Africa

Mauritius in February

The peak of cyclone season and the rainiest month. Many days are fine, but the chance of a washed-out week is highest.

Think twiceHot, humid, highs near 86F (30C), wettest month

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

The straight answer

February is a month to think twice about visiting Mauritius. The peak of cyclone season and the rainiest month. Many days are fine, but the chance of a washed-out week is highest.

Weather: Hot, humid, highs near 86F (30C), wettest month
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What February is like in Mauritius

February is the month to avoid. It is the peak of cyclone season and the wettest month of the year, with hot, humid days near 86F (30C). Many days are still fine, but the chance of a washed-out week is highest now. During a cyclone warning, beaches can close and boat trips stop, and at the highest levels everyone must stay indoors.

February only suits travelers who have flexible plans and accept the risk in exchange for lower prices. Families on a fixed holiday should choose another month. For warm, dry, sunny days, go in May or September to November. If February is unavoidable, book a resort with good indoor options and take insurance.

Make the most of February

What is especially good about Mauritius this month.

Maha Shivaratri pilgrimage

In years when it falls in February, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims walk to the sacred lake at Grand Bassin. Expect busy roads nearby.

Thaipoosam Cavadee

Some years the Tamil procession falls in February, with devotees carrying elaborate cavadees to temples.

Lower prices

Rates dip compared with the holiday season, reflecting the higher weather risk.

What to pack for February

A good rain jacket
Books, games or cards for storm days
Insect repellent
Reef-safe sunscreen for the sunny days in between

Our timing tip

If you do travel in February, choose a flexible or refundable booking and check cyclone forecasts in the week before you fly.

Book Mauritius for February.

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

What's on in February

Maha Shivaratri

February or March, following the Hindu lunar calendar

Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims walk to Grand Bassin, many carrying elaborate kanwars. One of the largest Hindu festivals outside India; expect busy roads in the days around it.

Thaipoosam Cavadee

January or February, following the Tamil calendar

Tamil devotees carry decorated cavadees in processions to temples, some with ritual piercings. Striking, and deeply religious; watch respectfully.

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.

Mauritius in February, quick answers

Is February a good time to visit Mauritius?

February is a month to think twice about visiting Mauritius. The peak of cyclone season and the rainiest month. Many days are fine, but the chance of a washed-out week is highest.

What is the weather like in Mauritius in February?

Hot, humid, highs near 86F (30C), wettest month.

Is Mauritius crowded in February?

February is one of the quieter months in Mauritius; most sights can be done without long waits.

What is happening in Mauritius in February?

Maha Shivaratri (february or march, following the hindu lunar calendar); Thaipoosam Cavadee (january or february, following the tamil calendar).