Mauritius is a subtropical island paradise and just a short flight from South Africa. It boasts a wide range of nature activities that you can do by yourself, with a friend or as a family. If you’re considering what to do when you’re out and about on your Mauritius holiday, then take a look at these 5 Nature Activities.

1. Gorgeous Beaches

Think silky, white sand. Glittering in the sunlight and inviting you to sink your bare feet into it. Then to stretch out on a towel and watch the waves.

If you are looking for a gorgeous sunrise over the sea then head to one of Mauritius’s East Coast beaches. Grand Gaube beach offers you the opportunity to watch fishermen come back from their overnight fishing while you enjoy the dawn. If you want a bit more solitude while you watch the sky’s changing colours, then go further south to Pointe D’Esny Beach.

Trou aux Biches Beach is on the North-West Coast. It’s one of the most spectacular and romantic places to enjoy a sunset. Add a picnic into the mix and you have the perfect setting to watch the last slice of sun dissolve into the ocean.

For a lovely long beach walk, check out Le Morne Beach. It meanders along the aqua blue sea on the one side and the Le Morne Mountains on the other. You can walk for more than 3km while you soak in the tranquillity of being enveloped by nature.

2. Garden of Eden

Explore the Sir Seewoosagur Botanic Garden, it’s close to Port-Louis and promises to be time well spent. The garden is home to plenty of weird and wonderful plants just waiting for you to discover. The palm tree collection alone has 85 different varieties and the long pond has spectacular giant water lilies. While it’s a lovely place to walk around alone, it’s highly recommended to use the services of a guide. They will give you insight into some of the plants’ fascinating medical uses and teach you about harvesting spices.

3. The 7 Shifting Sands

When you see this wonder for the first time, you’ll be forgiven if you think you’ve left earth! The Chamarel Seven Coloured Earths is a small slice of dune in the island’s South-West region. It’s where you’ll discover the wonders of seven distinct colours of sand. These red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow sands are caused by naturally occurring chemicals in the earth. Even more fascinating, is that the sands will eventually settle into colour-coded layers if you mix them up. This attraction is best viewed early in the morning.

4. Exploring Under the Sea in a Submarine

Try book this adventure for a calmer, sunny day. Take a submarine tour 32 metres below the Mauritian Ocean’s surface. You are guaranteed to be held captive by the eccentric landscape of shipwrecks and coral reefs. This is a great family activity and a fascinating introduction to the island’s marine life. You could see Moray eels, turtles, brightly-coloured fish and octopus to name just a few.

5. A Volcano Crater Lake 

Ganga Talao is also known as Grand Bassin. It is a volcano crater lake in the heart of Mauritius that rises 550m above sea level. For the island’s Hindus it’s a pilgrimage site used to meditate, chant, pray and make offerings. As such the area is dotted with statues and temples. It’s believed that the water is the same as that from the sacred River Ganges in India. You can also get up close and personal with local monkeys and walk along the lakeside while you take in stunning views.

What could be better than a tropical island paradise, surrounded by the warm waters of the south-west Indian Ocean? Add beautiful beaches, staggering natural beauty, great food and you’ve got all the makings of a fantastic holiday.

So, when’s the best time to have your holiday? For the most part Mauritius’s weather is ideal for holiday makers. Depending on what you’re keen to get up to, there are certain times of the year which might suit you best. Here’s the inside scoop on the Mauritius Weather.

Coastal vs Inland Climate

There’s generally about a 5’C difference in temperature between coastal areas and the island’s central plateau region. Coastal areas tend to be warmer with less rain than inland. In contrast, you can expect the central plateau to be cooler and more humid than the coastline. The north and west coasts are warmer as well as drier than the south and east coastlines.

When to Visit Mauritius

One of the many great things about holidaying in Mauritius is the weather. The weather tends to be ideal with the exception of a short stretch of wet season. Even then the wet season has its own appeal. Essentially, this means the timing of your Mauritius holiday can easily accommodate the realities of work schedules and school holidays.

Most people regard May to December as being the best time to visit Mauritius. The weather is comfortably warm and while you may experience some scattered showers, they tend to clear up quickly. The months you’ll want to double-think are January to April. This is when temperatures are inclined to be higher and cyclones may occur. Although most storms tend to miss the island and there are less tourists, which results in some great holiday deals.

Mauritius Summer

During the summer months of November to April, Mauritius’s weather is usually warm and humid. Interior temperatures range average between 20’C to 28’C, and along the coast you can expect it to reach into the 30’s. Peak temperatures can be expected between December and February.

The Wet Season

January through to May is regarded as the Mauritius wet season. It is most noticeable in the central plateau, with fairer conditions along the coastal areas. During this time the south and south-east coastlines are hit by prevailing trade winds. The result is nearly twice as much rainfall compared to the north and north-west coastlines.

However, it’s worth remembering that, in the rainy season, it could be raining where you’re staying but a couple of kms away the sun’s out. So, you might pack an umbrella but you can still head to the beach with your hat, costume and sunscreen.

Cyclone Season

For the most part storms miss the Mauritian islands. However, it is worth noting that January to March is still regarded as the cyclone season.

Gusty Wind

Unless you particularly enjoy gusty winds, it’s best to avoid the east coast in July and August. This is when the wind is at its strongest in this particular area.

Wintering in Mauritius

The winter months of May to October are regarded by many as the best time to visit Mauritius. This is because the temperatures are moderate and range between 20 – 24’C. The lowest temperatures can be expected in August. Which could mean that it drops a little further down from 20’C to 18’C.
During winter it’s particularly lovely to explore Mauritius beaches and nearby islands or go look for wildlife. It’s also a great time for surfing and water sport enthusiasts.

Which months to go if You want to….

Dive and Deep-Sea Fish

If you’re looking for the ideal time to book a diving or deep-sea fishing holiday, then look at going between December and March. This is when the water is clearest.

Go Surfing

There are plenty of tempting surfing spots when it comes to finding a wave to ride in Mauritius. It’s particularly good to surf during the June, July and August months.

Le Morne Beach is known as the ultimate surfing beach in Mauritius. It’s in the shadow of the Le Morne mountains and the beachfront stretches for over 3kms. Many people comment on the especially breath-taking ocean colours along the Le Morne Beach.

If you are learning to surf then head over to Tamarin Bay. As Tamarin bay has less resorts, it’s also a favoured surfing spot amongst more experienced surfers.

Experienced surfers that are looking for good waves can head to Black Rocks or Ilot Sancho. Although, if you do this check with the locals before you paddle out. There are sometimes sharks in at Black Rocks and strong currents off the Ilot Sancho coastline.

As we don’t control the Mauritius Weather
This is a Guideline to help you choose when to Holiday in Mauritius.