Mauritius in August: weather, whales, kitesurfing and tips
August is the heart of the southern winter: mild days, cool nights, steady trade winds and very little rain on the west coast. No cyclones to worry about, but the sea is cooler than in summer. It is the month for humpback whales, kitesurfing and hiking. Here is what to expect on each coast according to our 2011-2025 averages (ERA5 reanalysis), what is worth doing this month, the festival calendar and our verdict.
Average weather: August
| Area | High | Low | Rain | Gusts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North (Grand Baie) | 25 °C | 20 °C | 24 mm | 30 km/h |
| West (Flic en Flac) | 26 °C | 20 °C | 16 mm | 28 km/h |
| East (Belle Mare) | 24 °C | 20 °C | 58 mm | 28 km/h |
| Central plateau | 21 °C | 16 °C | +++ | 26 km/h |
Sea: 24 °C
2011-2025 averages (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo). The central plateau (Curepipe, Black River Gorges) is much wetter than the model shows.
August weather, coast by coast
Our 2011-2025 averages give about 26 °C by day and 20 °C at night on the west coast, 25 °C and 20 °C in the north, and 24 °C and 20 °C in the east, which faces the south-east trade winds. The central plateau (Curepipe, Black River Gorges) is clearly cooler and wetter: about 21 °C by day and 16 °C at night.
The west coast is almost dry, with about 15 mm of rain over the month, and the north barely more (25 mm). The east gets around 60 mm, often as short, wind-driven showers. The Mauritius Meteorological Services describe June to September as a relatively cool, dry winter.
The sea and the wind
The sea drops to about 24 °C, among its lowest of the year: fine for swimming, though a shorty wetsuit makes diving and snorkelling more pleasant. The sheltered lagoons of the west and north (Flic en Flac, Trou aux Biches) are the calmest.
The trade winds blow hard: our averages show maximum gusts of 28 to 30 km/h depending on the coast. It is prime kitesurfing season at Le Morne, but the east and south can be choppy for swimming.
What's best in August
Humpback whales: according to a Black River operator, they are around off the west coast from late July to early November, and sperm whales can be seen all year. The rules forbid swimming or diving with whales, and watching trips only run from 6am to noon. The Tamarin dolphins are also seen at dawn.
Hiking is at its best: Le Morne Brabant, Black River Peak and the Black River Gorges, in cool weather on dry trails. Add Chamarel and its Seven Coloured Earth, or a lagoon day at Île aux Bénitiers.
August festivals
Assumption Day, 15 August, was a public holiday in 2026 (Saturday 15 August), but it is not on the official 2027 list, which includes All Saints' Day on 1 November instead. Depending on the year, Ganesh Chaturthi falls in late August or in September: in 2027 it is Sunday 5 September, with Monday 6 September also a public holiday.
Our tips and verdict
August overlaps with European summer holidays, so demand is high: book flights, accommodation and whale trips early. Stay on the west coast (Flic en Flac, Tamarin, Le Morne), the warmest and driest, where boat trips depart. Pack a fleece for evenings and the plateau, and a windbreaker.
Verdict: an excellent month for whales, kitesurfing and hiking, with dry weather in the west. If warm water is your priority, aim for November or April instead.
Places in this guide
An open-sea trip beyond the reef from Tamarin: migrating humpbacks July-October, resident sperm whales visible year-round thanks to the west coast's deep drop-off.
A world-class spot: waist-deep turquoise lagoon for beginners, the legendary One Eye wave for experts, wind 300 days a year. Several schools right on the beach.
Every morning, pods of spinner and bottlenose dolphins come to rest in Tamarin and Black River bays. The dawn boat trip, sometimes with a swim, is the west coast's signature experience.
A 556 m basalt monolith and UNESCO World Heritage site, refuge of the maroon slaves whose symbol it became. The climb (3-4h return) rewards you with dizzying views over Mauritius's most photogenic lagoons.
The west coast's longest beach: 8 km of white sand lined with casuarinas along a reef-protected turquoise lagoon. Grand sunsets, easy snorkeling and a local weekend vibe.
A coconut islet about 2 km by 500 m in the lagoon, 500 m off La Gaulette. Photo stop (no landing) at Crystal Rock, a coral boulder rising from turquoise water, and snorkeling in a natural aquarium.
Mauritius's highest point (828 m), reached by a forest trail off the Plaine Champagne road. From the top, a 360° panorama over the gorges, Le Morne and the whole south-west.
A unique geological phenomenon: volcanic clay dunes in seven ochre, red and violet hues that never mix. The geopark also hosts giant tortoises and the Chamarel waterfall lookout.
Mauritius's largest national park: 6,574 hectares of primary forest, 60 km of marked trails and the last refuges of the pink pigeon and kestrel. The 10 km Macchabée trail from Pétrin to the visitor centre is a classic.
A long stretch of fine sand shaded by casuarinas, regularly ranked among the Indian Ocean's finest beaches. Its shallow turquoise lagoon is ideal for swimming and snorkeling.
Frequently asked questions
Is August a good time to visit Mauritius?
Yes, especially in the west: about 26 °C by day, 20 °C at night and around 15 mm of rain over the month in our averages. The east is windier and wetter.
Can you swim in Mauritius in August?
Yes, the sea is around 24 °C. It is cooler than in summer, so a shorty wetsuit is welcome for diving.
Can you see whales in Mauritius in August?
Yes, humpback whales pass off the west coast from late July to early November. Trips leave from Tamarin and Black River, between 6am and noon.
Are there cyclones in Mauritius in August?
No, August is outside cyclone season, which officially starts on 15 November.