Your Time: Time in Mauritius: 13:23
1:00 PM, Mon 23rd Dec
Sunrise 05:28
Sunset 18:50
Temp feels like:
29ºC (84 ºF)
Length of day:
13h 22m
Pressure:
30" (1016 hpa)
Visibility:
6 miles (10 km)
Wind speed:
22 km/h
Mauritius is an island nation that lies off the coast of Africa in the south west of the Indian Ocean. It sits 900km to the east of Madagascar.
This beautiful island is one of the richest countries in Africa. It's also one of the leading tourist destinations in the world. Seven million visitors come across the year, including an estimated 100,000 British tourists.
Heaven On Earth
Mauritius plays host to some of the most spectacular beaches in all of the Indian Ocean such as Grand Bay, Belle Mare, Blue Bay, La Morne and Tamarin and Flic en Flac.
The island is known for its amazing natural beauty. Mark Twain famously said that heaven was actually a copy of Mauritius.
The climate in Mauritius is largely tropical, though the humid hot conditions are moderated by the southeast trade winds that blow across the region.
Mauritian Geography
The topography of Mauritius is varied so you will see significant regional variations as you move up and down elevations and move in and away from the coast.
The northern and western areas of the island tend to be warmer and drier than the eastern and southern regions of Mauritius. Also, along the coast, temperatures tend to be higher by about three to five degrees throughout the year.
Mauritius is situated just above the Tropic of Capricorn, resulting in the island experiencing a high dosage of daylight and sunshine hours throughout the year.
How Much Sunshine Does Mauritius Get?
On average the island of Mauritius receives between six and a half to eight hours of sunshine per day, whereas the coastal regions are exposed to over eight hours of sunshine during the summer.
In the winter months there is slightly less sunshine, usually averaging out around five to seven and a half hours of sunshine per day.
The north of Mauritius enjoys one hour more of sunshine during most of the year than the Central Plateau and Eastern region.
How Hot Is Mauritius?
Over the course of a year, the temperature varies from 19°C to 30°C, and rarely drops below 17°C or exceeds 31°C. In Mauritius, the warm season usually lasts from early December until the beginning of April, with an average daily high temperature of above 29°C.
The cold season usually lasts from June 15 until September 21, with an average daily high not much below 25°C. It's predicted that the coldest day of year will fall on August 18 with an average low of 19°C and a high of 24°C.
What's Mauritius Like At Christmas?
Mauritius is perfect to visit all year round. The highest temperatures of the year are usually expected around December, making it an ideal location for a sunny Christmas holiday.
Hotels in Mauritius are surprisingly affordable the island boasts some of the best value deals in the region. There are wide variety of water sports, high-end spas, golf courses and gourmet cuisine available on this tropical paradise.
How Hot Is Mauritius In Summer?
From November to May Mauritius swelters through a hot, wet and humid summer that sees daily averages sit at about 20°C to 28°C, reaching into the 30s when you're on the coast.
The Central Plateau in the heart of the island sees temperatures that are slightly cooler than on the coast. This makes it a great region for hiking and exploring the once volcanically active region. Now the island boasts a wealth of interesting mountain ranges, waterfalls and cliffs to explore.
Balmy Water Temperatures
The coastal region is generally about 5°C higher than the interior part of the island. Though in the height of summer you can find relief from the heat in the beautiful waters of the Indian Ocean, which luckily see glorious temperatures close to 27°C.
Even in the winter months, the water temperature sits at an enjoyable 22°C, making it warm enough to take part in water sport activities such as windsurfing, kayaking, parasailing and of course swimming.
Does It Rain A Lot In Mauritius?
From January to March you will find Mauritius in the midst of its 'rainy season,' which is particularly noticeable in the Central Plateau.
The probability of rain varies throughout the year. But it's most likely around February 19, when it's 64% likely. Precipitation is least likely around November 24 at 39%.
During the summer season, there is a 57% chance of rain. But this usually falls in short, heavy bursts, before the sunshine soon returns!
When Is It Good To Go To Mauritius?
Summer in Mauritius is a great time to visit as temperatures are hot! The peak season for Mauritius is in December and January when winter descends upon northern Europe.
However, if you want to avoid the peak period head to Mauritius in February, March and April, when visitor numbers are lower but the climate is still very pleasant.
How Humid Is Mauritius In WInter?
From May to November Mauritius enjoys a warm, dry winter. It's only slightly cooler than summer and conditions aren't as wet and humid.
In saying this, relative humidity is high the whole year particularly in the centre of the island where daily average humidity sits over 90% across the whole year. The west coast of the island is generally the least humid where daily averages sit at about 75% to 80% all year.
How Hot Is Mauritius In Winter?
During winter the average maximum temperature can reach 30°C, while the minimum temperature ranges from 17°C to 20°C.
How Wet Is Mauritius In WInter?
It's usually the summer season which receives the most rainfall. The wettest month of the year is usually February, where over 300mm of rain is predicted.
What's The Largest City in Mauritius?
The largest city on the island is also its capital; Port Louis lies on the north-west coast. You'll find a vibrant island capital which is becoming increasingly cosmopolitan and plays host to a vibrant nightlife.
Port Louis sees its highest temperatures in December to April where daily highs sit at about 29°C to 30°C and minimums very rarely fall below 23°C. Throughout the year the average hours of daily sunlight measures seven to nine hours a day with October to December seeing the most daily sunlight
Tropical Hurricanes In Mauritius
From November to April the island is subject to tropical hurricanes. 1994 and 2002 have been the two worst cyclones in recent years when cyclone Hollanda (94) and Dina ravaged the island.
The Sumatra Tsunami
On December 26, 2004, 14 countries in Southeast Asia and Southern Africa were devastated by the Sumatra tsunami, killing over 230,000 people.The tsunami was caused by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake, which created waves up to 30 metres high.
When the waves eventually reached Mauritius they were significantly reduced in size and strength, therefore causing little damage to the island. Cap Malheureux Beach located in north of Mauritius was submerged with seawater for nearly three hours.
The Sumatra-Andaman earthquake was recorded as the third largest earthquake to ever occur in history, so Mauritius was extremely lucky to escape with hardly any damage.