Mauritius: When to Go

Mauritius enjoys a typically tropical climate with year-round heat, although the southeast trade winds help it to never feel too muggy. The best months to visit Mauritius are from May to early December. January and February, the peak cyclone months, are best avoided by water-sports enthusiasts and divers. Cyclones rarely hit Mauritius (but Rodrigues has suffered far more regularly than the mainland).

Hardly a week goes by in Mauritius without some celebration. On Rodrigues, the main cultural event is the Festival Kréol, which takes place over three days at the end of October.

Apart from the Christmas-New Year peak, Mauritius doesn't really have high and low seasons. The situation is more dependent on outside factors (such as the French school holidays, which cause a big increase in demand and prices in August).

Weather

Mauritius experiences a hot, humid summer from December to April and a cooler, drier period from May to November. However, the climate varies considerably across the island. On the coast, temperatures range from 25°C to 33°C (77-91°F) in summer and 18°C to 24°C (64-75°F) in winter. On the plateau, it will be somewhat cooler. The highlands are also the wettest part of the island - it rains here throughout the year and, even if it's not raining, there will often be low cloud. Due to southeasterly winds, the east coast is slightly cooler and wetter than the west. These winds are strongest during July and August - it can be blustery on the east coast, though the breeze brings welcome relief in summer. The cyclone season lasts from December to March. Although direct hits are rare, cyclones out at sea can cause days of squally rain.