Belle Mare Holidays

Life in Belle Mare revolves around the beach and the lagoon. The attractions and things to do here range from snorkelling and underwater walks, to trips with local fishermen to Ile d’Ambre where you can swim, visit age-old ruins and walk through native forest. But Belle Mare is also a gateway to the east coast’s attractions, including the Roche Noires Caves which have numerous lava tubes connected to the sea, transformed into cool freshwater springs where you can swim.

If you hire a car on your Belle Mare holiday, take a drive down the East Road which snakes down from the Grand River South East to Mahebourg. You’ll travel through small agricultural and fishing villages, and see stunning views of the Grand Port mountain range and the lagoon. Be sure to stop at the Pointe du Diable – Devil’s Point – to take some scenic photos and visit the Frederick Hendrik Museum. 

Extending over 1,200 hectares, Le Domaine de L’Etoile is the biggest private nature reserve in Mauritius.  Located between the villages of Montagne Blanche and Kewal Nagar Belle Rive, it has native forests, lush valleys and dense vegetation teaming with rich fauna and protected wild flora. This is a favourite place to go zip-lining, with an impressive three-and-a-half-kilometre ride along seven zip lines, the longest one being 800 metres. The lines offer panoramic views over Le Domaine de L’Etoile, where you might spot Java deer and endemic birds. Other activities include quad biking, horse riding and hiking. 

Golf enthusiasts will be in heaven when they come to the Belle Mare. This part of Mauritius is famous for its world-class golf courses. It has four, to be exact. There’s Anahita Golf Club Mauritius designed, by Ernie Els; the Legend course at Belle Mare Plage; Le Saint Géran Golf Course; and the Bernhard Langer-designed course, found on Ile aux Cerfs just off-shore. So pack your clubs and practise your swing among some pretty amazing backdrops. Plus, as most of these courses are linked to five-star resorts, the standard of upkeep is impressive, as are the facilities. 

In general, the northern and western pockets of Mauritius are warmer and drier than the east and the south. So Belle Mare, in the northeast, is a great place to be. 

You’ll find that weather is most pleasant between April and June, or September to December. During these months, temperatures hover in the mid-to-high twenties – ideal if you’re planning to spend most of your Belle Mare holiday on the beach. January to March tends to be very hot and humid but, if you can take the heat, this the best time for scuba diving. Keen surfers should plan their trip between June and August, when the winds pick up and create stronger waves.

In winter – May to October – Belle Mare is much cooler, as temperatures drop to the low-twenties, and can even reach 18°C on the coast in the evenings.