When to travel to Mauritius

January is not a good month to visit Mauritius as the month is characterised by heavy rainfall and cyclones. While you will still get a few hours of sunshine every day, most of the time there will be rain and strong winds. While most cyclones bypass the islands themselves (since they are so small), their effect can be felt and being outdoors is not advised when they are near. Temperatures can reach up to 30°c and humidity is also high, although after the rain the temperatures are a little cooler.

Despite the rain, this is still a good month for scuba diving and deep sea fishing, although other activities will be restricted from the rain and winds. The Chamarel Mountains can still be visited and will be bright green from the daily downpours. January is a popular time for tourists to visit Mauritius, as they are a warm escape from cold European winters. Some resorts close for January so accommodation should be booked in advance.

February is another rainy month, with one of the highest rainfalls of the year occurring. As there is still a chance of cyclones hitting the islands, this is not a good time to visit. Buildings have been built to withstand strong winds, but if on the rare chance a cyclone does hit Mauritius then visitors should stay inside. With temperatures at their highest (27-29°c), and high humidity in the air, most lodgings close for this wet season as tourists avoid the islands. Exploring Mauritius is still possible; there will still be sunshine and the islands are incredibly lush thanks to the rains.

February is a good month for scuba diving as underwater visibility around the colourful reefs is excellent. The Chamarel Mountains are also looking lush in February, and the waterfalls dotted around are more spectacular as they are in full flow. In late January or early February, the Tamil festival of Cavadee is celebrated. Devotees will have fasted and now comes to the streets to have their bodies pierced as a sacrifice for the mountains of Mauritius. The colourful Holi festival sometimes also falls in February, and due to its small size, Mauritius is a great place to celebrate the exciting festival.

March is another hot and humid month in Mauritius. The last month of the wet season, March has much less rainfall than previous months, Temperatures remain hovering just below 30°c, and sunny days will be interspersed with heavy downpours and the occasional thunderstorm. The cyclone season has passed, so it’s easier to explore the islands' incredible nature without strong ocean winds. March still has good underwater visibility for scuba diving, and the coral reefs are full of bright schools of fish.

Some years Holi festival, the festival of colours, falls in March, and the already colourful island is awash with bright paints being thrown in the streets. Most resorts start to reopen as the Cyclones have subsided and the island has a renewed sense of life. From visiting small fishing villages to exploring the beaches, nature reserves and history of these four quaint islands 2000 miles away from the African coast, if you can put up with hot temperatures March is a good month to visit.

April is the end of the wet season, but there will still be some rainfall. Temperatures are still hovering around 30°c, and humidity is still relatively high. Most days in April will have strong sunshine, which is perfect for lounging on the beach, wandering around the capital and admiring the unexpected French-style architecture in Port Louis or visiting the small fishing villages along the north coast like Tamarin.

Being a mixture of Indian, French, Dutch, English and Creole cultures, Mauritius has an interesting blend of Hindu temples right next to European forts. Water-based activities become popular in April, although it’s not a good month for scuba diving. Instead, explore the pristine beaches and lush tropical jungles with hidden waterfalls in full flow and the sounds of a variety of bird life enjoying the last amount of the rains.

May is a great time to visit Mauritius. With the rains coming to an end and warm temperatures, the African islands are perfect for beach holidays, adventurous exploration and a range of water sports on the turquoise waters surrounding the mountainous islands. There is still the chance of an occasional downpour, but these are light and clear up fast. Temperatures range from 20-27°c and humidity is low as the country enters its ‘winter’ season. May is one of the quieter months in terms of tourism, so it’s a great month for those looking to escape the crowds and have the beaches and jungles to themselves. This is also a great time to visit the Chamarel Mountains as the rolling hills are an incredible shade of green after the previous months of rainfall.

June is an excellent month to visit Mauritius, with warm, sunny days and cool winds off the Indian Ocean. June usually sees temperatures of around 20-24°c, so evenings can get chilly and slightly warmer clothing is needed compared to usual beach attire. The trade winds are constant throughout the winter months and hit the islands from the south-east, bringing excellent surfing waves with it. If you are looking for a warmer beach with little wind head to the northwest side of the islands.

For warmer weather, St. Brandon and Agalega islands are closer to the equator and so warmer, with highs of 28°c. Being winter, the islands of Mauritius only sees around 6 hours of sunlight daily, but this is enough to hike, bike and enjoy a fresh fish lunch in Tamarin, before exploring the other small fishing villages along the north coast. 

July is one of the most popular months as summer holidays bring Europeans to these tropical islands. Temperatures stay in the low 20s with highs of 24°c. The evenings can feel cold, as Mauritius is in its winter season, but for warmer weather head to smaller islands like Agalega, which are closer to the equator. The trade winds come from the southeastern direction, which creates some great surfing waves. The yearly Mauritius Marathon takes place in July and takes runners around the main island, along coastal roads and past beautiful beaches.

Since July has more visitors, booking accommodation and flights in advance is advised. Being a small territory compared to its neighbour Madagascar, the best hotels and resorts fill up fast. The towns and villages feel more vibrant with a variety of tourists, and you get a sense of how multicultural Mauritius’ past has been. Today the influence of the Dutch, English, French, Indian and Creole cultures can be seen in the architecture, names and even the traditional cuisine of Mauritius.

August is the coldest month of the year on Mauritius, with temperatures falling below 20°c towards the east from the prevailing trade winds. The winds create excellent conditions for surfing as the water temperatures are sometimes warmer than the air temperature. Despite it being winter on Mauritius, the islands are still popular with tourists and the islands are a popular addition to a South African safari or a trip to the diverse island of Madagascar.

The islands of St. Brendan and Agalega are the warmest spots among the islands, and for those looking for warmer beach conditions, it’s better to stay on the northwestern side of the islands, as the mountains protect the deserted beaches. This is a good month for more active holidays and exploring the interior of the islands. All year round the tropical jungles will feel somewhat hot and humid, but in August, jungle hikes are less hot and feel refreshing. Start in the Black River Gorge and explore the marked trails, or climb the incredible Le Pouce peak for panoramic views of Mauritius.

In terms of weather, September is an excellent month for a tropical getaway. The trade winds die down (which is not good for surfers), and the temperature starts to increase, making Mauritius a warm getaway again. The average temperature sits above 20°c all day, with nights at the start of the month being a little cooler. This is a great month for visiting, as the island’s golden sand beaches are blessed with blue skies and all day sunshine. There might be light rain in the southern region, but the rain usually feels refreshing and keeps the tropical jungles looking lush and green.

This is a great month to go golfing, trekking through the jungle to free-flowing waterfalls or explore the cultural melting pots of the towns. Snorkelling is also enjoyable in September as the sunshine magnifies the bright colours of the coral reefs.

October is another great month to visit Mauritius, as temperatures are great and the days boast around 8 hours of sunshine every day. If you want a beach holiday then head over to La Cambuse, Gris Gris or Riambel for long stretches free of other people. With virtually no rainfall in October (except in the south which sees light showers all year round), this is the perfect time to explore this Indian Ocean paradise. Temperatures see highs of 25°c and lows of 20°c, which make the islands a popular exotic getaway. Half term school holidays see families enjoying the island, and accommodation get full quickly so book in advance if possible.

November is a transitional month between Mauritian summer and the wet season. The weather can be unpredictable during this month but expect sunshine interspersed with rainfall. Towards the end of the month, there will be more rain but it’s still a great time to visit. Temperatures in November rising to 27°c, with evenings dropping to around 20-22°c, although with warmer temperatures also comes more humidity.

The island doesn’t see as many tourists in November, as most tend to save the trip for the longer December holiday period. This means that you may find your own secluded beach, or find yourself at Le Pouce peak alone. Depending on the year, the Diwali festival of lights might fall in November. The towns and small fishing hamlets are covered in tea lights, candles and clay lamps to celebrate this Hindu festival.

December is a popular month to visit Mauritius, with the island full over Christmas and New Year, as people escape the European winters for the warmer waters of the islands. Temperatures are a cool 20°c at night and rise to a warm 28-30°c during the heat of the daytime. The ocean water tends to be slightly cooler, and the inland jungles a little hotter and more humid than the beach. Sunny days are interspersed by rainfall of a few hours, but the showers help to lower the heat and humidity. Expect a light cooling breeze, but not enough for good surf waves. Instead, try scuba diving or snorkelling as the visibility underwater is good. Mauritius offers a variety of colourful reefs circling the islands and teeming with fish.

If you are planning on visiting in December you should book ahead of time to secure your favourite resorts, as the small island hotels fill up quite fast. Exploring the islands is best done in the mornings before the heat of the day makes exploring the unique gorges, waterfalls and forests of Mauritius uncomfortable. It’s also a good month to start seeing the native birdlife as the rains encourage them to sing and explore in the Yemen Reserve.