The best family-friendly beaches in Mauritius

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The best family-friendly beaches in Mauritius

The endless beaches shaded by coconut palms make Mauritius a dream destination in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Mauritius provides not only spectacular lagoons but also calm water conditions, ideal for swimming and snorkeling as the island is surrounded by several coral reefs. Whether traveling with a baby, young children or teens, it seems that Mauritius can fulfill all the desires of families in search of sun, beach and beautiful memories.

We selected the most beautiful beaches of Mauritius accessible to the public and suitable for families.

BEACHES IN THE NORTH OF MAURITIUS

Mont Choisy Beach

We love this beach mainly because of its long forest of filao trees which allows to have a cool picnic in the shade or a nap without the risk of a sun burn! Mont Choisy is one of the longest beaches in Mauritius and is characterized by its gentle curve, shallow turquoise waters and fine sand. It is the perfect beach for kids to play, swim or go for a walk. The locals like to spend their weekends here to relax in the sun and enjoy the sea and the beautiful sunset. The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed. On weekdays, the beach is less crowded and much quieter.

There are no restaurants around and most of the people bring their own picnic. But you can find Street vendors who are selling refreshing coconuts, pineapples and other seasonal fruits. An ice cream and a burger van come several time a day, especially during the week-end.

Pereybere Beach

Pereybere beach is located north, between Grand Bay and Cap Malheureux. The 150 meters long beach is very popular among locals and every square meter of water is busy, especially on weekends and holidays. An abundance of food stalls are scattered along the beach where one can find freshly caught seafood everyday. A few meters from the beach are numerous bars and restaurants serving sumptuous Mauritian cuisine. Water sports are the primary mode of entertainment and plenty of deck chairs have been laid out for rent.

The water here is deeper than on many other beaches on the island, but still very quiet and not the slightest wave on the horizon. The water is perfectly clear and offers magnificent views of the marine life and corals. So don’t forget to bring your masks and snorkels!

La Cuvette Beach

La Cuvette is only a few minutes from the center of Grand Bay. This public beach is a little off the beaten track than other beaches in the area making it less crowded. It’s a small beach of only 80 meters long with a breathtaking view of the Pointe aux Canonniers. The beach is accentuated with hidden coves, big rocks and cliffs. There are a few food stalls where you can try out the local food. It’s the perfect place for those who like to swim, relax at a quiet and not too crowded beach.

Trou aux biches Beach

It is one of the most beautiful white sand beaches lined with coconut palms in Mauritius. The water is turquoise, shallow and calm with gently shelving sands, making it an ideal family beach. The snorkeling conditions are great at both ends of Trou aux Biches but you have to swim out a little and will be rewarded with a varied reef and many different and colorful fishes.

You will also find street food stands, cafes and restaurants within easy reach and many ice cream vendors. Beach attractions such as parasailing, kayak, pedal boating or windsurfing are available and for rent at the beach.

Trou aux Biches beach is situated north west, which makes it the perfect spot to admire beautiful sunsets.

Cap Malheureux Beach

Cap Malheureux is an authentic beach, in the north of Mauritius that offers a breathtaking view of the small islands off the coast. This beautiful village is still preserved and traditional and you will meet many fishermen and former colonial properties. The beach is nice for swimming and walking around to admire postcard landscapes.

WEST COAST BEACHES OF MAURITIUS

Flic-en-Flac Beach

The atmosphere is peaceful and pleasant and the sunsets fabulous. Flic en Flac is a beautiful beach in the west of Mauritius, surrounded by a large forest of filao trees that provide shade. The currents can sometimes be strong at this beach, so stay in the designated swimming areas. On the weekends, the Mauritians head to the beach with the whole family and full picnic baskets. On the other side you can find the usual resort beaches with a different atmosphere.

Not far from the beach, there are numerous street food trucks who serve freshly cut coconut, pineapples or local food specialties. You should certainly try the national dishes of briyani with vegetables and roti.

Le Morne Beach

Le Morne beach provides an exceptional panorama on the mountain Le Morne Brabant, another UNESCO World Heritage site in Mauritius. The sand is white and the translucent water surrounded by a magnificent coral reef. The trees are close enough to the beach to give some shade.

Le Morne is THE favorite spot for surfers and kitesurfer and the conditions are perfect for practicing these sports almost all year round. On the other hand the sea can be agitated and the current makes swimming rather dangerous especially for children. But it’s worth a visit for the amazing landscape and to watch the kite- and windsurfers. There is only one restaurant near the beach and the usual Street Food Vans.

You have also the possibility to book private horse rides along the beach .

SOUTH COAST BEACHES OF MAURITIUS

Blue bay beach

Do not forget your diving goggles and a snorkel when you go to Blue Bay! This is another fantastic place to swim and snorkel. The shallow waters, the distance to the coral reef, as well as the large surface of the area make Blue Bay a great spot to learn your kids the basics of snorkeling.

Blue Bay is also well known for glass bottom boat and the snorkeling boat trips which brings you to the Marine Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Unfortunately Mauritius is not spared by the coral death which affects all reefs in the world. Many corals are dead and the colourful coral islands are rare. But you can still spot a large variety of fishes.

Before your reach the beach there are many casuarina trees which spend nice shade if you want to have a cool picnic. Otherwise you can find some restaurants and cafes near by the beach.

La Prairie Beach

The place owes its name to the vast stretch of grass that grows to the edge of the water. La Prairie is a beach where you need to be a bit prepared before you go, but it is still well worth a visit, as it is one of the last major undeveloped beaches of the south.

It is the ideal beach to let children play freely in the lagoon without worrying due to the shallow waters, the quiet bay protected by the coral reef. La Prairie is known for its breathtaking views of Le Morne Brabant. Due to its isolated location, there is no real infrastructure here. On week-end, there are Street Food Vans around, but better bring your own picnic.

Don’t forget to take your beach water shoes. There might be some broken corals or small stones in the water.

EAST COAST BEACHES OF MAURITIUS

Belle Mare Beach

Belle Mare is surrounded by unspoiled nature as there has been little development on this side of the island, except of some few luxury villas and resorts. The beach of Belle Mare is located near the city of Mahébourg.

The Belle Mare beach is a shallow bay with fine white sand and crystal clear water. It is a very windy lagoon with small waves and and the currents can sometimes be a little stronger here than elsewhere on the island. Swimming can be less comfortable than in other places in Mauritius, especially with smaller kids.

On the other hand, the strong winds make this an ideal venue if you like windsurfing and sailing or other popular water activities.

Ile aux cerfs Beach (Island)

The Isle aux Cerfs is a must when you visit Mauritius! Although there are more and more tourists on this island, it is still worth to spend a day at this magical beach. From Trou d’Eau Douce you have the best starting point, as the island can be reached in a few minutes by a short boat ride (about 600 to 900 rupees).

In the front part of the island you can rent sunbeds, umbrellas and a watersports centre offering a range of fun activities. It is a popular place, especially on weekends, so better come early in the morning or on weekdays. If you prefer a moment of peace and a quiet place, you can stroll along the sandy beach bordering the island. In only 10 minutes walk you will find some beautiful deserted beach (don’t forget to bring your swimming shoes as there might be some broken corals and sea urchins in this deserted area). On Isle aux Cerfs you can find two charming restaurants and a bar on the front part of the Island.

General Tip: Since stonefish (one of the most venomous fish known) can be found all over Mauritius, it makes sense to wear bathing shoes when entering the water!

The most incredible places to visit in Mauritius with your kids

MAURITIUS, MAURITIUS

The most incredible places to visit in Mauritius with your kids

If you’re in the office daydreaming about the perfect holiday with clear warm turquoise water, endless white beaches with coconut trees, you probably dream about Mauritius.

The tiny Indian Ocean island is mainly known for honeymoon trips and all-inclusive luxury hotels, but that’s not all! You can find activities for every kind of traveller in this natural paradise. There are boat trips to near-perfect islets, many great excursions to botanical gardens, colonial plantation houses or a hiking tour in the jungle interior. Mauritius has a marvelous blend of cultures, welcoming people, a varied cuisine and a huge mix of ethnic communities

If you are wondering about the places that you can explore with your kids, then this article can guide you to the best places and activities in Mauritius to do with your kids.

Pamplemousses Botanical Garden

The botanical garden of Pamplemousses was ranked, for a long time, third amongst the most beautiful gardens in the world. You can spend hours wandering through the garden, taking photos and enjoying the peaceful surroundings or having a picnic under the giant trees. If you wish to get more inside info, you can take a guided tour with a local for only a few euros.

The Pamplemousses garden was created over 300 years ago by the famous French botanist Pierre Poivre, and it’s the oldest in the Southern Hemisphere. The giant water lilies are the most significant attraction here and probably the perfect spot to take a nice family picture. The garden is also known for its variety of palm trees (over 85!) brought from all over the world and a large spice garden.

Children (and grown ups) will love watching the ducks roaming around and the fish in the ponds. There is also an enclosure for the giant tortoises, so if you’ve never seen one, here is your chance to meet them!

Tip: Be sure to bring your own snack and drink because there is no possibility of buying something in the park itself.

Opening hours: Monday – Sunday | 8.30 – 17.30

Entrance : 200 Rs | free entry for children under 5 years

Guide: Up to max. 5 visitors | 100 Rs per visitor

Jardin botanique Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam | Royal Road Pamplemousses | Mauritius

Discover the natural reserve Isle aux Aigrettes

Imagine travel back in time to discover what Mauritius would have looked like over 400 years ago, before the arrival of man and his devastating impact on the environment. A trip with your kids will introduce them to the unusual wildlife of this offshore island sanctuary. Look closely and you will discover plants and animals, unique to Mauritius and found nowhere else in the world. Some of them have come close to extinction like the pink pigeon, a bird that was in danger of extinction for many years. You might spot a group of Aldabra giant tortoises who roam free on the island after being released by the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation.

Visits are only possible as part of a guided tour, leaving from Pointe Jérôme. The tour lasts approx. 1.5 – 2 hours.

Guided tour by MWF | leaving from the old Sands Jetty at Pointe Jerome

Tours Monday – Saturday | 9.30, 10:00, 10:30, 13:30, 14:00 and 14:30

Sundays mornings only

Rates: Adults: MUR 800 | Child 4 – 11 years: MUR 400 | Child 0 – 3 years: free

Snorkeling at Blue Bay Marine Park

Blue Bay Marine park is one of the top places to go snorkeling with kids in Mauritius. The colorful fauna and flora found at the park is absolutely stunning. At an average depth of 5.5 meters, with crystal clear water offering great visibility, the snorkeling conditions are ideal for beginners. There is a wide variety of fish species include Damselfish, Surgeonfish, Butterfly fish, juvenile Sail-fin tangs, as well as tiny Pipefish and large Trumpet fish. You will be surprised to see the many tropical fish that will sneak very close to you.

At Blue Bay Beach you can find stores to rent diving and snorkeling gear. Coral Diving School offers a beginner course for kids, aged 8 -12 years, called Bubblemaker.

For an easy access to the Blue Bay Marine Park you can also take the Glass bottom boat which leaves at Blue Bay public beach. The boat trip takes less than 5 minutes each way, offering you maximum time to enjoy at the Blue Bay Marine Park. Once at the Marine Park, you can choose to stay on-board the glass bottom boat, or to enjoy some swimming and snorkeling. It’s a perfect trip for families with young children.

Departure: Blue Bay Beach | between 8am and 4pm

Prices: Adults: 18 Euros | Child: 3 – 11 years: 15 Euros | Child 0 – 2 years: free

Ebony Forest

Ebony Forest is located in the region of Chamarel, well known for its incredible views and windy roads. The reserve features the Ebony trees and rare endemic birds such as the Echo Parakeet and Pink Pigeon. The goal at Ebony Forest is to restore and recreate 45 hectares of indigenous forest which once dominated Mauritius.

You have various hiking routes to discover the Ebony Forest and raised walkways of 300 m. A guide will show you the best-preserved ebony forest and you will encounter some of the rarest plans in Mauritius and even meet the Paradise Flycatcher or a Bulbul.

When you travel with smaller kids you can opt for the safari jeeps going around every 30 minutes to the different viewpoints.

Within the same area are the Seven Colored Earth and Chamarel waterfall which is the tallest one in Mauritius that plunges from a height of 100 meters!

Ebony Forest Reserve Chamarel

Rates: Adults: Rs 450 | Child 5 – 12 years: Rs 270 |

Check out the official website for the different packaging.

Chamarel | Seven Coloured Earth Geopark

The Region of Chamarel is known for its scenic locations and nature attractions in its neighborhood. Among them are the Seven Colored Earth, the Chamarel Falls and the Black River Gorges National Parknot only home to the Ebony Forest.

The Chamarel waterfall is about 100m high and the tallest single-drop waterfall in Mauritius. It splashes into an oval pool before flowing down a 6 km tropical-forest-fringed canyon to Baie du Cap.

If you children are older and you like hiking, we can recommend a treck of tree hours to the base of Chamarel Waterfalls, where you can have a swim in the pool as the waterfall showers you from its majestic heights.

Not far are the Seven Colored Earths. The best time to see this natural spectacle is at sunrise where the sand dunes reflect in beautiful shades of red, brown, violet, green, blue, purple and yellow. The consistent separation of the different strips of colored sand may be explained by the fact that iron and aluminium particles have a natural repelling effect on one another. It’s worth a visit and you can combine it with the waterfall. You can also find a children’s playground and a giant tortoises park in the area.

Port Louis Market

Port Louis is the home of the largest market on the island, where you can find fresh food, local dishes, and various handcrafted goods. Best time to visit the market is early in the morning. It is the perfect time to get the freshest of vegetables, sourced from across the island overnight. We can also recommend to take a local guide who can show you the best places for local street food.

Mauritiusconscious offers another great and fun tour. It is a treasure hunt dedicated for young and grown-up children, starting at 6 years old.

Horse racing at Champ de Mars

Horse racing is very popular in Mauritius. The Mauritius Turf Club is actually the oldest horse-racing club in the southern hemisphere and the second oldest in the world. You can join in the fun with the locals and their families and why not bet a few rupees on these majestic, powerful racehorses.

Prices: Prices and conditions vary from season to season

The Mauritius Turf Club | Champ de Mars, Eugène Laurent street | Port-Louis

Grand bassin | Ganga Talao

More than two thirds of the Mauritian population descended from the Indian people and 80% of them are Hindu. Grand Bassin is a sacred place where people come to pray, meditate, or simply walk by the lake and enjoy the gorgeous surroundings. The Grand Bassin also called Ganga Talao represents the mighty Ganges river of India. In 1972 a priest from India brought sacred water from the Ganges and amid much ceremonial poured the holy water into the lake. It is now one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage site outside of India! You can discover Hindu temples, statues and enjoy playing with the local monkeys.

All Indian Festivals are celebrated with great pomp every year, like the Festival of Lights or the Divali Festival. We had the chance to be in Mauritius in March for the Holi Festival, the Festival of Colors. The celebrations begin in early in the morning of Holi, with people throwing handfuls of ‘gulal’ (brightly colored powders) and soaking each other with water-jets known as pichkaris, made of local Mauritian bamboo stalks. It’s an incredibly joyful festival and obviously very appreciated by the kids.

The Sacred lake is open to visitors and pilgrims every day. There is no entry fee.

Isle aux Cerf

At a first glance, this is paradise! Île aux Cerfs has undoubtedly one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Unfortunately this picturesque island is now overrun with tourists. A huge range of land and water activities is available and makes this beautiful spot very touristy and busy. But it’s certainly a place you have to visit when in Mauritius and taking a swim there still is magical. With some planning you can avoid the biggest tourist traps and enjoy a beautiful family day.

Most people stay at the main boat stop, so when you wander a bit further, you will find many nice and quiet beaches. Try to come during a week day and avoid the crowded week-ends. Most of the tour operator offer a day trip (6 -7 hours) including also a short trip to the See Grand River South East waterfall and lunch. You can book catamaran boat or speed boat trip. The prices per person increase every saison and some of the tour operator really take advantage of the big tourist run. So compare the prices before you book and only book from agencies and not from the sellers on the street. And absolutely ask for a safety jackets for your kids (there are tour guides who taking this issue not very serious).

Hiking on Mont Brabant or Rivier Noire Park, Tamarin Waterfall

Mauritius is a volcanic island and has several breathtaking summits and valleys to explore on foot. If your kids have the age to hike, it’s undoubtedly a great adventure and you will be amazed by the beautiful nature and the incredible views. We recommend to book a hiking or trekking tour and explore parks, reserves or hike to the peak of Le Pouce or Le Mont Brabant to get the most unique panoramic sight. Hiking in Mauritius can be hot, sticky and exhausting, but with some of the finest viewpoints in the world, thoroughly worthwhile too.

We recommend it only to older kids or teenager who are used to hike and enjoy it.

Here are 5 of the best hiking trails:

Le Pouce
The Tamarind Falls
Le Morne Brabant
Black River Gorges National Park
Lion Mountain

Tips: Go early in the morning to avoid the stronger sun, and wear lots of sunscreen. Avoid hiking on rainy days as the trails can get very slippery, and take plenty of water. And don’t forget the mosquito spray.

Sugar, Tea & Rum

The history and growth of Mauritius is linked to the sugar cane industry. Today, sugar is no longer the backbone of the island’s economy as it has been for many years past, but remain extremely popular product, such as rum.

Tea is another important product to Mauritius. The Tea Route Tour is a unique and charming excursion. The itinerary takes you through Le Domaine des Aubineaux, Le Domaine de Bois Chéri and Le Domaine de Saint-Aubin.You visit the tea factories, the plantations, and the museums to learn about how tea is made. Lunch is included in the tour and after the visit you are invited to a tea testing. Try out the vanilla tea, it’s among the world’s best!

http://www.saintaubin.mu/fr/route_du_the.aspx

Price: Adult: 14 Euros | Child 5 -12 years: 8 Euros

Duration: approx. 7 hours

Cap Malheureux

Cap Malheureux is a place of great historical importance for Mauritius. It was here that the British invasion force finally defeated the French in 1810 and took over the island. A little past the cape lies the minuscule, picturesque fishing village also known as Cap Malheureux.

Cap Malheureux is only a 10 minute drive from Grand Baie and it’s definitely worth a visit.

Beach, Beach, Beach

A big advantage of Mauritius is that the entire island is surrounded by coral reefs which have created big lagoons all around. These lagoons are not only beautiful with crystal clear water, but also provide calm water conditions, ideal for swimming, bathing and snorkeling. One of our guide also explained us that this big lagoon keeps away sharks, a big phobia of my husband!

On many of these beaches you are sure to find hotels and beach resorts. However it is important to know that all beaches of Mauritius are public. We have listed our favorite beaches in a separate article.

SOME PRACTICAL FACTS

Best time to visit Mauritius:

Being near the Southern tropic, Mauritius enjoys a mild weather throughout the year with a minimum temperature of 17 degrees Celsius during the winter and maximum temperature reaching 30 degrees Celsius in summer.

Although temperatures are rather moderate throughout the year with occasional rainfall, the most pleasant time to visit the island are between the months of April and June and between September and December. As Mauritius is located in the southern hemisphere, seasons are opposite from the northern hemisphere.

Time Zone: GMT +4 | Just two to three hours of time difference, which is very easy to catch up. This make it a ideal destination when you come from Europe, especially when you travel with kids.

Money: Mauritian rupee (Rs).

Visa and MasterCard are the most commonly accepted cards, though Amex is catching up quickly. Nearly all tourist shops, restaurants and accommodation places accept payment by credit card and ATM are widespread.

Languages spoken in Mauritius:

The most prominent languages you’ll hear on an every day level are Mauritian Creole, French and English. Mauritian Creole is a French-based Creole and estimated to be spoken by around 90% of the population. French is the language that tends to be used in education and media, while English is the official language in Parliament.

Driving in Mauritius:

Rent a car in Mauritius can be a good idea if you want to explore the Island and visit different beaches. But don’t forget to drive on the Left side.