A question that comes up a lot.
Yes, you’re planning to go on vacation to Mauritius and given the price of the plane ticket you’d like to spend a nice vacation in the sun, we agree. So when the best time to come to Mauritius?
I’d say it all depends on what you’re looking for.
Generally speaking, if you’re looking for sunshine, muy caliente temperatures and the chance to swim in the sea, it’s definitely summer season in Mauritius, i.e. November, December. Note that it will be very hot during the day, so beware of sensitive skin. January and February are cyclone season, which can sometimes be accompanied by heavy rain, not ideal for visiting this beautiful island. If you’re lucky, there may be no showers, but nothing is certain.
On the other hand, July/August will be winter in Mauritius, meaning 20-25 degrees during the day (on the coast) and fairly cool water.
Month-by-month description:
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January
To be avoided as it’s in the middle of the rainy and cyclonic season. It’s also possible that there will be little rain and no cyclone, but it’s up to you.
What’s more, it’s the holiday season here, so many shops are closed too.
Humidity levels are at their highest.
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February
Same as January as far as the weather is concerned. Nothing’s for sure: it can be warm and sunny with bright blue skies, or rainy and gloomy.
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March
Mixed. I’m updating my review of March after the rainy month of March 2023. It’s the end of the cyclone season, but you can still expect days of heavy rain. It’s still very hot.
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April
Better than March, it’s a good time to come. I can’t guarantee you sunny days throughout your stay, but temperatures are slightly milder than in December/January. There’s no need to worry about swimming in the sea.
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May
It’s cooling off a bit, but it’s still a good month to come and enjoy our lost pebble in the Indian Ocean. I like this period where we don’t suffocate like in previous months. You’ll just need to bring a little sweater and pants for the evening (especially if you’re going to the center of the island). The weather is quite pleasant. The water is good during the day when it’s hot.
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June
It’s cooling off a bit, but it’s still a good month to come and enjoy our lost pebble in the Indian Ocean. I like this period where we don’t suffocate like in previous months. You’ll just need to bring a little sweater and pants for the evening (especially if you’re going to the center of the island). The weather is quite pleasant. The water is good during the day when it’s hot.
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July – August
It’s winter in Mauritius. The water is cooler and Mauritians don’t go swimming at this time of year. You’ll have the beach all to yourself. Pants and jacket are de rigueur in the evening. This is the low tourist season, so hotels are less crowded and their rates more attractive. A favorite time of year for Mauritians, the climate allows for more outdoor activities.
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September
It’s the end of winter and the sea is gradually warming up.
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October
The weather is nice again (it’s always nice, but it’s starting to get above 25 degrees again). Excellent month if you want to come.
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November
Summer is in full swing, and sweet exotic fruits are appearing on the shelves: lychees, pineapples, watermelons… And yes, the water is warm now, so you won’t have any hesitation about getting in the water, folks.
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December
Best month of the year perhaps. It’s sunny, it’s warm, and you’ll find lychees and watermelons aplenty. Watch out for mosquitoes, though.
You’re not safe from rainy days, as we’re entering the cyclone season here.
Quick summary
October, November, December, April: it’s the best!
What I can tell you in any case is that the best time to discover our little pebble lost in the ocean, if at least you want to be warm and can stand the humidity, is during the summer, in November and December.
Note that it’s very humid in Mauritius, which can lead to frizz.
In April/May, the temperatures are milder, so you won’t feel so damp.
For those who are afraid of the heat and mosquitoes, like my mum, come in winter, from June to August. Even if the weather is a lottery, it will still be warmer than in mainland France. One thing’s for sure, it’s often very sunny in the morning and often gets worse in the afternoon.
Bonus
In the meantime, I’ll give you a sneak preview of the weather from this beautiful island:
→ Check out my article on the cyclone period in Mauritius, where I explain the different cyclone warning levels, useful links to get all the information on meteorological developments, working conditions in cyclone times, etc.
→ And for those of you planning to visit in the near future, check out my checklist to make sure you don’t forget anything: fromparistomoris.com/en/mauritius-checklist/
