Electricity and plug sockets in Mauritius: adapters and voltage

Electricity in Mauritius: everything you need to know before you leave

The question of plug sockets is one of those small practical details that can ruin the first hours of a trip when you haven’t thought about it. Arriving at the hotel with a phone at 3% battery and realizing your charger doesn’t fit the Mauritian socket is entirely avoidable. This complete guide covers everything about plug sockets, voltage, adapters and best practices so you never find yourself without power during your stay.

This guide is part of a series of practical tips to help you prepare for your trip. For everything related to internet connectivity, our internet and eSIM guide for Mauritius is essential reading. For managing jet lag, our guide to the time difference will help you adjust quickly.

Quick answer

Plug type	Type G (British, 3-pin)
Voltage / frequency	230V / 50Hz — the same as France
Adapter price	Around €5 to €20 in France, often 3 to 5 times more expensive locally
Voltage converter	Not needed for a French traveller
Where to buy one	Supermarkets, travel pharmacies, travel accessory shops before you leave
Best time to buy	Before departure — don’t rely on SSR airport or your hotel

The plug type used in Mauritius: the british type g

Type g: the three-pin british plug

Mauritius uses exclusively the type G plug — the British three-pin rectangular socket. It’s the same one used in the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, several East African countries and Pakistan. This plug is distinguished by its three rectangular pins arranged in a triangle: two horizontal pins (live and neutral) and one vertical pin (earth) at the top. The sockets have safety shutters that only open when all three pins are inserted simultaneously — an effective safety feature against electrical accidents, particularly useful with children.

Incompatibility with French plugs: French plugs (type E) have two round pins. They are completely incompatible with Mauritian type G sockets. An adapter is mandatory, no exceptions — even “europlug” style plugs (two thin round pins, commonly used on travel chargers) will not fit into type G sockets without an adapter.

Why does mauritius use british-style sockets?

Mauritius was a British colony from 1810 to 1968. During this period, the electrical infrastructure was developed to British standards. Despite independence and a largely French-speaking culture, the electrical system was never standardised to the European type — one of several examples of colonial legacy still visible on the island.

This situation is common to many former British territories: India, Pakistan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malta, Cyprus and Jordan all use type G.

Adapter: which one to choose and where to buy it

Adapter specific to france-to-type-g

France-to-UK (type G) adapter: if you’re only travelling to Mauritius and other type G countries, this specific adapter is the most compact and cheapest solution. It lets you plug your European plugs (two round pins) into the three-pin rectangular sockets.

Universal adapter: if you travel frequently to a variety of countries, a universal adapter that fits most plug types worldwide is a worthwhile long-term investment. Just make sure it includes type G among its configurations.

Where to buy your adapter

In France before you leave: in the travel section of supermarkets and department stores (Décathlon, FNAC, Darty, Boulanger), at travel pharmacies, in luggage and travel accessory shops, or online. Price: between €5 and €20 depending on quality and features. Choose an adapter with surge protection built in if possible.

At Plaisance airport (SSR): adapters are sold in the shops at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam international airport and in hotels — but at noticeably higher prices (sometimes 3 to 5 times the normal price). Don’t count on this as a last-minute backup plan.

On the island: the Jumbo and Winner’s supermarkets and hardware shops in the main towns (Port Louis, Curepipe, Rose-Hill) sell type G adapters, though prices vary. Tourist shops in Grand Baie sometimes carry them too.

How many adapters to bring

Solo travel: one adapter is usually enough if you don’t have too many devices. If you have several chargers — phone, laptop, tablet — you can either charge them one after another, or bring two adapters or one adapter paired with a power strip.

Couples: two adapters, or one adapter combined with a power strip. The power strip is often the more practical solution.

Family or group travel: two or three adapters depending on the number of electronic devices, plus a multi-socket power strip for charging everything together in the evening.

The power strip solution: the best practicality-to-weight ratio

A French power strip (with its type E/F round-pin sockets) combined with a single type G adapter at the input: this is the ideal solution for charging several devices at once without needing multiple adapters. One adapter converts the Mauritian socket to the European type, and the power strip distributes electricity to all your devices.

Choose a compact travel power strip with 3 or 4 sockets and, if possible, two built-in USB ports. Brennenstuhl, Belkin and Anker Travel power strips are good quality and lightweight. This setup is particularly useful in accommodation that only offers one or two sockets per room.

Important: check that your power strip is rated for 230V. Standard French power strips all are, so this shouldn’t be an issue.

Simple adapter, universal adapter or power strip: which to choose?

Solution	Indicative price	Best for
Simple France → type G adapter	€5 to €10	A single device at a time, tight budget, light cabin luggage
Universal adapter	€10 to €25	Frequent travellers visiting several countries with different plug types
French power strip + 1 adapter	€15 to €30 total	Couples and families with several devices to charge each evening

For a simple beach holiday in Mauritius with no other stops, the basic type G adapter remains the most economical choice. The power strip becomes worthwhile as soon as you have three or more devices to charge each evening — a common scenario with phones, camera, powerbank and laptop.

Powerbanks and batteries: what to know before the airport

Lithium-ion batteries (powerbanks, detached camera or drone batteries) must always travel in cabin luggage, never in the hold — a rule strictly enforced at SSR airport as well as on departure from France. Our flight and airline guide for Mauritius details the allowed capacities and boarding formalities. If this is your first flight to the island, our SSR airport arrival guide will help you avoid unpleasant surprises on landing, chargers included.

No adapter on arrival: backup solutions

If you land without an adapter, don’t panic: most hotels keep a stock of spare adapters at reception, loaned or rented out for the duration of your stay. In villas and private rentals, the situation is more hit-or-miss — it’s best to check with the owner before arrival or plan a detour via a supermarket on the way from the airport. In any case, never improvise with an ill-fitting plug: a poor connection with mismatched pins is a genuine safety risk, one to take as seriously as the other points covered in our Mauritius safety guide.

Voltage and frequency: good news for french travellers

230 volts, 50 hz: identical to france

Mauritius runs on 230 volts, 50 Hz — exactly the same voltage and frequency as France and mainland Europe. This is excellent news that considerably simplifies your electrical preparations.

The practical upshot: you don’t need a voltage converter. Your European electrical devices — phone chargers, laptops, hair dryers, electric razors, cameras — can be plugged directly into a Mauritian socket without any risk of damage, as long as you use a type G plug adapter.

Compatibility of common electrical devices

Chargers and mains adapters (phones, laptops): check the specifications printed on your charger’s casing. The wording “Input: 100-240V ~ 50/60Hz” means the device is compatible worldwide. The vast majority of modern chargers — Apple, Samsung, HP, Dell, Sony — carry this universal specification. You only need a plug adapter, not a voltage converter.

Resistance-heating appliances (hair dryers, straighteners, irons): these appliances are often built for a single voltage (220-230V in Europe, 110V in the United States). A European appliance will work perfectly in Mauritius since the voltage is identical (230V). An American appliance designed for 110V would be damaged immediately — but this scenario doesn’t concern you if you’re travelling from France.

Electric razors: most modern razors are universal (100-240V). Check the label or the device itself. Travel razors are always universal.

Medical devices (CPAP, nebuliser, hearing aid): always check voltage compatibility before you leave, and contact the manufacturer if needed. Mauritian hospitals and clinics (several in Port Louis and other major towns) have the same type G sockets as accommodation.

Availability of sockets in mauritian accommodation

In hotels and resorts

Hotels and resorts in Mauritius generally offer exclusively type G sockets. Some international chain hotels may have added a few European or universal sockets in the rooms, but don’t count on this without checking with the property first.

Number of sockets: mid-range and upscale hotels usually have several accessible sockets in the room — generally 2 to 4. Guesthouses and more modest accommodation may have only one or two sockets: plan ahead if you’re travelling with several devices to charge at once.

USB sockets: good-quality hotels often have built-in USB ports in the headboard or the room’s control panel. This detail is usually mentioned in accommodation listings on booking platforms.

In guesthouses and private villas

Smaller accommodation — guesthouses, private villas, Airbnb rentals — use exclusively type G sockets. Ask your host about the number of available sockets if you have a lot of devices. Most well-equipped villas have sockets in all the main rooms.

In cafés and coworking spaces

Tourist cafés and restaurants in Grand Baie and at the Caudan Waterfront in Port-Louis often have sockets available for laptops. This isn’t guaranteed everywhere, though — always ask before plugging in. Coworking spaces — notably in Ébène (Mauritius’s cybercity) — have plenty of accessible type G sockets.

For long-term remote workers, our remote work and long stays in Mauritius guide covers the best areas and available workspaces.

At ssr airport

Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam airport has charging points in the waiting areas, with type G sockets and sometimes USB ports too. If you’re in transit or have a long wait, you can charge your devices directly at the airport before or after your flight.

Special cases: specific devices

Cameras and video equipment

Camera battery chargers (Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fuji, Lumix) are almost all compatible with 100-240V. A simple plug adapter is all you need. Lithium-ion batteries — including the larger batteries used in hybrid cameras — can be charged safely.

Drones: drone chargers (DJI, Parrot, Autel) are generally universal. Check the label on the charger. For larger LiPo batteries, a good-quality branded charger is preferable to a cheap low-cost adapter.

GoPro and action cameras: the USB chargers for these devices are universal. With your type G adapter, you can charge normally or use a portable powerbank during longer outings (snorkelling, hiking, catamaran trips).

Electric rental cars

If you rent an electric or plug-in hybrid car in Mauritius — an option available with some rental companies — ask about available charging points. The electric vehicle charging network in Mauritius is still developing, concentrated mainly around Port-Louis and the main towns. Our car rental guide for Mauritius has information on the types of vehicles available.

Power outages: what can happen in mauritius

Mauritius has a generally reliable electricity grid, run by the Central Electricity Board (CEB). Brief power cuts (load shedding) can occur, particularly during the rainy season (November-April) during heavy rain or when a cyclone passes.

Large hotels and resorts always have backup generators that kick in automatically during an outage. Villas and smaller accommodation may not have one — check ahead if a continuous power supply matters to you (medical equipment, intensive remote work).

In case of a cyclone warning, charge your devices in advance and keep your powerbank topped up. A power outage is one of the first consequences of a cyclone passing through.

Practical summary: the electrical checklist before you leave

What to pack:

• 1 or 2 type G adapters (French plug to British plug)
• 1 compact French power strip if you have several devices
• Your usual chargers (no need for a voltage converter with 230V)
• 1 portable powerbank as a backup for excursions

What you do NOT need to pack:

• Voltage converter (the voltage is identical to France)
• Special chargers for Mauritius
• An expensive universal adapter if you only need type G

The type G plug adapter can be found in any supermarket’s travel or electronics section for €5 to €10. It’s one of the few pre-trip purchases you really don’t want to be without on arrival. Buy it in France before you leave — it’s cheaper, and it guarantees a stress-free arrival whatever time your flight lands. In the same spirit of forward planning, an eSIM activated from France means you’re connected the moment you land without hunting for a local SIM card: order an eSIM for Mauritius.