Mauritius North Coast

The north coast of Mauritius was one of the first to attract holiday-makers/ They come for some of the island’s best soft white sandy beaches. For those that prefer the occasional sortie to off-site shops, bars and restaurants, the north has the only real resort town on Mauritius. Grand Bay is bustling and cosmopolitan. For divers, this area also offers the widest range of dive sites.

One of the two beaches is “La Cuvette. In this discreet hideaway you can still find the rare “tec-tec” hidden in the sand. These are small white shells that need to be preserved. Enjoy a walk through the narrow streets behind the main road to visit some of the small local boutiques. There's also a wide variety of restaurants on offer.

West of Grand Bay is an almost unbroken series of white sandy beaches,  with Trou aux Biches among them. To the east is a quieter region of secluded coves and smaller hotels.

The wind is generally offshore, so the north coast feels more protected and comfortable in the windy winter months. But it also means that it is hotter and more humid in summer.

Another picturesque village in the north of Mauritius is Cap Malheureux. This is famous for its red-roofed church, view of the northern islands and its important fishing community. Notre Dame Auxiliatrice, commonly known as the Red Roof Chapel is well worth a visit. Here you can appreciate the quality of the meticulous carpentry work and its giant clam holy water stoup.