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Are there beaches more stunning than the ones you’ll find in Mauritius? I think not! Then again, I might be just a tad biased: after all, this is the place I call home.

(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)
Bias or not, there’s no denying that Mauritian beaches are pretty legendary. Many beaches are surrounded by coral reefs which generate calm lagoons and safe swimming conditions.
Most Mauritian beaches feature exactly what you’d expect from the tropics: waters so clear you can literally see shoals of tiny fish swimming by, a warm breeze tinged by the salty ocean, and super soft sand that almost feels like velvet between your toes.
But more than their unblemished beauty though, the beaches in Mauritius usually symbolize togetherness and family-friendly fun. Indeed, locals usually flock to the seaside on the weekend, so it’s not uncommon to see fireplaces, camping tents, and open stoves with the enticing aroma of fresh fish being fried to perfection.



(Credit: Vish Gibou)
Throw in some traditional Sega music, a few cans of ice-cold Phoenix beer, and you’ve got yourself a classic Mauritian weekend!
With that, here are the ultimate local’s guide to the 7 best beaches in Mauritius you just can’t miss.
Skip to...
- What to know before visiting the best beaches in Mauritius
- 7 Best beaches in Mauritius
- 1. Flic en Flac Public Beach: For amazing sunsets
- 2. Grand Baie Public Beach: Most popular beach in Mauritius
- 3. La Cuvette Beach: A hidden gem few tourists know about
- 4. Le Morne Public Beach: For a slice of local history
- 5. Blue Bay Beach: Great for snorkeling
- 6. Ile aux Cerfs Beach: Best beach for golfing
- 7. Pointe d’Esny Beach: Ideal for island hopping
- And a bonus beach you probably haven’t heard of: Anse La Raie
What to know before visiting the best beaches in Mauritius
Okay, first things first: not all beaches in Mauritius are suitable for swimming. In fact, I’d advise you to be super cautious when exploring beaches along the south coast of the island. As inviting as they look, the south doesn’t have quite as many coral reefs as elsewhere in Mauritius. As such, beaches like Gris Gris and Riviere des Galets are prone to huge, crashing swells.

(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)


(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)
The next thing to know is that you’ll find stray dogs on most public beaches. The sad truth is that Mauritius has a significant stray population, and most dogs live on the beaches. They’re usually friendly but it’s always a good idea to be cautious when approaching them. The beach dogs have come to expect food and water from visitors, so you may wish to bring some treats for them.
If you visit in the last week of August, you’ll probably notice colorful earthen statues in the lagoon. These statues were crafted for Ganesh Chaturthi, an important religious festival that usually takes place on the beach. Locals usually make these clay statues from scratch, and they will naturally disintegrate in the water over time. It’s best to avoid moving the statues since they’re meant to be submerged in the lagoon after the rituals.

(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)
Now, on to the best part about beaches in Mauritius: camping is entirely free, and you don’t need any sort of permit either! Most beaches have restroom facilities and easy access to restaurants or food stalls. All you need is a tent and you’re good to go.

(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)
7 Best beaches in Mauritius
1. Flic en Flac Public Beach: For amazing sunsets
Let’s start off with the most popular beach in Mauritius!

(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)


(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)

(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)
With soft, white sand stretching out for miles under the warm Indian Ocean sun, Flic en Flac is one of the best beaches in Mauritius for enjoying an epic sunset. Located on the West Coast, this beach is insanely popular during the weekend. It’s customary for locals to pour in from all corners of the island to pitch their tents right by the water’s edge for an overnight stay.
Now, there are some rip tides in the area, so I strongly urge you to stick to the safe swimming zones. These are the areas that have been roped off by buoys.
Flic en Flac is also a great spot for discovering Mauritius’ diverse street food scene since the beach – and its surrounding areas – are practically teeming with food vendors!
Just a quick car ride away from Flic en Flac takes you to Tamarin Beach. While this one isn’t super swimmable, it’s the best spot in Mauritius for surfing or enjoying the sunset. Nearby, you’ll also find Wolmar Public Beach, a lesser-known, but just as charming spot for swimming and snorkeling.

(Credit: Fabio Manca)
Local tip: Parking in Flic en Flac is super limited during the weekend, so I suggest you head there early to snag yourself a spot!
2. Grand Baie Public Beach: Most popular beach in Mauritius
Back in the 17th century, this beach was initially dubbed De Bogt Zonder Eyndt by the Dutch (Bay Without End), and it won’t take you long to understand why. After all, the emerald bay blends seamlessly with the ocean, stretching out for as far as the eye can see.

It wouldn’t quite be a visit to Mauritius without a stop by Grand Baie Beach! Not only is this one of the best beaches in Mauritius, but Grand Baie is also a vibrant tourist hub where you’ll find some of the top nightlife spots on the island.
Not unlike Flic en Flac though, Grand Baie can be super crowded on the weekend. It’s a popular camping spot since most major amenities are located within walking distance.
If you’re into water sports, you’ll be more than served since Grand Baie Beach is the main spot on the island for booking just about every type of nautical activity you can imagine. Think catamaran cruises, speedboat trips across the lagoon, parasailing, undersea walking or undersea scooters, and even submarine expeditions.

(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)

Since Grand Baie is such a tourist hotspot, you’ll find plenty (and I do mean plenty) to do around, including nightclubs, restaurants, bowling, and shopping galore.
Speaking of the best beaches in Mauritius, be sure to also check out Pereybere Beach, located just a couple of minutes away. While it’s definitely smaller than Grand Baie public beach, it’s just as incredible, with a calm lagoon and clear waters. It’s quite a popular spot for chilling with an evening drink while watching the sun dip beneath the horizon.

(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)
If you’re visiting Pereybere, keep your eyes open for the famous sand sculptures carved free of charge by a Mauritian artist.

La Cuvette may not feature on most lists of best beaches in Mauritius, but that’s because it’s something of a hidden gem in the area. While tourists usually flock to Grand Baie Public Beach, locals usually head to La Cuvette, located just a two-minute ride from the tourist hub.

(Credit: Laurent B)
This is the kind of place that you can easily drive past if you don’t know what you’re looking for since it’s tucked away at the end of a small side road. Personally, I did drive past it twice the first time I visited this beach, so nondescript was the side road.
Just a quick heads-up though: this beach is pretty small and while not a whole lot of tourists know about it, it’s quite a popular spot among the locals. To avoid the crowds, you may wish to head there on weekdays.
One of the reasons why La Cuvette is said to be among the best beaches in Mauritius is because of the insane views. For starters, the parking lot is found on elevated ground, giving you a pretty great view of the beach and lagoon.

(Credit: Lila S)
Rock steps lead down to the dark golden shoreline, shaped like a U. This gorgeous cove may be on the small side, but it’s pretty well-appointed with picnic areas, shaded kiosks, restrooms, and street food vendors.
And if you want to try your luck after splashing about in the ocean, you can always check out Grand Baie Casino which is found right by La Cuvette Beach!
4. Le Morne Public Beach: For a slice of local history
Next up on the list is my personal favorite beach on the island – and one that I always visit whenever I’m back home. And if you’re wondering why Le Morne made the list of best beaches in Mauritius, wait until you see it for yourself!

Literally nestled between the ocean and one of the most historic mountains in Mauritius, Le Morne Public Beach feels like something out of a dream – and no, I’m not even remotely exaggerating. When you first step on the beach, you’re initially in the heart of thick green shrubs. These eventually open up to reveal gloriously clear, turquoise waters glistening under the tropical sun.

If you turn around, you’ll be greeted with up-close views of Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO-recognized mountain peninsula. This mountain is steeped in the local history because it once served as a refuge for runaway slaves. Tragically, many slaves choose to throw themselves from the summit rather than spend the rest of their lives in captivity.
Each year, Mauritians gather by the foot of the mountain and on Le Morne Beach on February 1st to commemorate the Slavery Abolition Act. If you’re visiting then, you don’t want to miss this unique event intimately tied to Mauritian history and culture.

(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)
If you can hike all the way to the summit, you’ll be greeted by spectacular views of Le Morne Beach and that iconic underwater waterfall.
Local tip: Because Le Morne is something of a resort village, you’ll find plenty of fancy restaurants around. I recommend that you skip these in favor of those smaller beach shacks that are known for their seafood and affordable prices.

This is the kind of food you can expect from the beach shacks near Le Morne
(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)
5. Blue Bay Beach: Great for snorkeling
Did you know that one of the best beaches in Mauritius is found a mere 15-minute drive from the only airport on the island?

One of the rare swimmable beaches in Mauritius’ rugged south coast, Blue Bay Beach is quite a feast for the eyes indeed. It won’t take you long to realize the beach has truly earned its name, with shockingly blue waters, especially when the midday sun hits the lagoon.

(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)
Blue Bay (and the south coast in general) is positively teeming with colorful corals and rare marine wildlife species. As such, it’s one of the best beaches in Mauritius for snorkeling and diving.
Further down the public beach, you’ll find Blue Bay Marine Park, a wetland site by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. Home to an incredible coral garden, this national park is famous for its 1,000-year-old brain coral. You can explore its diverse underwater fauna and flora by snorkeling, diving, or by booking a glass-bottom boat ride.
Blue Bay is also a great jumping point for exploring Ile des Deux Cocos, a private islet nestled in the lagoon.

(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)
6. Ile aux Cerfs Beach: Best beach for golfing
Now, if your plan is to get away from it all, hop on a speedboat that’ll take you to Ile aux Cerfs Leisure Island, a beautiful islet located off the southeastern coast of Mauritius.

The only way to access Ile aux Cerfs Leisure Island is via speedboat, catamaran, or helicopter. While shuttles usually depart from all corners of Mauritius, the shortest route would be to hop on a speedboat from Pointe Maurice on the eastern coast. Boat shuttles normally run every half hour. Without a doubt, the easiest way to visit is on a guided transfer (usually including lunch!).
This picturesque island is famous for its literal white sand beach and exceptionally clear waters. Not only is this one of the best beaches in Mauritius for swimming, but this is also an ideal spot for enjoying watersports like parasailing, wake-boarding, and water skiing.

There’s also an 18-hole golf course overlooking the beach and lagoon. The golf club is actually home to a secluded private beach with butler service and sunbeds.
Local tip: The main beach can get crowded during peak season. I recommend that you walk around the islet where you’ll find a couple of quieter beaches located off the beaten path.


7. Pointe d’Esny Beach: Ideal for island hopping
If you’d like to discover the other islands off the coast of Mauritius after visiting Ile aux Cerfs, you can always head to Pointe d’Esny Beach near Mahebourg in the south. This beach is an excellent jumping spots to other islets.
While this is one of the best beaches in Mauritius, it’s often eclipsed by more popular spots like Blue Bay. As such, Pointe d’Esny tends to be mostly empty on weekdays. It’s mostly frequented by tourists staying in nearby hotels, so it’s a great spot if you’d like to enjoy a quiet moment of respite.


What makes this beach special (other than its gorgeous lagoon of course!) is the fact that it’s just a quick boat ride from Ile aux Aigrettes Islet. Believe me when I say you do not want to miss out on a visit to this islet: not only is the shoreline pretty unblemished but the water around the islet is the clearest I’ve ever seen in Mauritius! This islet also doubles as a nature reserve so you can always book a tour to see the endemic birds, tortoises, and bats up close.

(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)
This beach also has a long jetty where you can sit and admire the sunset in the afternoon. While the sunsets aren’t as spectacular as on the West Coast, the lack of crowds does add to the experience.
Incidentally, the jetty near Pointe d’Esny Beach is a popular spot for catching a catamaran ride to other islets like Ile aux Cerfs and Ile aux Benitiers.

(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)
And a bonus beach you probably haven’t heard of: Anse La Raie
Okay, last up on our list is an absolute hidden gem in the north of the island. While this is one of the best beaches in Mauritius, tourists do tend to overlook it, mostly because it’s not a swimmable beach.

(Source: Kite Forum)

Because of the strong winds, Anse La Raie is among the best beaches in Mauritius for both kite surfing and kite flying. And yes, I do mean actual, old-fashioned kites. In summer, the sky is full of brightly-colored kites of all shapes and sizes.
If you head there at dawn, you’ll probably see people fishing knee-deep in the lagoon.

With sweeping views of Coin de Mire, another Northern Islet, Anse La Raie also makes for a great picnic spot away from the crowds.
Local tip: If you’ve got some extra time to spare, I can also recommend a visit to Butte a L’Herbe, another hidden beach located just a five-minute drive from Anse La Raie. Not only is this one of the best beaches in Mauritius for swimming, but it offers even better views of Coin de Mire Islet.

(Credit: Neera Ramdhonee)
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