him because the excursions were like private tours, making our vacation unforgettable

Well, let me tell you more about this stunning island…

Port Louis

The capital of Mauritius is Port Louis, located in the north-west of the country. It was founded by French Governor Bertrand-François Mahé de Labourdonnais in 1735.

A view of Port Louis houses from the Citadel

Take your time and stroll along the vibrant streets. Visit the colourful market where you can find all: clothes, souvenirs, aromatic spices, fish, fruits, vegetables, etc…

Central Market in Port Louis

The modern part of the city is the Caudan Waterfront on the harbourfront. Take a walk in a promenade, and enjoy restaurants, bars, the Blue Penny Museum, a shopping centre, and many various shops.

The Caudan Waterfront and shopping centre

Visit the Citadel, known as Fort Adelaide. It is an old stone fortress built on the hill by the British to defend the city. From the fortress, there is a stunning view of Port Louis and the harbour.

Port Louis, Citadel – Fort Adelaide

Another popular attraction is Champs de Mars, located at the foot of the hill. It is one of the world’s oldest horse racing tracks, from the early 19th century.

Port Louis and Champ de Mars

Jummah Mosque dates back to the late 19th century, and it is still in use for daily prayers.
It is located at the entrance to Chinatown, a part of the city where you can find many various shops, restaurants, and souvenirs.

The Jummah Mosque

Botanical Garden

Pamplemousses Botanical Garden is one of the most visited places, located 13 km northwest of Port Louis. It was constructed in 1770. You can spend all day strolling along the paths and admiring various tropical trees, plants, flowers, and lotus lilies.

Botanical Garden

And… you can read more about the vibrant city of Port Louis in one of the following posts

Religion and Hindu Temple

Almost all the world’s religions are represented in Mauritius. Hinduism dominated with over 50%, followed by Christianity (28%), and Islam (17%). It means that you can see various religious objects such as Hindu temples, churches and mosques all around the island.

Giant statues next to the Grand Bassin Hindu Temple

But, the most sacred place is a Hindu temple on the Ganga Talao, the sacred lake known as Grand Bassin. Before the temple, you will see the giant statues of Lord Shiva, which is 33 metres high and the goddess Durga Maa.

You can read more about this sacred place here: Ganga Talao and Hindu Temple on Mauritius.

Le Morne, the beach and the slave monument 

Le Morne Brabant is a landscape of Mauritius. This is the most photographed place on the island.
Hm, to be honest, I put a photo of Le Morne beach on my desktop

Le Morne

The beach is fascinating and surrounded by luxury resorts. There are three-hour hiking tours with a guide to the top of the mountain with a spectacular view of the beach and ocean.

Mauritius, Le Morne Beach

By the way, in this area, there is a unique natural phenomenon: it is an underwater waterfall! In fact, it is an optical illusion, and it can be seen only from the air!

But there is one sad and tragic story about Le Morne. A group of runaway slaves were hiding on the Le Morne Mountain. In 1834, the British soldiers and police went to the mountain to tell them that the Slavery Abolition Act had been signed. But the slaves, seeing them approaching, feared that they were being recaptured and returned to their masters. So they climbed to the top of the mountain and threw themselves off, committing suicide by landing in the ocean.

The history of the slaves in Mauritius is commemorated annually on August 23rd, which is UNESCO’s International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade.

Amazing Mauritius beaches

Mauritius is known for its endless white sandy beaches of 330 km and the warm turquoise sea. It is not easy to describe the beauty of Mauritius’ beaches. Let’s mention the most popular beaches.

Flic en Flac is a beautiful beach in the village of the same name. It is almost 8 km long.

Flic en Flac, a beach and tourist place

Gris Gris is located in the southern part of the island. Swimming and snorkelling are prohibited because of the wind, strong sea currents, and big waves. But it looks marvellous! Just relax and enjoy the power of the sea and wind…

Stunning Gris Gris Beach

Cap Malheureux is the beach which belongs to a small fishing village close to Grand Baie, on the northern coast. The beautiful lagoon, the blue sea and the Notre Dame Auxiliatrice Church, also known as the red-roofed church, make an unbelievable scene.

Cap de Malheureux, the drone view

According to many travellers, the most beautiful beach is Troix aux Biches, located on the north of the island. Around the beach is the town with the same name. The long Mont Choisy beach is located in a bay on the northwestern coast of Mauritius.

You can read more about beaches in Mauritius here: Best and stunning Mauritius beaches.

Catamaran tour

Catamaran Tour

One of the best ways to see Mauritius is a sea excursion.
You can choose between speedy boats and catamarans to visit the island Ile aux Cerfs, and spend one or half of a day sailing around the island, enjoying the view of the Indian Ocean. On the island, you can relax, sunbathe, go snorkelling or swimming. In a word, it is an escape to nature and one more unforgettable experience.

Beautiful nature, waterfalls and national parks

In a word, we were impressed by the fascinating nature of the island. Everywhere you look around, there are beautiful views of beaches, greenery, waterfalls, gorges, sugar cane fields, hills and mountains. Check out the most popular places which become tourist attractions.

Trou aux Cerfs reminds us of the volcanic origin of the island. The former crater is completely covered with trees and greenery. There is a small lake in the middle, and it can be seen from the air, or… from a drone

Mauritius, Trou aux Cerfs volcano crater

Chamarel 7 Earth is one of the most fascinating places I have ever seen! Seven colours mix earth dunes, making unique views of Mother Nature. I think that a photo tells more than a thousand words!

Mauritius, Chamarel 7 Colours

Close to it, there is a fantastic Chamarel Waterfall surrounded by greenery and wood. It is the tallest single-drop waterfall in Mauritius.

Chamarel Waterfall

 The Black River Gorges National Park is another must-see location. Marvellous hills, waterfalls, endemic plants, rare birds, and  Alexandra Waterfall show us the wild part of nature and the remains of native forests.

Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius

It is not possible to describe them shortly
You can read more about the Best nature attractions in Mauritius here.

Mauritius gastronomy

Various nations brought their local receipts, making Mauritian cuisine a fantastic mix of Indian, Creole, French and Chinese dishes. Spices are widely used in meals. Try fresh and grilled fish and seafood, French pastry and bread, Persian falooda, a wrap called dholl-puri, rice-based biryani and gâteau piment.

If you have enough time, visit the Bois Cheri tea plantation. I am sure you will remember forever the feeling of tasting various teas and stunning 360-degree panoramic views of nature and tea fields.

You can read more about the Bois Cheri tea plantation and Mauritius rum here.

Bois Cheri teas

Also, you can enjoy a delicious rum-tasting session at Rhumerie De St Aubin or somewhere on the island. Both teas and rum are the perfect souvenirs to take home and as a gift for your loved ones.

Souvenirs from Mauritius

Mauritius, the green paradise in the Indian Ocean

Well, Mauritius is a dreamy destination which attracts people more and more every year. Interestingly, this small area has so many various activities to offer, no matter whether you are travelling with a partner, kids or friends.

So, pack your bags and prepare for a trip that will leave you amazed and speechless.
And the sound of Sega music, created from the hearts of African slaves, takes over your soul…

Some destinations have many stories to tell. So, stay tuned for more interesting texts about marvellous Mauritius.
Coming soon…