Africa

Mauritius in December

Great weather early in the month; the Christmas and New Year weeks are the most expensive of the year.

GoodHot, highs near 86F (30C), showers increasing

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

The straight answer

December is a good month to visit Mauritius. Great weather early in the month; the Christmas and New Year weeks are the most expensive of the year.

Weather: Hot, highs near 86F (30C), showers increasing
Crowds: 4 of 5
Prices: 5 of 5

What December is like in Mauritius

December is hot, with highs near 86F (30C), and showers increase as the month goes on. Early December usually has great beach weather, with warm water and plenty of sun. The Christmas and New Year weeks are the busiest and most expensive of the year, with resorts full of families. Cyclone risk is low early in the month and rises into January.

December suits families on winter break and couples wanting a warm holiday escape, as long as you book well ahead. For the best value and weather, travel in the first half of the month. If you want the driest, most reliable days at lower prices, go in October or November instead.

Make the most of December

What is especially good about Mauritius this month.

Early-month beach weather

The first weeks of December are hot, sunny and mostly dry, with the warmest lagoons of the year arriving.

Calm east coast

Summer is the east coast's best season, with calm water around Ile aux Cerfs.

Kids' clubs in full swing

Family resorts run their full holiday programs, which makes a festive trip with children easy.

What to pack for December

Reef-safe sunscreen and a sun hat
A light rain jacket for late-month showers
A rash guard for kids
Insect repellent for evenings

Our timing tip

Book Christmas and New Year stays many months ahead, or travel in early December for noticeably lower rates.

Book Mauritius for December.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Mauritius
Opens a hotel search for Mauritius in December, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for December
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
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 December. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

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.