10 Best Beaches in Mauritius

Mauritian beaches belong on every visitor's must-see list:

Mauritius is renowned for its incredibly beautiful beaches with powder-soft white or golden sands, brilliant turquoise waters, and lush tropical scenery. This Indian Ocean island paradise offers beach lovers an incredible variety of coastal treasures to explore.

Originally uninhabited, Mauritius was first explored by Arab and Malay sailors as early as the 10th century. The Portuguese were the first Europeans to take possession in 1505, but it was the Dutch who established the first settlement and gave the island its present name in the 17th century.

Away from the coast, Mauritius boasts striking geographic diversity with soaring mountains, undulating hills, dramatic gorges and waterfalls, and forests sheltering rare flora and fauna like the famous pink pigeon. This volcanic island also contains incredible natural wonders like the breathtaking underwater waterfall at Earth's Gyre and the spectacular basaltic monolith Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

But it's the dazzling beaches that are the biggest draw to Mauritius. Fringed by casuarina trees and swaying palms, the sun-kissed shores offer silky white or golden sands that shelve into brilliant lagoons protected by offshore coral reefs. These idyllic strands provide a playground for water sports, snorkelling, diving, fishing, and beach combing.

With its intoxicating blend of natural beauty, cultural attractions, adventure activities, and luxury resorts, it's no wonder Mauritius ranks as a top holiday destination for Europeans, Africans, and travellers from around the world seeking an exotic tropical escape. And the island's stunning beaches are certainly the highlight.

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1. Trou aux Biches

This two-mile-long beach situated in the northwest village of the same name frequently gets ranked among the world's best beaches. The fine white coral sands are buttery soft and the water is an incredible shade of sparkling blue. A fringing reef about 200 yards offshore create a shallow, protected lagoon that is perfect for swimming, paddle boarding, snorkelling, and spotting colourful fish. Tropical trees provide pockets of shade along the shoreline, which can get crowded with visitors from the nearby resorts. At the northern end is an outcrop of rocks, which is popular for soaking up the sun and saltwater bathing pools for kids to play in.

2. Flic en Flac

One of the longest beaches in Mauritius, Flic en Flac stretches for around three miles along the sheltered west coast, where most of the large resorts are located. The powdery white sands are very wide, with plenty of room for sunbathing and beach games. The water is relatively calm due to an offshore reef, making it safe for families and non-swimmers. The beach is lined with local restaurants, shops, bars, and resorts, so there's always a lively atmosphere and lots of facilities. Since it faces west, Flic en Flac is renowned for its spectacular sunsets over the Le Morne mountain peninsula. Food vendors also sell snacks and drinks on the beach.

3. Grand Baie

This bustling seaside village and tourist hub has a pretty bay beach with soft white sands in a curved shape that gives it a cosy feel. The waters are sheltered and typically calm, drawing sailing/yachting and other water sports enthusiasts. The beach itself is lined with coconut palms and has a fun, energetic vibe with beach bars and restaurants just steps away. There are usually lots of people swimming, playing beach volleyball or soccer, and letting kids run around in the shallow waters. At night, the restaurants and nightlife around Grand Baie beach get quite lively.

4. Ile aux Cerfs

Only reachable by boat, this tiny 4.5-mile circumference island off the east coast of Mauritius is practically one long, pristine beach wrapped all the way around. The powder-soft white sands are wide and perfectly groomed. The shallow waters here have an incredible bright turquoise colour and great visibility for swimming and snorkelling. With just a few restaurants and no cars or crowds, Ile aux Cerfs offers a tranquil escape from the busier resort beaches on the main island. Visitors can rent beach chairs, umbrellas and kayaks or just find their own shady spot under a casuarina tree.

5. Pereybere

One of the top family beaches, Pereybere is made up of two adjoining coves on the calm, protected north coast near Grand Baie. The fine golden sands are lined with casuarina trees providing shade. The water here is very clear, shallow, and safe for kids to splash around and swim. From the beach you can see the woody islets and rock formations just offshore that add to the scenic beauty. Off the main beach, there's a cute restaurant and bar area as well as beach chair rentals, water sports rentals, and public showers. The whole stretch has a relaxed local vibe.

6. Le Morne

Presiding over this stunning beach on the southwestern tip of Mauritius is the dramatic Le Morne Brabant mountain, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This incredible basaltic monolith rises 556 meters straight up from the turquoise lagoon, providing a jaw-dropping backdrop. The beach itself features soft white coral sands lapped by tranquil, clear waters sheltered by an offshore reef. This creates a protected lagoon area that's ideal for swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving to explore the rich marine life and coral gardens.

However, Le Morne is also a surfer's paradise, with some of the best powerful barrelling waves in Mauritius forming off this beach during the prime surf season between June and September. The iconic mountain provides an incredible setting as surfers catch rides on the reef breaks. Surf camps and schools take full advantage, offering lessons for beginners all the way up to the pros riding the biggest swells.

Le Morne beach stays relatively uncrowded compared to others and has a relaxed, local vibe when it's not the surf season. But the real draw is the phenomenal scenery, especially at sunrise and sunset when the mountain turns shades of orange and red. It's regarded as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.

7. Belle Mare Plage

Stretching for over six miles along the east coast, Belle Mare is one of the longest and widest beaches in Mauritius. The powder-soft white sands create an expansive shore that gently slopes into the calm, shallow turquoise lagoon, which stays warm enough for swimming and wading year-round. This makes it especially popular with families and resorts, many of which line this beach area. Despite the resort development, there are still tranquil, secluded sections of beach to enjoy. Palm trees and vegetation fringe the inland areas, adding to the tropical vibe. At the northern end, the beach curves around to form a quiet cove perfect for long walks and beachcombing.

8. Tamarin

Surfers flock to the western town of Tamarin for its famous surf break just offshore from this gorgeous beach. But Tamarin beach itself offers more than just waves, with a beautiful, sheltered bay edged by silky white sands and calm, clear waters ideal for swimming and sunbathing. From the beach, you can look back at the iconic Le Morne mountain jutting out into the ocean, creating a picture-perfect scene, especially at sunset. While the northern end gets busier with surfers and surf schools, the southern side of Tamarin beach tends to be quieter and more serene. Swaying palm trees, restaurants, and beach facilities are available as well.

9. Blue Bay

As its name suggests, the star attraction at this beach on the southeast coast is the shimmering azure blue hues of the shallow waters over the coral reef. Blue Bay is part of a marine park that protects the plentiful marine life here, including colourful fish, sea turtles, rays, and beautiful coral formations. This makes it one of the top snorkelling and diving spots on the island. The beach itself has soft white sands backed by casuarina trees providing welcome shade. Although getting more popular, Blue Bay retains a public, local feel with beach vendors, picnickers, and families enjoying the calm, clear waters. It can get windy at times.

10. Gris Gris

For a complete get-away-from-it-all beach experience, head to secluded Gris Gris in the south. Often missed by visitors, this two-mile long beach is tucked between rocky cliffs draped in lush green foliage. The name, which means "grey sand," refers to the soft grey-hued sands on a wide shore that dissolves into turquoise waters perfect for swimming. There are very few crowds or facilities here besides a couple of local eateries and a few residential homes. Instead, you'll find tranquillity, opportunities for beachcombing, and incredible scenery with huge boulder formations lining one end and the cliffs providing gorgeous vistas. It's a beautiful spot to escape the hustle of the resort beaches.

Conclusion

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With its idyllic tropical shores, intriguing history, and striking geographic diversity, the island nation of Mauritius ranks as a premier holiday destination. This volcanic island boasts soaring mountains, lush forests, dramatic scenery like the underwater "waterfall" at Earth's Gyre and the iconic Le Morne Brabant rock formation, as well as a unique mix of cultures influenced by former colonial powers.

However, Mauritius' biggest draw is undoubtedly its incredible beaches with their powder-soft white or golden sands, sheltering casuarina and palm trees, and brilliant azure waters sheltered by offshore coral reefs teeming with marine life. From popular resort-lined strands to secluded hidden coves, Mauritius offers incredible variety among its world-class beaches.

The top 10 beaches not to miss include Trou aux Biches with its shallow turquoise lagoon, Flic en Flac's wide shores perfect for families, the energetic scene at Grand Baie, exclusive Ile aux Cerfs, local favorite Pereybere, stunning Le Morne with its dramatic mountain backdrop, expansive Belle Mare Plage, surf hub Tamarin Bay, underwater wonderland Blue Bay Marine Park, and the rugged seclusion of Gris Gris beach.

For surfers, the best swells and waves can be found between June and September on the western side of the island. The famed surf breaks off beaches like Tamarin Bay and Le Morne are world-renowned, drawing wave riders from around the globe during this peak season. Even beginners can take surf lessons here.

With such an abundance of breathtaking coastal treasures complemented by diverse activities like surfing and amenities, it's easy to see why Mauritius and its incredible beaches make for an ideal tropical getaway.