At a Glance
Belle Mare is the definitive Mauritius beach experience. While the island has dozens of excellent beaches, Belle Mare’s combination of extraordinary length (approximately 8 kilometres from Belle Mare village to Palmar), exceptional sand quality, and the calm, shallow lagoon created by the offshore barrier reef makes it the beach that most completely fulfils the ideal of a tropical Indian Ocean paradise.
Mauritius is a volcanic island approximately 2,000 kilometres off the southeastern coast of Africa, in the southwestern Indian Ocean. Its geography — a central volcanic massif surrounded by a broad, flat coastal plain and enclosed by a continuous barrier reef system — means that much of its coastline is protected from open ocean swell by the reef. On the sheltered eastern coast, where Belle Mare is located, this protection is complete: the lagoon between the beach and the outer reef is extraordinarily calm, clear, and shallow, producing the ideal swimming environment regardless of Indian Ocean weather conditions.
The sand at Belle Mare is famously fine and white — composed of ground coral and shell material bleached to a brilliant white by the tropical sun and the clean Indian Ocean water. It is soft to walk on barefoot and remains relatively cool even at midday thanks to its high reflectivity. The beach is shaded in sections by tall casuarina pines (filao trees as they are known locally), which provide natural windbreaks and shade along the upper beach. The lagoon water ranges from pale aquamarine in the shallows to deeper turquoise where the sandy bottom gives way to the reef edge.
The East Coast Character
Belle Mare and the wider east coast of Mauritius have a distinctly different character from the more developed northwest coast (around Grand Baie and Trou aux Biches). The east coast is less densely developed, more natural in character, and slightly less tourist-infrastructure-heavy — qualities that attract visitors seeking more tranquil beach time and a less commercial atmosphere. The trade wind that blows consistently from the southeast makes the east coast breezy and the lagoon waters gently rippled rather than mirror-calm — a quality that kite surfers particularly prize.
The lagoon at Belle Mare is one of the finest in Mauritius for snorkelling. Coral formations begin at the reef edge (accessible by a short swim or paddleboard), and the fish life — butterflyfish, parrotfish, surgeonfish, and many others — is abundant. Several dive operators work the east coast reef system, which has some of Mauritius’s most accessible drift dives.
How to Get There
By Air
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport (MRU) is the island’s international gateway, located in the southeast of Mauritius — conveniently close to Belle Mare compared to the northwest resort areas. The airport receives flights from:
- Europe: Air Mauritius, Air France, British Airways, Condor, and others from London, Paris, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and other hubs.
- Réunion: Frequent short hop flights.
- South Africa: Multiple daily connections from Johannesburg and Cape Town.
- Middle East and Asia: Dubai (Emirates), Doha (Qatar Airways), and various Asian connections.
The drive from the airport to Belle Mare is approximately 40-50 minutes by taxi or private transfer — one of the shorter airport transfers on the island.
Getting Around Mauritius
- Taxi: Pre-negotiated taxis from the airport are the standard option. Agree on the price beforehand or insist on the meter. Several reliable taxi companies offer fixed airport-to-hotel rates.
- Car rental: The most flexible option for exploring the island independently. Roads are well-paved and driving is on the left (British side). Belle Mare is easily accessed from the M2 motorway and the coast road.
- Bus: Mauritius has an extensive public bus network that is cheap but slow. The Belle Mare area is served by buses from Curepipe and Flacq, but with large luggage or for beach-to-beach exploration, a car is strongly preferred.
The Best Season
Mauritius has a warm tropical climate year-round, with a meaningful distinction between seasons.
- May to November (cooler, drier season — recommended): The southeast trade wind keeps temperatures comfortable (22–26°C / 72–79°F), humidity is low, and rainfall is minimal on the eastern coast. The sea is calm within the lagoon. This is the most pleasant time for extended beach stays — the heat is not oppressive, and conditions are consistently good. June and July have the most reliable trade winds, making this the prime season for kite surfing.
- December to April (hot season): Temperatures rise (28–32°C / 82–90°F) and humidity increases. This is cyclone season — direct cyclone strikes are rare but possible, and the weather can be overcast and occasionally stormy. The sea within the lagoon remains calm during most periods. January and February are the most humid and potentially disruptive months.
- Peak travel periods: Christmas–New Year and the July–August European summer school holidays bring the highest visitor numbers and premium hotel prices.
Accommodation
Belle Mare and the surrounding east coast have some of Mauritius’s most acclaimed resort hotels.
Ultra-Luxury
- One&Only Le Saint Géran: One of the iconic luxury hotels of the Indian Ocean, positioned on a private peninsula with two sides of beach. Extraordinary facilities, exceptional service, and a celebrity-favored atmosphere. One of the most famous resort hotels in Mauritius.
- Constance Belle Mare Plage: A large, beautifully designed luxury resort directly on Belle Mare, with an extraordinary 18-hole golf course designed by Peter Alliss and a genuine commitment to quality across its multiple restaurants and facilities.
- Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita: A short distance north, on a natural lagoon with private villas accessed by private water taxi. One of the finest Four Seasons properties globally.
Upper Mid-Range
- Radisson Blu Poste Lafayette Resort and Spa: A well-regarded property north of Belle Mare with beachfront access, multiple pools, and good watersports.
- Zilwa Attitude: A boutique lifestyle resort at the northern end of the east coast with a local, authentic Mauritian character — a refreshing departure from the typical Indian Ocean luxury resort formula.
Highlights and Activities
Kite Surfing
The consistent southeast trade wind that shapes the east coast’s weather also makes it one of the Indian Ocean’s top kite surfing destinations. Belle Mare and the wider Pointe d’Esny area are popular launch spots, and several schools offer beginner lessons and equipment rental. The Mauritian east coast hosts international kite surfing competitions, a reflection of the consistently excellent wind conditions.
Île aux Cerfs
The island of Île aux Cerfs, accessible by a short boat trip from the Belle Mare area, is one of Mauritius’s most visited attractions — a beautiful, palm-fringed island in a particularly spectacular section of the lagoon with excellent snorkelling, a championship golf course, and a range of watersports. Day trips are easily arranged from Belle Mare hotels or independently from the boat terminal at Trou d’Eau Douce (a few kilometres north).
Snorkelling and Diving
The reef system off the east coast of Mauritius has good coral coverage and abundant fish life. Several dive operators work from Belle Mare and offer dives at multiple sites along the reef, including accessible drift dives in the channels between reef sections. The most celebrated dive site on this coast is the drift dive through Passe de Belle Mare, where the current pulls divers along a wall decorated with sea fans and inhabited by reef sharks.
Rum Distillery Visit
Mauritius is famous for its rum, and the island has several operational distilleries that offer tours and tastings. The Rhumerie de Chamarel in the southwest of the island is the most visited, set in spectacular scenery and producing excellent premium rums from fresh sugar cane. The St Aubin Rum distillery south of Belle Mare in the agricultural heartland of the island is closer and offers an equally authentic experience.
Blue Bay Marine Park
Located at the southern tip of Mauritius near the airport, Blue Bay is a designated marine park with some of the most pristine and accessible coral reef in the country. Snorkelling and glass-bottom boat tours in Blue Bay give direct access to dense, healthy coral gardens — a significantly better snorkelling environment than most of the east coast reef sections, and well worth the 45-minute drive from Belle Mare.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the water at Belle Mare safe for swimming? Very safe. The lagoon created by the offshore barrier reef is calm, warm, and shallow — ideal for all abilities including young children. There are no significant currents within the lagoon, and no large waves reach the beach. Deeper sections of the lagoon can be reached by swimming or paddleboarding. The reef edge itself should be respected — sharp coral and currents in the reef passes are present there.
Does Belle Mare get crowded? Belle Mare’s 8-kilometre length means that even during peak season, the beach never feels oppressively crowded in the way that smaller, more famous beach destinations can. The hotel beaches (technically private but often accessible for non-guests who purchase food or drink) are busier than the public sections. The public sections of the beach, particularly toward the northern Palmar end, are very quiet.
Is Mauritius worth the long-haul flight? For those able to make the journey, Mauritius combines beach quality, resort infrastructure, ecological interest, and cultural richness (a blend of African, Asian, European, and Creole traditions) in a way that few Indian Ocean destinations match. The climate is reliable, the welcome is genuine, and the natural environment — from the extraordinary coastline to the inland sugar plantations and the Black River Gorges National Park — is consistently impressive.
What language is spoken in Mauritius? The official language is English, and most Mauritians in the tourism industry are comfortable speaking English. However, the daily language of most Mauritians is Mauritian Creole, and French is widely used in business and culture. French menus and signage are common throughout the island.