Can you swim all year in the north of Mauritius?

Yes. The sea stays between 24 and 29 °C. The coolest months are July and August, still warm enough to swim.

Are the beaches public?

All beaches in Mauritius are public up to the high tide line, including in front of hotels. Mont Choisy, Trou aux Biches and Pereybere have free public access and parking.

Is there snorkelling from the beach?

At Trou aux Biches, around the rocks at the southern end, and at Pereybere. For the reef itself, take a boat from Grand Baie.

The best beaches in the north of Mauritius

Published 15 October 2026 · The Villa Mauritius

The north coast has the calmest lagoons on the island and most of them are within fifteen minutes of Mont Choisy. Mont Choisy for space, Trou aux Biches for the picture-postcard lagoon, Pereybere for a real swim, Cap Malheureux for the view, and the northern islands by boat for a day out.

The pool of the villa, ten minutes from the beaches of the north

Mont Choisy: the longest beach on the island

Two kilometres of white sand in a gentle curve, shaded by filao trees, with shallow water for a long way out. Weekdays are quiet; on Saturday and Sunday Mauritian families set up for the day with picnics and football. There are food vans, toilets and parking along the road. It is the closest beach to the villa: three minutes by car, twenty on foot.

Trou aux Biches: the picture-postcard lagoon

The beach that appears on every brochure. Fine sand, a turquoise lagoon that stays calm because the reef is close, and snorkelling right off the beach around the rocks at the south end. Sunsets are directly in front. A few beach restaurants and the Trou aux Biches hotel make it busier than Mont Choisy, but it never feels crowded. Six minutes from the villa.

Pereybere: for a real swim

A small cove just north of Grand Baie where the water gets deep quickly, which makes it the best beach for swimming laps rather than wading. Lively, with food stalls, a few bars across the road and a mix of locals and visitors. Twelve minutes from the villa.

Grand Baie: La Cuvette and the bay

The bay of Grand Baie is a harbour more than a beach, but La Cuvette, a tiny public beach at the north end, is a favourite with locals for a quick swim and pedal boats. It is mostly worth it for being next to the restaurants and shops.

Cap Malheureux and the view of Coin de Mire

The red-roofed church at Cap Malheureux is the most photographed spot in the north. The beach is small and rocky but the view of Coin de Mire island is the reason to come. Eighteen minutes from the villa, best in the late afternoon.

The northern islands by boat

Catamarans leave Grand Baie every morning for Gabriel Island and Flat Island: a day of sailing, snorkelling on the reef, a barbecue on the beach, back by five. Book a day ahead in high season. From the villa, the departure is seven minutes away.

Which beach for what

A quick way to choose.

Space and shade for a group: Mont Choisy
Lagoon, snorkelling and sunset: Trou aux Biches
Real swimming: Pereybere
Children and shallow water: Mont Choisy or Trou aux Biches
The view: Cap Malheureux
A day out: Gabriel Island by catamaran

Questions about this

Can you swim all year in the north of Mauritius?: Yes. The sea stays between 24 and 29 °C. The coolest months are July and August, still warm enough to swim.
Are the beaches public?: All beaches in Mauritius are public up to the high tide line, including in front of hotels. Mont Choisy, Trou aux Biches and Pereybere have free public access and parking.
Is there snorkelling from the beach?: At Trou aux Biches, around the rocks at the southern end, and at Pereybere. For the reef itself, take a boat from Grand Baie.