Africa

Mauritius in October

Among the driest, sunniest months, with warming seas. Diwali often falls in October or early November.

BestSunny and dry, highs near 81F (27C)

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

The straight answer

October is one of the best months of the year to visit Mauritius. Among the driest, sunniest months, with warming seas. Diwali often falls in October or early November.

Weather: Sunny and dry, highs near 81F (27C)
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 4 of 5

What October is like in Mauritius

October is among the driest, sunniest months, with highs near 81F (27C) and warming seas. The winds calm down, the lagoons clear up, and every coast is pleasant again. Crowds are moderate and prices are a little higher than in September but well below Christmas. Whales may still pass the west coast early in the month, and Diwali often falls in October or early November.

October is the best all-round month for most travelers, from honeymooners to families with small kids. It works for beach time, snorkeling, hiking and sightseeing alike. If it is booked up, May or November offer very similar conditions.

Make the most of October

What is especially good about Mauritius this month.

Diwali

When it falls in October, homes and streets glow with oil lamps and lights, and neighbors share sweets. It is a public holiday.

The driest, sunniest weather

Clear skies and low rainfall make this one of the most reliable beach months.

End of whale season

Humpbacks may still be seen off the west coast in the early weeks of the month.

What to pack for October

Reef-safe sunscreen
A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses
Snorkel mask and fins
A nice outfit for Diwali evenings

Our timing tip

Book a whale-watching trip in the first half of October if humpbacks are on your list, since the season winds down by the end of the month.

Book Mauritius for October.

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

What's on in October

Diwali

October or November, following the Hindu lunar calendar

A public holiday in Mauritius. Homes and streets glow with oil lamps and lights, and sweets are shared between neighbors.

Humpback whale season

Roughly July through October

Humpbacks pass the west coast on their annual migration. Boat trips run from the west coast; choose operators that follow the national whale-watching guidelines.

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 October, quick answers

Is October a good time to visit Mauritius?

October is one of the best months of the year to visit Mauritius. Among the driest, sunniest months, with warming seas. Diwali often falls in October or early November.

What is the weather like in Mauritius in October?

Sunny and dry, highs near 81F (27C).

Is Mauritius crowded in October?

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

What is happening in Mauritius in October?

Diwali (october or november, following the hindu lunar calendar); Humpback whale season (roughly july through october).