Belle Mare
A long white-sand beach and wide lagoon on the central east coast.
Hero image: Гульнара Бектемировна, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Belle Mare lies on the central east coast of Mauritius, where a long, almost continuous beach of pale sand runs past Palmar and Poste de Flacq. A wide lagoon separates the shore from the reef, giving calm, shallow water in front of much of the beach.
The area is dominated by resort hotels, many of them large, set along the shoreline with the public beach running in front of them. Behind the coast lie sugar-cane fields and small villages rather than a town, so Belle Mare is a place to stay put and enjoy the beach rather than to explore on foot.
At a glance
- Region
- East Coast
- From Port Louis
- East across the island via the plateau and Flacq
- Suggested stay
- Four to seven nights for a beach holiday
- Best time
- September to December and April to June balance warmth and wind
- Known for
- A long beach, wide lagoon, resort hotels, sunrise
- Getting around
- Taxi or hire car; few services within walking distance
Where to stay and what to book
Places to stay
In this Belle Mare guide
Why visit Belle Mare
Belle Mare offers one of the island’s longest and most attractive beaches, and a sense of space that the busier north coast rarely matches. It is a strong choice for couples and families planning a resort-based holiday, and the public beach is popular with Mauritians at weekends.
The east coast faces the south-east trade winds. They keep temperatures pleasant, but in the cooler months they can make the beach breezy and the sea choppier. Sunrise rather than sunset is the view here.
The beach and lagoon
The public beach at Belle Mare has shade from casuarina trees and room to spread out even when busy. The wide lagoon is generally calm close to shore, and water-sports centres at the hotels offer kayaks, paddleboards and boat trips.
Palmar and Poste de Flacq
Palmar, to the south of Belle Mare, continues the same beach and has further hotels and some smaller guesthouses. Poste de Flacq, to the north, has resorts on a small peninsula. Both are covered within Belle Mare for planning purposes.
Beyond the beach
Boat trips to Île aux Cerfs leave from Trou d’Eau Douce, a short drive south. The town of Centre de Flacq, inland, has a busy market and is the area’s commercial centre.
Getting there and around
From the airport in the south-east, Belle Mare is reached along roads through the east of the island; from Port Louis the route crosses the plateau towards Flacq. A pre-booked transfer is simplest on arrival.
There is little within walking distance beyond the hotels and the beach. Taxis can be arranged through accommodation, and a hire car is useful for day trips.
Best time to visit
The east coast is warm year-round. In the cooler months, from about June to August, the trade winds are strongest, which some visitors find refreshing and others find too breezy for beach days. The shoulder months either side of winter are a good compromise.
Summer (about November to April) is hotter and more humid and includes the cyclone season; follow official bulletins if travelling then.
How long to stay
Four to seven nights suits a resort-based beach holiday. With a longer trip, many visitors spend part of it here and part on the sheltered west or north coast.
Find accommodation in Belle Mare
Belle Mare is a resort area: most accommodation is beachfront hotels, with a smaller choice of guesthouses and villas inland and around Palmar.
Browse Belle Mare accommodation
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Nearby destinations
Trou d’Eau DouceA fishing village and the main boat departure point for Île aux Cerfs.Read the Trou d’Eau Douce guide 
Île aux CerfsA small lagoon island on the east coast, visited as a day trip by boat.Read the Île aux Cerfs guide 
MahébourgA historic town on the bay of Grand Port, close to the airport.Read the Mahébourg guide Frequently asked questions
Is Belle Mare windy?
It can be, especially in the cooler months when the south-east trade winds are strongest. The breeze is often welcome in summer.
Is Belle Mare beach public?
Yes. Beaches in Mauritius are public, and Belle Mare has a well-used public section.
Is Belle Mare good for families?
The wide, shallow lagoon and resort facilities suit families well; check hotel facilities individually.
Plan the rest of your trip
- East Coast region guide
- Where to stay on the East Coast of Mauritius
- Île aux Cerfs guide
- Mauritius travel planning
Official sources for Belle Mare
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
- Mauritius Meteorological Services — forecasts, warnings and cyclone bulletins
Plan a East Coast trip
Compare the places in this region before you choose a base.
Where to stay, and what to book
Browse Belle Mare accommodation or East Coast accommodation, and see tours and activities for lagoon and island trips. See also where to stay on the East Coast.