Best Beaches in South Mauritius

"A beach made of dreams" as some say. St. Felix Beach dazzles with satin sand and cerulean waters - this beach rules the South coast of Mauritius!

Stunning yet mysterious, this coast is split into two. The second part closer to Morne is soaked up with intimate settings and emerald-green hues, idyllic for perfecting that sun-kissed glow.

There’s just one catch - strong currents and sharp coral make swimming and bathing pretty impractical. Still, if you’re topping up the tan or ploughing through a page turner, this is the closest you’ll get to a private beach.

Joining the two southern hotel hubs of Souillac and Bel Ombre, St Felix beach is considered the belle of the southern coast’s beaches - a quiet beauty, which is in fact two beaches. The westernmost is the prettiest - powdery sand and crystalline sea to rival any of the northern sun traps and often yours and yours alone. 

For a snapshot of daily Mauritian life, you could do worse than La Prairie, a favourite with locals from the surrounding fishing villages of Le Morne and the Baie du Cap. Fisherfolk haul in the day’s catch, locals play fierce games of dominoes under the palms and youngsters splash about in the calm, shallow bay.

A break in the reef and strong winds make this a favourite with adventurous surfers, but also with sharks, so caution is required. If locals are in the water, you can usually bet conditions aren’t too treacherous. If they aren’t, make do with a splash in the shallows, ice creams from one of the trucks and a stroll down to the Maconde promontory, which you can climb for National Geographic-grade shots of the hulking Le Morne Brabant mountain.

Backed by the stunning World Heritage-listed Le Brabant Mountain, the public Le Morne Beach is a must see, known for its spectacular scenery gleaming with authentic Mauritius! With white, coral sands fringed over emerald palms lapping turquoise waters, Le Morne is one of the most photographed Mauritian beaches. The particularly clear seas lap against the white coral beach offering great opportunities for snorkelling and diving.

An ideal wind blows almost year-round against southwestern Le Morne, making this possibly the best beach around for wind and kite surfing paradise all year, and it's often said to be the best location for these activities on the Island.

Professional kitesurfers start the annual Kiteival race here in July, when things are busiest, but you’ll find plenty of people catching waves throughout the year. If you’re not yet up to taking on the fearsome One-Eye or joining a trip to the big waves further offshore at Manawa, the likes of the Pryde Club, Ion Club and Le Morne Kite schools will get you there.

Because of this, the beach can become quite crowded, particularly at weekends. But, don't let that put you off. Why not head there early in the day or as evening starts to fall so you can take in the exceptional views of the mountain and capture some magical memories in photo form.

Big waves, big winds and big rocks... there’s a theme going at the Riviere des Galets, a tempting proposition for anyone into board sports. The left and right-hand breaks between the islet of Sancho and the shore are said to have waves you can bet your boardshorts on and host local surfing competitions. It’s best to wear flip flops or jellies if you’re set on taking a dip in the sea, though most don’t recommend it.

Your time’s much better spent exploring this pebble beach anyway. When tide’s low, hop across the rocks to the Sancho islet for stunning shots of the rugged coastline and to explore an islet which pirates used to stash treasure on. Whether or not you have your metal detector with you, keep an eye out underfoot, crabs and other creatures often wash up with the waves.

A kilometre or two east of Souillac, Gris Gris beach is like no other on the island as the only break in an otherwise perfectly circular coral reef. Unrelenting waves batter soaring cliffs in a stunning reminder of nature’s awesome power. Whatever you do, don’t get in the water… picnic on the shore, walk the cliff tops and get contemplative gazing at rock formations like La Roche Qui Pleure - find the crying man in the rock or become one trying...

Seemingly created by angels, Blue Bay beach lives up to its name. As its name suggests, Blue Bay boasts wonderfully clear blue waters and a lush sandy beach, all surrounded by shady casuarina trees. The sparkling waters in three shades of blue are protected by coral reefs covered in fluorescent fish. Pristine and untouched, Blue Bay is graced by a choice of bars and restaurants.

Blue Bay is also home to a marine park and is an ideal spot for snorkelling amongst the coral reefs and colourful marine life. If you want to discover its delights without getting in the water, why not take a glass-bottomed boat trip for a magical marine adventure.

Located just a few kilometres from the pretty village of Mahébourg on the south-east coast, parking at Blue Bay can be tricky, as the designated area is relatively small and populated by local traders selling fruit and other light refreshments. We recommend starting your visit in the nearby village of Mahebourg, which has a regular bus service to Blue Bay and offers the perfect opportunity to explore this charming village. It is also advisable to plan your trip on a weekday, as the area is much quieter then.