Mauritius in December 2026: Christmas, New Year, Weather & Travel Guide

December is when Mauritius stops being a dry-season island and becomes a summer one. The sea reaches roughly 27°C, daytime temperatures sit between 28°C and 31°C depending on which coast you choose, and rainfall roughly doubles to quadruples against November. It is also the month the island celebrates hardest: Christmas Day falls on Friday 25 December 2026, a public holiday, and New Year brings two more on Friday 1 and Saturday 2 January 2027.

So is December a good time to visit Mauritius? Yes, if you want warm sea, long days and a genuine festive atmosphere, and you accept humidity around 80%, short heavy afternoon downpours and the fact that December opens the second month of the official cyclone season. This guide covers the weather station by station, the Christmas and New Year experience, where to stay, and whether November might suit you better.

Mauritius in December: Quick Facts

Climate figures are Mauritius Meteorological Services long-term means (1971–2000) for the four regional reference stations. They describe typical conditions, not a forecast.

Mauritius Weather in December

December sits firmly inside the warm humid season that the Mauritius Meteorological Services defines as November to April. The practical shift from November is not temperature — that rises only about a degree — but rainfall, which increases sharply across every coast.

One rule matters before any of the numbers: these are climate averages, not a forecast. Nobody can tell you what the weather will do on 27 December 2026. December varies considerably year to year, and the figures below describe the shape of a typical December rather than a promise.

The north is the hottest coast by a clear margin, the east the coolest and most humid. Overnight lows barely drop below 21°C anywhere, so evenings stay warm enough for open-air dinners without a layer. On the central plateau around Curepipe and Vacoas, subtract roughly 4 to 5°C from any coastal figure.

Rainfall and humidity

This is where December earns its reputation, and where the coast you choose matters most.

Compare that with November and the change is stark. Western rainfall rises from 25.7mm to 115.6mm — roughly four and a half times. The north goes from 49.5mm to 127.5mm, the east from 82.0mm to 201.8mm. December is the month the wet season arrives.

On the ground this is usually a heavy afternoon downpour that clears within the hour, not grey all-day drizzle. Even on the wettest coast, thirteen days with measurable rain leaves eighteen without, and mornings are frequently bright — which is why local advice is consistent: do the outdoor things early.

Humidity runs 79–84%, up from 77–81% in November and climbing toward the mid-80s by February. At these levels it reads as heavy warmth rather than discomfort, but it makes midday walking harder work than the thermometer suggests.

Sea temperature

Sea surface temperatures around Mauritius average roughly 27°C (81°F) in December, up from about 25.6°C in November and approaching the 27–28°C peak of January to March. That is warm enough for extended swimming with no wetsuit, and warm enough that a single-tank dive needs no thermal protection. Sheltered shallow lagoons — Trou aux Biches, Blue Bay, Flic en Flac — feel warmer still by mid-afternoon.

These are indicative coastal figures rather than an official Meteorological Services product, and individual bays vary.

Sunshine and daylight

Coastal stations record 7.0 to 8.4 hours of bright sunshine daily in December, the east lowest and the south highest. December also brings the longest days of the Mauritian year, with the summer solstice around 21 December giving roughly thirteen and a half hours between sunrise and sunset. In practice you get light from before 5:30am until after 6:45pm — enough for a dawn hike and a full beach afternoon on the same day.

UV is high at 20° south in summer. Midday sun needs managing actively rather than trusting to sunscreen alone.

For the full twelve-month picture, see our guide to the best time to visit Mauritius.

Is December Cyclone Season in Mauritius?

Yes. The official South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season runs from 1 November to 15 May, so December falls inside it. Being within cyclone season does not mean a cyclone will affect your holiday — activity is concentrated in January, February and March, and most December visits pass without any tropical system nearby.

What cyclone season means for a traveller is worth separating from what it sounds like. A named system anywhere in the basin does not imply a threat to Mauritius. Systems that do pass within range usually affect a holiday through rainfall, wind and sea state rather than anything dramatic: excursions cancelled, a rough lagoon, a day rearranged.

The Mauritius Meteorological Services issues cyclone warnings in classes, broadcast on radio, television and its website, and hotels relay them promptly. If a warning is issued, follow official instructions and your hotel's guidance.

Two practical steps cover it. Save the Mauritius Meteorological Services bulletin page to your phone before travelling, and take insurance that explicitly covers weather disruption — bought before any system is named, since cover usually closes once a storm is announced.

None of this should deter a December trip. It should shape how much slack you leave in the itinerary.

Is December a Good Time to Visit Mauritius?

Potential advantages

Potential considerations

Sea around 27°C, among the warmest of the year

Humidity at 79–84% and rising

Daytime highs of 28–31°C

Rainfall two to four times November levels

Longest days of the year

December sits inside cyclone season

Christmas and New Year atmosphere

Strong festive-period demand

Two public holidays around New Year

Popular hotels book well ahead

Lush, green interior after the first rains

Sea excursions more weather-dependent

Full range of activities operating

The recommendation: December suits travellers who want warm water and a festive atmosphere, and who can build flexibility into their days. If your priority is the driest possible weather at the lowest price, travel in November instead. If your priority is Christmas or New Year in the tropics, December is the only month that delivers it, and it delivers well — provided you book early and stay on the drier western or northern coast.

Mauritius in November vs December

The honest summary: November is drier, cheaper and sunnier, with the island's highest sunshine figures of the year. December is warmer in the water and unmatched for atmosphere. Neither is objectively better — they answer different questions.

Read the full month in our Mauritius in November guide.

Christmas in Mauritius 2026

Christmas in Mauritius is a summer holiday, and that reframes everything about it. Expect beach gatherings rather than fireside ones, seafood and barbecue rather than roast dinners, and decorated hotel lobbies with the doors open to 30°C heat.

Christmas Day falls on Friday 25 December 2026 and is an official public holiday, confirmed in the Prime Minister's Office public holidays notice for 2026. With the following weekend, it creates a three-day break for Mauritians.

Mauritius is a multi-faith society, with substantial Hindu, Christian, Muslim and Buddhist communities, so Christmas is widely marked without being universal. Christian communities observe it religiously; many other Mauritians treat it as a family and public holiday. Visitors will see both.

The flamboyant trees: the Mauritian Christmas tree

The clearest sign that Christmas is coming in Mauritius is not a decoration. It is the flamboyant (Delonix regia), which flowers across the island from roughly November to January and peaks through December, turning roadsides, village squares and coastal stretches scarlet.

Mauritians call it the pied bonus — the bonus tree — because its flowering coincides with the period when annual bonuses are paid, and bouquet banane, the yearly bouquet. It is widely described as the Mauritian Christmas tree, and it does the job that a fir does elsewhere: it tells everyone the season has arrived. Native to Madagascar, it was introduced to Mauritius in the first half of the nineteenth century and first planted at the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden and in Port Louis before spreading island-wide.

For photographs, the best-known settings are the red-roofed chapel at Cap Malheureux, where scarlet canopies frame the church against the sea and the northern islands, and the coastal road between Mont Choisy and Pointe aux Canonniers, which becomes a tunnel of colour. Pamplemousses Botanical Garden and the grounds of Château de Labourdonnais both hold mature specimens.

Bloom timing shifts a little year to year with the rains, and an individual tree flowers for a few weeks rather than the whole season. Late November through December is the reliable window.

Christmas Eve

The 24th is the busier evening locally. Families gather, markets are at their most crowded during the day, and midnight Mass is held at Catholic churches across the island. If you want to eat out on Christmas Eve, reserve well in advance — it is one of the tightest nights of the year for tables.

Christmas Day

Expect a quiet island outside the resorts. Government offices close, most shops and businesses shut or run reduced hours, and public transport typically runs a reduced schedule. Hotels, hotel restaurants and the main attractions generally keep operating, but independent restaurants and shops may not — confirm directly rather than assuming.

Public beaches, by contrast, are busy and cheerful. Mauritian families arrive early with food, folding chairs and speakers and stay all day, filling Flic en Flac, Mont Choisy, Belle Mare and Blue Bay. Joining that rather than avoiding it is the better instinct.

Christmas at Mauritius hotels

Resorts decorate from late November and most run some form of festive programme: Christmas Eve dinners, Christmas Day lunches, entertainment and children's activities. The specifics vary by property and change every year.

Important: festive programmes for December 2026 are set by each hotel and are not uniformly published far in advance. Do not assume a gala dinner, menu, entertainment, kids' programme, minimum stay or supplement applies to your booking. Check the property's official website or contact it directly for confirmed Christmas 2026 details — including whether festive dinners are included in your rate or charged separately, which catches out a lot of guests.

New Year's Eve in Mauritius 2026

New Year's Eve is the bigger of the two celebrations in Mauritius, and it has a distinct character. It is less a single organised event than a whole-island one, happening simultaneously in homes, villages, restaurants and resorts.

The Mauritius fireworks tradition

Fireworks are strongly associated with midnight in Mauritius. As the new year arrives, private households, neighbourhoods, businesses and hotels commonly set off fireworks, and the effect across populated coastal areas is a scattered, prolonged display rather than one coordinated show. From a beach or a high vantage point you may see fireworks going off in several directions at once for a sustained period around midnight.

Two honest qualifications. There is no single official island-wide fireworks display that we can confirm, and you should treat any source claiming one with caution. And not every beach, village or hotel will have fireworks — it depends entirely on what people and businesses nearby choose to do that year. If fireworks matter to your plans, ask your hotel directly whether it is holding a display for 31 December 2026, and treat any answer given for a previous year as no guarantee.

Where to celebrate New Year's Eve

Resorts run the most structured celebrations — gala dinners, live music, entertainment past midnight. These are typically charged as a supplement, often compulsory for guests over the date, and they sell out. Confirm the arrangement when booking, not on arrival.

Restaurants in Grand Baie, Flic en Flac, Tamarin and Port Louis run New Year's Eve menus, usually by advance reservation only. Grand Baie is the island's nightlife centre and at its busiest on 31 December, along Royal Road and the Sunset Boulevard area.

Coastal villages and public beaches give the most local experience — families gathering, music, food, fireworks going up from properties nearby. Informal, free, and where you see how Mauritians actually mark the night.

New Year's Day in Mauritius 2027

New Year's Day is quiet in a way the night before is not. It is a family day: long lunches, visiting relatives, time at the beach, and many Mauritians take the whole first week gently.

Public beaches fill from mid-morning. Hotels run relaxed programmes and late breakfasts. Most businesses outside tourism are closed and the island moves slowly, so if you plan to drive, sightsee or shop on 1 January, expect limited options and check ahead.

The festive period genuinely matters to Mauritian families — one of the two main points in the year when extended families gather. Visitors are received warmly, but the day's character is domestic rather than commercial.

Christmas and New Year Public Holidays

Mauritius grants two public holidays for New Year, not one. That is unusual and worth knowing.

• 25 December 2026

• 1 January 2027

• 2 January 2027

The 2026 dates come from the Prime Minister's Office public holidays notice; the 2027 dates from the Cabinet announcement of 28 August 2026, published by the Government Information Service on 1 September 2026.

One technical point for anyone comparing calendars: a 2026 amendment to Mauritian law creates a following-day public holiday when certain holidays fall on a Sunday. Because 2 January 2027 is a Saturday, that rule does not apply and no additional Monday holiday follows.

What public holidays mean in practice. Government offices and banks close. Most shops, supermarkets and independent restaurants close or operate reduced hours. Public transport typically runs a reduced service. Hotels, hotel restaurants and major tourist attractions generally continue operating normally. Specific closures vary year to year and business to business — verify anything your plans depend on directly with the operator.

Best Hotels in Mauritius for Christmas & New Year 2026/27

A necessary caveat first, and it applies to every property below: festive programmes, gala dinners, entertainment, fireworks, children's activities, supplements and minimum stays are set individually by each hotel and change every year. Where a property's 2026/27 festive programme has not been officially published, nothing about it should be assumed. Check the hotel's official website or contact it directly for confirmed Christmas 2026 and New Year 2027 arrangements before booking.

What follows is why each property may suit a festive stay, based on its permanent characteristics rather than any announced programme.

For couples seeking quiet luxury. Royal Palm Beachcomber (north, Grand Baie) has been the island's flagship address for decades, discreet rather than showy, on a sheltered bay. Constance Prince Maurice (east, Poste de Flacq) is small, calm and set on a peninsula. Neither is a party hotel, which is the point.

For large-resort festive atmosphere. One&Only Le Saint Géran and Shangri-La Le Touessrok (both east) are the two most recognised large resorts on the island, with extensive dining, private-island access and the scale to run substantial programmes. LUX Belle Mare and Constance Belle Mare Plage* sit on the finest stretch of sand with multiple restaurants each.

For families. Shangri-La Le Touessrok has villas with private pools and its own island at Ilot Mangénie. Heritage Awali (south, Bel Ombre) sits within a large estate with golf and nature-reserve access. Four Seasons Resort Mauritius at Anahita (east) is villa-based, which suits multi-generational groups.

For dramatic south-west scenery. The St. Regis Le Morne and LUX Le Morne sit beneath Le Morne Brabant, on a coast known for kitesurfing and sunsets. Dinarobin Beachcomber and Paradis Beachcomber* share the same peninsula, with golf attached.

For quieter settings. The Oberoi Beach Resort Mauritius (north-west, Turtle Bay) occupies large gardens on a calm bay. Heritage Le Telfair (south) pairs colonial-style architecture with an estate setting.

A note on coasts: the east holds the greatest concentration of large luxury resorts and the finest sand, but records the island's highest December rainfall. The west and north are drier. If you are choosing a resort primarily for beach weather, weight that.

Compare properties by region in our Mauritius hotels guide.

Which Coast Is Best in December?

No coast is universally best. Each answers a different question.

North (Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy) — the hottest coast at 30.7°C, with 127.5mm rain across ten days and sheltered lagoons. It has the island's widest choice of restaurants, its only real nightlife and most northern boat excursions. Best for first-time visitors, travellers who want to walk to dinner, and anyone planning a lively New Year's Eve.

West (Flic en Flac, Tamarin, Black River) — the driest coast in December at 115.6mm across just seven rain days, with calm water and the island's best sunsets. Dolphin trips, catamaran charters and dive centres cluster here. Best for weather-sensitive travellers, divers and couples.

South-West (Le Morne) — dramatic scenery beneath the UNESCO mountain, strong wind for kitesurfing, excellent sunsets, fewer restaurants outside the resorts. Best for active travellers and those who want scenery over convenience.

East (Belle Mare, Trou d'Eau Douce, Palmar) — the finest white sand and the largest resorts, but also the wettest coast at 201.8mm across thirteen days, the most humid at 84%, and the cloudiest at 7.0 sunshine hours. Best for travellers whose plan is a large resort with everything on site.

South (Blue Bay, Mahébourg, Bel Ombre) — the highest December sunshine at 8.4 hours and the warmest nights, with Blue Bay's marine park offering the clearest snorkelling lagoon on the island. Exposed in places. Best for road trips, Creole village life and travellers who want the quietest coast.

Best Beaches in Mauritius in December

Choose by shelter in December, not just by looks. Sheltered lagoons stay swimmable when open coasts turn rough after a passing system.

Trou aux Biches and Mont Choisy (north) are shallow, calm and shaded by filao trees — the most reliable family beaches on the island. Flic en Flac (west) is long, sheltered and backed by restaurants, on the driest coast. Blue Bay (south-east) is a marine park with exceptionally clear, shallow water and the best beach snorkelling in Mauritius. Belle Mare (east) has the finest sand but the most weather exposure this month. Le Morne (south-west) is spectacular and windier, better for kitesurfing than swimming.

See our full best beaches in Mauritius guide.

Things to Do in Mauritius in December

On the water. The warm sea is December's strongest argument. Snorkelling at Blue Bay Marine Park, catamaran cruises to Île aux Cerfs from Trou d'Eau Douce or to Île aux Bénitiers and Crystal Rock from the west, speedboat trips, and diving on the northern wrecks and drop-offs. Sea excursions depend on conditions — operators cancel or reroute when wind, swell or a warning makes a departure unsafe, and December sees more of this than October or November. Build flexibility into any day that depends on a boat, and book weather-dependent trips early in your stay so there is room to rearrange.

On land. The interior is at its greenest after the first summer rains, and waterfalls run strongly. Black River Gorges National Park has the serious walking; Chamarel combines the Seven Coloured Earths, the waterfall and a rum distillery; Le Morne Brabant is a guided climb best started before 7am in December heat. Tamarind Falls and the Pamplemousses Botanical Garden both reward a morning.

Culture and food. Port Louis Central Market is at its best as summer fruit arrives — lychee peaks in December, alongside mango and pineapple. Village markets at Flacq, Quatre Bornes and Mahébourg run weekly. A road trip through the south, from Mahébourg toward Souillac and Chamarel, is the best way to see the island beyond the resort belt.

Browse the full range in our things to do in Mauritius guide, and plan a route with our Mauritius road trips suggestions.

What to Pack for Mauritius in December

Light breathable fabrics for 28–31°C days with high humidity — linen and cotton outperform synthetics. Swimwear, reef shoes for the lagoons, high-factor sunscreen and a hat for strong summer UV. A packable rain shell rather than an umbrella, since December showers arrive with wind. One long-sleeved layer for evenings, air-conditioned restaurants and the cooler central plateau. Insect repellent containing DEET, picaridin or IR3535 — mosquito activity rises with the wet season, and the Aedes mosquitoes that matter bite in daylight. Something smart for festive dinners, as many resorts apply a dress code on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Walking shoes with grip if Black River Gorges or Le Morne is on the list.

More detail in our mosquitoes in Mauritius guide.

How Far Ahead Should You Book Christmas & New Year?

Earlier than any other period of the year. The festive fortnight from roughly 20 December to 3 January is the highest-demand window in the Mauritian calendar, drawing European, South African and regional visitors simultaneously, and the best-known properties fill first.

As a working guide: six to twelve months ahead for a specific room category at a well-known resort over Christmas or New Year, three to six months for wider availability, and later than that expect to take what remains. Flights follow the same pattern.

Confirm three things at booking rather than later — whether a festive dinner supplement is compulsory and what it costs, whether a minimum stay applies, and what the cancellation terms are. These vary by property and are the most common source of surprise.

Is Mauritius Expensive at Christmas & New Year?

Yes, relative to the rest of the year. The festive fortnight is peak season and rates for the same room sit well above November or the shoulder months. We do not publish percentage increases, because they vary too widely by property, room type and booking channel to state responsibly — compare dated quotes for your own dates instead.

Where the cost sits matters as much as how much. Accommodation carries most of it, and compulsory festive dinner supplements can add a meaningful amount on top of a room rate while being easy to miss when comparing. Excursions, car hire and restaurants outside hotels are broadly similar to the rest of the year.

If budget is the constraint and the festive experience is not essential, moving to early December or to November produces the largest single saving available on a Mauritius holiday.

Final Verdict: Is Mauritius Worth Visiting in December?

Yes, with clear eyes about what you are choosing. December gives you the warmest sea of the year at around 27°C, the longest days, an island at its greenest, and a festive atmosphere that no other month offers. It also gives you 79–84% humidity, two to four times November's rainfall, and a place inside the cyclone season.

The travellers who do best in December are those who base themselves on the drier west or north coast, book early enough to get the property they actually want, schedule outdoor activities for mornings, and keep a flexible day or two for weather. The travellers who should look at November instead are those whose priority is dry weather and value rather than Christmas lights and midnight fireworks.

Choose your coast first, then your hotel, then your days.

Start with our best time to visit Mauritius guide to confirm your month.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do the flamboyant trees bloom in Mauritius?

The flamboyant (Delonix regia) flowers from roughly November to January, peaking through December, which is why Mauritians call it the Christmas tree of the island. Timing shifts slightly each year with the rains. The best-known viewing spots are Cap Malheureux beside the red-roofed chapel, the coastal road between Mont Choisy and Pointe aux Canonniers, and Pamplemousses Botanical Garden.

Is December a good time to visit Mauritius?

Yes, particularly for warm sea and festive atmosphere. December brings sea temperatures around 27°C, daytime highs of 28–31°C and the longest days of the year, along with Christmas and New Year celebrations. The trade-offs are humidity of 79–84%, rainfall two to four times November levels, and the fact that December falls within cyclone season. Book early and stay west or north for the driest conditions.

What is the weather like in Mauritius in December?

Hot, humid and increasingly wet as summer establishes. Coastal daytime averages run from 28.2°C in the east to 30.7°C in the north, with overnight lows around 21°C. Rainfall ranges from 115.6mm in the west to 201.8mm in the east, typically as heavy afternoon showers rather than all-day rain. Humidity sits at 79–84% and sunshine at 7.0–8.4 hours daily.

How hot is Mauritius in December?

Average daytime highs are 30.7°C (87.3°F) in the north, 30.0°C (86.0°F) in the west, 29.2°C (84.6°F) in the south and 28.2°C (82.8°F) in the east. Overnight lows stay between 20.9°C and 21.9°C, so evenings remain warm. Inland on the central plateau it runs 4–5°C cooler. High humidity makes it feel hotter than the numbers suggest during the middle of the day.

Does it rain a lot in Mauritius in December?

More than in November, but not constantly. The west records 115.6mm across seven days with measurable rain; the east records 201.8mm across thirteen. That still leaves the majority of December days dry. Rain typically arrives as a heavy afternoon downpour lasting under an hour rather than sustained drizzle, and mornings are frequently bright.

Is December cyclone season in Mauritius?

Yes. The official South-West Indian Ocean cyclone season runs from 1 November to 15 May, so December is within it. However, activity concentrates in January, February and March, and most December holidays are unaffected. A nearby system more often means rain, wind and cancelled boat trips than anything severe. Follow Mauritius Meteorological Services bulletins and take insurance covering weather disruption.

Can you swim in Mauritius in December?

Yes. Sea temperatures of around 27°C are comfortable for extended swimming without a wetsuit, and the reef creates sheltered, shallow lagoons at most beaches. Conditions vary by coast and day — the east is rougher, the north and west calmer. After heavy rain or a passing system, check local advice before swimming, and stay inside the reef unless you are with an operator.

Is the sea warm in Mauritius in December?

Yes, around 27°C (81°F), up from roughly 25.6°C in November and close to the annual peak of 27–28°C reached between January and March. No wetsuit is needed for swimming, snorkelling or a single dive. Shallow sheltered lagoons such as Trou aux Biches and Blue Bay feel warmer still by mid-afternoon.

Is Christmas Day a public holiday in Mauritius?

Yes. Christmas Day is an official public holiday in Mauritius, falling on Friday 25 December in 2026 according to the Prime Minister's Office public holidays notice. Government offices and banks close, most shops and independent restaurants close or reduce hours, and public transport usually runs a reduced service. Hotels and major tourist attractions generally operate normally.

What happens in Mauritius on Christmas Day?

It is a summer public holiday with a strong beach element. Mauritian families gather early at public beaches such as Flic en Flac, Mont Choisy and Belle Mare with food and music, staying through the day. Christian communities attend church, many having gone to midnight Mass the night before. Resorts run festive lunches and programmes. Most non-tourist businesses are closed.

How does Mauritius celebrate New Year's Eve?

Widely and informally. Families gather for long meals, resorts run gala dinners with live music, restaurants operate set menus by reservation, and beaches and villages fill with people ahead of midnight. Fireworks are strongly associated with the moment the new year arrives, set off by households, neighbourhoods and businesses rather than as one organised event. Grand Baie is the busiest nightlife area.

Are there fireworks in Mauritius on New Year's Eve?

Fireworks are a well-established part of Mauritian New Year celebrations, commonly set off around midnight by private households, neighbourhoods, businesses and hotels. The effect across populated coastal areas is many scattered displays rather than a single coordinated show. There is no confirmed official island-wide display, and not every beach or hotel will have fireworks — ask your property directly about its plans for 31 December 2026.

Is New Year's Day a public holiday in Mauritius?

Yes, and so is the day after. Mauritius grants two public holidays for New Year: Friday 1 January and Saturday 2 January in 2027, per the Cabinet announcement of 28 August 2026. Because 2 January falls on a Saturday, no additional Monday holiday follows. Expect closures of government offices, banks and most non-tourist businesses across both days.

Are hotels busy in Mauritius over Christmas?

Very. The period from roughly 20 December to 3 January is the highest-demand window of the Mauritian year, drawing European, South African and regional visitors at once. Well-known resorts fill months ahead, and specific room categories go first. Book six to twelve months in advance for a particular property over the festive dates, and confirm any minimum-stay requirement when reserving.

Where should I stay in Mauritius for New Year?

Grand Baie in the north if you want atmosphere, restaurants and nightlife within walking distance, as it is the busiest area on 31 December. A west-coast base at Flic en Flac or Tamarin if you want the driest December weather with restaurants nearby. A large east-coast resort if you intend to celebrate on the property. Confirm the resort's New Year arrangements and any compulsory supplement before booking.

Is November or December better for Mauritius?

November is drier, sunnier and cheaper, with rainfall as low as 25.7mm on the west coast and the year's highest sunshine figures. December is about a degree warmer, has a warmer sea at around 27°C, and brings Christmas and New Year — but rainfall rises two to four times and demand peaks. Choose November for weather and value, December for the festive experience.

Which coast of Mauritius is best in December?

The west is driest at 115.6mm across seven rain days, with calm water and most excursion operators nearby. The north is hottest at 30.7°C with sheltered lagoons, the widest restaurant choice and the liveliest New Year. The east has the finest sand and the largest resorts but the highest rainfall at 201.8mm. The south records the most December sunshine at 8.4 hours daily.

What should I pack for Mauritius in December?

Light breathable clothing for hot, humid days, swimwear, reef shoes, high-factor sunscreen and a hat for strong summer UV. Add a packable rain shell rather than an umbrella, a long-sleeved layer for evenings and the cooler plateau, insect repellent with DEET, picaridin or IR3535, and something smart for festive dinners, since many resorts apply a dress code on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve.

What are the best things to do in Mauritius in December?

Make the most of the warm sea: snorkelling at Blue Bay Marine Park, catamaran trips to Île aux Cerfs or Île aux Bénitiers and Crystal Rock, and diving the northern wrecks. Inland, the first summer rains leave Black River Gorges and the waterfalls at their greenest. Add Chamarel, Port Louis market and a southern road trip. Book weather-dependent sea excursions early in your stay.