Best Beaches for Families in Mauritius: Calm Lagoons, Shade and Safety

Choosing the right beach as a family: the criteria that matter

Travelling as a family with toddlers or primary-school-age children calls for a careful choice of beach. The beauty of a photogenic lagoon isn’t enough if the water gets deep right from the entry point, if sea urchins carpet the bottom, or if unpredictable little waves could knock a five-year-old off balance. The ideal family beach meets other criteria: calm, shallow water over a wide area, a sandy bottom free of rocks or sharp coral within walking distance of the shore, natural shade to protect sensitive skin, and practical facilities (restrooms, parking, water and ice-cream vendors nearby).

Mauritius has many beaches, but not all of them meet these criteria. Some have a distant reef barrier that creates an idyllic lagoon but with stray waves near the reef flat. Others have rocky areas at the water’s edge. Still others are exposed to wind and current during the austral winter. This guide selects the beaches that genuinely tick every box for a successful family beach holiday.

At a glance

Where	North (Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy, Pereybere), East (Belle Mare), South (Blue Bay)
Price	Free — all beaches in Mauritius are public by law
Time needed	Half a day to a full day depending on the beach
How to get there	A rental car is advisable for the east and south; bus is possible for the north
Best time to go	May to December, avoiding the January-February lull (rainy season)

Trou aux Biches: the go-to family beach in the north

Trou aux Biches is often ranked as the best beach in Mauritius for families, and deservedly so. Located on the north-west coast, about twenty kilometres north of Port Louis, it offers exactly what you look for on an ideal family holiday.

The lagoon here is remarkably clear, a signature turquoise-blue, and shallow for several dozen metres from the shore. A 4-year-old can paddle around, an 8-year-old can swim independently under supervision, and an adult can walk a long way before the water rises above the waist. The bottom is fine sand with no obstacles.

The beach is lined with filaos, those tropical maritime pines that provide light, natural shade. That shade is precious between 11am and 3pm when the sun is at its strongest: children can rest in the shade without having to head to the hotels’ paid parasols.

Public toilets are nearby. A few street vendors and snack stands can be found along the road. A large hotel (Veranda Trou aux Biches) sits on the beach but doesn’t privatise public access. Bus services connect Trou aux Biches to Grand Baie (10 minutes) and Port Louis (30 minutes).

One caveat: on weekends, the beach is popular with Mauritian families who come to picnic, creating a lively atmosphere that some will enjoy but which is a little less peaceful than other spots.

Mont Choisy: the north’s big family beach

A few kilometres south of Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy is a large public beach that belongs to state land. Very long (over a kilometre), lined with a dense pine grove that provides shade, it’s especially popular with local Mauritian families at weekends.

Mont Choisy’s lagoon is calm and shallow, comparable to that of Trou aux Biches. The water is clear. Children can play and swim safely. The beach has designated picnic areas with tables and public barbecues, used mainly on Sundays by Mauritian families.

On the practical side: free, spacious parking, a few snack stands and fresh fruit vendors, and easy bus access from Grand Baie. Non-motorised water sports (kayak, pedalo) are available for rent on the beach.

The atmosphere here is more relaxed and more local than in the resort areas. It’s a great beach for observing authentic Mauritian family life, which is in itself an enriching travel experience.

Pereybere: the lively beach near Grand Baie

Pereybere is a small public beach about 3 kilometres north-east of Grand Baie. It’s very popular, especially with families and young people, and has a relaxed, convivial atmosphere.

Its lagoon is sheltered and easy to enter. Rocks at the edge of the zone naturally mark out the swimming area. The beach has public toilets, a handful of seafront restaurants (fish, Creole dishes at reasonable prices) and vendors selling coconut water and ice cream.

The downside of Pereybere is its popularity: in high season and on weekends it can get very crowded, and space is limited. But for a weekday visit, it’s an excellent family spot just minutes from Grand Baie.

Belle Mare: accessible luxury for families

Belle Mare, on the east coast, is mentioned repeatedly in our accommodation guides for its large resorts. But Belle Mare’s public beach is also open to families who aren’t staying at the neighbouring hotels.

What makes Belle Mare an exceptional beach for children: the lagoon is very wide (the reef barrier lies several kilometres from the shore), meaning calm, gentle and shallow water over a very large area. Even on windy summer days, the water at Belle Mare stays swimmable.

The sand is remarkably white and fine. Children love digging sandcastles in it. The beach is long and uncrowded on weekdays. On the downside, public facilities (restrooms, parking) are more limited than in the north. A car is essential to get there from most accommodation.

For families staying at a Belle Mare resort, the beach is accessible directly from the hotel with all the associated services (sun loungers, water sports, beach bar). It’s an ideal combination.

Blue Bay: an underwater wonder for children

Blue Bay is a beach that leaves a lasting impression on children. Not necessarily because the sand is the finest or the lagoon the most turquoise, but because the marine life is extraordinarily visible from the surface.

With just a mask and snorkel, children aged 6 and up discover a world of colourful tropical fish, coral, and sometimes sea turtles. It’s a sensory and educational experience that goes well beyond what most of the island’s beaches offer.

Blue Bay’s lagoon is protected by its marine park status. The water is generally calm and clear. Depth varies: near the shore it’s suitable for children; moving towards the reef, it becomes deeper. Supervision is essential for younger children.

The beach has a few services (snorkelling gear rental, fruit vendors), nearby parking, and the buzz of glass-bottom boat trips that depart regularly. Mahebourg, 5km away, provides restaurants and amenities. For a guided discovery of the lagoon and coral, guided snorkelling trips in Blue Bay are available with equipment provided — particularly well suited to children trying snorkelling for the first time.

Pointe aux Canonniers and Cap Malheureux: the quiet north coast

The northern tip of the island offers several small coves and beaches that are less crowded than Grand Baie. Cap Malheureux, with its famous red church, is also fringed by a calm little beach with a shallow lagoon. The atmosphere is quieter than in the main tourist areas.

These beaches suit families looking for calm who have a car to get there. They’re less well equipped (few restrooms, few nearby shops) but offer welcome tranquillity.

La Cuvette in Grand Baie: practical and well equipped

La Cuvette is a small sheltered beach tucked into a natural cove in Grand Baie. Its microenvironment makes it particularly calm: shielded from the wind by the surrounding land, its water is almost always still. It’s one of the few beaches in Grand Baie where swimming is genuinely comfortable for children.

Its location right in the centre of Grand Baie is a considerable practical advantage: restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies and transport options are all a 5-minute walk away. Ideal for families without a car staying in Grand Baie.

The downside: the beach is small and can get crowded in high season. Get there early for a good spot.

Flic-en-Flac: the west’s long beach, well suited to families

The long beach at Flic-en-Flac is popular with families for its length (over 3 km), which guarantees there’s always room to spread out. The water is generally calm and shallow in the central zone, protected by the west coast’s reef barrier.

Services here are well developed: numerous seafront restaurants, nearby supermarkets, and a few water sports equipment rental vendors. The beach is accessible by bus from Port Louis and Quatre Bornes.

One point to note: certain areas of Flic-en-Flac can be affected by seasonal seaweed. Hoteliers in the area regularly clean their stretch of beach. Public areas between the hotels are cleaned less consistently.

Which beach suits your child’s age

All the beaches in this list are suitable for families, but some suit certain age groups better than others. This table helps narrow down the choice.

Child’s age	Best-suited beaches	Why
0-3 years (babies, unsteady walkers)	Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy	Very shallow water over a wide area, sandy bottom with no obstacles, natural shade close to the shore
4-7 years (swimming with armbands)	Belle Mare, Pereybere	Wide, calm lagoon, little current, easy supervision from the towel
8 years and up (independent swimming, snorkelling)	Blue Bay	Variable depth to keep an eye on, but the visible marine life makes it a memorable experience

Where to stay near these beaches with your family

Your choice of accommodation largely determines how comfortable your family beach holiday is. For direct access to Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy or Pereybere, our guide where to stay in the north lists the best options. For the east coast and Belle Mare, see where to stay in Belle Mare.

For Blue Bay and the south-east, our guide where to stay in Blue Bay details suitable accommodation. More broadly, our selection where to stay as a family cross-references the beach criterion with other needs (pool, kids’ club, equipped kitchen). To build a full programme around these beaches, our family itinerary offers a realistic plan spanning several days.

Practical tips for the beach with your family in Mauritius

Several recommendations are worth following for parents bringing children to Mauritian beaches. Sun protection is non-negotiable: the tropical sun is intense even on cloudy days, and avoiding sun exposure between 11am and 3pm is recommended, especially in the first few days. Choose biodegradable mineral sunscreens, which protect the coral reefs.

Water shoes are useful for walking on reef flats, which can harbour sea urchins or sharp stones. Children’s snorkelling fins and masks can be bought at sports shops in Grand Baie for around fifteen euros.

Jellyfish are occasionally present on certain beaches, especially after storms. For a mild sting, rinse with seawater and apply something cold. For a severe reaction, seek medical attention immediately.

Rip currents exist on some exposed beaches in Mauritius, particularly on the south coast. On the calm lagoon beaches recommended in this guide, that risk is very limited. But keeping an eye on children remains essential at all times.

The final ranking for families

If we had to rank the beaches best suited to families with children in Mauritius, taking into account the lagoon, safety, services and ease of access, here’s how they’d stack up: Trou aux Biches in first place for the perfect combination of lagoon beauty, ideal depth and natural shade. Belle Mare in second place for its exceptional lagoon and dreamy sand, though with slightly more demanding logistics. Blue Bay in third place for its unmatched underwater experience. Mont Choisy for its space and warm family atmosphere.

La Cuvette for its convenience in the centre of Grand Baie. Flic-en-Flac for families staying on the west coast. To round out your beach holiday, an catamaran excursion to Ile aux Cerfs with lunch is one of the outings families enjoy most — a day at sea with swimming in the lagoon is a highlight for children.

Whichever beach you choose, Mauritius offers families a stunning seaside setting that few Indian Ocean destinations can match.