Bel Ombre
The south coast’s main resort area, between the sea and forested hills.
Hero image: jokin.lacalle, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Bel Ombre lies on the south coast of Mauritius, where the mountains of the south-west come down close to the sea. A former sugar estate, it is now the south’s main resort area, with hotels set along a beach protected by a reef and a hinterland of forest, cane fields and hills.
The south coast is the island’s least developed shoreline, and Bel Ombre reflects that: it feels more remote than the north or east, with fewer restaurants and shops outside the hotels. In return you get space, greenery and a sense of being away from the busier parts of the island.
At a glance
- Region
- South Coast
- From Port Louis
- South across the plateau or around the west coast
- Suggested stay
- Four to seven nights
- Best time
- Year-round; winter brings stronger winds on the south coast
- Known for
- Resort hotels, a reef-protected beach, forested hills, estate heritage
- Getting around
- Hire car or taxi; few services outside hotels
Where to stay and what to book
Places to stay
In this Bel Ombre guide
Why visit Bel Ombre
Bel Ombre suits travellers who want a resort stay in a greener, quieter setting, with easy access to the south-west’s nature: Chamarel, the Black River Gorges National Park and the coast road towards Le Morne are all within reach.
It is less suited to independent travellers who want to walk out to restaurants each evening. Most visitors here eat at their hotel or drive to dinner.
The beach and coast
The beach at Bel Ombre is protected by a reef and lined with hotels, with public access along the shore. East and west of the resort area the coast becomes wilder, with stretches where the reef is broken and waves reach the shore.
The estate and the hills
Inland, the former estate lands include forest and hill country used for nature walks, quad and jeep excursions and other organised activities. Activities and operators change, so check current options locally. Ask your accommodation about the estate’s nature reserve and the activities currently on offer.
Exploring the south
A car opens up the south coast: Baie du Cap and the coast road west towards Le Morne, Saint Félix and Riambel to the east, and the cliffs of Gris Gris near Souillac. Inland, the road climbs towards Chamarel and the Black River Gorges National Park.
Getting there and around
Bel Ombre is a long drive from the north of the island but closer to the airport in the south-east, via the south coast or the plateau. A pre-booked transfer is the simplest way to arrive.
A hire car is the most practical way to explore; public buses run along the coast but are infrequent.
Best time to visit
The south coast is warm year-round. In the cooler months the trade winds and southern swell are strongest, which can make the coast feel wild. The summer months are hotter and more humid and include the cyclone season.
How long to stay
Four to seven nights suits a resort stay with day trips into the south-west. Combine Bel Ombre with a north- or west-coast base on a longer trip.
Find accommodation in Bel Ombre
Accommodation at Bel Ombre is mainly resort hotels along the beach, with fewer independent options nearby.
Browse Bel Ombre accommodation
Mauritius Travel Guide is independent. Some booking links on this site earn us a commission; see our affiliate disclosure.
Nearby destinations
ChamarelAn upland village known for its waterfall and the Seven Coloured Earth.Read the Chamarel guide 
Le MorneA peninsula beneath Le Morne Brabant, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.Read the Le Morne guide 
Black River Gorges National ParkThe island’s largest national park, a landscape of forested gorges.Read the Black River Gorges National Park guide Frequently asked questions
Is Bel Ombre remote?
It is quieter and more spread out than the north or east coasts, with few services outside the hotels. A car helps.
Is the sea calm at Bel Ombre?
The resort beach is reef-protected, but nearby parts of the south coast are exposed. Follow local advice.
What is there to do near Bel Ombre?
Nature walks and excursions inland, Chamarel, the Black River Gorges and the south and south-west coast roads.
Plan the rest of your trip
- South Coast region guide
- Where to stay on the South Coast of Mauritius
- Chamarel guide
- Self-drive Mauritius
Official sources for Bel Ombre
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 South Coast trip
Compare the places in this region before you choose a base.
Where to stay, and what to book
Browse Bel Ombre accommodation or South Coast accommodation, and see tours and activities. See also where to stay on the South Coast.