East Coast
Long white-sand beaches, wide lagoons and boat trips to Île aux Cerfs.
Hero image: Arne Müseler, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons.
The East Coast stretches from Poste Lafayette and Roches Noires in the north-east, through Belle Mare and Palmar, to Trou d’Eau Douce and the Beau Champ peninsula near Grande Rivière Sud-Est. Its beaches are among the longest on the island, fronting a wide, shallow lagoon.
Much of the shoreline is occupied by resort hotels, with sugar-cane fields and small villages inland. The coast faces the south-east trade winds, which keep it fresher than the west and bring sunrises rather than sunsets.
East Coast at a glance
- Main places
- Belle Mare, Palmar, Trou d’Eau Douce, Île aux Cerfs, Beau Champ, Poste Lafayette
- From Port Louis
- East across the island via the plateau and Flacq
- Suggested stay
- Four to seven nights
- Best time
- Spring and autumn shoulder months balance warmth and wind
- Landscape
- Long beaches, wide lagoons, islets, cane fields
- Signature drive
- The coast road from Poste Lafayette to Trou d’Eau Douce
Where to stay and what to book
Places to stay
In this East Coast guide
Why visit the East Coast
The East Coast is the island’s classic resort coast: long beaches, calm lagoons and hotels with extensive facilities. It suits couples, families and travellers who want to spend most of their time at one place by the sea.
It is less suited to independent travellers who want to walk to restaurants and shops; distances between villages are larger, and a car or taxis are needed for most outings.
Our East Coast destination guides: Belle Mare, Trou d’Eau Douce, Île aux Cerfs.
Main towns and places
Belle Mare
One of the longest beaches on the island, with a wide lagoon and resort hotels; Palmar and Poste de Flacq continue the same coast.
Trou d’Eau Douce
A fishing village and the main departure point for boats to Île aux Cerfs, with guesthouses and smaller hotels.
Île aux Cerfs
A small lagoon island reached by boat and visited as a day trip for its beaches and water sports.
Beau Champ & Grande Rivière Sud-Est
The southern end of the east coast, where the Grande Rivière Sud-Est reaches the sea and resorts occupy the Beau Champ peninsula.
Poste Lafayette & Roches Noires
A breezier, less developed stretch of the north-east coast near the Bras d’Eau National Park, with villas and small hotels.
The trade winds and the lagoon
The south-east trade winds blow most strongly in the cooler months, roughly June to August. They keep temperatures pleasant but can make the beach breezy and the sea choppy. In the hot summer months the breeze is often welcome.
The lagoon is wide and dotted with islets, and Île aux Cerfs, reached by boat from Trou d’Eau Douce, is the region’s best-known excursion.
Getting there and around
The East Coast is reached from the airport by roads through the east of the island, and from Port Louis across the plateau towards Flacq. Pre-booked transfers are the norm for resort stays.
Taxis are available through hotels; a hire car is useful for exploring. Buses connect the villages with Centre de Flacq.
Best time to visit
The shoulder months either side of winter — roughly April to June and September to December — combine warm weather with gentler winds. Summer brings heat, humidity and the cyclone season.
Destination guides
- Belle Mare — A long white-sand beach and wide lagoon on the central east coast.
- Trou d’Eau Douce — A fishing village and the main boat departure point for Île aux Cerfs.
- Île aux Cerfs — A small lagoon island on the east coast, visited as a day trip by boat.
Nearby regions
North CoastSheltered lagoon beaches, Grand Baie’s restaurants and boat trips to the northern islets.Explore North Coast 
South-East CoastHistoric Mahébourg and the Blue Bay lagoon, the closest coastal base to the international airport.Explore South-East Coast 
Port Louis & Central PlateauThe capital’s markets and heritage sites, and the cooler towns and sacred lake of the uplands.Explore Port Louis & Central Plateau Read next
- Where to stay on the East Coast of Mauritius
- Mauritius tours and activities
- Mauritius travel planning
- All Mauritius destinations
Official sources
Opening hours, entry fees, boat and transport schedules, access rules and park conditions change; check the official source before you travel.
- Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA) — official visitor information
- National Parks and Conservation Service — Black River Gorges and Bras d’Eau national parks
- Mauritius Meteorological Services — forecasts, warnings and cyclone bulletins
Plan your East Coast trip
Choose a base, then use the destination guides to plan your days.
Where to stay, and what to book
Read where to stay in the East Coast to choose an area, then browse East Coast accommodation and Mauritius tours and activities.