With 160 km of coastline, most of which are protected by coral reefs, there is no shortage of beaches for swimming in Mauritius.
There are actually over 130 beaches to choose from! But which of them are worth visiting?
As a local who’s explored every single beach on the island, I’ve created the ultimate guide to the best (and my personal favorite) beaches to swim at.
From long stretches of white sand bordered by swaying palm trees to a protected marine park home to various species of corals and fish, you’ll be in for a treat.
And thanks to Mauritius’ mild tropical climate, you can take a dip in the ocean year-round!
Without further ado, let’s dive into this list of the best swimming beaches in Mauritius, including some practical info and hotel recommendations.
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Best Beaches in Mauritius for Swimming
La Cuvette
North | Location on Google Maps
If you’re part of the Mauritius Travel Planning Facebook group, you may have seen me raving about La Cuvette Beach.
This is because it’s my all-time favorite swimming beach in Mauritius, thanks to its soft white sand and clear turquoise water.
La Cuvette Beach is located in the north of Mauritius, about a 5-minute drive from Grand Baie.
Unlike at Grand Baie Beach, there are no boats on La Cuvette, which makes swimming much more enjoyable.
The beach is small though, so plan to get there early to get a spot in the shade.
There are a couple of beach chairs and umbrellas for rent or you can just lay your towel on the sand for free.
If you’re feeling hungry, grab a bite from the local food stalls nearby. Toilets and changing rooms are also available.
Hotels nearby: Mauricia Beachcomber ($$$), Veranda Grand Baie Hotel and Spa ($$), Grand Baie Suites ($)
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Mont Choisy
North | Location on Google Maps
Mont Choisy Beach boasts a vast expanse of white sand with azure blue water that stretches for almost 2 km.
It’s one of the longest beaches on the island and is lined with tall trees providing plenty of shade to escape from the sun.
The water is calm and gets gradually deep, making it one of the best beaches for swimming. Just don’t expect to see lots of fish here as the underwater visibility isn’t great.
On weekdays, the beach isn’t too crowded. However, it gets super busy on the weekends as the locals come to relax.
You might even see the locals singing and dancing the Sega while playing the Ravanne, a traditional musical instrument of Mauritius.
There are several food trucks on Mont Choisy where you can buy seafood and other local food as well as a huge parking lot, toilets, and changing rooms.
Hotels nearby: Mystik Life Style ($$), Mon Choisy Beach R ($)
Trou aux Biches
North | Location on Google Maps
Just a few meters from Mont Choisy is Trou aux Biches.
With rows of palm trees, white sand, and calm shallow water, this is the ideal beach in Mauritius for swimming, especially for small children.
If you want to snorkel, head to the beach directly in front of Evaco Beach Club. Just watch out for the boats though as there are quite a lot here. If you’re lucky, you might even spot some turtles!
The most scenic portion of the beach is occupied by the 5-star Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Resort. If you’re staying there, you’ll be able to enjoy this little slice of paradise without the hordes of tourists.
The main beach area, however, can feel a bit crowded, especially on weekends.
Here, the sand is a bit coarser with some dead corals. You’ll also find many boats docked near the shore and local touts selling watersport activities.
But if you can look past that, it’s still a nice beach to visit, especially at sunset.
There are several street food vendors on the beach and local restaurants nearby. Changing rooms and toilets are also available to the public.
Trou aux Biches Beach is easily accessible by bus from Grand Baie or you can get there by car.
Just make sure to arrive very early (at least before 8/9 a.m) if you’re visiting during the weekend as the parking lot is small.
Hotels nearby: Trou aux Biches Beachcomber ($$$), Alalila ($$), The See Apartments($)
Le Morne
Southwest | Location on Google Maps
On the southwest coast of Mauritius lies Le Morne Peninsula, which is surrounded by rows of palm trees, white sand, and turquoise water.
This area has gained popularity thanks to its spectacular underwater waterfall and imposing mountain, Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where runaway slaves used to seek refuge.
Le Morne Beach is divided into two parts – the western side, which is great for swimming and snorkeling due to its calm, shallow water, and the eastern side, which is windier and better suited for windsurfing or kitesurfing.
If you want to snorkel, head to the beach in front of Paradis Beachcomber or St Regis. Although there weren’t that many corals near the shore, I did see lots of fish there.
Just be sure to wear water shoes as there are quite a lot of sharp corals in the water.
There’s a big parking lot, toilets, changing rooms, and a few vendors selling food and souvenirs.
Hotels nearby: Paradis Beachcomber ($$$),LUX Le Morne Resort ($$$), Ma Vie La ($)
Blue Bay
Southeast | Location on Google Maps
The main draw of Blue Bay Beach is the protected marine park, which is home to the largest coral garden in Mauritius with over 70 species of fish, including clownfish, butterfly fish, and even turtles.
If you want to do a snorkeling tour of the marine park, I recommend this one, which includes a visit to Ile des Deux Cocos and a traditional Mauritian lunch.
Alternatively, you can hop on a glass-bottom boat and admire the corals and fish without getting wet.
If you don’t want to join a tour, you can instead snorkel straight off the beach in front of Peninsula Bay Resort or Blue Beryl Guesthouse.
I saw sooo many fish there – from Melon butterfly fish to Moorish idol, boxfish, starfish, etc. If you’re lucky, you may even spot some turtles too.
One thing to note is that Blue Bay does get busy during the weekend when locals come to relax or party.
There are a few restaurants and street food stalls near the main beach area, parking lots, changing rooms, and toilets.
Hotels nearby: Shandrani Beachcomber($$$), Blue Beryl Guesthouse($), Talamba Blue($)
Pointe D’Esny
Southeast | Location on Google Maps
Situated about 2 km north of Blue Bay and Pointe D’Esny is usually less crowded.
The water is calm and crystal-clear but there are no facilities like parking, toilets, or restaurants.
Pointe D’Esny is also a great place to snorkel. I particularly enjoyed snorkeling around this area as it has the best coral.
Note that Pointe D’Esny is mostly lined with private apartments, so there are only two public pathways to the beach. The first one is located here and the second one here.
Alternatively, you can walk along the beach from Blue Bay to Pointe D’Esny in about 20-30 minutes.
Hotels nearby: Preskil Island Resort ($$$), Tilakaz Kreol ($), Coral Bay ($)
Pereybere
North | Location on Google Maps
This small white-sand beach is located about a 5-minute drive from La Cuvette.
There’s even a dedicated area for swimming so you don’t have to worry about boats getting in the way.
Since the beach is quite small, it’s usually very crowded on weekends and you might have a hard time finding an empty spot if you don’t come early enough.
Alternatively, you can walk across the rocks to the right side of the beach. The sand strip here is a bit narrow so it’s best to go there during low tide.
Pereybere is also a prime spot for sunset watching. There are several bars and restaurants lining the beach, making it the perfect spot for a sundowner.
Facilities available include toilets, changing rooms, food trucks, and a parking lot. There’s also a supermarket within walking distance.
Hotels nearby: Le Beachclub ($$), La Perla Holiday Apartments ($)
Balaclava
Northwest | Location on Google Maps
Another beach worth visiting is Balaclava, located in the northwest coast of Mauritius.
The beach features a vibrant coral reef home to a variety of fish as well as turtles. With barely any current, it’s a great spot for beginner snorkelers.
The water is very shallow though so plan to visit at high tide to avoid getting struck by the corals.
I’ve found the water a bit murky near the shore but the visibility gets better the further out you swim.
Just make sure to wear water shoes as there are quite a few sharp corals and seaweeds in the water.
What I love about Balaclava Beach is that it’s very quiet. It’s not as crowded as the other beaches in the north, likely due to limited accessibility by public transport and the lack of facilities such as restaurants, toilets, and changing rooms.
Still, it’s well worth a visit if you’re looking for a peaceful place to swim and snorkel in the north of Mauritius.
Hotels nearby: Victoria Beachcomber ($$$), Oberoi Beach Resort ($$$)
Flic en Flac
West | Location on Google Maps
Flic en Flac is the second most popular place to stay in Mauritius after Grand Baie thanks to its huge selection of accommodations for all budgets, restaurants, bars, and nightclubs.
One of the best things to do in Flic en Flac is to spend the day at the beach but be sure to wear water shoes when swimming as there are a few dead corals in the water.
At sunset, the sky turns into a gorgeous mix of orange and pink, making it one of the best places to watch sunset in Mauritius.
There are a few food stalls on the beach and along the main road. My favorite place to eat in Flic en Flac is Roti AKA Vinoda which serves delicious rotis with vegetable or meat curries.
Note that Flic en Flac is usually busy on weekends so come early to get a spot in the shade.
Facilities available include a parking lot, toilets, and changing rooms.
Hotels nearby: Sugar Beach ($$$), Le Tribord ($)
Ile aux Cerfs
East | Location on Google Maps
Ile aux Cerfs is one of the best beaches for swimming in Mauritius, featuring beautiful white sand and calm shallow water.
Apart from swimming, you can do a bunch of activities on the island like snorkeling, parasailing, water skiing, undersea walk, tube ride, the list goes on.
The island also features a 19-hole golf course, two restaurants, and a small market selling clothes and souvenirs.
The cheapest way to get to Ile aux Cerfs is to take a taxi boat from Trou D’Eau Douce or Pointe Maurice Jetty, which should take about 20 minutes.
Alternatively, you can book a speedboat tour or catamaran cruise which includes a BBQ lunch and drinks and a visit to GRSE Waterfall.
Another option is to book a 5 islands tour by speedboat if you want to visit other nearby islands like Ile aux Aigrettes, Ile aux Phares, Ile de La Passe, and Ile aux Flamants.
Tours may also sell out during the peak season, so it’s best to book in advance.
As one of the most popular attractions in Mauritius, Ile aux Cerfs can feel crowded, especially on weekends. But if you venture away from the dock area, you’ll find a few secluded beaches.
Hotels nearby: Bubble Lodge Ile aux Cerfs ($$$)
Belle Mare
East | Location on Google Maps
Lined with luxury resorts mostly aimed at couples and honeymooners, Belle Mare is considered the most exclusive beach destination in Mauritius.
It does get busy on weekends but since the beach is super long, you won’t have any trouble finding an empty spot to lay your towel.
I recommend wearing water shoes as there are some dead corals in the water but the beach directly in front of Sunrise Attitude is slightly better for swimming.
The Belle Mare lagoon is also home to stunning corals and colorful fish, so it’s a great spot for diving and undersea walk.
If you want to snorkel straight off the beach, head to Solana or Long Beach. While there isn’t a lot of coral there, I did see lots of fish.
Along the beach, you’ll find local operators offering watersport activities like parasailing, tube ride, undersea walk, and glass-bottom boat trips.
If you need to buy food, there are a few food stalls along the beach or you can head to one of the restaurants along the main road (Chinese Gourmet serves delicious Mauritian and Chinese dishes, btw).
You’ll find several parking lots along the beach as well as changing rooms and toilets.
One thing to note is that Belle Mare, along with all the beaches on the east and southeast coasts are subject to the southeast trade winds.
This means that it can be a bit windy and cold during the winter months, especially between June and September.
Also keep in mind that there might be some seaweeds along the shore during that time.
Hotels nearby: Constance Belle Mare Plage ($$$), Sunrise Attitude ($$), Solana Beach Hotel ($$)
Palmar
East | Location on Google Maps
Palmar Beach isn’t as popular as the neighboring Belle Mare Beach, so if you want to avoid the crowds, this is the place to go.
This is my favorite beach for swimming on the east coast of Mauritius. The sand is soft and the water crystal-clear, making it great for snorkeling.
There’s a hotel nearby that rent kayaks to the public for about Rs 500 per person. They also offer snorkeling and glass-bottom boat trips.
There aren’t a lot of options for food nearby apart from a small fruit stall, so I recommend packing a picnic lunch.
Near the entrance, you’ll find a parking lot, toilet, and changing room.
Hotels nearby: Ambre Resort ($$$) Salt of Palmar ($$), Veranda Palmar ($$)
St Felix
South | Location on Google Maps
St Felix is one of the most developed beaches on the south coast.
It features a huge parking lot, restaurants, and food trucks selling street food and ice cream.
Thanks to the crystal-clear, stunning corals, and abundance of colorful fish, it’s one of the best snorkeling spots in Mauritius.
I highly recommend wearing water shoes as there are a few stones along the shore.
Hotels nearby: Shanti Maurice ($$$), Outrigger ($S$)
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