Weather in Mauritius

Weather Overview

As an island situated south of the equator, Mauritius has a tropical marine climate which means that the ocean is the main factor influencing the climate. We have only two seasons: summer and winter.

Summer lasts from November to April and winter from May to October but the winter is quite mild. The months of October and May are commonly known as the transition months.

If you enjoy sea, sand and sun, then Mauritius is a perfect destination for you at any time of the year as the Mauritian weather is very pleasant both during summer and winter, thus it allows visitors to have perfect holidays all year round. The temperature ranges from 20 °C to 35 °C throughout the year. In general, along the coastal areas, temperatures are 3 to 5 degrees higher than on the central plateau, with the western and northern regions of the island being warmer and drier. The south east trade winds blow all year round on the island and are moist, as they have passed over warm seas. Mean summer temperature is 24.7 degrees Celsius and mean winter temperature is 20.4 degrees Celsius. As you can see, the temperature difference between the two seasons is 4.3 degrees Celsius only, so winter is not that cold.

The island receives 6.5 to above 8 hours of bright sunshine daily. In summer, the sun rises from around five o’clock in the morning and sets at about seven o’clock in the evening. In winter there is less sunshine, usually from six o’clock in the morning until six o’clock in the evening. 

During summer that is, from November to April, the weather is of course hot but also humid with daily average temperatures of about 20° C to 28° C. The warmest months are January and February with average day maximum temperature reaching 29.2 degrees celsius. It also happens that during this season, the island faces heavy rainfalls, particularly from January to March. Water temperature during the summer months remains around a pleasant 27 degrees. The central plateau in the centre of the island sees temperatures around 22° C that are slightly cooler than on the coast.

Summer is also the period where cyclones can strike the land. Cyclones mainly hit the island on the warmest days between December - February. Cyclones are known by different names in different regions of the planet such as, typhoon, tropical storm, tropical depression, hurricane, or a cyclonic storm. If you are travelling to Mauritius during summer, be sure to pack plenty of light cotton clothing and sun screen.

During winter that is, from June to September, the Mauritian weather is cool, windy, and relatively dry, making it the best time for those who do not like the heat to explore the beauty of the island. Even during the winter months the water temperature sits at an enjoyable 22 °C and around 19° C on the central plateau. The coolest months are July and August when average night minimum temperatures drops down to 16.4 degrees Celsius.

Sea temperatures are generally pleasant throughout the year ranging from 27-28° C in summer to 23-25° C in winter, which is great for holidaymakers. Strong anticyclones in winter may occasionally cause the sea temperature to fall by 2 or 3° C. Though the climate is enjoyable throughout the year, at times the weather may quickly change from scorching heat to pelting rain but the change usually doesn’t last long. The sun normally comes back out again within a few hours. The island also faces a micro climate, which means that it can be raining in one part with dark grey sky, while a few kilometers away the weather can be sunny with a perfectly blue sky.

If you love hiking, you should plan a trip to Mauritius during the winter, when you have less chance of being caught in a torrential rain downpour and have a milder weather to prevent sunburn. For windsurfers as well, winter time, especially June to September, is the best time to visit the island because of the south-easterly trade winds providing great surfing conditions. On the other side if you wish to perfect your suntan then Mauritian summer is the best for you.

This being said you can clearly see that whenever you choose to visit Mauritius, you’ll enjoy a memorable holiday on this paradise island.

Mauritius Weather Summary