"While Mauritius is revered for its stretches of gorgeous beaches, the island’s southern coastline offers something altogether different: basalt cliffs that plunge severely into the Indian Ocean. The scenery here is utterly untamed. Instead of being fringed with soft sand, the coves back onto stretches of forest and natural vegetation that leads on into tamed fields of sugar cane; while ocean-side squiggles of rugged, dark grey basalt rocks jut into the coastline. It’s wild, dramatic and completely captivating.”
- Narina Exelby
Let's get started...
PLAN MY JOURNEYMauritius South Coast
Rugged and wild, the southern coastline of Mauritius is a stark contrast to the pristine white sandy beaches, calm bays and gentle coves found in other parts of the island. There is no coral reef to protect this coastline and so waves crash right up against the island’s cliffs, creating a craggy topography that has kept developers at bay.
The south isn’t all just rugged cliffs, however. Bel Ombre, Chemin Grenier and Gris Gris have lovely, unspoilt stretches of beach, but the currents here can be strong and so swimming is not advised. Inland, the walking trails of the lush Black River Gorges National Park offer the chance to see pretty waterfalls, more than 300 species of endemic plants and nine species of birds that can be seen only in Mauritius. Nature-lovers also delight in visiting the coral islet of Ile Aigrettes, just off the coast of the sleepy seaside city of Mahebourg, where many rare and endemic species can be found, including the pink pigeon, giant Aldabra tortoises and Telfair’s skinks, the biggest lizards in Mauritius.
When to go
Find out when is best to visit
- Excellent
- Good
- Poor
Mauritius enjoys a relatively mild climate, an ideal beach location throughout the year.
Generally, the most pleasant times to visit the island are between the months of April and June and between September and December. As Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, the summer and winter months are opposite to seasons in Europe.
Summer spans from November through to April. During these months the weather is hot and humid, with peaks in temperatures occurring in the months of December, January and February. Rainfall is abundant, especially on the central plateau. These however normally come in the form of a short if intense afternoon thunderstorm. with longer periods of rainfall quite rare. Cyclones are possible, but they usually manage to avoid Mauritius because of the small size of the island. However, if they come close enough, the bad weather may affect vegetation and certain wooden buildings. Please rest assured that beach resorts have been constructed in such a way as to be able to resist strong cyclonic winds. The summer months are the best for scuba diving – especially December through to March – and for deep-sea fishing.
Winter months fall from May through to October; temperatures are a little cooler and more pleasant during this season, and prevailing winds tend to blow over the island from the east and south-east. Surfing can be fantastic along the eastern coastline from June to August. The shelter offered along the west coast does make sea condition more idea for swimming and snorkelling.
Mauritius enjoys a relatively mild climate, an ideal beach location throughout the year.
Generally, the most pleasant times to visit the island are between the months of April and June and between September and December. As Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, the summer and winter months are opposite to seasons in Europe.
Summer spans from November through to April. During these months the weather is hot and humid, with peaks in temperatures occurring in the months of December, January and February. Rainfall is abundant, especially on the central plateau. These however normally come in the form of a short if intense afternoon thunderstorm. with longer periods of rainfall quite rare. Cyclones are possible, but they usually manage to avoid Mauritius because of the small size of the island. However, if they come close enough, the bad weather may affect vegetation and certain wooden buildings. Please rest assured that beach resorts have been constructed in such a way as to be able to resist strong cyclonic winds. The summer months are the best for scuba diving – especially December through to March – and for deep-sea fishing.
Winter months fall from May through to October; temperatures are a little cooler and more pleasant during this season, and prevailing winds tend to blow over the island from the east and south-east. Surfing can be fantastic along the eastern coastline from June to August. The shelter offered along the west coast does make sea condition more idea for swimming and snorkelling.
Mauritius enjoys a relatively mild climate, an ideal beach location throughout the year.
Generally, the most pleasant times to visit the island are between the months of April and June and between September and December. As Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, the summer and winter months are opposite to seasons in Europe.
Summer spans from November through to April. During these months the weather is hot and humid, with peaks in temperatures occurring in the months of December, January and February. Rainfall is abundant, especially on the central plateau. These however normally come in the form of a short if intense afternoon thunderstorm. with longer periods of rainfall quite rare. Cyclones are possible, but they usually manage to avoid Mauritius because of the small size of the island. However, if they come close enough, the bad weather may affect vegetation and certain wooden buildings. Please rest assured that beach resorts have been constructed in such a way as to be able to resist strong cyclonic winds. The summer months are the best for scuba diving – especially December through to March – and for deep-sea fishing.
Winter months fall from May through to October; temperatures are a little cooler and more pleasant during this season, and prevailing winds tend to blow over the island from the east and south-east. Surfing can be fantastic along the eastern coastline from June to August. The shelter offered along the west coast does make sea condition more idea for swimming and snorkelling.
Mauritius enjoys a relatively mild climate, an ideal beach location throughout the year.
Generally, the most pleasant times to visit the island are between the months of April and June and between September and December. As Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, the summer and winter months are opposite to seasons in Europe.
Summer spans from November through to April. During these months the weather is hot and humid, with peaks in temperatures occurring in the months of December, January and February. Rainfall is abundant, especially on the central plateau. These however normally come in the form of a short if intense afternoon thunderstorm. with longer periods of rainfall quite rare. Cyclones are possible, but they usually manage to avoid Mauritius because of the small size of the island. However, if they come close enough, the bad weather may affect vegetation and certain wooden buildings. Please rest assured that beach resorts have been constructed in such a way as to be able to resist strong cyclonic winds. The summer months are the best for scuba diving – especially December through to March – and for deep-sea fishing.
Winter months fall from May through to October; temperatures are a little cooler and more pleasant during this season, and prevailing winds tend to blow over the island from the east and south-east. Surfing can be fantastic along the eastern coastline from June to August. The shelter offered along the west coast does make sea condition more idea for swimming and snorkelling.
Mauritius enjoys a relatively mild climate, an ideal beach location throughout the year.
Generally, the most pleasant times to visit the island are between the months of April and June and between September and December. As Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, the summer and winter months are opposite to seasons in Europe.
Summer spans from November through to April. During these months the weather is hot and humid, with peaks in temperatures occurring in the months of December, January and February. Rainfall is abundant, especially on the central plateau. These however normally come in the form of a short if intense afternoon thunderstorm. with longer periods of rainfall quite rare. Cyclones are possible, but they usually manage to avoid Mauritius because of the small size of the island. However, if they come close enough, the bad weather may affect vegetation and certain wooden buildings. Please rest assured that beach resorts have been constructed in such a way as to be able to resist strong cyclonic winds. The summer months are the best for scuba diving – especially December through to March – and for deep-sea fishing.
Winter months fall from May through to October; temperatures are a little cooler and more pleasant during this season, and prevailing winds tend to blow over the island from the east and south-east. Surfing can be fantastic along the eastern coastline from June to August. The shelter offered along the west coast does make sea condition more idea for swimming and snorkelling.
Mauritius enjoys a relatively mild climate, an ideal beach location throughout the year.
Generally, the most pleasant times to visit the island are between the months of April and June and between September and December. As Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, the summer and winter months are opposite to seasons in Europe.
Summer spans from November through to April. During these months the weather is hot and humid, with peaks in temperatures occurring in the months of December, January and February. Rainfall is abundant, especially on the central plateau. These however normally come in the form of a short if intense afternoon thunderstorm. with longer periods of rainfall quite rare. Cyclones are possible, but they usually manage to avoid Mauritius because of the small size of the island. However, if they come close enough, the bad weather may affect vegetation and certain wooden buildings. Please rest assured that beach resorts have been constructed in such a way as to be able to resist strong cyclonic winds. The summer months are the best for scuba diving – especially December through to March – and for deep-sea fishing.
Winter months fall from May through to October; temperatures are a little cooler and more pleasant during this season, and prevailing winds tend to blow over the island from the east and south-east. Surfing can be fantastic along the eastern coastline from June to August. The shelter offered along the west coast does make sea condition more idea for swimming and snorkelling.
Mauritius enjoys a relatively mild climate, an ideal beach location throughout the year.
Generally, the most pleasant times to visit the island are between the months of April and June and between September and December. As Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, the summer and winter months are opposite to seasons in Europe.
Summer spans from November through to April. During these months the weather is hot and humid, with peaks in temperatures occurring in the months of December, January and February. Rainfall is abundant, especially on the central plateau. These however normally come in the form of a short if intense afternoon thunderstorm. with longer periods of rainfall quite rare. Cyclones are possible, but they usually manage to avoid Mauritius because of the small size of the island. However, if they come close enough, the bad weather may affect vegetation and certain wooden buildings. Please rest assured that beach resorts have been constructed in such a way as to be able to resist strong cyclonic winds. The summer months are the best for scuba diving – especially December through to March – and for deep-sea fishing.
Winter months fall from May through to October; temperatures are a little cooler and more pleasant during this season, and prevailing winds tend to blow over the island from the east and south-east. Surfing can be fantastic along the eastern coastline from June to August. The shelter offered along the west coast does make sea condition more idea for swimming and snorkelling.
Mauritius enjoys a relatively mild climate, an ideal beach location throughout the year.
Generally, the most pleasant times to visit the island are between the months of April and June and between September and December. As Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, the summer and winter months are opposite to seasons in Europe.
Summer spans from November through to April. During these months the weather is hot and humid, with peaks in temperatures occurring in the months of December, January and February. Rainfall is abundant, especially on the central plateau. These however normally come in the form of a short if intense afternoon thunderstorm. with longer periods of rainfall quite rare. Cyclones are possible, but they usually manage to avoid Mauritius because of the small size of the island. However, if they come close enough, the bad weather may affect vegetation and certain wooden buildings. Please rest assured that beach resorts have been constructed in such a way as to be able to resist strong cyclonic winds. The summer months are the best for scuba diving – especially December through to March – and for deep-sea fishing.
Winter months fall from May through to October; temperatures are a little cooler and more pleasant during this season, and prevailing winds tend to blow over the island from the east and south-east. Surfing can be fantastic along the eastern coastline from June to August. The shelter offered along the west coast does make sea condition more idea for swimming and snorkelling.
Mauritius enjoys a relatively mild climate, an ideal beach location throughout the year.
Generally, the most pleasant times to visit the island are between the months of April and June and between September and December. As Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, the summer and winter months are opposite to seasons in Europe.
Summer spans from November through to April. During these months the weather is hot and humid, with peaks in temperatures occurring in the months of December, January and February. Rainfall is abundant, especially on the central plateau. These however normally come in the form of a short if intense afternoon thunderstorm. with longer periods of rainfall quite rare. Cyclones are possible, but they usually manage to avoid Mauritius because of the small size of the island. However, if they come close enough, the bad weather may affect vegetation and certain wooden buildings. Please rest assured that beach resorts have been constructed in such a way as to be able to resist strong cyclonic winds. The summer months are the best for scuba diving – especially December through to March – and for deep-sea fishing.
Winter months fall from May through to October; temperatures are a little cooler and more pleasant during this season, and prevailing winds tend to blow over the island from the east and south-east. Surfing can be fantastic along the eastern coastline from June to August. The shelter offered along the west coast does make sea condition more idea for swimming and snorkelling.
Mauritius enjoys a relatively mild climate, an ideal beach location throughout the year.
Generally, the most pleasant times to visit the island are between the months of April and June and between September and December. As Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, the summer and winter months are opposite to seasons in Europe.
Summer spans from November through to April. During these months the weather is hot and humid, with peaks in temperatures occurring in the months of December, January and February. Rainfall is abundant, especially on the central plateau. These however normally come in the form of a short if intense afternoon thunderstorm. with longer periods of rainfall quite rare. Cyclones are possible, but they usually manage to avoid Mauritius because of the small size of the island. However, if they come close enough, the bad weather may affect vegetation and certain wooden buildings. Please rest assured that beach resorts have been constructed in such a way as to be able to resist strong cyclonic winds. The summer months are the best for scuba diving – especially December through to March – and for deep-sea fishing.
Winter months fall from May through to October; temperatures are a little cooler and more pleasant during this season, and prevailing winds tend to blow over the island from the east and south-east. Surfing can be fantastic along the eastern coastline from June to August. The shelter offered along the west coast does make sea condition more idea for swimming and snorkelling.
Mauritius enjoys a relatively mild climate, an ideal beach location throughout the year.
Generally, the most pleasant times to visit the island are between the months of April and June and between September and December. As Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, the summer and winter months are opposite to seasons in Europe.
Summer spans from November through to April. During these months the weather is hot and humid, with peaks in temperatures occurring in the months of December, January and February. Rainfall is abundant, especially on the central plateau. These however normally come in the form of a short if intense afternoon thunderstorm. with longer periods of rainfall quite rare. Cyclones are possible, but they usually manage to avoid Mauritius because of the small size of the island. However, if they come close enough, the bad weather may affect vegetation and certain wooden buildings. Please rest assured that beach resorts have been constructed in such a way as to be able to resist strong cyclonic winds. The summer months are the best for scuba diving – especially December through to March – and for deep-sea fishing.
Winter months fall from May through to October; temperatures are a little cooler and more pleasant during this season, and prevailing winds tend to blow over the island from the east and south-east. Surfing can be fantastic along the eastern coastline from June to August. The shelter offered along the west coast does make sea condition more idea for swimming and snorkelling.
Mauritius enjoys a relatively mild climate, an ideal beach location throughout the year.
Generally, the most pleasant times to visit the island are between the months of April and June and between September and December. As Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, the summer and winter months are opposite to seasons in Europe.
Summer spans from November through to April. During these months the weather is hot and humid, with peaks in temperatures occurring in the months of December, January and February. Rainfall is abundant, especially on the central plateau. These however normally come in the form of a short if intense afternoon thunderstorm. with longer periods of rainfall quite rare. Cyclones are possible, but they usually manage to avoid Mauritius because of the small size of the island. However, if they come close enough, the bad weather may affect vegetation and certain wooden buildings. Please rest assured that beach resorts have been constructed in such a way as to be able to resist strong cyclonic winds. The summer months are the best for scuba diving – especially December through to March – and for deep-sea fishing.
Winter months fall from May through to October; temperatures are a little cooler and more pleasant during this season, and prevailing winds tend to blow over the island from the east and south-east. Surfing can be fantastic along the eastern coastline from June to August. The shelter offered along the west coast does make sea condition more idea for swimming and snorkelling.