Beach Tourism

“And I have rushed to thee far from the wicked forces, for the calm lagoon loves to rock your body, and the beach for your sake offers its golden sands…”

In Mauritius, you cannot be far from the sea. Its presence id felt everywhere, stretching to the distant horizon for as far as the eye can see. There are 170 km of coastline, with some of the most beautiful lagoons and the loveliest beaches in the world. They are surrounded by coral reefs that are like an impregnable wall protecting them 24 hours on 24, making them safe for bathing and water sports. But no two beaches are alike. Each one has a distinct character and individuality that makes the visitor want to experience all of them. If most of the beaches are pure golden sand and crystal-clear lagoons, the south coast, by contrast, is assailed by huge ocean swells that are more typical of the coastline of Brittany and Cornwall than of a tropical island.

The North Coast

The entire northern coastline, Pointe-aux-Piments, Troou-aux-Biches, Mon Choisy, Pointe aux Cannoniers, Grand Baie, Péreybère and Cap Malhereux is a succession of picture postcard beaches. The seaside her is rich in colours and variety of the lagoons fade from green to blue, ringed by the white surf of the coral reefs, with the cobalt blue of the open sea beyond.

Grand Baie, the Côte d’Azure of Mauritius, is the most tourist-oriented of all the resorts with a strong concentration of hotels, fashion and craft boutiques and restaurants. Péreybère, a delightful little cove with deep clear blue waters, is the best bathing place in the whole island. Situated in the extreme north, Cap Malhereux is a small fishing village with magnificent view of Flat Island, Round Island, and Gunner’s Quoin islands of volcanic origin rising from a sparkling light green sea.

The East Coast

The East Coast is studded with beaches each with its own distinct characteristic. They are favoured resorts, especially in the hotter months, because of the fresh trade winds blowing all the year round from the sea. From Roche Noires and Poste Lafayette, which have preserved a pristine beauty of their own, the east coast stretches out lazily along Belle-Mare and Palmar.

With their white sandy beaches to Trou d’Eau Douce. Just off the coast, about 20 minutes by boat, is the island resort of Ile aux Cerfs, so beautiful, it will take your breath away and hence towards Vieux Grand Port, a little village by the sea. Thence, the road closely follows the coastline to the historic town of Mahebourg.

The South Coast

The South Coast is not typical of the picture postcard image of Mauritius and is a region of rugged beauty and dramatic contrasts. Pointe d’Esny and Blue Bay stand out in this region for their white sandy beaches and clear waters. These lagoons are the safest spots in the area for bathing. Blue Bay is one of the lagoons where the marine flora is so rich and colorful that it has been proclaimed a Marine Park.

Souillac, a small seaside village, is located in the most southerly part of the island. The region, in striking contrast to the soft curves of the northern coastline, has the most rugged and spectacular coastline of the island, with its high cliffs dropping sheer to the sea. At the southern end of the village, Gris Gris, where you never tire watching the rollers of the deep crashing in a roaring fury of white against the rugged cliffs. The winding sea-hugging road linking Souillac to Le Morne Brabant provides one with some of the most breathtaking sceneries on the island and has been described by the Mauritian poet Robert Edward Hart as “La voie enchantée”, the enchanted road.

The West Coast

The West Coast is the combination of magnificent mountain and sea sceneries that makes the west coast nothing short of magical. The entire coastline is dominated by Le Morne Mountain, a natural monument evocative of slavery and symbolizing freedom.

The peninsula and lagoons around Le Morne Brabant, With their crystal clear waters and incredible colors beggar all description. The road from here continues to hug the shore, curving around Black River Bay up to Tamarin, the best place in the island for surfing. The most popular beach, this part of the island is Flic en Flac, an enchanting casuarinas fringed lagoon ideal for swimming.