Africa

Mauritius in August

Peak kitesurfing season at Le Morne and busy with European families. Sheltered west coast is the pick.

GoodMild and dry, highs near 75F (24C), windy

Le Morne Mauritius — MauritiusPhoto: 'dronepicr', CC BY 2.0

The straight answer

August is a good month to visit Mauritius. Peak kitesurfing season at Le Morne and busy with European families. Sheltered west coast is the pick.

Weather: Mild and dry, highs near 75F (24C), windy
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What August is like in Mauritius

August is mild and dry, with highs near 75F (24C) and plenty of wind. It is peak kitesurfing season at Le Morne and busy with European families on summer holidays, so prices are fairly high. The east and south coasts are breezy and choppy, while the west coast stays sheltered and sunny. Whale watching continues off the west coast.

August suits families tied to school holidays, kitesurfers and whale watchers. Stay on the west coast for the calmest swimming. If you want warm water and fewer families around, wait until September, which brings drier, warmer weather and lower prices once the holidays end.

Make the most of August

What is especially good about Mauritius this month.

Peak kitesurfing

The trade winds are at their strongest, making Le Morne one of the best kite spots in the Indian Ocean.

Humpback whales off the west coast

Boat trips from the west coast have good chances of seeing humpbacks on their migration.

Casela and La Vanille with kids

Mild weather is perfect for Casela Nature Parks and the giant tortoises at La Vanille.

What to pack for August

A windbreaker and a warm layer for evenings
A rash guard or shorty wetsuit
Reef-safe sunscreen, since the wind hides the strong sun
Seasickness tablets

Our timing tip

Visit Ile aux Cerfs on a weekday morning, since August weekends bring both tourists and locals to the same beaches.

Book Mauritius for August.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Mauritius
Opens a hotel search for Mauritius in August, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for August
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Vacation rentals in Mauritius
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Mauritius
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Mauritius for August. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in August

Humpback whale season

Roughly July through October

Humpbacks pass the west coast on their annual migration. Boat trips run from the west coast; choose operators that follow the national whale-watching guidelines.

Things to do in Mauritius

Full guide

Le Morne Brabant

A dramatic basalt mountain and UNESCO site on the southwest tip, with a guided hike to a viewpoint over the lagoon. Start early to beat the heat.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Black River Gorges National Park

The island's largest protected area, with trails through native forest and views over waterfalls and gorges. Drier winter months are best for hiking.

Tickets and tours →

Chamarel

The Seven Coloured Earths, a patch of multicolored sand dunes, and the Chamarel waterfall, in the island's southwest highlands.

Tickets and tours →

Aapravasi Ghat, Port Louis

The UNESCO-listed immigration depot where hundreds of thousands of indentured laborers arrived in the 19th century. Combine with the capital's central market.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Ile aux Cerfs

A popular island off the east coast with white sand beaches and lagoon activities. Go early on weekdays to avoid the day-boat rush.

Tickets and tours →

Blue Bay Marine Park

Protected coral gardens in the southeast, good for snorkeling and glass-bottom boat trips. Calmest in the summer months.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Aim for May or September through November, which combine good weather with fewer visitors than the Christmas and European summer peaks.
Pick your coast by season: west and north in the windy winter months, east in the calm summer months. The right coast matters more than the right resort.
Visit Ile aux Cerfs, Chamarel, and Le Morne early in the day, and avoid weekends when many locals head to the same beaches.
Book the Christmas and New Year weeks far ahead or skip them; they are the most expensive dates of the year.

Know before you go

During a cyclone warning, the authorities can close beaches, suspend boat trips, and, at the highest warning levels, order people to stay indoors. Resorts are built for this, but plans can be lost for days.
Public holidays for religious festivals, such as Maha Shivaratri, Thaipoosam Cavadee, Diwali, and Eid, can close government offices and some shops and bring heavy traffic.
Lagoon conditions vary by coast and season: the east and south can be windy and choppy from roughly June to September, while the west and north stay calmer.
Hiking in the interior is best in the drier months; trails in Black River Gorges can be slippery and cloud-covered in the rainy season.