With a wilder vibe and fewer hotels and resorts than the other coasts of Mauritius, the East Coast is very well suited to travellers who appreciate abundant natural beauty while on their beach holiday. Boasting gorgeous groves of casuarina trees bordering pristine white-sand shores, the beaches here may have a little less in the way of amenities, but if you are keen to get away from the crowds you will love the secluded feel.
There are seven brilliant beaches on the East Coast. The YZ favourites are Belle Mare, Blue Bay and the captivating coastlines of the island known as Ile aux Cerfs. The last of these cannot be described as off the beaten track, but it deserves a mention for providing a great day out. Inland, there is a golf course, and other amenities include a great range of restaurants and a watersports centre. You can easily spend a whole day on the island, enjoying the beaches and the facilities and taking a little time to explore.
Belle Mare
The aptly named Belle Mare – beautiful sea – is a beach we adore. Possibly Mauritius’ longest beach, it begins at the village of Belle Mare and sprawls all the way down the coast to another village, Trou d’Eau Douce (sweet water hole). Due to this impressive length, Belle Mare is very popular with walkers and joggers! It is also renowned for the wonderful depth of its lagoon, the serenity of its waters, and the lush tropical foliage fringing the sands. During the week it is pretty empty; the weekends are busier, but even then the beach is large enough not to feel too crowded.
Blue Bay
We have a lot of love for Blue Bay too. This beach is a short distance from Mahebourg, the main town of Mauritius’ Grand Port District. The ‘Blue’ in the name refers to the astonishing variety of blue hues appearing in the water. Blue Bay is first rate for sunbathing and swimming, in addition to walks along the shore. You can visit Blue Bay Marine Park too, for spectacular snorkelling and gorgeous glass-bottom boat trips! Due to its closeness to Mahebourg, Blue Bay does get a bit hectic at the weekends, but, like Belle Mare, it is very quiet during the week.