Africa

Mauritius in March

Still cyclone season and wet, particularly on the central plateau. Maha Shivaratri often falls around now.

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

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

The straight answer

March is a month of real tradeoffs in Mauritius. Still cyclone season and wet, particularly on the central plateau. Maha Shivaratri often falls around now.

Weather: Hot and humid, highs near 86F (30C), frequent showers
Crowds: 2 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What March is like in Mauritius

March is still hot, humid and wet, with highs near 86F (30C) and frequent showers, especially on the central plateau. Cyclone season continues, though the risk begins to ease late in the month. The landscape is green, waterfalls are full, and crowds are light. Maha Shivaratri often falls around now, bringing huge pilgrimages to Grand Bassin.

March suits flexible travelers looking for lower prices and a quiet island, and those interested in the Hindu festival calendar. It is less ideal for hikers, since interior trails can be slippery and cloudy. For better weather at similar prices, wait for late April or May.

Make the most of March

What is especially good about Mauritius this month.

Maha Shivaratri

Pilgrims walk to Grand Bassin, many carrying kanwars. It is one of the largest Hindu festivals outside India, and the date follows the lunar calendar.

Full waterfalls

The rains keep the Chamarel waterfall and the falls in Black River Gorges at their fullest.

Quiet beaches

Crowds are light, so resort beaches and lagoons feel spacious.

What to pack for March

A rain jacket
Quick-dry clothes
Modest clothing if visiting Grand Bassin during the pilgrimage
Insect repellent

Our timing tip

Check when Maha Shivaratri falls this year and avoid driving through the highlands on the main pilgrimage days, when roads to Grand Bassin are packed.

Book Mauritius for March.

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

What's on in March

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.

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 March, quick answers

Is March a good time to visit Mauritius?

March is a month of real tradeoffs in Mauritius. Still cyclone season and wet, particularly on the central plateau. Maha Shivaratri often falls around now.

What is the weather like in Mauritius in March?

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

Is Mauritius crowded in March?

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

What is happening in Mauritius in March?

Maha Shivaratri (february or march, following the hindu lunar calendar).