Things to do on Mauritius' east coast

The lagoon and its islands

The east coast of Mauritius has a wide, sheltered lagoon, protected by a reef that keeps the water shallow and turquoise. Its best-known day out is Île aux Cerfs, an island of white-sand beaches off Trou d'Eau Douce, with restaurants, water sports and a golf course. Most visitors go by speedboat, often stopping on the way at the Grand River South East (GRSE) waterfall, and lunch on the beach at Îlot Mangénie next door or on the island itself. The quieter islands and snorkelling spots further along the coast are reached on private trips.

Our east-coast boat trips are listed above, from the simple taxi boat to a private day for your group.

Beaches

• Belle Mare and Palmar: a long stretch of fine sand and calm, clear water, lined with casuarina trees. Good for a lazy morning before or after a boat trip.
• Trou d'Eau Douce: the fishing village where the boats leave from, with a public beach and small restaurants.
• Poste Lafayette: wilder and windier, popular with kitesurfers.

Nature and walks

• Bras d'Eau National Park, near Poste de Flacq: easy forest trails, an old pond and quiet birdlife, a short drive from the Belle Mare hotels.
• Lion Mountain, further south above Vieux Grand Port: a steep half-day hike with wide views over the south-east lagoon. Go early with good shoes and plenty of water.

Villages and markets

• Central Flacq market: one of the biggest markets on the island, busiest on Wednesdays and Sundays, for fruit, spices and street food.
• Trou d'Eau Douce for a fresh fish lunch by the water after your trip.

Planning your east-coast day

• Most boat trips leave Trou d'Eau Douce between 09:00 and 09:30 and come back mid-afternoon, so stay on the east coast the night before or book an early taxi.
• From Grand Baie, allow about an hour by road; from the south-west, about an hour and a half to two hours.
• The trade winds blow from the south-east, so the east coast is fresher than the west, especially from June to August. The lagoon stays sheltered by the reef.
• September to December brings the calmest sea and the clearest days.

Planning more of your trip? Our local team is on WhatsApp and happy to help.

Questions

What is the best thing to do on the east coast of Mauritius? For most visitors it is a day on Île aux Cerfs by speedboat, with the GRSE waterfall and a beach BBQ lunch.

How long should I spend on the east coast? A day is enough for the islands. Two or three days let you add the beaches, a walk in Bras d'Eau and a market morning.

Is the east coast good for families? Yes: the lagoon is shallow and calm, and most boat trips welcome children, with babies travelling free.