10 of the Best Beaches in Mauritius

Picture yourself walking along stunning, sandy beaches lined with beautiful casuarina trees on one side and dazzling azure blue waters on the other.

Or, perhaps you envisage yourself sipping a pina colada at a tiki-themed beach bar watching the sun dip below the horizon. Whether either or both appeal, Mauritius is the perfect setting for something truly luxurious and exotic.

As a tropical paradise located in the Indian Ocean, Mauritius is known for both the Dodo, a now-extinct flightless bird, and for its stunning beaches and clear blue waters.

Whether you’re looking for a secluded spot to relax or an action-packed day of snorkelling and swimming, there’s a beach for everyone on this beautiful island.

In this guide, we will be highlighting some of the most beautiful beaches in Mauritius, all deserving of your time when you visit this tropical island known for its mixed culture, culinary delights, and picture-postcard scenery.

Belle Mare Beach

Belle Mare Beach is located on the Southeast coast of the island near the town of Mahebourg and is one of the most popular beaches in Mauritius, and you can get there easily from the airport on the number 236 bus for just 20 rupees.

Its long stretch of white sand and crystal clear turquoise waters lined by casuarina trees make it the perfect place for swimming and snorkelling. The beach is also home to several hotels and luxury villas, making it a great option for those looking for a more upscale beach experience.

The beach is popular among the locals who visit it mainly on weekends and holidays, plus the water is also shallow, making it an excellent spot for families with small children. The best times to visit are early morning, late afternoon, or during the week for a quieter experience.

Snorkelling is a must-do activity at Belle Mare Beach, as the waters are teeming with marine life, such as tropical fish, coral, and even sea turtles. Many tour companies also offer excursions to the beach, which can be a great option if you don’t have a car.

The beach is also well connected by bus, with several bus stops located nearby. Overall, Belle Mare Beach is a must-visit spot for anyone looking for a perfect mix of luxury and unspoiled natural beauty in Mauritius.

Blue Bay Beach

Blue Bay, a charming village located in the southeast of Mauritius, is known for its beautiful beach and is, therefore, one of the best beaches in Mauritius to visit. Blue Bay offers visitors a variety of entertainment, relaxation, and cultural activities to enjoy.

Located in the district of Grand Port, Blue Bay is only a few kilometres away from the village of Mahebourg and is easily accessible by car or the number 46 bus, costing just 30 rupees. The village is just 15 minutes and 10 kilometres from the International Airport and an hour’s drive from the capital city of Port Louis.

Blue Bay beach is a perfect spot for family outings. The white, sandy beach is surrounded by large casuarina trees, providing shade, and the water is a beautiful emerald blue. One of the main attractions in Blue Bay is the Blue Bay Marine Park.

The park was declared a national park and a wetland site, known for its coral garden that harbours hundreds of varieties of corals and abundant fauna. Tourists often visit the marine park to observe the coral life, which is plentiful in Mauritius.

For those interested in history, just a short walk from Blue Bay Beach is the National History Museum in Mahebourg, and it is worth visiting while in the area. The museum, located in a colonial house, is free to enter and houses various artifacts and paintings.

While other popular attractions in the area include the Ferney Valley, a 200-hectare nature sanctuary and forest and wildlife reserve, and the Biscuiterie Rault, a family biscuit factory that has been operating since 1868.

At the same time, the Mahebourg Waterfront offers beautiful views over the lagoon and lion mountain. The waterfront is a peaceful place for long walks and to visit the monument that commemorates the only naval battle Napoleon won against the English.

Finally, the Market of Mahebourg is worth considering for those interested in shopping. The market offers shops specializing in unique products that reflect the customs and habits of the local population. Visitors can find traditional textiles, spices, and souvenirs.

Overall, Blue Bay is a perfect destination for those looking for a beach vacation with a mix of culture, history, and relaxation. The village offers a variety of activities for visitors of all ages and interests, including scuba diving and glass bottom boat tours, making it a must-visit destination in Mauritius.

Flic en Flac Beach

Flic en Flac is a charming seaside village situated on Mauritius’s west coast in the Black River district. The name “Flic en Flac” comes from the Dutch phrase “Fried Landt Flaak,” which means “Free and Flat Land.”

The village boasts a beautiful beach, Flac Beach, lined with Casuarina Trees and a lagoon rimmed by coral reefs. The warm, azure waters of the beach are perfect for swimming, snorkelling, scuba diving, and even swimming with dolphins.

The beach has all the necessary facilities, including well-maintained showers, changing rooms, and restrooms. There are also barbecue pits, allowing visitors to enjoy a picnic on the beach. The shoreline is dotted with various restaurants, cafes, bars, and pubs, offering an abundance of local foods for you to try including a dish of Mauritian meatballs.

Flic en Flac is a busy beach, with locals and tourists flocking to the area on weekends to enjoy free music and dance shows. The traditional Mauritian Sega Music can be heard, and locals can often be found singing and dancing to the music. The beach also features street vendors selling local food and water sport tour operators offering their services.

Flic en Flac is also not the most picturesque beach, but it is one of the best beaches in Mauritius because it is full of fun, adventure, and liveliness that promises an unmatched beach holiday. To get there from the airport via bus will take you just over 2 hours and cost around 45 rupees, while a taxi will only take you around an hour but will cost over 2000 rupees.

If you are staying in one of the many hotels or apartments nearby, visitors can also take a day trip to nearby attractions such as the La Vanille Nature Park, which is home to several species of animal local to the island. While if you fancy more of an adrenaline rush, go-karting at SpeedoMax is also a fun option for a break from the beach and watersports.

Grand Baie Beach

Grand Baie is a popular resort area located in the northwest of Mauritius on the shore of a small bay. The central beach, also called Grand Baie, is only about 300 metres long, but it is worthwhile noting that some of the hotels in the area also have their own private beaches. Along the edge of the main beach are rows of casuarina trees, a common sight along the coast of Mauritius.

The main beach of Grand Baie can be pretty busy, with many boats in the bay, which can make swimming a little more tricky. However, the area still attracts tourists with its variety of eateries, bars, souvenir shops, nightclubs, and other attractions, making it one of the best public beaches in Mauritius.

For example, the Café de la Plage offers a great view, while the Banana Beach Club is a popular spot for nightlife. The fish market at the end of the beach is a great place to buy fresh seafood in the afternoon.

Just a short distance from the beach, visitors can find two large shopping centres for anyone who does not want to spend the entire day in the sun. La Croisette Shopping Mall and Coeur de Ville both offer a wide range of shops, a cinema, a casino, and various dining options.

For those opting to stay after dark, the city also has several nightclubs, such as Zanzibar, Les Enfants Terribles, OMG Club, and Buddha Bar. The Grand Baie Chinese market is also a popular destination for tourists, but it’s important to be aware that some of the clothing available are counterfeit and of low quality.

Accommodation options in Grand Baie are diverse, catering to different tastes and budgets, from five-star hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses or apartments. Hotels with their own beaches tend to be more expensive, while guest houses across the road from the sea are more affordable.

The easiest way to get to Grand Baie from the airport is by taxi, which will cost around 1500 rupees. Buses are, of course, far cheaper, but you will need to change at Port Louis.

Grand Baie offers many options for excursions and boat trips, such as diving, walking on the seabed, trips on an underwater scooter, diving in a submarine, fishing, and watching marine life in a glass bottom boat.

Tamarin Beach

Tamarin Beach can be found in a small fishing village located on the western coast of Mauritius, about 50km and a one-hour drive from the International Airport. You can also use public transport; however, the bus (number 198) only goes as far as Pellegrin before you need a taxi.

This journey will cost you around 1800 rupees. It’s known for water sports, especially surfing and bodyboarding, and offers many other activities, such as fishing, dolphin watching, and boat trips to neighbouring islands.

Tamarin Bay has a rich history, starting as a fisherman’s village before transforming into a popular residential area and holiday destination. The area is a surfer’s paradise and was previously known as Santosha Bay, but the waves and currents have changed, and the surfing enthusiasts have moved down the coast to Le Morne.

The Bay of Tamarin has a wide grey sandy beach with rolling waves, and the coral reef is located directly behind the bay, which offers an excellent snorkelling spot. For those looking to be close to several different beaches during their stay, the little village of La Preneuse, located close to Tamarin, offers a beautiful public beach with a view of Le Morne, which is often deserted and perfect for a peaceful day.

There are many places to visit around Tamarin, such as the 450-acre Casela Nature Park, where visitors can experience unique, thrilling activities such as quad biking and ziplining and see various animals such as giraffes, camels, and llamas.

Tamarin also has salt pans, which are still in use today, using traditional methods unchanged in 200 years to provide Mauritius with all its salt. The summer months are the best time of the year to visit, and you can even purchase salt from the small on-site shop.

The village also has a lively nightlife with bars and nightclubs for visitors to enjoy. Overall, Tamarin is a great destination for those looking for an authentic and peaceful holiday experience but still wanting the option of taking part in watersport activities.

Le Morne Beach

Le Morne Public Beach is a hidden gem located on the southwest part of Mauritius island, 25 kilometres from Black River Gorges National Park. The beach has eye-catching turquoise waters complete with coral reefs which make it famous for snorkelling and diving.

The dramatic backdrop of the Morne Brabant mountain, which is on UNESCO’s World Heritage Site list, makes this beach even more special. The mountain towers over the island at an altitude of around 556 metres, providing a stunning view for visitors.

The water is so clear, the experience of swimming and scuba diving in these waters make it a popular location. However, you also need to be mindful of the fact that  Le Morne beach is particularly famous for its windy conditions, making kite and windsurfing more popular, especially because it is an all year round sporting option.

Visitors can take advantage of the beach’s facilities, including parking, restaurants, and bars. However, dog lovers should note that dogs are not allowed on the beach.

Renowned resorts and villas surround Le Morne beach, and visitors can also find a great variety of restaurants nearby. Although the beach attracts its fair share of visitors during the week, depending on the surfing conditions of the day, it’s best to visit during weekdays instead of weekends to avoid the crowds.

While popular, it is also one of the beaches that is difficult to reach using public transport. Therefore, it is highly recommended to either travel via taxi, moped, or Uber.

This beach also has a history worth knowing. Before the tourists came to the present seaside resort, it was inhabited by enslaved people during the colonial period. The native Africans of the French carried out arduous work on the plantations. The enslaved people hoped to escape their enslavers by taking refuge in Le Morne Brabant.

Le Morne Brabant became a symbol of resistance for the enslaved people, as the basalt rock was difficult to climb and numerous caves in its rugged walls offered perfect hiding places.

When the British took over colonial rule after the French, they abolished slavery in 1835. To commemorate the resistance and the abolition of slavery, Le Morne Brabant was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008.

Mont Choisy Beach

Mont Choisy Beach, located in the northwest of Mauritius, is a popular destination for both tourists and locals. The beach is near the villages of Trou aux Biches and Pereybere and is approximately half an hour from the island’s capital city, Port Louis, and would cost around 200 rupees for a taxi.

From the international airport, it is about 70 kilometres away, with a drive time of about 1 hour and 15 minutes. Mont Choisy also has a good bus route to key locations in Mauritius, making it easy to explore the rest of the island should you decide to base yourself here.

The beach is easily accessible by public transport and has a large car park, making it a convenient spot for a day out. The beach is very long, approximately 1.4km, making it one of the longest public beaches in Mauritius.

With beautiful fine sands, relatively calm waters, and a crystal clear lagoon, Mont Choisy Beach is perfect for families looking to spend a few relaxing hours on one of the best beaches to visit in Mauritius. If you’re looking for a few more thrills and spills, then several tour operators offer activities such as Windsurfing, Parasailing, and Scuba diving.

While there are no restaurants on the beach, a few options are nearby for those looking to bring a picnic or grab a snack. Street vendors sell refreshing coconut and pineapple, and an ice cream van makes regular appearances.

For those looking to bring their own food, there are several good stops on the way to Mont Choisy Beach, including an excellent French bakery, Le Fournil, where you can pick up some pastries or fresh bread, and Momo’s Superstore, where you can buy all manner of fresh produce.

Mont Choisy is not just known for its beautiful beach but also its rich history. The beach has been the site of many important events in the island’s history, including the landing of the first plane in 1933 and the first horse racing event in 1891.

Today, the area has been transformed into a world-class estate with houses, villas, and a spectacular golf course.

La Preneuse Beach

La Preneuse beach is a hidden gem located along the west coast of Mauritius in the Black River district. La Preneuse Beach is named after the French frigate ship and is home to the best-preserved Martello Tower on the island.

The beach is covered in fine, snow-white sand that gently slopes into the shallow turquoise water and is spacious and expansive, so there is enough space for everyone, even when it gets busy at the weekend.

The scenery on the beach is breathtaking: from the coast, you can overlook the high Mount Le Morne above the turquoise lagoon while Martello Tower, today a museum, is located next to the car park and was built by the British in the 1830s, who protected the territory from the French fleet.

Old cannons are present along the white sandy beach, giving visitors a trip back in time to the era of piracy and invasions of enemy ships. The beach is also home to a two-century-old cemetery that contains the tombs of famous visitors and administrators.

In fact, the cannons are the main attraction making it one of the most unique of all of Mauritius’ beaches to visit. It will come as no surprise that this is particularly popular among children who climb on top to get a better view of the sea. A coral reef surrounds the beach of La Preneuse with stunning Le Morne Brabant as a backdrop.

For those seeking tranquillity, the beach of La Preneuse is the best alternative on the island’s west coast. With vast expanses of sand and lush vegetation, the beach is famous for its spectacular sunsets and remains ideal for swimming, especially for families with young children.

There are cafes, stores, and souvenir shops near the coast with the freshwater Black River flowing on the beach and drifting directly out to the open sea.

In conclusion, La Preneuse beach is a must-visit destination for those looking for a tranquil beach experience. With its cannons and Martello tower, the beach offers a glimpse into the island’s colonial past.

Whether you’re a history buff, nature lover, or just looking for a relaxing day at the beach, La Preneuse has something for everyone and can be reached from the capital of Port Louis within 30 minutes for just 200 rupees in a taxi.

As a side note, the Black River, also known as the Rivière Noire District, named because of the natural greyish and black basaltic mountainous rocks found in the region, is a natural beauty in its own right and includes the Tamarin Falls and the Chamarel Coloured Earth.

Gris Gris Beach

Gris Gris beach is a unique and beautiful beach located in the extreme south of Mauritius. Unlike other beaches in the area, Gris Gris does not have a coral reef.

Instead, large waves crash directly on the shore, offering visitors a striking and dramatic view. However, swimming is strongly discouraged due to the strong currents and huge waves.

One of the main attractions of Gris Gris is its scenery. The high cliffs drop abruptly to the sea, and the refreshing winds of the Indian Ocean blow all year round.

The beach is located a few kilometres southeast of the village of Souillac, a historical town that dates back to the French colonial period. The beach is well known for its sea cliffs and offers visitors a magnificent view from the top.

Just a short distance from here, you will find Roche Qui Pleure. Better known as the Weeping Rock, it is a viewpoint that offers great views of waves crashing against the rock with immense thundering noises ricocheting around the area.

It gets its name, because when you look at the rock from a certain angle, it appears to be crying from the constant bombardment of the waves. There is also a small garden offering many quiet spots to relax and admire the view of the sea, waves, and rock cliffs.

From the garden, a path leads to a small beach where visitors can admire the sea view up close. Visitors can also try the local food at Chez Rosy and Le Batelage.

Overall, Gris Gris is a unique and beautiful destination in the south of Mauritius. Visitors can admire the dramatic scenery, watch the crashing waves, and explore the local culture and history.

It is a place that is well worth visiting for those who want to discover the more unusual and wilder side of the island and can be easily reached on the number 10 bus for around 50 rupees.

Deer Island

Île aux Cerfs, also known as Deer Island, is a paradise island located near the east coast of Mauritius in the Flacq district. The island is approximately 100 hectares in size and is where some of the world’s most incredible beaches can be found.

Although there are no longer any deer on the island, it is still a must-see destination for tourists visiting Mauritius. To reach Île aux Cerfs, you first need to get to Trou D’Eau Douce, and then it is just a fifteen-minute boat ride away, which will cost you around 500 rupees.

Ile Aux Cerfs is famous for its beautiful lagoon, sandy beaches, and wide range of activities and facilities. Visitors can spend the day relaxing on the picture-postcard beaches and enjoying swimming or snorkelling in the lagoon. The island is also popular with water sports enthusiasts, with several water sports kiosks offering activities such as water skiing, banana boating, and glass-bottom boat rides.

In addition to water sports, Ile Aux Cerfs also offers a variety of dining options with many restaurants that cater to almost every palate. Local cuisine is a must-try when visiting the island, including such delicacies as Bol Renversé, a rice-based dish similar to chop suey.

Boulettes, another dish worth trying, is known as Mauritian Dim Sum. They are steamed dumplings that can include meatballs, steamed fish fingers, or tofu. Another popular activity on Ile Aux Cerfs is snorkelling. The coral reef is beautiful and full of marine life and is known as one of the best beaches in Mauritius for snorkelling to explore the underwater world.

For those who enjoy golfing, Ile Aux Cerfs also boasts an 18-hole golf course designed by Masters golf champion Bernhard Langer. It may seem strange to mention this here, but the golf course offers stunning views of the lagoons and the clear Indian Ocean, making it a unique and memorable experience for golfers.

Ile Aux Cerfs also offers other leisure activities, such as parasailing and visiting museums, monuments, and national parks in the surrounding area. The island is also relatively inexpensive, making it accessible for travellers on a budget.

Overall, Ile Aux Cerfs is a must-see beach destination for those visiting Mauritius. The island offers a wide range of activities and facilities, making it a perfect setting for a relaxing day of sun worship while enjoying various water sports, beach activities, and even golfing. Make sure to include Ile Aux Cerfs on your next holiday itinerary and experience the beauty and wonder of this paradise island.

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