After an 11-hour flight from Paris, the sublime beaches of Mauritius emerge like a mirage.
Behind the porthole, we marvel at this shade of blue and this translucent lagoon in which we dive with impatience just after having shed our luggage.
Bordered by more than 150 km of beaches, sometimes wild and windswept, sometimes paradisiac with their rows of coconut palms and their sparkling sand, Mauritius offers holidaymakers a wide variety of landscapes, which should be explored to capture all the wealth. from the island.
If large, often high-end hotel complexes now line the coast, be aware that officially there is no private beach in Mauritius and that all are therefore accessible to the public, regardless of your location. stay.
The beaches of the hotels are supervised by guards who ensure that visitors do not enter their establishments and do not have their infrastructure, but it is quite possible to walk on the sand and even put your towel there. .
From the long stretches of the East to the lively beaches of the North, through the nature reserves of the South, discover in pictures these 10 majestic beaches which we hope will be able to welcome tourists again very soon.
While the Covid-19 epidemic is under control in Mauritius, and to guard against any contamination from abroad, the authorities are subjecting visitors to a mandatory fortnight in an approved hotel.
This measure, which targets so-called long-term tourists, remains in force, at least, until February 15.
So be patient ...
Eastern beaches
With its turquoise blue lagoon and long stretches of fine sand, the east of Mauritius is for many the most beautiful coast of the island.
This is where the most elegant luxury hotels in the country are concentrated, and where the surface of the lagoon is the largest, especially at the south-eastern tip which is home to many wild islets.
Note, however, that this is the windiest coast and, like its western rival, does not benefit from the majestic spectacle of the sunset.
ROCHES-NOIRES CRIQUES
On the east coast, the beaches of Black Rocks are dotted with volcanic rocks.
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Located a few kilometers north of Poste Lafayette, the town of Roches Noire stands out from the rest of the Mauritian coast.
This small rustic village is nestled in an unspoiled marshy area whose coastline is interspersed with sheltered coves bordered by dark volcanic rocks.
Still spared from urban and tourist development, even if many second homes have been built there, these small beaches with fine sand are a landmark for local fishermen who benefit from their waters full of fish, suitable for the reproduction of many species (parrotfish , captain, trevally, grouper, squid…).
We do not necessarily go to Roches-Noires for swimming, but rather for a walk along the water, along the casuarinas, veloutiers and coconut trees and to enjoy an authentic site which offers a sublime view of the lagoon. .
BELLE MARE, THE PARADISE OF FILAOS
Belle Mare beach is the longest on the island.
Myroslava Bozhko / Shutterstock
It stretches over 10 km, between Pointe de Flacq and Pointe aux Bœufs, and is one of the largest beaches on the island.
Surrounded by numerous hotels, the long stretch of fine sand of Belle Mare remains unspoiled with its continuous row of casuarinas, bordered by a lagoon of marvelous clarity.
If the weekend, many Mauritians come to spend the day there with their family, the beach remains calm during the week and will allow you to enjoy in peace of mind its crystal clear water, protected by the coral reef.
The reef being relatively far from the coast, the beach of Belle Mare is the idyllic place to indulge in swimming, snorkeling or nautical activities lulled by the breeze which constantly ventilates the east coast of Mauritius.
DEER ISLAND, TREASURE OF THE EAST COAST
Aerial view of Ile aux Cerfs, off Trou d'Eau Douce
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Quality Master / Shutterstock
It is the jewel of the east coast.
A few minutes off the coast of Trou d'Eau Douce, Ile aux Cerfs is an uninhabited islet stretching over more than 100 hectares.
Equipped with a golf course, nautical centers and several bars and restaurants, the island is a popular destination for tourists, charmed by its dense vegetation, its shallow lagoon suitable for swimming, and its rich seabed.
Accessible by taxi boat, with shuttles every 20 minutes, Ile aux Cerfs will allow you to discover, in addition to sublime beaches with sparkling sand, endemic trees and lush tropical plants during a getaway in the heart of Mauritius' natural wonders. .
Southern beaches
More wild and hilly than the North, the South reveals the authentic charm of Mauritius.
From the tip of Esny to Le Morne, streak traditional fishing villages and astonishing beaches, essential steps to discover all the facets of the island.
Struck by an oil spill last July, after a Japanese bulk carrier ran aground on a coral reef, the south-eastern tip of the island was soiled by more than 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil.
After months of cleaning operations, Blue Bay beach is once again accessible and swimming is now safe, while the Pointe d'Esny coastline and the Ile aux Aigrettes nature reserve are still closed to the public. public.
To follow the evolution of the situation, the Mauritius Tourism Office has developed a dedicated interface, accessible here.
BLUE BAY MARINE PARK
The Blue Bay Marine Park is home to some forty varieties of corals.
byvalet / Shutterstock
About ten kilometers from the picturesque town of Mahébourg, nestles one of the most beautiful diving sites on the island, both for the richness of its biodiversity and for its surface area (it covers more than 350 hectares) .
A protected area since 1997 before being classified as a RAMSAR site of world importance in 2008, the Blue Bay marine park is home to some forty varieties of corals, a veritable aquatic paradise for 72 species of fish.
Considered by many to be the most beautiful lagoon in Mauritius, Blue Bay is bordered by a sublime white sand beach where you can easily find a quiet corner to marvel at the beauty of the place.
THE GRIS-GRIS CLIFFS
Near the village of Souillac, in the south, the Gris Gris beach stands out with its steep cliffs.
Pawel Kazmierczak / Shutterstock
At the southern end of the island, on the outskirts of the village of Souillac, lies the most surprising landscape of Mauritius.
A unique, rocky and steep beach that stands out from the long stretches of fine sand to the east.
There, the wild beauty of Gris-Gris is revealed, swept by the winds.
In the absence of a lagoon, the waves of the Indian Ocean come to beach on the coast which then takes, dare we say it, airs of tropical Brittany.
Marked by strong currents, the area is not ideal for swimming but lends itself more to a long stroll and a quick lunch along its angular cliffs and unexpected coves.
A panorama far removed from postcards a little cliché of Mauritius!
Western beaches
Protected from the winds, the west coast of Mauritius is dotted with long beaches, some of which, as in the region of Flic en Flac, have lost their charm with the development of imposing tourist infrastructures.
It nevertheless shelters preserved natural sites, as evidenced by the sublime Le Morne peninsula.
THE SACRED PENINSULA OF MORNE
Le Morne Brabant is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Melanie Rostagnat
At the southern end of the west coast stands unperturbed Le Morne Brabant, which was long a sanctuary for fleeing slaves.
Listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2008, this mountain is today a place of memory of the colonial history of the country, but also a symbol of the beauty of nature in Mauritius.
From its 555 meters high, Le Morne forms a peninsula overlooking a majestic lagoon around which several luxury hotels have been established.
However, the beach remains accessible to the public, especially around the LUX Le Morne hotel.
You will enjoy delicious translucent water and a breathtaking panorama facing the sun setting on the horizon.
If you organize a boat trip in the bay of Île aux Bénitiers, you might be lucky enough to stumble upon schools of dolphins, an unforgettable sight!
Read also: Mauritius: a new paradise on the Morne Brabant peninsula
TROU-AUX-BICHES, THE POSTCARD
Trou-aux-Biches beach stretches for 3 km.
tb-photography / Shutterstock
Its sand is considered the finest in Mauritius.
On the road to Grand Baie, coming from Port-Louis, Trou-aux-Biches is an essential stopover for lovers of peaceful swimming and snorkeling in an idyllic setting.
Surrounded by a lagoon with turquoise water, this long beach, which stretches for nearly 3 kilometers, is bordered by a horde of coconut trees.
Suffice to say that Trou-aux-Biches is the postcard par excellence!
It is a lively beach with many tourist establishments, nautical activity centers and restaurants and therefore may not be suitable for those seeking peace and solitude.
Northern beaches
The island's commercial and tourist center, the north coast has a steep coastline and is therefore devoid of long stretches of sand.
Besides the public beach of Pereybère and the charming little cove of La Cuvette, here are two discreet beaches where you can take a pleasant break while exploring the region.
THE PEACEFUL BAY OF CASITA
Wedged between Grand Baie and Pereybère, this picturesque little cove, which stretches for less than 300 meters, is a haven of peace just a few minutes from the commercial bustle of the northern villages.
On this pretty beach of fine sand, away from the road, the lagoon reveals its most beautiful colors in a sparkling shade of blue.
A multitude of fish have colonized the surrounding reefs, which promises great snorkeling sessions for diving enthusiasts who may have the pleasure of coming face to face with a green turtle.
BAIN BŒUF, THE MOST BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF THE CORNER DE MIRE
View of the Coin de Mire from the beach at Bain Bœuf.
Vincent Raffray / Shutterstock
The narrow beach of Bain Bœuf, so called because it used to come to wash the cattle, is not the most suitable beach for swimming because of the coral soil that reaches as far as the shore.
On the other hand, it is the one that has the most breathtaking view of Coin de Mire, an island classified as a nature reserve which is located 8 km from the coast and which is home to 48 exotic species and 24 endemic species of birds and reptiles.
At dusk, when the setting sun illuminates the imposing rock in the sea, the spectacle is striking.
Located between Pereybère and Cap Malheureux, Bain Bœuf beach remains, during the day, a pleasant spot to take a dip in crystal-clear water, in complete tranquility, and admire the pretty wooden boats of the fishermen who moor there.
THE FLAT ISLAND, A TROPICAL EDEN
Little visited, the flat island is a tropical paradise north of the Mauritian coast.
Melanie Rostagnat
A paradise on the water.
Located a dozen kilometers from the north coast, the flat island conceals priceless natural treasures and vestiges of the tumultuous history of colonization.
Protected nature reserve, it allows a total disconnection to the few visitors who come to spend the day there.
Unlike the Gabriel island, located just opposite and which shares the same lagoon, large catamarans with music and barbecue on board are in fact not allowed to dock on the east coast of the flat island.
Endowed with paradisiacal beaches and lush vegetation, it still retains some ruins from the past, including the Governor's House, transformed into a restaurant (by reservation only) which offers grilled fish and seasonal salads.
A tropical Eden not to be missed during your stay in Mauritius.