September: 86 places at their best

Africa

Mauritius in September

The start of the best stretch: dry, sunny, and warming, with whales still around and European holidays over.

BestDry and warming, highs near 77F (25C)
Le Morne Mauritius
MauritiusPhoto: 'dronepicr', CC BY 2.0

The straight answer

September is one of the best months of the year to visit Mauritius. The start of the best stretch: dry, sunny, and warming, with whales still around and European holidays over.

Weather
Dry and warming, highs near 77F (25C)
Crowds
3 of 5
Prices
3 of 5

What September is like in Mauritius

September starts the island's best stretch. It is dry and warming, with highs near 77F (25C), sunny days and fewer showers. European holidays are over, so crowds thin and prices ease. Humpback whales are still off the west coast. The trade winds soften as the month goes on, and the sea begins to warm.

September suits couples, families with young children not yet in school and anyone who wants dry, reliable weather at fair prices. Swimmers who want the warmest water should lean toward late September or October. It is one of the best value months of the year.

Make the most of September

What is especially good about Mauritius this month.

01

Pere Laval pilgrimage

Around September 9, tens of thousands of pilgrims of many faiths walk overnight to Pere Laval's shrine in Sainte-Croix, near Port Louis.

02

Whales and sunshine

Humpbacks are still passing the west coast while the weather turns dry and sunny.

03

Post-holiday value

With European summer holidays over, resorts are quieter and rates drop.

What to pack for September

  • Reef-safe sunscreen and a hat
  • A light layer for breezy evenings
  • Snorkel gear
  • Hiking shoes for Chamarel and the gorges

Our timing tip

Avoid driving near Port Louis and Sainte-Croix around September 9, when roads fill with pilgrims.

Book Mauritius for September.

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What's on in September

Pere Laval pilgrimage

Early September, around the anniversary of his death on September 9

Tens of thousands of pilgrims of many faiths walk overnight to the shrine of Pere Laval in Sainte-Croix, near Port Louis.

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
01

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 →

02

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 →

03

Chamarel

The Seven Coloured Earths, a patch of multicolored sand dunes, and the Chamarel waterfall, in the island's southwest highlands.

Tickets and tours →

04

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 →

05

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 →

06

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 September, quick answers

Is September a good time to visit Mauritius?

September is one of the best months of the year to visit Mauritius. The start of the best stretch: dry, sunny, and warming, with whales still around and European holidays over.

What is the weather like in Mauritius in September?

Dry and warming, highs near 77F (25C).

Is Mauritius crowded in September?

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

What is happening in Mauritius in September?

Pere Laval pilgrimage (early september, around the anniversary of his death on september 9); Humpback whale season (roughly july through october).

Keep planning Mauritius.

The months either side, and the best one if this is not it.

  1. 01Mauritius in AugustThe month before: Mild and dry, highs near 75F (24C), windyGood
  2. 02Mauritius in OctoberThe month after: Sunny and dry, highs near 81F (27C)Best
  3. 03The full Mauritius yearEvery month, graded12 months

Also at their best in September

Everywhere in September

Where else is good in September?

Tell us when you can go and what kind of trip you want. We rank every place we cover for that exact month.

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