Mauritius is a stunning island paradise in the Indian Ocean, renowned for its pristine white-sand beaches, turquoise lagoons, and vibrant coral reefs. This multicultural nation blends African, Indian, Chinese, and European influences, creating a unique fusion of cultures, cuisines, and traditions. From luxury resorts to UNESCO World Heritage sites, Mauritius offers unforgettable experiences for every type of traveler.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Mauritius.
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- Family-friendly calm lagoon
- sunbeds
- restaurants
- water sports
- showers
- parking
- lifeguards
Trou aux Biches
One of Mauritius's most beautiful and accessible beaches with powdery white sand and crystal-clear turquoise water protected by a coral reef. Excellent for swimming and snorkeling with calm, shallow conditions ideal for all ages.
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- Lively social beach with facilities
- restaurants
- bars
- water sports
- sunbeds
- showers
- shops nearby
Grand Baie Public Beach
Popular north coast beach in the heart of the island's main resort town. Protected lagoon with calm waters, surrounded by restaurants, bars, and watersports operators. Buzzing atmosphere with a mix of locals and tourists.
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- Long relaxed sunset beach
- restaurants
- bars
- sunbeds
- water sports
- diving centers
- parking
Flic en Flac Beach
A sweeping 8-kilometer stretch of white sand on the west coast, famous for spectacular sunsets. Excellent for swimming with calm lagoon waters protected by the reef, and one of the best spots for scuba diving nearby.
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- Pristine luxury beach
- luxury resort facilities
- sunbeds
- water sports
- restaurants
- lifeguards at resorts
Belle Mare Beach
Arguably Mauritius's most beautiful beach with brilliant white sand and brilliantly blue waters on the less-developed east coast. Home to some of the island's finest luxury resorts, yet public sections remain accessible.
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- Snorkeling paradise
- snorkeling equipment rental
- glass-bottom boats
- restaurants
- toilets
- parking
Blue Bay Beach
A RAMSAR-protected marine park with exceptional coral reefs and abundant marine life including sea turtles and rays. The calm, ultra-clear water makes it the best snorkeling beach in Mauritius, with a beautiful crescent of white sand.
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- Quiet local beach
- local restaurants
- snorkeling
- sunbeds
- parking
- showers
Pereybere Beach
A charming smaller beach north of Grand Baie with excellent snorkeling just offshore from the shore. Local restaurants and a relaxed atmosphere make it less touristy than its neighbors while still offering beautiful swimming conditions.
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- Dramatic kite-surfing beach
- kite-surfing schools
- restaurants
- parking
- water sports
Le Morne Beach
Stunning beach at the foot of the UNESCO World Heritage Le Morne Brabant mountain. Famous worldwide as a premier kite-surfing destination due to consistent strong winds, with a breathtaking backdrop of turquoise lagoon and dramatic mountain scenery.
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- Peaceful unspoiled beach
- local restaurants nearby
- parking
- natural setting
Pointe d'Esny Beach
One of the most idyllic and least-crowded beaches in Mauritius with crystal-clear water and views of Ile aux Aigrettes nature reserve. A favorite with locals and expats for its unspoiled charm and calm swimming conditions.
Beaches by vibe
Pick by the mood you want — quiet, social, family, or active — and we point you at where that style lives along the coast.
Relax
Quiet & peaceful
Pointe d'Esny, Pereybere, and isolated stretches of Belle Mare offer peaceful escapes with few tourists and authentic local atmosphere
Family
Family-friendly
Trou aux Biches and Pereybere have the calmest, shallowest lagoons ideal for children, with good facilities and restaurants nearby
Sport
Active & sporty
Le Morne is the hub for kite-surfing and windsurfing, while Flic en Flac and Grand Baie offer excellent diving, snorkeling, and watersports
Social
Lively scene
Grand Baie Public Beach is the social hub with bars, restaurants, and lively atmosphere, especially on weekends
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Mauritius memorable.
Snorkeling
Blue Bay Marine Park offers world-class snorkeling with coral gardens, sea turtles, and tropical fish. Pereybere also has excellent snorkeling just offshore with abundant marine life.
Blue Bay Beach and Pereybere Beach
Kite Surfing
Le Morne is one of the Indian Ocean's premier kite-surfing destinations with consistent winds. Several certified schools offer lessons for beginners and equipment rental for experienced riders.
Le Morne Beach
Scuba Diving
Flic en Flac is the best base for diving with excellent visibility and diverse dive sites including wall dives, caves, and WWII shipwrecks. The cathedral dive site is a must-do.
Flic en Flac and Trou aux Biches
Glass-Bottom Boat Tours
Perfect for non-swimmers to observe the marine life of Blue Bay Marine Park. Short tours depart regularly from Blue Bay beach and from Grand Baie catamaran operators.
Blue Bay Beach and Grand Baie
Stand-Up Paddleboarding
Calm lagoon conditions at multiple beaches make SUP easy and enjoyable. Equipment available at most resort beaches and major public beaches.
Trou aux Biches, Grand Baie, Belle Mare
Dolphin Swimming
Tamarin Bay on the west coast is home to resident spinner dolphins. Boat trips depart early morning to swim alongside pods of wild dolphins in their natural habitat.
Tamarin Bay (near Flic en Flac)
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
May-December for optimal beach conditions with calm seas and dry weather. Beaches remain accessible year-round but January-March brings cyclone risk and rough seas on east/south coasts
Getting there
All beaches in Mauritius are legally public below the high-tide mark. However, some are difficult to access without crossing resort property. Most public beaches have free access with parking
On-beach facilities
Public beaches have basic facilities including toilets and parking. Resort beaches have full amenities including sunbeds, restaurants, and watersports equipment
Costs to budget
Public beach entry is free. Sunbed hire at independent operators: MUR 200-400 ($5-10) per day. Snorkeling equipment rental: $8-12 per day. Watersports vary widely by activity
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.