The Beaches
of Mauritius
From the reef-protected turquoise lagoons of the east to the wild basalt cliffs of the south. Every beach, every coast, every reason to get in the water.
North Coast
Calm lagoons, fishing villages, and the best boat trips
Anse La Raie Beach
A remote north coast fishing village beach famous for wild dolphin encounters in the bay — early risers can watch pods swimming from the shoreline at dawn.
Wild dolphin encounters from shore — the best on the north coast
Balaclava Beach
A sheltered north-west coast bay with ruins of a French colonial arsenal, exceptional calm water, and one of the best coral reef snorkelling sites accessible from shore in Mauritius.
Some of the best shore-based snorkelling in Mauritius — clear coral gardens in 3–5m
Cap Malheureux Beach
The northernmost point of Mauritius — a small beach framed by the famous red-roofed church, with views to offshore islands that define the classic Mauritius postcard.
Mauritius's most iconic view: the red-roofed church against the offshore islands
Grand Baie Beach
The social hub of the Mauritius north coast — a busy bay ringed with restaurants, watersports operators, and the departures point for boat trips across the north.
Hub for north coast catamaran cruises to the offshore islands
Mont Choisy Beach
The longest public beach in the north — nearly 3km of casuarina-shaded sand beloved by local families, kitesurfers, and anyone who appreciates a beach that belongs to Mauritius.
Nearly 3km of free public beach with ancient natural casuarina shade
Pereybere Beach
A compact, lively pocket beach in a north coast village with good snorkelling, beachside restaurants, and a cheerful atmosphere that mixes tourists and locals perfectly.
Best snorkelling in the immediate Grand Baie area — southern reef headland
Trou aux Biches Beach
One of the finest beaches in the north — crystal-clear protected lagoon, excellent snorkelling straight from shore, and a relaxed village feel.
Crystal-clear lagoon with exceptional snorkelling from shore
East Coast
The postcard lagoon — impossibly turquoise, reef-protected year-round
Belle Mare Beach
The postcard beach of Mauritius — powdery white sand, impossibly turquoise water, and three kilometres of sheltered lagoon on the east coast.
3km of powder-white public sand — accessible along its entire length
Île aux Cerfs
The island paradise just offshore from Trou d'Eau Douce — stunning beaches, clear lagoon, water sports, and the day-trip experience that most first-time visitors put on their Mauritius list.
The most iconic day-trip beach in Mauritius — deservedly so
Palmar Beach
A quieter, less-visited stretch of the east coast lagoon — excellent snorkelling, natural shade, and the kind of peace that Belle Mare's fame no longer always delivers.
Same east coast lagoon quality as Belle Mare — with a fraction of the visitors
West Coast
The best sunsets in the Indian Ocean, every single evening
Albion Beach
A wide north-western beach with a lighthouse, gentle lagoon, and one of the best sunsets on the west coast away from the Flic en Flac crowds.
Historic working lighthouse at Albion Point — the west coast landmark
Flic en Flac Beach
The west coast's most beloved public beach — wide, long, and famous for the most spectacular sunsets on the island, with the Black River mountains as a backdrop.
Best sunsets in Mauritius — the Black River mountains turn crimson nightly
La Preneuse Beach
A quieter west coast alternative to Flic en Flac, marked by a 19th-century British Martello Tower and beloved by locals for its uncrowded sunset views.
19th-century British Martello Tower with lagoon views from the top
Le Morne Beach
One of the most dramatic beaches in the Indian Ocean — a white sand arc at the foot of the UNESCO-listed Le Morne Brabant mountain, with world-class kitesurfing and a lagoon of exceptional beauty.
UNESCO World Heritage Site mountain as backdrop — nowhere else looks like this
Tamarin Bay
Mauritius's surf town — a west coast bay with the island's most famous left-hand reef break, a colony of wild spinner dolphins, and a community that lives by the rhythm of the sea.
Most famous surf break in Mauritius — the Tamarin left-hand reef
Wolmar Beach
A wide, accessible west coast beach in the heart of the Flic en Flac resort corridor, with good infrastructure and reliable sunset views.
Classic west coast resort beach with good infrastructure
South & South-East
Wild cliffs, marine parks, and the beaches fewer people find
Blue Bay Beach
The centrepiece of Mauritius's only marine national park — a UNESCO-protected coral reef, impossibly clear water, and the finest snorkelling accessible from any public beach in the Indian Ocean.
Only marine national park in Mauritius — UNESCO-protected coral reef
Gris Gris Beach
The wild, dramatic south coast — not a swimming beach but one of the most spectacular stretches of Mauritian coastline, with natural rock arches, blowholes, and the full force of the Indian Ocean.
Mauritius's most dramatic coastal scenery — natural arches and blowholes
Pointe d'Esny Beach
A pristine south-east coast beach beside the Blue Bay Marine Park — calm, clear, and the preferred base for kitesurfers and divers exploring the protected waters.
Continuation of the Blue Bay Marine Park reef — rich snorkelling without the crowds
Snorkelling & Diving
Explore Mauritius's extraordinary reef systems with guided snorkel and dive tours from the island's best beaches.
Find tours →Boat & Catamaran Trips
Day trips to the offshore islands, sunset cruises, and glass-bottom boat tours departing from the north coast.
Browse trips →Kitesurfing
Le Morne and Pointe d'Esny offer some of the best kitesurfing conditions in the Indian Ocean.
Learn to kitesurf →Not sure which beach is right for you?
Our coast-by-coast guide breaks down every beach by swimming conditions, who it suits, and what time of year to visit.