The climate in Mauritius is fairly mild in general and the southern hemisphere location means the seasons are the reverse of those in the UK. Mauritius has year-round heat but sea breezes from the monsoon keep humidity a bit lower, although it can feel humid between December and April.

The most pleasant times for a Mauritius holiday are between April and June and September and December.

In general the West and North of Mauritius are a bit drier and warmer than the South and East of the island.

Summer

The summer months are from December to April, when it can be humid. December, January and February are the hottest months. This is also the season with the highest rainfall, especially on the central highlands. February and March are the rainiest months. The summer is the best time of year for fishing and diving in Mauritius, particularly between December and March.

Coastal temperatures range between 25°C and 33°C in summer. On the plateau it will normally be about 5°C cooler. The highlands are also the wettest part of the island – it can rain here at any time of year, and even when it’s not raining the area can be cloaked in low-lying cloud.

Winter

The winter months of May to November are cooler and drier.

Coastal Temperatures range between 18°C and 24°C in winter.

On the central plateau, the average day temperature is about 20 degrees in August. On the coast, the temperatures are higher by up to 5 degrees. The northern and the western parts of the island are warmer and drier than the eastern and the southern regions. The monsoon breezes cool the south and the east of the island down a little bit in the winter.

When the winds are at their strongest in July and August it can be blustery on the east coast, though the breeze brings welcome relief in summer.

Apart from the Christmas-New Year peak, Mauritius doesn’t really have high and low seasons. The situation is more dependent on outside factors (such as the French school holidays, which cause a big increase in demand and prices in August). This is the best season for surfing (June to August).