East: Belle Mare, Ile aux Cerfs & Flacq
Belle Mare & Palmar — Dream beaches of the east coast
Belle Mare is the beach most people envision when they think of Mauritius: Over two kilometers of sugar-white sand, Filao trees providing gentle shade, and a sea shimmering in at least five different shades of turquoise and blue. The offshore coral reef breaks the ocean waves, creating a calm, shallow lagoon — perfect for swimming and snorkeling, even for children.
The beach of Belle Mare seamlessly transitions into Palmar Beach — together they form the longest uninterrupted stretch of beach on the island. Although some of the best luxury resorts are located here (including the legendary LUX* Belle Mare and Constance Belle Mare Plage), the beaches, like everywhere in Mauritius, are publicly accessible. The northern section at Belle Mare is quieter, while the Palmar area in the south is more popular with locals on weekends.
Snorkeling & Underwater World
The reef off Belle Mare is one of the best snorkeling spots on the island. Just a few meters from the beach, you can reach coral formations with parrotfish, trumpetfish, starfish, and occasionally sea turtles. For deeper reef sections, local boatmen offer short trips to the outer reef (from 500 MUR / 10€). The best visibility is in the morning before the wind picks up.
Poste de Flacq
A few kilometers south lies the beach of Poste de Flacq — less known, less visited, but just as beautiful. Here, there are no luxury resorts, but Mauritian families picnic under the trees, fishermen pull their pirogues ashore, and life flows at its own rhythm. A place for those who want to leave touristy Mauritius behind.
Tipp
The east coast catches the southeast trade winds — meaning a bit more wind than in the west, especially from June to September. Perfect for kiters and windsurfers, but for a windless beach day, the west coast (Le Morne, Flic en Flac) is better during this time.
Ile aux Cerfs — The dream island
The Ile aux Cerfs (Deer Island) is Mauritius' most visited island and synonymous with a tropical paradise. Located off the east coast, it can be reached in 15 minutes by speedboat or on a leisurely catamaran tour from Trou d'Eau Douce. What awaits you: dazzling white sand, crystal-clear water, and a tropical picture-book setting that fills Instagram accounts worldwide.
What the island offers
- Beaches: Several beautiful beach sections, some lively with water sports offerings, others secluded and quiet. The north side is the busiest, while the east and south sides offer more tranquility.
- Water sports: Parasailing, glass-bottom boat, pedal boats, kayak rental, and banana boat. All centrally bookable on the island.
- Golf course: The Ile aux Cerfs Golf Club designed by Bernhard Langer (18 holes, Par 72) is considered one of the most beautiful golf courses in the world — with ocean views from almost every hole. Green fee: from 5,000 MUR (100€).
- Restaurants & bars: Several beach bars and restaurants on the island, from casual BBQ to upscale seafood lunch.
The best way to Ile aux Cerfs
Most visitors book a catamaran full-day tour (from 2,000 MUR / 40€), which includes a snorkeling stop at the reef, BBQ lunch on the island, and a stop at the GRSE Waterfall (Grand River South East Waterfall) — the largest waterfall that flows directly into the sea. With rum punch and Sega music on board, the trip itself is an experience.
Alternatively: Speedboat transfer from Trou d'Eau Douce (from 500 MUR / 10€ return, 15 min.) — for those who want to spend their own time on the island and not be tied to a tour.
Achtung
Ile aux Cerfs is very crowded on weekends and holidays — Mauritian families love the island just as much as tourists. It is much quieter during the week. Bring sunscreen and water (everything is more expensive on the island). And leave no trash behind — the island suffers from its success.
Flacq — The authentic market
To experience the real Mauritius beyond the beaches and resorts, you must go to Centre de Flacq. The small town in the inland of the eastern region is the economic center of the district and home to the largest open-air market on the island. Every Wednesday and Sunday, the place transforms into a bustling spectacle of colors, smells, and tastes.
The Flacq Market
The market is huge and stretches over several halls and adjacent streets. Here, Mauritians buy their groceries — not a tourist trap, but authentic everyday life. What you will find:
- Tropical fruits: Mangoes, pineapples, papayas, passion fruit, lychees, jackfruit, longan, guava — the variety is overwhelming, and the prices are a fraction of supermarket prices.
- Spices: Turmeric, cardamom, cumin, cinnamon, chili, fresh curry leaves — Mauritius' Indian heritage is displayed in all its glory in the spice section.
- Street food: Dholl Puri, Roti, Briani, Gâteau Piment, Alouda (a pink, milky drink with basil seeds) — try your way through the stalls. Everything for under 50 MUR (1€).
- Textiles & souvenirs: Sarongs, dodo figures, model ships (Mauritius' craft tradition), vanilla, and local spice mixes as souvenirs.
On Sunday, the market is at its largest and most colorful — but also the fullest. Wednesdays are a bit quieter. Come in the morning (before 10 a.m.) for the best selection and the most pleasant temperatures.
Around Flacq
Flacq is also a good starting point for excursions into rural Mauritius: Sugar cane fields stretch in all directions (Mauritius consists of over 80% sugar cane), small Hindu temples stand at crossroads, and the coastal towns of Roches Noires and Poste Lafayette in the north offer wild, untouched beaches without tourists — just you, the sand, and the sea.
Trou d'Eau Douce & the east coast villages
Trou d'Eau Douce (literally: "Hole of sweet water") is a picturesque fishing village on the east coast and the main jumping-off point for Ile aux Cerfs. But the village deserves more than just a transit stop — it has its own quiet charm that reflects rural Mauritius.
Discovering the village
The small bay of Trou d'Eau Douce is lined with colorful pirogues (traditional Mauritian fishing boats) that return every morning with fresh catch. At the pier, you can watch the fishermen at work and buy fresh fish directly. In the village itself, there are some excellent restaurants serving fresh seafood at fair prices — octopus curry, grilled sea bass, shrimp in garlic butter. Much cheaper than in resort restaurants and at least as good.
East coast atmosphere
The east coast south of Belle Mare is the quietest Mauritius: Small villages like Grande Rivière Sud-Est, Beau Champ, and Deux Frères live from fishing and sugar cane harvesting. There are no boutiques, no nightclubs, no souvenir shops — just friendly people, traditional Creole wooden houses with colorful shutters, and the rhythm of the sea.
GRSE Waterfall
The Grand River South East Waterfall is a unique natural phenomenon: A wide waterfall that plunges directly into the ocean, surrounded by mangrove forests and tropical vegetation. Accessible by boat from Trou d'Eau Douce (usually part of the Ile-aux-Cerfs tours) or via a hiking trail from the road. Particularly impressive after rainfall — then the masses of water thunder into the sea with brute force.
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