Africa
Mauritius in May
A sweet spot: warm water, fewer showers, and low crowds before winter trade winds pick up.
The straight answer
May is one of the best months of the year to visit Mauritius. A sweet spot: warm water, fewer showers, and low crowds before winter trade winds pick up.
- Weather
- Warm and drying, highs near 81F (27C)
- Crowds
- 2 of 5
- Prices
- 3 of 5
What May is like in Mauritius
May is a sweet spot. The weather is warm and drying, with highs near 81F (27C), fewer showers and lower humidity. The sea is still warm, crowds are low, and prices sit at pleasant shoulder levels. The winter trade winds have not yet picked up, so most coasts stay calm. It is a good month for both beach time and hiking.
May suits almost everyone: couples, families with young kids and anyone after good weather without peak prices. It is one of the best months of the year for a balanced trip. If you are focused on whale watching or kitesurfing, you will need to come later, from July onward.
Make the most of May
What is especially good about Mauritius this month.
Beach weather without the crowds
Warm water and sunny days with far fewer visitors than the Christmas or European summer peaks.
Hiking season begins
Drier trails make Le Morne Brabant and Black River Gorges much more pleasant to hike.
Calm water on every coast
Before the winter trade winds build, both the east and west coasts usually offer calm lagoons.
What to pack for May
- Hiking shoes for Le Morne and the gorges
- Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
- A light layer for cooler evenings
- Snorkel gear
Our timing tip
Start the Le Morne Brabant hike at first light to beat the heat and get the clearest view over the lagoon.
Book Mauritius for May.
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- Hotels for May
Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in MauritiusOpens a hotel search for Mauritius in May, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
- Rentals on Vrbo
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in MauritiusWhole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
- Tours and tickets
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in MauritiusTimed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Mauritius for May. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Things to do in Mauritius
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.
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.
Chamarel
The Seven Coloured Earths, a patch of multicolored sand dunes, and the Chamarel waterfall, in the island's southwest highlands.
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.
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.
Blue Bay Marine Park
Protected coral gardens in the southeast, good for snorkeling and glass-bottom boat trips. Calmest in the summer months.
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 May, quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Mauritius?
May is one of the best months of the year to visit Mauritius. A sweet spot: warm water, fewer showers, and low crowds before winter trade winds pick up.
What is the weather like in Mauritius in May?
Warm and drying, highs near 81F (27C).
Is Mauritius crowded in May?
May is one of the quieter months in Mauritius; most sights can be done without long waits.
Keep planning Mauritius.
The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.
Also at their best in May
Before you book.
Sort these two things first.
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