Which is the best area to stay in Mauritius?
By Neera Ramdhonee. January 15, 2024
The idyllic and tranquil island of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean is famous for having some of the best beaches on earth - not to mention miles of picture-perfect shorelines fringed by crystal clear waters and luxury hotels. It’s a paradise island with immense natural beauty, bucket loads of Instagrammable locations, top restaurants, and attractions.
Some of the most popular places to stay are in the north, including the busy Grand Baie, Pereybere, Port Louis, and Trou aux Biches, where stunning beaches merge seamlessly with nightspots and busy eateries. Here, you’ll find an array of luxury resorts and boutique hotels set among hidden coves and inlets that lie away from the regular tourist trail.
The west and eastern coasts have longer stretches of sand that run for miles along either side of the island. Hotels and resorts are peppered across these areas. Some of the top picks are Flic en Flac and Tamarin in the west, as well as Belle Mare and Trou d’Eau Douche in the east. Meanwhile, to the south, you’ll find more rugged and wild locations around Le Morne and Mahebourg, both offering a completely different escape on this stunning island. The top pick in the centre is Moka, an up-and-coming village surrounded by mountain ranges.If you are interested in where to stay in Mauritius, you may also be interested in where to stay in Zanzibar, where to stay in the Maldives and in where to stay in Seychelles.
Best places to stay in Mauritius
Grand Baie (First tourist area of Mauritius)
Beaches / Lively / Luxury Resorts
Grand Baie is a village at the north western tip of Mauritius, famed for is white sandy beaches and crystal blue waters. This tranquil, palm tree lined waterfront and collection of stunning lagoons, are surrounded by lots of tasty places to eat and drink and it’s often seen as one of the most popular parts of Mauritius. It also has a reputation for being the island’s nightlife capital, with its biggest and busiest nightclubs found within this corner.
Its shores are dotted with luxury resorts looking out across the waters, which are popular with water sports lovers, and it’s well served with amenities - be it for a locally made souvenir or browsing major international chains. The perfect place to soak up the beauty and elegance of this paradise island, while also finding life by day and night. An hour and a half drive to the island’s airport.
Flic en Flac (Second tourist area of Mauritius)
Beaches / Lively / Luxury Resorts
This area sits in the middle of the island on its western coast and boasts thirteen kilometres of stunning, unbroken sands, lined by a coral reef. Not quite the same level of development as Grand Baie, which gives it a more relaxed feel. It is, however, still awash with top hotels, which have direct access to the area’s beaches and a bustling nightlife. The area’s stunning natural beauty and coral reef make it a haven for sea-life and snorkellers, meanwhile nearby you can find the Casela Bird Park, which has 140 different types of birds.
The area’s large resorts are well connected by bus routes to other parts of the island, including its biggest town - Port Louis - which is 45 minutes away - and only an hour to the city’s airport. In the shadow of nearby mountains, this is an incredibly relaxing spot to make the most of the island’s famous beaches.
Trou aux Biches
Beaches / Golf
This area is very close to Grand Baie in the north-west tip of the island, just a little further south, in the next bay along. Like Grand Baie it boasts a stunning beach, which has been named as the island’s best in years gone by. Here you can find good quality boutique hotels and larger resorts, which look out across the ocean and provides one of the best spots to watch a sunset in Mauritius. It’s also a cracking spot for golfers, with a number of local golf resorts based nearby, over-looking the water and surrounded by beautiful gardens.
The village is only 15 a minute drive to the larger Grand Baie, with its many night-time attractions and restaurants, so you can make the most of both worlds by staying here. Another excellent place to pass your time away on the beach, an hour and 15 minutes away from the airport and with great hotels too.
Belle Mare
Beaches / Water Sports
This village sits on the eastern coastline of Mauritius and is mainly made up of large beach resorts, many of which have private sections of sand for their guests. It’s one of the longest stretches of beach on the whole island, with the typical crystal blue waters found on the island and surrounded by lush vegetation. It’s another spot which is a favourite for water sports lovers and there are many locations to rent jet skis and the like.
Like in Trou aux Biches, there are nearby, waterside golf courses and also a busy local market which sells fruit and vegetables, clothing, souvenirs and craftwork. Another decent location to base yourself on the island, but slightly less busy than its western neighbour. With an array of hidden coves, it’s a fantastic place to explore by sea. 1 hour away from the airport by car and 50 minutes to Grand Baie.
Trou d’Eau Douce
Beaches / Snorkelling
Another destination on the island’s eastern coastline, just a little further south from Belle Mare. The layout of this part of the coast includes tens of inlets, with small sandy beaches and a much wilder, less developed, feel to the area. Like most of the island, however, there is an array of great places to stay - from three-star hotels, to 5-star luxury resorts. It’s also a centre for the island’s fishing industry, where top class seafood can be found and you can still see many fishermen heading out into the clear blue waters every morning.
It’s also a main gateway to the nearby Ile aux Cerfs and Ilot Mangenie, two beautiful small islands off the main coast of Mauritius, which are popular with snorkellers. A 50-minute journey to the airport by car or bus, and 40 minutes to the biggest town, Port Louis.
Le Morne
Beaches / Nature
This south-western peninsula is far wilder that the other areas mentioned. It’s shaped by large dramatic cliffs, caves and a vast hillside, called Brabant Mountain, which was named as a World Heritage site in 2003. Due to the area’s topography, it lends itself to great hiking options, with trails going along the coastline and over the central mountain. A favourite with outdoor sports enthusiasts visiting the island, it also boasts a number of luxury resorts and a nearby golf course.
Here feels more remote than the other areas mentioned, but still offering an array of good beaches and beautiful, inviting waters. An hour and ten minutes from the island’s airport by car or bus and an hour and a half drive to the northern most Grand Baie. Definitely worth visiting if you’re a nature lover and want to get out exploring more, rather than just relaxing on the beach.
Pereybere
Beaches/ Seafood Restaurants / Boating
Perched on the north coast of the island, this charming neighborhood lies just past Grand Baie. Unlike its eastern neighbor though, Pereybere has a much quieter and laidback vibe. It lends itself well to families who want to enjoy the same beachfront setting as Grand Baie without dealing with those famously noisy weekends and raucous parties. It’s also home to a delightful assortment of seafood restaurants as well as a picturesque public beach known for its silky soft sand, calm swimming conditions, and intricate sand sculptures.
With a stay at Pereybere, you’ll be just a five minutes drive from La Cuvette Public Beach, a hidden cove that’s mostly frequented by the locals. Speckled by luxury and mid-range hotels, Pereybere is also a great jumping point for exploring the six inhabited islands off Mauritius’s northern shore, including the scenic Ile aux Gabriel.
Port Louis (Capital city)
Street food / History / Shopping
Located midway between the inland cities and the beaches, Port Louis is a fantastic option for travelers who’d like to make the best of both worlds. As the capital city and financial hub of the island, Port Louis is especially known for its eclectic vibe. Home to both luxury boutiques and street vendors, the city lends itself to all kinds of budgets. It’s also an excellent transportation hub with bus connections to virtually everywhere in Mauritius. The touristy hub of Grand Baie is half an hour away.
The ideal destination for exploring that famously diverse Mauritian cuisine, Port Louis is also home to the only Chinatown in Mauritius. It’s also something of a living museum since there are plenty of well-preserved streets and buildings that date back to the mid-1700s. One of the city’s highlights is the Caudan Waterfront, a sprawling, open-air mall that overlooks the Port Louis harbor.
Tamarin
Surfing / Family-friendly Activities
For a quintessential sun-soaked tropical vacation, there’s no better place to stay in Mauritius than Tamarin, one of the warmest places on the island. With numerous family-friendly activities, this village is found on the West Coast. Winter is virtually non-existent over there, which is why Tamarin draws significant crowds of expats and tourists. Port Louis is an hour away by car while Flic en Flac is 20 minutes away. Tamarin’s public beach may not have the best snorkeling and swimming opportunities, but it’s marvelous for both surfing and kitesurfing.
Parents traveling with children can always check out nearby attractions like the Gorges, the Salt Pans, and the Albion Lighthouse. Tamarin is also close to Casela National Park, known for its Safari adventures, zip lining, and endemic plants. This area is served by an excellent network of public buses, making it easy for you to explore nearby areas like Bamboo and Albion.
Mahebourg
Hiking / Fishing / Trekking
Mahebourg is one of the most affordable spots in Mauritius. Perched on the southeastern coast of the island, this rustic fishing town lies just 15 minutes from the airport. Mahebourg is best explored early in the morning, when the fishermen are venturing out to sea while vendors set up their stalls at the lively outdoor market. Historic landmarks abound, such as the Abolition of Slavery Sculpture, the Naval Museum, and the former battle site of Pointe Canon.
While Mahebourg is admittedly far from popular areas like Grand Baie and Port Louis, it offers the ideal respite for those who’d like to escape the touristy crowds. You’ll be just a short boat ride from neighboring islets like Ile aux Cerfs, famed for its excellent golfing and snorkeling opportunities. The town is only a 10-minute drive from Blue Bay Marine Park which is said to house the best diving sites in Mauritius.
Moka
Shopping / Coworking Spaces / Trekking
A mountainous village located in the center of Mauritius, Moka offers a glorious respite from the tropical heat thanks to its elevated position on the central plateau. This destination has quite a dramatic scenery of rugged peaks and waterfalls - perfect for travelers looking for hiking and trekking opportunities. Digital nomads will be glad to learn that this village is quite popular among local entrepreneurs and freelancers. As such, it has several coworking spaces like Workshop 17 Vivea and The Hive.
Because it’s mostly populated by the locals, Moka is the best destination for experiencing authentic Mauritian culture. Depending on when you’re visiting, you may even catch local festivals like Maha Shivaratri, Holi, or Thaipoosam Cavadee which sees parades of devotees covered in sacrificial piercings and carrying colorful sculptures. Moka is just 20 minutes from Port Louis and 15 minutes from other major towns like Rose Hill.
Our recommended hotels in Mauritius
Use the interactive map to navigate through our recommended hotels in MauritiusNote: Hotel prices can change daily due to promotions, seasons, and demand. Our $ - $$$$ scale shows the overall cost range rather than exact prices.
