The essentials
When to go to Mauritius, in brief
May to December: the sweet spot
Dry, mild austral winter, 24-28°C, low humidity. Calm beaches, clear skies. The prime window for swimming and hiking.
Cyclones January to March
The cyclone-risk peak in summer. Heavy rain possible, choppy sea. The trickiest stretch for a beach stay.
Diving in September-November
Best underwater visibility of the year, calm water. November offers good conditions, with the seasonal turtles.
Surf in winter
Surfers come for the big waves from June to August, mostly on the southwest, at Tamarin and Le Morne.
Choosing your coast
In summer, the wind mostly hits the south and southeast. The north and west, sheltered by the mountains, stay warm and dry.
Festivals to plan around
Cavadee (1 February), Maha Shivaratri (15 February) and Holi (4-5 March) shape the summer and reveal the island's mixed heritage.
The verdict
The best periods
May - December
Dry austral winter, 24-28°C, calm beaches. Perfect for swimming, diving and hiking. Book 2 to 3 months ahead.
Nov - December
Start of summer: warm, water at 27°C, still little cyclone risk. A good compromise before the holiday high season.
January - March
Peak of heat, humidity and cyclones. Heavy rain possible and choppy sea on the exposed coasts.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
24-31°C
Hot, humid, cyclones
25-31°C
Cyclone peak
24-31°C
Humid, cyclones possible
23-30°C
Late summer, drier
21-28°C
Dry winter starts
19-26°C
Dry, mild, surf
18-25°C
Coolest, dry
18-25°C
Dry, windy in south
19-26°C
Dry, clear diving
20-27°C
Mild, ideal
22-29°C
Dry, turtles, diving
23-30°C
Warm, summer starts
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| North (Grand Baie) | May-Dec: 24-28°C, dry | Summer: warm, wind-sheltered | Ideal May-Dec |
| West (Flic-en-Flac, Tamarin) | May-Dec: dry, sunny | Sheltered by the mountains | Ideal May-Dec |
| South & Southeast | Windier and cooler | Summer: rain, trade winds | Ideal May-Dec, sheltered in winter |
| Central plateau (Curepipe) | Cooler, 5°C lower | Wet year-round | Variable, wetter |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Thaipoosam Cavadee
A spectacular Tamil festival: after ten days of fasting, devotees carry flower-decked arches (cavadees) in honor of Murugan.
🇲🇺 Nationwide
Maha Shivaratri
A grand Hindu pilgrimage to the sacred lake of Grand Bassin: tens of thousands of devotees in white, over several days.
🇲🇺 Grand Bassin
Holi
The festival of colors: colored powders and water in the streets, celebrating the triumph of good over evil.
🇲🇺 Nationwide
Diving and turtle season
Best underwater visibility of the year and the passage of seasonal turtles, mostly in November.
🇲🇺 North and west coasts
Our analysis
Mauritius sits in the Southern Hemisphere, so its seasons are the reverse of Europe’s. The island has a dry austral winter, May to December, and a hot, humid summer, November to April. The right moment hinges mostly on humidity and cyclone risk, since the heat stays mild year-round.
The austral winter, May to December
This is the prime window. The weather is dry, the sky clear and the temperatures pleasant, 24 to 28°C by day, cooler on the central plateau. The sea is calm on most coasts, ideal for swimming. September to November offer the best underwater visibility of the year, with turtles passing in November. Surfers, meanwhile, come from June to August for the big waves of the southwest, at Tamarin and Le Morne.
Summer and the cyclone risk
From November to April, summer brings heat (up to 34°C), high humidity and a cyclone risk that peaks from January to March. A direct cyclone hits the island only every three to five years, but storms and heavy rain are more frequent. If you travel in summer, aim for November or December, before the peak of the risk.
Choosing the right coast
A nuance many overlook: the coasts are not equal in the wind. In summer, the trade winds strike the south and southeast most. The north (Grand Baie) and the west (Flic-en-Flac, Tamarin), sheltered by the mountains, stay warm and dry even when the rest of the island catches the wind. Pick your base accordingly, it can make a whole stay.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Mauritius? +
From May to December: a dry, mild austral winter, 24-28°C, low humidity and calm beaches. It is the prime window for swimming and hiking.
What is the worst time to visit Mauritius? +
From January to March, at the peak of heat, humidity and cyclones: heavy rain possible and choppy sea on the exposed coasts.
When to visit Mauritius for diving? +
From September to November: the best underwater visibility of the year, with calm water and turtles passing in November.
Which coast to choose by season? +
In summer, the wind mostly hits the south and southeast. The north and west, sheltered by the mountains, stay warm and dry: favor them if you arrive in choppy weather.
Are there really cyclones in Mauritius? +
A direct cyclone hits the island roughly every three to five years, mostly from January to March. Tropical storms and heavy rain are more frequent in that window.
Do you need to book far ahead? +
For the year-end holidays and July-August, yes: these are the visitor peaks. Book flights and hotels two to three months ahead.
Marie Laurent · Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 1, 2026