Mauritius in January: weather, sea, festivals and tips
January is the height of the southern summer: heat, the warmest sea of the year and heavy showers. It also opens the period most exposed to cyclones. A month for beach lovers who can keep their plans flexible. Below, backed by figures (our 2011-2025 averages from the ERA5 reanalysis), is what to expect on each coast, what is worth doing this month, the January 2027 festivals and our tips for enjoying the trip despite changeable weather.
Average weather: January
| Area | High | Low | Rain | Gusts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North (Grand Baie) | 29 °C | 25 °C | 190 mm | 26 km/h |
| West (Flic en Flac) | 30 °C | 25 °C | 190 mm | 25 km/h |
| East (Belle Mare) | 28 °C | 25 °C | 221 mm | 25 km/h |
| Central plateau | 26 °C | 21 °C | +++ | 23 km/h |
Sea: 28 °C
2011-2025 averages (ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo). The central plateau (Curepipe, Black River Gorges) is much wetter than the model shows.
January weather, coast by coast
According to our 2011-2025 averages, it is about 30 °C by day and 25 °C at night on the west coast, 29 °C and 25 °C in the north, and 28 °C and 25 °C in the east, which is more exposed to the trade winds. The central plateau (Curepipe, Black River Gorges) is cooler, around 26 °C and 21 °C, and clearly wetter.
In our data this is the wettest month of the year on the coast: about 190 mm in the north and west, 220 mm in the east. Most of it falls as tropical downpours, heavy but often short, with sunshine in between. Humidity is high and the heat builds early in the morning.
The sea and cyclone risk
The sea is close to 28 °C: perfect for snorkelling at Trou aux Biches or Pereybère and for catamaran trips to the northern islets when the weather allows. The Tamarin dolphins can be seen all year, on dawn trips.
According to Météo-France, January is part of the core of cyclone season. A cyclone does not hit the island every year, but a system offshore can keep boats in port for a few days. Under a class II warning or higher, beaches, excursions and transport shut down: follow the Mauritius Meteorological Services website and your accommodation's instructions.
What's best in January
The beaches of the north and west, often sunnier than the east: Pereybère, Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy, Flic en Flac. Days at sea (catamaran to Coin de Mire, Île aux Cerfs), booked with a back-up date. For rainy days, Odysseo and the Caudan Waterfront in Port Louis, L'Aventure du Sucre and the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, best visited early before the heat.
Hiking: stick to short, early outings, as trails on the plateau and in the Black River Gorges can be slippery after rain.
January 2027 festivals
1 and 2 January are public holidays, and the new year is celebrated all over the island. Friday 22 January 2027 is Thaipoosam Cavadee, a major Tamil festival: devotees carry the cavadee, a decorated arch, in processions to the temples. It is a public holiday, so offices and some shops close.
Where to stay in January
The north (Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches) is the most practical summer base: calm beaches, plenty of restaurants, catamaran departures to the islets and most rainy-day sights within an hour. The west (Flic en Flac, Tamarin) has the warmest days and the sunsets, with the dolphin trip on the doorstep. The east (Belle Mare, Trou d'Eau Douce) is windier and wetter, but the breeze makes the nights more comfortable.
Our tips and verdict
Many European Christmas holidays end in the first days of January (4 January 2027 in France), so the second half of the month is quieter. Get insurance covering cancellations, pack sunscreen, a hat and a light rain layer, and keep one or two free days to reschedule a boat trip.
Verdict: a good month for warm water and beaches if you accept showers and a small cyclone risk. If your dates are fixed and you cannot afford to lose a day, April-May or October-November are safer bets.
Places in this guide
Rated one of Mauritius's best swimming beaches: a compact cove of brilliant sand and deep, intensely blue water. Ice-cream sellers, snacks and casuarinas complete the postcard.
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.
From the Grand Baie jetty, sail past Coin de Mire and its tropicbirds, then anchor between Flat and Gabriel Islands: crystal-water snorkeling and BBQ on board.
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.
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.
The east coast's iconic lagoon island: white sandbanks, translucent water and coconut palms make it the dream setting for catamaran trips. 18-hole golf course and every water sport.
Opened in 2021 at Les Salines, the first oceanarium in the Mascarenes: 45 tanks, 3,500 animals and 200 Indian Ocean species across 5,500 m². A modern, educational visit, ideal with kids or on a cloudy day.
Port Louis's iconic waterfront with its hanging umbrellas, shops, craft market and harbourside restaurants. The ideal starting point for exploring the capital on foot.
In the old Beau Plan sugar mill, this modern museum tells 250 years of Mauritian history through sugar cane, slavery and indenture. Special-sugar and rum tasting at the end.
The southern hemisphere's oldest botanical garden (1770), world-famous for its giant Victoria amazonica water lilies and talipot palms. Shady avenues, spices, baobabs and giant tortoises.
Frequently asked questions
Is January a good time to visit Mauritius?
It is hot (28-30 °C on the coast) with frequent sunny spells, but January is the wettest month on the coast in our averages, with mostly short tropical showers.
Are there cyclones in Mauritius in January?
January is at the core of cyclone season (15 November-30 April, to 15 May for Mauritius). A cyclone is not a given, but you should follow official bulletins.
How warm is the sea in Mauritius in January?
About 28 °C, among the warmest of the year.
Which coast is best in January?
The north and west usually get less rain than the east. The east stays pleasant thanks to the breeze.