With emerald waters, powdery white sand, and a picturesque landscape, the beaches of Mauritius are rightly considered some of the most beautiful in the world. The island nation off the southeast coast of Africa is blessed with stunning lagoons and reefs, providing endless opportunities for relaxation, water sports, and taking in breathtaking views. Let’s explore some of the top beaches and coves that showcase the best of island bliss in Mauritius.
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Flic En Flac Beach
Flic En Flac is a lively beach in the western part of Mauritius, known for its stunning sunsets, excellent swimming conditions, and abundant tourist facilities. The reef sheltered beach stretches over 3 km with casuarina trees providing shade, making it ideal for relaxed strolls. Visitors can enjoy snorkeling, glass bottom boat rides, parasailing, and swim with dolphins in the warm turquoise waters. The beach is lined with restaurants, cafes, and shopping areas.
Grand Baie Beach
Located in the north, Grand Baie is one of Mauritius’ most popular beaches with both locals and tourists. The lively coastal village has a lively nightlife and shopping scene, as well as boat trips to the outer islands. The beach itself offers beautifully calm, clear waters and white sand, with views of the northern islands in the distance. Visitors often see locals playing soccer and volleyball on the beach in the evenings.
Pereybere Beach
Pereybere is a stunning, lesser-known beach near Grand Baie, known for its shopping, restaurants, and high-end resorts. With fine white sand and shallow waters protected by a reef, it’s an excellent spot for swimming and snorkeling. On weekends, locals flock here for family picnics under the tropical almond trees. Pereybere is also a popular spot for early morning jogs and sunset strolls along the shoreline.
La Cuvette Beach
La Cuvette Beach is a hidden gem located on the east coast, framed beautifully by jagged rock formations and limestone cliffs. The semilunar shaped beach has sparkling clear waters and smooth white and grey sands, perfect for relaxing under swaying filao trees. La Cuvette is an intimate beach with few visitors, making it feel like a secret hideaway. It’s an ideal spot for snorkeling to view coral formations and exotic fish.
Blue Bay Beach
Blue Bay is a stunning beach near Mahebourg on the southeast coast, renowned for its turquoise waters and corals. The marine park beach is a snorkeler’s paradise with its crystal clear visibility. After exploring the colorful coral gardens with schools of fish, relax on the soft white sand with scenic views of nearby islets. Blue Bay is less crowded than beaches in the north and west, providing a more serene and natural experience.
Le Morne Beach
Nestled at the foot of the rugged Le Morne peak, this rugged beach in southwest Mauritius is famous for kite surfing and windsurfing. Strong winds from April to November bring surfers here to ride the waves. The powdery beige sands framed by casuarina trees are also perfect for picnics and beach walks. Crystal rock formations dot the waters, providing scenic views. Le Morne beach was once a refuge for escaped slaves, adding poignant history.
Belle Mare Beach
On the east coast, Belle Mare Beach impresses with its endless stretch of flour-like sand and breathtaking views of the azure waters. The tranquil beach has the Le Touessrok Hotel on one end and stretches all the way to Blue Bay Marine park. With its superb swimming conditions and shaded relaxation spots, this beach is great for families. The offshore coral reef also offers prime snorkeling opportunities to see marine life.
Trou Aux Biches Beach
Trou Aux Biches in the northwest is a beautiful stretch of white sand lined with casuarina trees, with warm, calm, and shallow waters perfect for swimming. This family-friendly beach has many facilities like restaurants and water sports centers. Visitors can parasail, snorkel, or kayak in the lagoon. Trou Aux Biches has spectacular views of sunsets and the nearby Coin de Mire island.
Ile Aux Cerfs Beach
Ile Aux Cerfs is a privately owned island off the east coast famous for its idyllic beach and exotic landscape. The island can be reached by a short boat ride from the mainland. The azure lagoon has excellent conditions for swimming, sailing, and splashing about in the waters. Shaded gazebos and beach restaurants provide places to relax after exposure to the sun. This exclusive beach is less crowded than others on the mainland.
With its postcard-perfect beaches surrounded by lush greenery and quaint villages, Mauritius truly encapsulates the dream of island bliss. Each beach has its own unique charm and activities, promising unforgettable moments. The best time to visit is during the summer months between December and April when the weather is hot and dry. With so many spectacular beaches to explore, you’ll be spoiled for choice on this tropical island paradise.
Conclusion
Mauritius is home to some of the world’s most pristine and beautiful beaches, each with its own character and charm. The soft sand, azure waters, picturesque views, and wealth of activities promise perfect island getaways for beach lovers, families, surfers, or honeymooners. The diversity ensures there is a beach to cater to every preference, whether you seek lively tourist hubs or remote untamed shores. With such natural wonders, it’s easy to slip into island time and experience blissful days under the sun in Mauritius.
FAQs
Q: Which beach in Mauritius has the softest sand?
A: Many of Mauritius’ beaches are famous for powder soft white sand, including Flic En Flac on the west coast, and Belle Mare on the east coast. Trou Aux Biches in the north and Le Morne in the south also have fine white sand perfect for beach walks.
Q: What is the best beach in Mauritius for swimming?
A: In the north, Grand Baie has calm, clear protected waters perfect for swimming. Pereybere and Trou Aux Biches also have shallow lagoons ideal for a dip. In the west and south, Flic En Flac and Belle Mare have excellent conditions for swimming.
Q: Which beach is best for snorkeling in Mauritius?
A: Some of the best snorkeling can be found at Blue Bay Marine Park in the southeast, known for its colorful corals and marine life. Grand Baie, Pereybere, and Ile Aux Cerfs also offer great snorkeling in their crystal clear lagoons.
Q: What is Mauritius’ most secluded beach?
A: For a remote beach experience, head to La Cuvette in the east, or Ile Aux Cerfs island off the east coast. Both have an untamed natural vibe and offer an escape from crowded beaches. Le Morne in the south is also relatively remote and undeveloped.
Q: What beach activities can you enjoy in Mauritius?
A: Activities include snorkeling, scuba diving, kite surfing, parasailing, underwater sea walks, boat trips, sunbathing, beach volleyball, and more. Many beaches also offer water sports centers that rent equipment.