Belle Mare

Belle Mare is a long white-sand beach on the east coast of Mauritius, backed by a number of hotels. The lagoon holds plenty of marine life, with eagle rays and reef sharks often seen near the barrier reef, making it a good base for diving and snorkelling. Facing east, it is well placed for sunrise.

Belle Mare Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches on the east coast of Mauritius and holds a very special reputation among locals and visitors of the island! Blame it on its beauty, it is one of the loveliest stops while on holiday in Mauritius.

Yet another white-bone sand beach that makes it to the top of Mauritius best beaches list. The area is coupled with an array of hotels as well.

Belle Mare is equally blessed with a sacred lagoon, rich in marine species and there are often sightings of eagle rays and reef sharks close to the barrier reefs.

Diving and snorkelling in Belle Mare could be an ultimate option to add when considering what to do in Mauritius.

THE UNIQUE MAURITIUS EXPLORED BEACH REALITY GUIDE

At a glance

• The experience — A long stretch of fine sand with plentiful shade, several access points and hotels towards both ends. There is room to choose a section that suits your visit.
• Mauritius Explored beach score — 8/10. The fine sand, long beachfront and shaded picnic spots are the main strengths, while deeper water calls for care.
• Best suited to — A full beach day under the trees, a walk along the shore and swimming for confident swimmers when conditions allow.
• Not ideal for — Visitors expecting consistently shallow water or easy access to the best snorkelling directly from shore.

What to know before arriving

• Several entrances — Belle Mare has multiple beach access points. Choose your entrance according to where you want to spend the day rather than assuming every approach leads to the same facilities.
• Limited parking spots — Parking is available at a few locations along the beach. Allow extra time to find a suitable space during busy summer weekends.
• Natural shade — Filao trees provide plenty of shade along the beachfront. A shaded spot makes a useful base for a longer visit.
• Hotels at either end — Hotels sit towards both ends of the beach. The setting changes as you walk between the public beach sections and hotel frontages.

Swimming, snorkelling and lagoon conditions

• Swimming — The lagoon can become deep, so confident swimming ability is important. Check the depth and conditions where you enter rather than judging the whole lagoon from the water’s edge.
• Deeper sections — This is a fairly large lagoon with substantial changes in depth. Our local notes describe places deeper than 10 metres; do not assume that the lagoon is shallow throughout.
• Snorkelling — Excellent in our local assessment, although the better areas can be well away from shore. This is not a simple shallow-water snorkelling stop.
• Offshore access — Do not swim a long way out simply to reach better snorkelling. Ask a local provider about suitable guided access, conditions and the swimming ability required.
• Safety — Stay within your ability, avoid swimming alone and keep clear of watersports routes. If you are unsure about depth or conditions, enjoy the beach from shore.

Crowds, sand and atmosphere

• Weekdays — Usually light footfall, with some sections very quiet.
• Weekends — Typically a moderate crowd, becoming packed during busy summer periods.
• Peak local season — Particularly popular with local families towards the end of the year and on public holidays.
• Sand — Fine sand makes the beach appealing for walking, sitting out and spending a full day beside the lagoon.

Facilities, refreshments and getting there

• Public amenities — Public toilets are available on site. With several entrances along a long beach, locate the facilities before choosing where to settle.
• Parking — A few parking areas serve the beachfront. Keep access routes clear and use suitable spaces rather than obstructing the roadside.
• Food and essentials — A few convenience shops and restaurants are available nearby. Bring water and snacks if you plan to stay in one beach spot for the day.
• Public transport — Bus connections are available from Curepipe, Quatre Bornes and Port Louis. Check the route, any changes needed and the return timetable before travelling.
• Sea activities — Local providers offer parasailing and other sea activities. Confirm the departure point, conditions, suitability and inclusions before booking.

What makes Belle Mare distinctive

• Space to choose your setting — The length of the beach and its different entrances let you explore more than one section before settling down.
• Shade for a full beach day — The filao-lined shore offers places to spend time out of the direct sun between walks or swims.
• Local holiday atmosphere — Summer gatherings and public-holiday beach days are part of Belle Mare’s character, with a quieter feel during many weekdays.
• Look up into the trees — Endemic bats have been spotted in the filao trees in our local observations. Look from a distance without approaching or disturbing them.

Mauritius Explored local tips

• Choose a filao-shaded base — Find a comfortable spot under the trees for the day, keeping paths clear and allowing for the shade to move as the sun changes position.
• Arrive earlier on busy days — Give yourself time to find parking and a shaded place during summer weekends and public holidays.
• Check depth before swimming — Clear-looking lagoon water can still be deep. Choose your entry and exit points carefully and stay within a comfortable distance of shore.
• Plan snorkelling separately — Treat offshore snorkelling as an activity to arrange carefully, rather than an automatic extension of a beach swim.
• Pack for a longer stay — Bring drinking water, sun protection and food if needed. Take your rubbish away and leave the shaded picnic area clean.