Belle Mare
The East Coast's Long Beach, and the Boat to Ile aux Cerfs
One of the longest beaches on the island, on the east coast, lined with big resorts and a public stretch with food vans at weekends. From Trou d'Eau Douce just south, boats and catamarans run out to Île aux Cerfs, an islet with sandbanks and a lagoon (a catamaran day with lunch was about US$70-85 a person in 2026 listings), often with a stop at the Grande Rivière Sud-Est waterfall. In winter (June to September) the south-east trade winds make this coast cool and breezy; it is at its best from October to May.
Highlights
- Catamaran day to Île aux Cerfs
- Swim off Belle Mare's long beach
- Grande Rivière Sud-Est waterfall by boat
- Sandbanks of Île aux Cerfs
- Sunrise over the Indian Ocean
Things to do
- Catamaran day to Île aux Cerfs with lunchMorning · 6h 30m
- Belle Mare beach and lagoonAfternoon · 3h
- Sunrise walk on the beachMorning · 1h
Tours & tickets
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When to go
Best time: October – May
Worth knowing
Cyclone Season: Watch the Class Warnings
January to March is the height of the cyclone season. Most weeks pass with heat, humidity and short downpours, but when a cyclone nears, Mauritius Meteorological Services issue warnings from Class I to IV: from Class III everyone stays indoors, buses stop, shops and sights close and flights are often cancelled for a day or two. Keep a spare day before your flight home, take travel insurance that covers weather delays, and follow your hotel's advice.
Heads up
Cyclone Season
The cyclone season runs from November to April, with most storms from January to March. Early and late in the season a cyclone is less likely, but watch the forecast in the week before you fly.
Heads up
Winter Trade Winds on the East Coast
From June to September the south-east trade winds blow onshore here: cooler days (low to mid-20s °C), breezy beaches, choppier lagoons and more showers. Boat trips still run on most days. The west and north coasts are calmer and sunnier at this time; split the stay if swimming matters most.
Heads up
Festive Peak: Higher Prices and Minimum Stays
Over Christmas and New Year beach hotels charge their highest rates, often with minimum stays and gala dinners billed on top, and flights from India fill early. Book by September, or come in early December or mid-January.
- Thaipoosam Cavadee — The Tamil festival of Murugan: after days of fasting, devotees carry the cavadee, a wooden arch with flowers and pots of milk, to the kovils (temples), many with their cheeks and tongues pierced. Processions in Port Louis and the towns from early morning. A public holiday.
- Ganesh Chaturthi — Ganesh's festival, kept mostly by Marathi-speaking Mauritians: home and temple prayers, then processions carrying the idols to the sea or rivers for immersion the next day. A public holiday.
- Divali — The festival of lights: houses and temples lit with clay lamps and fairy lights, sweets (gateaux) shared with neighbours, and fireworks after dark. A public holiday, and one of the busiest weeks for flights from India.