Belle Mare Beach
A vast powdery white-sand beach running for kilometres along a crystal lagoon. The east coast's postcard, famed for its blazing sunrises.
Tip: Come at dawn for one of the island's finest sunrises. Steady trade winds June to September.
Why Belle Mare
Belle Mare beach runs for several kilometres along the east coast, alternating between hotel frontage and public stretches. The offshore reef breaks the swell, so the lagoon stays shallow and clear: easy swimming and good for children. Old casuarina trees line the sand and give natural shade, something many exposed Mauritian beaches lack.
The east coast faces the sunrise, so this is the place for dawn: from around 5:30am in the southern summer to nearly 7am in winter.
Getting there
By car it is about an hour from Port Louis, around 45 minutes from the airport, an hour from Grand Baie and 1.5 hours from Flic en Flac. The public section has a free car park at the entrance, which fills quickly at weekends.
Without a car, buses run along the coast from Centre de Flacq, the east's main interchange. A taxi from a nearby hotel is the simplest option for half a day.
Swimming and safety
The water is calm and shallow for a long way out. The risk lies near the passes in the reef, where currents can be strong: don't swim out towards the open sea and follow the flags. Lifeguards cover the public beach, but only at busy times.
In front of the hotels, lanes are reserved for boats and water sports, so swim inside the marked zones. Reef shoes save you from sea urchins and broken coral.
Best time to go
On weekday mornings the public beach is almost empty. On Sundays Mauritian families arrive for picnics: a cheerful scene, but parking gets tricky.
From June to September the trade winds blow harder on the east coast and the sea is cooler; October to December is often dry with warmer water. January to March is the wettest stretch (about 220 mm of rain in January) and cyclone season.
On site and nearby
The public beach has showers, toilets, picnic areas and kiosks selling drinks, snacks and snorkel hire. To the south, Palmar Beach continues Belle Mare with even fewer people, and the Undersea Walk at Belle Mare starts nearby. Trou d'Eau Douce and Ile aux Cerfs are about 15 minutes' drive away.
Frequently asked questions
Is Belle Mare a public beach?
Yes, a long section is public and free, with parking, showers and toilets. Other stretches front hotels, but the shoreline itself stays open to everyone.
Is it safe to swim at Belle Mare?
Yes, the reef-protected lagoon is calm and shallow. Stay away from the reef passes, where currents can be strong.
When is the best time to visit Belle Mare?
October to December for warmer water and mostly dry weather. From June to September the trade winds make the beach breezier.
How long should I spend at Belle Mare?
Half a day is enough for a swim and a picnic. Arrive at dawn if you want the sunrise.
