A guide to weather in Mauritius
The small island of Mauritius lies off the southeast coast of Africa. It sits around 900 kilometres east of Madagascar and is surrounded by the sparkling Indian Ocean. The region is actually made up of several small islands, with Mauritius being the largest one in the group.
Due to its location, Mauritius holidays enjoy a mild, tropical climate with lots of lush and colourful vegetation to be seen throughout the year. The island doesn’t experience a spring and autumn season – only a summer season and a winter season. It also doesn’t have extreme variations in temperature, so it remains comfortably warm even in the winter months.
These factors, coupled with idyllic beaches such as at Le Morne and Blue Bay, make Mauritius holiday packages hugely popular all year round.
Summer season
The summer season in Mauritius lasts from November to early May. This makes it the ideal holiday spot to escape from cold and rainy winters at home. January to March is the rainy season on the island, yet the majority of the rain falls on the highlands of the Central Plateau rather than the coastal areas.
The summer months bring hot and humid weather, with temperatures ranging from 20°C to around 30°C. The highest temperatures occur during December, January and February. Generally, the west coast of the island is the least humid so may be more comfortable for some travellers.
The island’s peak tourist season runs from October to April. As such, this is when larger resort areas including Port Louis, Grand Baie and Riviere Noire will be at their most lively.
Summer by the sea or inland
The hottest summer temperatures are experienced in the coastal areas. If you’re holidaying on the island at this time, you can cool down with a refreshing dip in the Indian Ocean. It’ll be nicely warmed up by the sun to around 27°C and is perfect for you and the family to go swimming, snorkelling and paddling.
The months of December to March are considered the best times of year to enjoy some superb scuba-diving, although diving and snorkelling around Mauritius is amazing at any time of year.
There are slightly cooler summer temperatures inland – usually around 5°C lower than on the coast. This makes things more comfortable if you’re planning on enjoying nature treks or hiking, taking in the scenic landscape and wildlife of the island’s volcanic Central Plateau and rocky mountain peaks.
Enjoy longer daylight in Mauritius during the summer months
You’ll be pleased to hear that daylight hours are longer in Mauritius than they are in the UK at this time of year. The sun comes up at around 5.30am and spectacular sunsets can be viewed at around 7pm. You’ll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy warm, sunny days on the beach as you take in the incredible scenery.
Winter season
From the end of May to November is considered the winter season in Mauritius. As you’d expect, temperatures during this time are slightly lower than in the summer, yet they’re still very reasonable. In fact, temperatures here remain in the mid 20’s °C even in the coolest month of July. There is less rain and slightly lower humidity at this time of year too.
Milder temperatures and cheap Mauritius holiday prices make the winter season a fantastic time for enjoying outdoor adventure activities. You could take your time on long nature walks, do some exciting zip-lining through the forests or even take an exhilarating quad biking trip. It’s also an ideal time for taking in the cultural highlights such as the museums and temples.
Due to the strong prevailing winds which blow across the island from the east, June to August are considered the best times of year for surfing.