Beaches of Mauritius

About Beaches of Mauritius

Beaches are one of the main reasons people dream of Mauritius. White sand, turquoise lagoons, coconut trees, filaos shade, coral reefs, fishing boats, sunsets and warm water: yes, the postcard image is real. But the beaches of Mauritius are also more varied than many visitors expect.

Do you want a calm lagoon for children? A beach with restaurants and bars nearby? A wild coast with cliffs and huge waves? A quiet place for photos? A snorkelling spot? A sunset beach? A beach where Mauritian families gather for Sunday picnics? Mauritius has all of these, but not always in the same place.

The island is surrounded by many coral reefs, which protect large parts of the coast and create calm lagoons. This is why many beaches are excellent for swimming and snorkelling. But some areas, especially on the south coast, are exposed to the open Indian Ocean. Those places are dramatic and beautiful, but not always safe for swimming.

For photographers, beaches in Mauritius are incredibly rich subjects. A single beach can offer landscapes, people, fishing boats, waves, coral, clouds, food vendors, families, dogs, kitesurfers, wedding couples, sunsets and quiet morning light. The best beach photo is not always the empty one. Sometimes the story is better when life is happening.

Best Beaches in Mauritius, Most Popular First

The list below is organised with the most popular and most searched beaches first, followed by quieter, wilder or more specialised coastal places. It is not a strict beauty ranking, because the “best” beach depends on what you want. Best for swimming? Best for sunset? Best for snorkelling? Best for waves? The answer changes.

1. Flic en Flac Beach

Flic en Flac Beach is one of the most popular beaches in Mauritius and probably the best-known beach on the west coast. It has a long sandy shoreline, calm lagoon sections, sunset views, restaurants, snack stalls, hotels, apartments and a lively local atmosphere.

Why do so many people like Flic en Flac? Because it is practical and beautiful at the same time. You can swim, walk, eat, watch the sunset, meet local families, find accommodation nearby and use it as a base for exploring the west of Mauritius.

The beach is protected by a reef, so many areas are suitable for swimming. It is also known for diving, with reef sites, caves and wrecks found offshore. On weekends and public holidays, Flic en Flac becomes very lively, with Mauritian families, music, picnics and food vendors. During the week, it can feel much calmer.

Flic en Flac is also one of the best sunset beaches in Mauritius. Late afternoon is often the best time to photograph it, when the light becomes softer and people gather along the coast.

2. Trou aux Biches Beach

Trou aux Biches Beach is one of the most beautiful family beaches in Mauritius. It is known for fine white sand, calm lagoon water, beautiful sunset light and easy swimming conditions.

The beach is popular because it feels comfortable. The water is generally calm, the sand is soft, the lagoon is clear, and there are hotels, restaurants and services nearby. It is a good beach for families, couples, snorkelling beginners and visitors who want a classic north-west Mauritius beach.

Trou aux Biches is also a good place for underwater photos and snorkelling, especially when visibility is good. The lagoon, boats and sunset views make it one of the strongest all-round beach destinations on the island.

3. Belle Mare Beach

Belle Mare Beach is one of the longest and most beautiful beaches on the east coast of Mauritius. It offers a long stretch of pale sand, clear lagoon water, filaos trees and a more open feeling than many smaller beaches.

Belle Mare is excellent for long beach walks. If you like space, morning light and a wide lagoon, this is one of the best beaches on the island. The east coast sunrise can be beautiful here, especially when the sky is clear and the lagoon is calm.

Because the east coast is more exposed to trade winds, conditions can feel breezier than on some west coast beaches. This can be pleasant in summer, but visitors should check sea conditions before swimming far from shore.

Belle Mare is also close to Palmar, Poste Lafayette and the coastal villages of the east. It is a good area for photos of lagoon colour, morning beach scenes, fishermen, hotels, water sports and local families enjoying the public beach.

4. Le Morne Beach

Le Morne Beach is one of the most iconic beaches in Mauritius because of its setting below Le Morne Brabant. The mountain, lagoon, reef and beach together create one of the strongest landscapes on the island.

Le Morne is beautiful, but it is not only a beach. It is also a place of memory. Le Morne Brabant is a UNESCO World Heritage Site linked with the history of maroon resistance and enslaved people who found refuge on the mountain. Because of this, the landscape has both visual and historical importance.

The beach is also famous for kitesurfing and wind sports, especially in suitable lagoon and reef areas. Beginners usually stay in protected zones with instructors, while experienced riders may head towards more advanced wave spots nearby.

For photography, Le Morne is exceptional. The mountain works as a background for beach photos, drone views, kitesurfing images, sunset scenes and wedding photography. It is one of the places where Mauritius looks immediately recognisable.

5. Mont Choisy Beach

Mont Choisy Beach is one of the longest and most accessible beaches in the north of Mauritius. It is loved for its long curve of sand, filaos shade, calm lagoon and relaxed public beach atmosphere.

Mont Choisy is a good choice if you want a beautiful beach without feeling trapped between hotel walls. It is spacious, easy to walk, and popular with both locals and visitors. People come here for jogging, swimming, picnics, sunset walks and simple beach days.

The absence of heavy beachfront construction along large parts of the beach gives Mont Choisy a more open feeling than some resort areas. For photographers, the long shoreline, trees and evening light are the main attractions.

6. Grand Bay Beach

Grand Bay is one of the most famous coastal villages in Mauritius. The beach itself is not always the quietest or wildest, but the area is extremely popular because of its restaurants, shops, nightlife, boat trips and lively northern atmosphere.

Grand Bay is a good place if you want a beach village with energy. From here, visitors can take boat excursions to northern islands, enjoy water activities, eat in many types of restaurants and go out at night.

The bay is also photogenic because of its boats. Catamarans, speed boats, fishing boats and excursion vessels create a busy marine landscape. The beach is part of a wider village story rather than a remote nature escape.

7. Pereybere Beach

Pereybere Beach is a small but very popular beach near Grand Bay. It is known for clear water, easy access, swimming, food stalls and a lively local-tourist mix.

Because the beach is relatively small, it can become crowded quickly, especially on weekends and during holidays. Arriving early is a good idea if you want a good spot.

Pereybere is one of those beaches where convenience is part of the appeal. Restaurants, shops, transport and accommodation are all nearby. The water can be beautiful, and the atmosphere is often cheerful and social.

8. Blue Bay Beach

Blue Bay Beach is one of the best-known snorkelling beaches in Mauritius. It sits near Mahebourg in the south-east and is closely linked with Blue Bay Marine Park, a protected marine area known for coral gardens and marine life.

Blue Bay is not only about lying on the sand. The real attraction is the water. Visitors come for snorkelling, glass-bottom boat trips, coral views and clear lagoon scenes. The marine park setting makes it one of the most important beach and reef areas on the island.

Because of its ecological importance, visitors should avoid touching coral, standing on reef areas, feeding fish or damaging the marine environment. A beautiful beach stays beautiful only if people behave properly.

9. Ile aux Cerfs Beaches

Ile aux Cerfs is one of the most famous island beach excursions in Mauritius. Located off the east coast near Trou d’Eau Douce, it is known for white sand, turquoise lagoon water, boat trips, water activities, restaurants and golf scenery.

Ile aux Cerfs is very popular, so it can be busy, especially during peak hours. But it remains one of the most recognisable beach experiences in Mauritius because of the combination of island scenery, lagoon colour and day-trip atmosphere.

For photographers, the best images may come early, before the busiest boat arrivals, or from quieter corners of the island. Look for sandbanks, boats, palm shadows, shallow water patterns and the contrast between beach activity and natural beauty.

10. Tamarin Beach

Tamarin Beach is different from the classic calm lagoon beaches. It has a wider bay, a river mouth, views of La Tourelle mountain and a surf culture that gives it a unique west coast identity.

Tamarin is one of the best-known surf areas in Mauritius. It is also linked with dolphin watching, fishing boats, sunsets, restaurants and the relaxed west coast lifestyle.

The beach is not always the best choice for children’s swimming because currents and surf conditions can change, especially near the river mouth and reef breaks. But for atmosphere, photography, surfing and sunset scenes, Tamarin is one of the most interesting beaches on the island.

11. La Prairie Beach

La Prairie Beach is a beautiful south-west beach near Baie du Cap and Le Morne. It is known for its green grassy edge, shallow lagoon, filaos trees, open coastal views and Le Morne Brabant in the background.

La Prairie is excellent for picnics, family days, photography and stargazing. It is also one of the best accessible places in Mauritius for night sky and Milky Way photography when conditions are clear and the moon is low.

Swimming should be approached carefully because some areas can have currents, especially towards exposed sections. The beach is best enjoyed slowly: picnic, photos, sunset, stars, and a peaceful south coast mood.

12. Gris Gris Beach

Gris Gris Beach, near Souillac, is one of the wildest beaches in Mauritius. It is not a swimming beach. It is a place of cliffs, huge waves, wind, open ocean and dramatic coastal scenery.

Why visit Gris Gris if you cannot swim? Because it shows a completely different Mauritius. No calm lagoon, no reef-protected water, no soft resort atmosphere. Here, the Indian Ocean hits the coast directly, and the result is powerful.

Nearby La Roche Qui Pleure adds to the drama, with waves crashing against the rocks and creating the impression that the rock is crying. For photographers, Gris Gris is one of the best places for waves, cliffs, black and white photos and wild sea views.

13. Albion Beach

Albion Beach is a quiet west coast beach linked with a peaceful residential village, fishing pirogues, sunsets and the nearby Pointe aux Caves Lighthouse.

The public beach is pleasant for families and relaxed beach visits, while the rocky coastline near the lighthouse offers more dramatic photo subjects: cliffs, waves, tide pools and open horizon views.

Albion is a good place if you want something quieter than Flic en Flac or Grand Bay. It feels more local and residential, with a strong sunset atmosphere.

14. La Cuvette Beach

La Cuvette Beach is a small beach near Grand Bay. It is more discreet than the main Grand Bay waterfront and can feel like a little break from the busier village atmosphere.

The beach is good for short visits, swimming when conditions are calm, photography and relaxing near the north coast. Because it is not very large, it can become crowded during popular times.

15. Balaclava Beach

Balaclava Beach is located on the north-west coast and is associated with quiet coastal scenery, hotel beaches, rocky sections and views across the lagoon.

The area is interesting because it combines beach, history, resorts and nearby marine scenery. It is less of a large public beach scene than Mont Choisy or Flic en Flac, but it can be beautiful for peaceful coastal photos.

16. Grand Gaube Beach

Grand Gaube is a northern fishing village with beach views, boats, coastal roads and a quieter atmosphere than nearby Grand Bay.

It is a good place for people who enjoy local village scenery, fishing pirogues, island views and relaxed north coast landscapes. The beach experience is more about atmosphere than large tourist crowds.

17. Mahebourg and Pointe d’Esny Beaches

Mahebourg is more of a historic coastal town than a beach resort, but the nearby coastline includes beautiful lagoon views, Pointe d’Esny and access to Blue Bay.

Pointe d’Esny is known for its clear water and long coastal stretch, while Mahebourg itself offers waterfront views, market life, boats and south-east heritage. Together, they make a strong beach-and-town story.

18. Souillac Beach

Souillac is linked with the wild south coast, Gris Gris, old village atmosphere and rugged sea views. It is not a typical swimming-beach destination, but it is excellent for visitors who want coastal character and history.

The area is useful for photography because it offers cliffs, waves, village roads, old structures, nearby Rochester Falls and a more dramatic southern mood.

19. Bel Ombre Beach

Bel Ombre is located on the south coast and is known for long beaches, lagoon scenery, hotels, golf, nature reserves and access to the wilder south-west.

The beach can be beautiful and peaceful, especially for visitors who like a quieter and more natural south coast setting. It is also a good base for exploring La Prairie, Baie du Cap, Le Morne, Chamarel and the Black River Gorges region.

20. Poste Lafayette Beach

Poste Lafayette is on the east coast and is known for a rougher, windier coastal mood than many calm lagoon beaches. It can be interesting for wind sports, coastal photography, rocky scenery and quiet beach walks.

Sea conditions can be more exposed, so visitors should be careful before swimming. This is a good beach for people who enjoy less developed coastal places and a more natural east coast atmosphere.

21. La Cambuse Beach

La Cambuse, in the south-east, is one of the more natural and open beaches of Mauritius. It is close to the airport region but feels much wilder than many resort beaches.

The beach can be beautiful, but the sea may be rough depending on conditions. It is better suited to walking, photography and quiet coastal exploration than careless swimming.

22. Riambel and Pomponette Beaches

Riambel and Pomponette are long, quieter beaches on the south coast. They are less developed than many famous beaches and can feel spacious, natural and peaceful.

These beaches are good for long walks, photography, horse-riding scenes, wild coastal moods and visitors who prefer empty space over beach facilities.

23. St Félix Beach

St Félix is a beautiful south coast beach known for its bright sand, blue water and natural feel. It is one of the beaches that looks very attractive in photos, but visitors should pay attention to sea conditions because the south coast can be exposed.

It is a good place for landscape photography, quiet visits and road-trip stops between Souillac, Bel Ombre and the south-west.

24. Pointe aux Piments Beach

Pointe aux Piments is located on the north-west coast between Balaclava and Trou aux Biches. It is known for rocky sections, calm lagoon areas and snorkelling possibilities in some places.

It is quieter than the major beaches nearby and can be interesting for visitors who enjoy coastal details, rocks, reef views and a more low-key beach atmosphere.

Best Beaches by Region

Choosing a beach in Mauritius becomes easier if you think by region. The north is lively and practical. The east is long, windy and beautiful. The west is best for sunsets and activities. The south is wilder and more dramatic. The south-east has snorkelling, history and protected marine scenery.

Best Beaches in the North

The best northern beaches include Grand Bay, Pereybere, La Cuvette, Mont Choisy, Trou aux Biches, Cap Malheureux and Grand Gaube.

Choose the north if you want restaurants, shops, nightlife, boat excursions, family beaches and easy tourist services.

Best Beaches in the East

The best eastern beaches include Belle Mare, Palmar, Poste Lafayette, Trou d’Eau Douce and Ile aux Cerfs.

Choose the east if you like long beaches, sunrise light, quieter coastal scenery, lagoon colours and island excursions.

Best Beaches in the West

The best western beaches include Flic en Flac, Tamarin, La Preneuse, Black River, Albion and parts of Wolmar.

Choose the west if you love sunsets, restaurants, diving, dolphins, surfing, fishing boats and warm evening light.

Best Beaches in the South and South-West

The best southern and south-western beaches include Le Morne, La Prairie, Bel Ombre, Riambel, Pomponette, St Félix, Gris Gris and Souillac.

Choose this region if you want dramatic landscapes, mountains, cliffs, wild sea views, quieter beaches, road trips and photography.

Best Beaches in the South-East

The best south-east beaches and coastal areas include Blue Bay, Pointe d’Esny, La Cambuse, Mahebourg waterfront and nearby island excursion points.

Choose the south-east if you want snorkelling, marine park scenery, history, lagoon views and a quieter atmosphere than the north.

Best Beaches for Swimming

Some of the best swimming beaches in Mauritius include Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy, Flic en Flac, Pereybere, Belle Mare, Blue Bay, Le Morne lagoon areas and parts of La Cuvette when conditions are calm.

For swimming, look for calm water, sandy seabed, reef protection, clear visibility and local people swimming safely. Avoid swimming where there are strong currents, large waves, rocky shorelines, boat channels or warning signs.

Gris Gris, La Roche Qui Pleure, Le Souffleur, Pont Naturel and some exposed south coast beaches are for watching, not swimming. Beautiful does not always mean safe.

Best Beaches for Families

The best family beaches in Mauritius usually have calm water, shade, easy access and nearby facilities. Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy, Flic en Flac, Pereybere, Blue Bay, Belle Mare and Albion are among the most practical family choices.

Families should still be careful. Children can be tempted to go too far in shallow water, and lagoons can have currents, coral pieces, sea urchins or boat activity in some places.

Bring reef-safe sun protection, water, hats, snacks, beach shoes if needed and enough patience for sand everywhere. Sand will win. It always does.

Best Beaches for Snorkelling

Good snorkelling beaches and areas include Blue Bay, Trou aux Biches, Pointe aux Piments, Flic en Flac, Ile aux Cerfs, Le Morne lagoon areas and some boat-access reef spots around the island.

Blue Bay is especially important because of the marine park and coral garden. Trou aux Biches and Flic en Flac are also popular for underwater life, depending on visibility and sea conditions.

When snorkelling, do not stand on coral, do not feed fish, do not remove shells or marine life, and avoid using harmful sunscreen. Coral reefs are living habitats, not underwater furniture.

Best Beaches for Sunset

The best sunset beaches in Mauritius are mostly on the west and north-west coasts. Flic en Flac, Tamarin, Le Morne, La Prairie, Albion, La Preneuse, Mont Choisy, Trou aux Biches and Grand Bay are all excellent choices.

For the best photos, arrive early and stay after the sun disappears. The sky often becomes more colourful during the afterglow, when many people have already packed their bags.

Sunset photos are stronger when they include a subject: a pirogue, a fisherman, a child playing, a palm tree, a mountain, a wave or a person walking near the water.

Best Beaches for Surfing, Kitesurfing and Water Sports

The best-known surf beach is Tamarin, especially for experienced surfers when conditions are right. Le Morne is the main reference for kitesurfing and wind sports, with lagoon areas for learning and advanced reef waves for experienced riders.

Other water-sport areas include Belle Mare, Poste Lafayette, Grand Bay, Flic en Flac, Trou aux Biches, Blue Bay and Ile aux Cerfs depending on the activity.

Do you want calm kayaking? Choose a lagoon. Do you want waves? Choose the right surf spot. Do you want to learn kitesurfing? Use a professional school. Mauritius may look easy, but reef, wind and current deserve respect.

Best Beaches for Photography

The best beaches for photography depend on the mood you want. For classic tropical colour, choose Belle Mare, Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy, Blue Bay and Ile aux Cerfs. For sunsets, choose Flic en Flac, Tamarin, Albion, Le Morne and La Prairie. For dramatic waves, choose Gris Gris, La Roche Qui Pleure and Albion cliffs. For mountain and lagoon compositions, choose Le Morne and La Prairie.

For human stories, public beaches are often better than private-feeling resort beaches. Flic en Flac, Mont Choisy, Albion, Tamarin, Mahebourg, Grand Gaube and Belle Mare can show families, fishermen, vendors, boats and real local beach life.

Best Time for Beach Photography

Early morning is good for soft light, empty beaches, fishing boats and calm water. Late afternoon is better for warm tones, people, silhouettes and sunsets. Midday can still work for lagoon colour, but the light is often harsh.

Cloudy weather should not be ignored. Clouds add drama, especially at Gris Gris, Le Morne, Albion, Tamarin and the south coast.

Drone and Aerial Beach Photography

Drone and aerial photography in Mauritius can show beaches beautifully: reef lines, lagoon colours, sandbanks, boats, hotels, mountain backdrops and coastal curves.

Drone pilots should follow local regulations, avoid flying over people, respect privacy, stay away from restricted zones and be careful with wind near the coast.

Public Beaches and Local Life

Public beaches are central to Mauritian life. On weekends, families gather under filaos trees, cook food, play music, swim, relax and spend the whole day near the sea.

This is something visitors should appreciate respectfully. A Mauritian public beach is not only a tourist attraction. It is a social space, a family space, and sometimes the heart of the weekend.

If you photograph Mauritian people at the beach, ask permission for close portraits and avoid intrusive photos of families, children or private moments.

Beaches, Fishing Boats and Coastal Villages

Many beaches in Mauritius are still connected with fishing life. In villages such as Albion, Grand Gaube, Mahebourg, Tamarin, Black River, Souillac and Cap Malheureux, small pirogues and fishing boats are part of the landscape.

Fishing in Mauritius gives beaches a human and working identity. A pirogue on the sand is not just decoration. It may be someone’s livelihood.

For photography, fishing boats are among the best beach subjects: colourful hulls, ropes, nets, fishermen, fish boxes, early morning departures and sunset returns.

Beaches and Hotels

Many hotels in Mauritius are located directly on or near beaches. This creates beautiful resort scenery, but it also means some beach areas feel more polished and less local.

In Mauritius, beaches are generally public up to the high-water mark, but access through hotel property may be restricted. Visitors should use public access points and respect hotel boundaries, private gardens and guest areas.

For a balanced beach experience, mix hotel beaches with public beaches, fishing villages and wild coastlines. The island is much richer that way.

Beach Safety in Mauritius

Many beaches in Mauritius are calm and safe in normal conditions, but visitors should still be careful. Currents, reef passes, coral, sea urchins, boat traffic, slippery rocks, strong sun and sudden weather changes can all create problems.

Always check local conditions before swimming. Avoid swimming alone, far from shore or near boat channels. Wear beach shoes in rocky or coral areas if needed. Keep children close, especially in places where the water looks shallow but currents may exist.

Never swim at clearly dangerous wave spots such as Gris Gris, La Roche Qui Pleure, Le Souffleur or Pont Naturel. These places are for viewing and photography, not swimming.

Responsible Beach Visits

Beaches in Mauritius are beautiful, but they are also fragile. Plastic waste, coral damage, careless anchoring, noise, over-tourism and disrespectful behaviour can harm the coastline.

Take rubbish with you, avoid single-use plastic when possible, use reef-safe sunscreen, do not stand on coral, do not disturb wildlife, respect fishermen and local families, and avoid loud music in quiet areas.

A beach looks natural only when people behave as if it matters.

Useful Online References

Useful sources about beaches and coastal sites in Mauritius include the Mauritius Now guide to Blue Bay Marine Park, the UNESCO page about Le Morne Cultural Landscape, the Mauritius Now guide to Gris Gris Beach, the Mauritius Now guide to kitesurfing in Mauritius, the Surf-Forecast guide to Le Morne surf conditions and the The Times guide to beaches in Mauritius.

Visiting Tips

If this is your first trip to Mauritius, start with Flic en Flac, Trou aux Biches, Belle Mare, Le Morne, Mont Choisy, Blue Bay and Ile aux Cerfs. These beaches give a good first impression of the island’s variety.

If you want something more local, try Albion, Grand Gaube, Mahebourg, Tamarin or Mont Choisy on a weekend. If you want wild scenery, go to Gris Gris, La Roche Qui Pleure, La Prairie, Macondé, La Cambuse or the south coast. If you want sunset, stay on the west. If you want sunrise, go east.

And if you are not sure which beach to choose? Ask yourself one question: do you want to swim, photograph, eat, snorkel, surf, watch sunset, or simply sit under a tree and do nothing? Mauritius has a beach for each answer.