Mauritius has two seasons, not four
Sitting in the Indian Ocean off Madagascar, Mauritius has a tropical climate with just two real seasons. Summer runs from November to April (hot, humid, the cyclone window) and winter from May to October (cooler, drier, breezy). There is no bad time to come, but each season suits different travellers.
Winter (May to October): the sweet spot
Most people consider the cooler, drier months the best time to visit. Daytime temperatures sit around 24 to 27°C, the humidity drops and rain is rare on the leeward west and north coasts (Flic en Flac, Trou aux Biches, Le Morne).
- July to September brings strong trade winds, perfect for kitesurfing and windsurfing at Le Morne and Anse la Raie.
- The sea is calm and clear for diving and snorkelling on the protected north and west.
- Whale and dolphin watching off Tamarin and the west coast peaks around June to September.
Note the east coast (Belle Mare, Trou d'Eau Douce) is windier in winter, so the west is the calmer choice.
Summer (November to April): hot and lush
Summer is warmer (29 to 33°C) and more humid, with short, heavy afternoon downpours. It's the season for warm sea temperatures, scuba diving and surf on the south coast at Tamarin. January to March is the cyclone window, when a passing system can bring days of heavy rain, though direct hits are uncommon.
Peak, shoulder and low season
- Peak: mid-December to early January (Christmas and New Year) and the European summer of July to August. Expect the highest hotel rates and busy beaches.
- Shoulder: May to June and September to October offer great weather with fewer crowds and better value, the smartest time for most visitors.
- Low: January to March is quietest and cheapest, with the cyclone trade-off.
Festivals and events by month
- January/February: Cavadee, a striking Tamil festival of devotion and body piercing.
- February/March: Maha Shivaratri, when thousands of Hindu pilgrims walk to the sacred lake at Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao).
- September: Père Laval pilgrimage at Sainte-Croix.
- October/November: Divali, the festival of lights, with homes and streets lit up.
- Year-round: séga, the island's Creole music and dance, performed at beach hotels and in villages.
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