Africa

Mauritius in January

Warm sea and lush landscapes, but it is peak rainy season and cyclone risk is real. The holiday crowds leave after New Year.

TradeoffsHot and humid, highs near 86F (30C), heavy showers

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

The straight answer

January is a month of real tradeoffs in Mauritius. Warm sea and lush landscapes, but it is peak rainy season and cyclone risk is real. The holiday crowds leave after New Year.

Weather: Hot and humid, highs near 86F (30C), heavy showers
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What January is like in Mauritius

January is hot and humid, with highs near 86F (30C) and heavy showers, often in the afternoon. It is peak rainy season and cyclone risk is real, though many days are simply hot, green and sunny between storms. The sea is at its warmest. The holiday crowds leave after New Year, but prices stay fairly high.

January suits travelers who love heat and warm water and can live with some rain days. Choose a resort on the east coast, where the lagoons are calmest in summer. If you want reliable sunshine, aim for May or September to November instead. Buy travel insurance that covers weather disruption if you book now.

Make the most of January

What is especially good about Mauritius this month.

Thaipoosam Cavadee

Tamil devotees carry decorated cavadees in processions to temples. It falls in January or February, following the Tamil calendar, so check this year's date and watch respectfully.

The warmest sea of the year

Lagoon water is bath-warm, which makes long snorkeling sessions easy for kids and adults.

Calm east coast lagoons

Summer is the east coast's best season, with calmer water around Ile aux Cerfs and Blue Bay Marine Park.

What to pack for January

A light rain jacket for afternoon downpours
Reef-safe, high-SPF sunscreen
A rash guard for long snorkel sessions
Modest clothing for temple visits

Our timing tip

Keep the first half of each day for the beach and boat trips, since January storms usually build in the afternoon.

Book Mauritius for January.

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

What's on in January

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 January, quick answers

Is January a good time to visit Mauritius?

January is a month of real tradeoffs in Mauritius. Warm sea and lush landscapes, but it is peak rainy season and cyclone risk is real. The holiday crowds leave after New Year.

What is the weather like in Mauritius in January?

Hot and humid, highs near 86F (30C), heavy showers.

Is Mauritius crowded in January?

Crowds in Mauritius are moderate in January; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Mauritius in January?

Thaipoosam Cavadee (january or february, following the tamil calendar).