Mauritius is an island nation in the Indian Ocean with a coastline of 320 km. Almost all of Mauritius’s 320 km coastline consists of beaches, with a total of 58 officially recognized beaches.
The island is almost completely surrounded by a barrier reef, and there are few places with strong ocean waves, so you don’t have to worry about being swept out to sea. The best and most popular beaches in Mauritius are located on the northern and eastern sides of the island. The northern beaches offer warmer waters, well-developed infrastructure, and plenty of nightlife options, while the eastern coast is ideal for diving and snorkeling. The western coast of Mauritius is known for its stunning views. Only on the south side of the island, where there is no barrier reef, there are large waves and a fast current. This is a popular destination for wind and kite surfers.
The beaches in Mauritius are public and completely free, and they are well-maintained and regularly cleaned.
We have compiled a list of the best beaches in Mauritius, with photos and descriptions that are worth your attention.
Le Morne Beach
The real gem of Mauritius is Le Morne Beach, located on the southwestern side. It features a vast stretch of white sand, azure waters, and palm groves, all set against the backdrop of a picturesque mountain, which is a popular destination for hiking tours. It is a popular destination for romance seekers and photographers seeking the perfect shot.
Le Morn is good for a lazy vacation and there is where to swim, with the entrance to the water smooth, the depth increases gradually. But still, this beach is more designed for kite and windsurfing, as there are often strong winds. The presence of a reef, located parallel to the coastline, creates good conditions for diving and snorkeling.
The tourist infrastructure is very well developed: there are many luxury hotels, apartments, guesthouses of various levels of comfort, and restaurants.
Le Morn is ranked 1st in the “Best Kitesurfing Beaches in the World” and 14th in the “Best Beaches in Africa”.
Surf Island (Ile aux Cerfs)
Île aux Cerfs, often referred to as Deer Island, is located in the east of Mauritius, near the town of Trou aux Dunes.
If you’re looking for the best beach for children in Mauritius, Il-le-Surfe is definitely the place to go. It has a sandy surface, a gentle slope into the ocean, and is very shallow near the shore.
Umbrellas and sunbeds are available for free, and there are toilets and showers. There are many good restaurants, cafes, and shops. However, the prices are high, so it is advisable to bring your own supplies.
Tourists have the opportunity to go diving, snorkeling, parasailing, surfing. You can also go on catamarans, kayaks, water parachutes, you can play golf on a well-equipped field.
Pereybere Beach
One of the best beaches in the north of Mauritius is rightfully considered Pereybere Beach. It is loved not only by tourists – it is here that locals prefer to relax with their children, because of which people are always a lot on weekends.
Pereybere is small, but it is good for swimming. The water is clean, the entrance to the ocean is shallow and short, and the bottom is sandy and coral-free.
The infrastructure on Pereyber Beach is the best on the island: there are many cafes and restaurants, shops, and affordable hotels. There is a shady seating area near the beach and parking is available.
There is a boat dock on Pereiber, which takes tourists on excursions. Behind the boat area, there is a great place for snorkeling – there are many anemones and fish. Local diving centers organize tours to the reefs of nearby islands.
Tru-o-Bish
Trou aux Biches is located in the resort town of the same name. It is the best family beach in Mauritius, where it is good to relax with small children. The entire coastline is covered with pure golden sand, and the bottom is also sandy. The entry into the ocean is smooth, but not prolonged. The water is warm, and even with a strong wind, there are no waves near the shore – they break on the coral reef.
Tru-o-Bish is suitable not only for lazy leisure, but also for active recreation: you can go diving, snorkeling, parasailing, and deep-sea fishing.
There are many cafes and restaurants along the beach, which offer fresh fish and seafood dishes. Shops and supermarkets offer a wide selection of food products. There are toilets and showers on the beach, and parking is available nearby.
Mont Choisy Beach
The ranking of the best beaches in Mauritius includes Mont Choisy or, as it is sometimes called, Mont Choisy. It is located 20 km from Port Louis.
Mont Choisy is a long 3-kilometer sandy beach. Along the beach, there is a park with perennial casuarina trees that provide shade.
The ocean is clean, with no seaweed or coral. The beach and seabed are covered with white sand, and there are no rocks. The water is very shallow, with a gradual increase in depth. Although the coral reef does not completely separate the beach from the ocean, there are almost no waves.
There are many dive centers on Mont Choisy, and tourists can also enjoy glass-bottomed boat tours, catamaran rides, water skiing, kayaking, parasailing, windsurfing, and deep-sea fishing.
There are changing rooms, showers, and toilets on the beach, as well as free parking. There are no shops or restaurants on Mont Choisy, but Tru-o-Bich Beach is nearby, where you can find everything you need.
Mont Choisy is quiet and unpopulated, and on weekdays it is the best place in Mauritius to relax.
Flic en Flac
On the western side of Mauritius, in the tourist village of Flic-en-Flac, there is a good beach of the same name. Its main feature is its convenient location for excursions, as all the best attractions are nearby. Flic-en-Flac is a popular and crowded resort, especially during weekends. It is also a popular destination for couples in love, as it is often the site of symbolic and legal weddings.
Numerous palm trees and casuarina trees grow along the long and wide beach. The ocean water is clear and turquoise, and the entry into the water is smooth, with a gradually increasing depth. There are no waves on the beach due to the coral reef that protects the lagoon. However, due to the close proximity of the reef, there are many coral fragments and sea urchins on the bottom, so special shoes are required.
The proximity of the reef, as well as the presence of sunken ships, attract divers to Flic-en-Flac. Windsurfing and sailing are also available for vacationers.
This resort cannot be called a budget resort, as most of the hotels on the beach have a 4-5* rating. The hotels have restaurants, nightclubs, casinos, and spas. There are many fast-food restaurants, drinks, and fruit vendors on the beach.
Blue Bay Beach
Blue Bay Beach in the city of Mahébourg is considered the best beach on the entire southeastern coast. Unlike the neighboring beaches, it is suitable for swimming and is great for children, as the water is calm and there are no high waves or strong underwater currents. The coast and seabed are sandy, and the slope is gradual.
Blue Bay has two parts, separated by breakwaters: a public beach and a section with guesthouses. There are showers and toilets near the public beach, as well as parking, restaurants, shops, and a food market.
It is in Blue Bay that Mauritius has its only marine park with coral gardens. To explore it, excursions are organized by boat with a transparent bottom. Other local activities include snorkeling, windsurfing, and diving.
The resort is crowded, and you need to arrive early in the morning to find a good spot on the beach. Another disadvantage of Blue Bay is its location near the airport, which means you can hear the sound of planes.
La Cuvette Grand Bay (La Cuvette Public Beach)
The sandy-rocky beach of La Couvet, located a short drive from the Grand Bay resort, is a great place for a relaxing swim. This tiny stretch of coast is well-known for its picturesque scenery and calm ocean waters.
The local diving school organizes day and night tours to explore the underwater world of Mauritius. Here, you can try your luck at the casino, have fun at the nightclub, and relax at the cafe.
Belle Mare Beach
Belle Mare is a long beach on the eastern side of Mauritius, surrounded by a lush casuarina grove. The beach is sandy, but there are many rocks at the bottom. The area is known for strong winds and rough currents, making swimming dangerous. However, Belle Mare is popular among windsurfing and sailing enthusiasts. It is also home to La passe de Belle Mare, the best diving spot in the eastern part of Mauritius.
There are few accommodation options, and they are mostly luxury hotels. When planning a vacation in this area of Mauritius, it is necessary to book accommodation 3-6 months in advance.
The beach is equipped with a shower, toilet, and changing rooms. The nearest store is 1 km away, and the nearest cafe is 500 m away. The nearest settlement to Belle Mare is Poste de Flacq, located in the northern part of Mauritius.
Gabriel Island (Ilot Gabriel Beach)
Gabriel Island is quite tiny, about 42 hectares in size, and it is located approximately 20 km from Mauritius on its northern side.
Due to its remote location, Ilot Gabriel Beach remains one of the most untouched and wild beaches in Mauritius. It is known for its picturesque nature, stunning ocean views, and excellent snorkeling opportunities.
You can visit Ilot Gabriel by purchasing a tour from a travel agency, but your stay on the beach is usually limited to 4-5 hours. Alternatively, you can visit the island independently by taking a rental boat, catamaran, or kayak from Grand Bay or Pereybere.
There is a toilet on the beach, but sunbeds are paid, and you can only buy fruit and drinks.
Conclusion
As you can see, Mauritius offers a wide variety of beaches for its guests. Take a look at the photos, read the descriptions and reviews from tourists, and choose the best option for yourself.
