Where to stay in Mauritius
Everything here comes down to wind exposure. Trade winds sweep the southeast for three quarters of the year, meaning on the exact same date and for the same price, one coast features glass-calm lagoon waters while the other churns with whitecaps. The month you visit dictates your coastline.
Three main bases follow, running from the sheltered north to the exposed east. A room facing the lagoon runs between $230 and $470*, a simple spot in the north hovers around $140*, and the western tip starts at $470*.
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The most beautiful place and one of the finest beaches in Mauritius is in Trou aux Biches, with white sand and turquoise water.
How many nights in each area?
A two-hour drive gets you from one coast to the other, and the weather changes entirely between them. Here is how to split your time by season.
- One week during the southern winter (June to September): Right up in the north, which is the only coast sheltered from the trade winds during these months. It is also whale season, as Kriss points out in August.
- One week during the southern summer (November to April): 4 nights on the east coast for expansive beaches, 3 on the west coast for Le Morne. The wind has dropped, making the east home to the finest lagoon on the island once again.
- Ten days: 3 nights in the north, 4 on the west coast, 3 on the east coast. Two hours of driving between each base, making this the only destination on the list where three distinct stops will barely cost anything in transit.
- Short stay, 3 nights: The north without hesitation, as it remains reliable regardless of the month, offers the best transit links, and stands out as the only area where dining outside your resort is straightforward.
At a glance: our picks by traveller type
Pick the profile that fits you and go straight to the recommended area.
Map of the areas in Mauritius
See how the areas sit relative to one another before choosing your base. Click a name to jump to its description.
The north, from Trou aux Biches to Grand Baie Northwest coast
ideal for a first trip and for swimming year-round
This is the wind-sheltered coast that works in any season and acts as the most lively part of the island: Grand Baie packs in restaurants and shops, while Trou aux Biches delivers the long beach stretch. Kriss minces no words: white sand, turquoise water, and in his view nothing better on the island. He notes that in August you can spot whales by boat just a few yards off the beach. The flip side: nowhere else on the island features this much concrete or crowds.
The most beautiful place and one of the finest beaches in Mauritius is in Trou aux Biches, with white sand and turquoise water.
The towns in this area
Where to stay in this area
Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa Luxury
Three kilometers of beachfront and thirty-five hectares of gardens, right on the beach Kriss recommends. It is his go-to spot for a drink, and the largest resort on this coast.
Pros
- The coast least exposed to trade winds, keeping swimming viable all year
- More dining and shopping options than anywhere else on the island
- Whale-watching excursions right in the middle of the southern winter
Cons
- The most heavily developed area, lacking the isolated feel of the south
- A main beach that gets very busy during the day
The west, Le Morne and Tamarin West coast
for the dramatic lagoon and wind sports
The mountain drops right into the lagoon: the Morne Brabant, a World Heritage site, closes the horizon and creates the most photographed landscape on the island. It is also the main hub for kitesurfers, precisely because the wind funnels right in. Julien hiked the trail, seven kilometers round trip: "leave very early in the morning to beat the heat", moderately challenging, but "the effort pays off with an incredible view". Nowhere else on the island commands higher prices.
You get to the summit after a 7km round-trip hike. Leave very early in the morning to avoid the heat. It is a bit physical at times, but the effort is rewarded by an incredible view at the top.
What to see and do in this area
Where to stay in this area
LUX* Le Morne Resort Luxury
Right at the base of the mountain, five pools and a spa, with kitesending and snorkeling on site. The easiest way to have the mountain at your back and the lagoon in front.
JW Marriott Mauritius Resort Luxury
Panoramic views of the ocean and Le Morne Brabant, plus five restaurants. The other major address on the peninsula, chosen specifically for that mountain peak backdrop.
Bellevue Tamarin Mid-range
A fifteen-minute walk from the sand in Tamarin, and noticeably cheaper than the peninsula. A solid middle ground for seeing dolphins without a resort budget.
Pros
- The most dramatic scenery on the island, combining mountain and lagoon
- The best water conditions for kitesurfing and windsurfing
- The dolphins of Tamarin Bay, first thing in the morning
Cons
- No budget options right on the peninsula itself
- The wind, which draws some visitors while bothering others
The east coast, around Belle Mare East coast
for the biggest beaches, outside the trade wind season
The widest and whitest beaches on the island, with a lagoon stretching far out to the reef. The boats for Île aux Cerfs, which Julien describes as one of the most popular excursions and simply stunning. One seasonal factor to keep in mind: from June to September, this coast takes the trade winds head-on, and the water gets much rougher than up north. During the southern summer, it flips.
This is one of the most popular excursions offered to tourists staying in Mauritius. Ile aux Cerfs is just beautiful. A classic you have to do.
The towns in this area
What to see and do in this area
Where to stay in this area
Constance Belle Mare Plage Luxury
Two kilometers of private beach, seven restaurants, and two golf courses. The benchmark for this coast if you plan on staying put.
LUX* Belle Mare Resort & Villas Luxury
Bikes, a pool, and a terrace facing the lagoon. A notch less corporate than its neighbor, with the same sand out front.
C Mauritius - All Inclusive Mid-range
Steps from Palmar beach on an all-inclusive plan, offering a way to experience this upscale stretch without the luxury price tag.
Pros
- The island's widest and least developed beaches
- Direct boat access to Île aux Cerfs and its shallow sandbars
- A very wide lagoon that works well for kayaking and snorkeling
Cons
- Exposed to the trade winds from June to September, bringing choppy water and seaweed on the shore
- Very little going on outside the resorts, so you end up eating where you sleep
Our tips for booking the right place
- Pick your coast by the calendar, not by the photo.: Trade winds blow from the southeast between June and September, meaning the east and south catch the wind while the north stays calm. From November to April, the wind drops and the east is gorgeous again, though you hit the rainy and cyclone season. The exact same room for the same price delivers a totally different week depending on the month. Checking the dates before looking at the view is the only rule that matters here.
- Climb Le Morne at daybreak.: Julien keeps it straightforward regarding the hike up Le Morne Brabant: seven miles round trip, and start at dawn to beat the heat. The trail is straightforward, but it climbs steadily, and the humidity makes afternoons exhausting. Staying overnight right there on the west coast saves an hour of driving before you even lace up.
- The south is for exploring, not for sleeping.: Chamarel with its colored earths and waterfalls, Mahébourg and its market, and the coastal road of the wild south. This is the most authentic side of the island, and the leanest on places to stay. Tackling it as a day trip from the west or north gives you the best of both worlds without hunting for a room where very few exist.
- Booking on the east coast in July or August without checking: that is when the trade winds churn up the sea and push seaweed onto the shore, while the north stays protected.
- Choosing Port Louis to be central. It is a busy commercial port with no swimming beaches, and you will sit in the capital's traffic jams twice a day.
- Relying on the south for a classic beach vacation. The coastline is stunning but exposed, and lodging options are very slim.
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