Best time to visit Mauritius

Mauritius is a year-round destination, with a mild tropical climate and up to eight hours of sunshine each day, but weather is still a consideration when deciding the best time to visit, where to go and what to do on Mauritius.

Seasons in Mauritius

The island has two seasons: a hot, wet and humid summer (October to April), with a slight risk of cyclones from January to March, and a warm, dry winter (May to September). Average temperatures range from around 25°C in summer to 20°C in winter. Average annual rainfall is 2010mm, most of which falls in summer.

As Mauritius is best known for winter sun, the peak season for tourism is from October to April and low season runs from May to September. Rodrigues’ peak tourist seasons are from the end of November to February, around Easter in April and from the end of June to August; outside of these times beach restaurants are often closed and only a few tables d’hôtes are open. The cooler, drier months from June to September, with fewer mosquitos, are good for outdoor activities; clear, calm and warm waters from November to April are ideal for diving; the best deep-sea fishing is from October to April; and surfing conditions are at their best from June to August.

Climate in Mauritius

Note that the west and north coasts are warmer and drier than the east and south coasts. In the summer, the cooling southeast trade winds make the east coast pleasant and perfect for watersports, but the south and east can be chilly and windy in winter. The north and west coasts are more sheltered in winter, meanwhile, but can get stiflingly hot and humid in summer. Most rain falls in the highlands, with Curepipe the rainiest of the inland towns.

Festivals and vacations in Mauritius

Mauritius is a multicultural society, with religious festivals for the different groups held year-round. Dates vary annually depending on religious calendars. Visitors are welcome to attend any of the major public festivals, and it may be worth timing a visit to coincide with one of the more spectacular ones listed below.

Thaipoosam Cavadee

January/February. Island-wide. Tamil penitents parade through the capital with their tongues, chests and cheeks pierced with needles in this devout and spectacular Tamil festival.

Chinese New Year/Spring Festival

February. Port Louis. Chinese dragons and lion dances grace Port Louis’ Chinatown when the Chinese–Mauritian community exchange traditional wax cakes, light firecrackers to chase away evil spirits and spread red, a symbol of happiness, everywhere.

Maha Shivaratree

February/March. Grand Bassin. The biggest Hindu festival outside India, devotees make a pilgrimage to the island’s sacred lake to leave offerings to Shiva.

Holi

March. Grand Bassin and island-wide. People splash each other with coloured water, throw lurid coloured powder and wish each other luck in the Hindu festival of joy.

Ougadi

May/June. Island-wide. A low-key celebration of the Hindu New Year by the Telugu community with prayers and rituals for Brahma, creator of the universe.

Corpus Christi

August/September. Port Louis. Devout Roman Catholics parade through the streets.

Ganesh Chaturthi

August/September. Baie du Cap, Grand Bassin. Mauritian Hindus take their statues of Ganesh, the God of Wisdom, for a birthday outing, dunking them in the sea or the sacred lake.

Pere Laval Day

9 September. Sainte Croix, Port Louis. Mauritians of all faiths make a pilgrimage to Catholic apostle Pere Laval’s tomb on the anniversary of his death to pray for miracles at his graveside.

Devali

23 October. Island-wide. The annual Festival of Light celebrates the triumph of good over evil: fairy lights and candlelight guide good fortune to Mauritian Hindus’ homes and sweet cakes are offered to the ancestors.

Ghoons

6 November. Plaine Verte, Port Louis. Muslims carry brightly lit lanterns or “ghoons” made of bamboo and paper to mourn the martyrdom of the prophet Mohammed’s nephew in Kerbala, Iraq.

Ganga Asnan

November. Island-wide. Hindus bathe at public beaches and offer prayers, fruits and flowers to Ganga, the goddess of purity, during this auspicious month.

Festival Kreol

28 November–1 December. Le Morne Village. This annual celebration of Creole culture held in Le Morne Village features food and craft stalls, traditional songs and séga dancing (festivalkreol.co.uk).

Eid-ul-Fitr

November/December. Mosques island, wide. The end of Ramadan and fasting for the island’s Muslims is celebrated with prayers and feasting with friends and relatives.

Teemeedee

December–February. Temples island-wide. After ten days of purification and praying, Tamil penitents walk across a pit of burning coals in certain temples across the island, before cooling their feet in milk.