Trou aux Biches
Trou aux Biches, a peaceful family beach on the north coast: snorkelling, turquoise waters, charming hotels and a relaxed atmosphere. Full 2026 guide.
- Area
- North coast
- Vibe
- Peaceful, family-friendly
- Beaches
- Calm lagoon, coral close by
- Access
- 40 min from the airport
Trou aux Biches: the perfect beach of northern Mauritius
Trou aux Biches is often described by travellers who have explored the island as having one of the most beautiful beaches in Mauritius. This small north coast resort owes its success to the exceptional quality of its lagoon: the water is a shallow, translucent blue, the white sand is fine and soft underfoot, and the ironwood trees provide welcome natural shade during the hottest hours.
Calmer and more family-oriented than Grand Baie (just 10 kilometres to the north), Trou aux Biches attracts travellers seeking a perfect beach without the bustle of a big tourist resort. Snorkelling lovers find plenty to enjoy — the reefs start just a few metres from shore — families appreciate the gentle shallow waters, and couples enjoy the serene evening atmosphere. It’s the ideal choice for those who want to combine a first-rate beach with the tranquillity of a seaside village.
Trou aux Biches is also well positioned for exploring the whole north coast: 10 minutes from Grand Baie for outings and shopping, 5 minutes from Mont Choisy for an alternative beach, and under an hour from Port Louis for a cultural excursion. Our 7-day Mauritius itinerary includes Trou aux Biches in an optimised north-coast route.
At a glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Where | North coast, 10 minutes from Grand Baie |
| Price | Guesthouse from about €40/night, mid-range hotel from €80-100, 5-star resort €250 and up |
| Time needed | 2 to 3 days, more if you branch out to the northern islets |
| Getting there | About 40-50 min from the airport, taxi or car rental |
| Best time | May to November, with a visitor peak in July-August |
Things to do in Trou aux Biches
Snorkelling: Trou aux Biches’ greatest strength
The lagoon at Trou aux Biches is particularly renowned for the quality of snorkelling accessible right from shore. The coral reefs begin just a few dozen metres from the beach, where the shallow water darkens slightly and reveals its first coral formations. Colourful tropical fish — parrotfish with their prominent beak-like teeth, electric-blue surgeonfish, striped damselfish, delicate butterflyfish — are easy to spot even for a beginner snorkeller.
To go further and explore the richest parts of the reef, you can book a snorkelling trip in the Blue Bay marine park — considered the island’s best snorkelling site, about 1h30 away by road.
With a little patience and methodical exploration of the lagoon’s central zone, you can spot sea cucumbers on the sandy bottom, starfish of every colour and sometimes octopuses hiding in the reef’s crevices. Visibility is excellent most of the time, especially in the morning before the wind picks up the waves. Snorkelling gear rental is available on the beach. For everything on techniques and the best spots, our snorkelling and diving in Mauritius guide is essential reading.
Catamaran excursions to the northern islets
Trou aux Biches is a classic starting point for catamaran excursions to Mauritius’ northern islets. Île Plate, Île Gabriel and Coin de Mire (Gunner’s Quoin) are the flagship destinations for these trips, which usually include snorkelling stops in waters even richer than the resort’s own lagoon, a Creole lunch served on board with grilled fish, rice and vegetables, and the chance to spot dolphins in the wild on the way out or back.
You can book a catamaran cruise to the northern islands with Creole lunch included to make sure you get a spot.
Île Gabriel is especially prized for its immaculate white sand beaches and crystal-clear water. Hard to reach from the coast, it offers a pristine, untouched beach experience that few spots close to the north coast can match. These excursions should be booked ahead during high season (July-August and December-January).
Scuba diving from Trou aux Biches
Several PADI-certified dive centres are based in Trou aux Biches. The north coast’s dive sites offer good variety: shallow reefs suited to beginners for introductory dives, drop-offs and wrecks for experienced divers. The most popular sites include the reefs off Péreybère and the deeper zones around Coin de Mire. Visibility is generally good (15-25 metres) and marine life is rich thanks to the relative protection of the north’s waters. To choose the right dive centre, our snorkelling and diving in Mauritius guide gives you all the selection criteria.
Light water sports
Sea kayaking, pedal boats, paddleboarding and windsurfing are available from the main beach or through the waterfront hotels. These activities let you explore the lagoon independently, at your own pace. Trou aux Biches’ sheltered lagoon offers ideal conditions — little current, calm water and a visible bottom throughout — reassuring for less experienced participants.
For those after a bigger thrill, dolphin-swimming trips are organised from the north coast. These morning excursions usually leave very early and last 2 to 3 hours, with very high dolphin-encounter rates in the north’s waters.
Relaxation, spa and wellness
Trou aux Biches is one of the north coast’s most restful destinations. Several quality spas are based in the resort’s hotels, offering Creole coconut-oil massages, hot stone treatments, tropical plant wraps and multi-day wellness programmes. Our spa and wellness in Mauritius guide selects the best addresses on the north coast for a complete break.
Simply spending a whole day on Trou aux Biches beach — reading in the shade of the ironwood trees, bathing in the warm lagoon, a light meal at a seaside restaurant — is a form of wellness that active holidays can’t always offer.
Golf and land-based activities
The area around Trou aux Biches gives access to several quality golf courses in Mauritius, some running along the seafront with spectacular lagoon views. For history and nature lovers, an excursion to Pamplemousses Garden (30 minutes by car) offers a discovery of the island’s botanical riches in one of the world’s oldest colonial gardens.
The beach at Trou aux Biches
The beach at Trou aux Biches is considered by many to be the most beautiful public beach in northern Mauritius — a title it shares with Belle Mare on the east coast. It stretches for about 2 kilometres of immaculate white sand, surprisingly fine and soft, lined with leaning ironwood trees that cast moving shade across the sand in the middle of the day.
The water is exceptionally clear and shallow for a long way out from shore. The fine sandy bottom, dotted with patches of living coral, is visible several metres down without any diving equipment. This clarity is one of Trou aux Biches’ most appreciated features — you can literally see what’s happening underwater from the surface.
The beach is public along its whole length and freely accessible with no entry fee. It’s well maintained and has a serene atmosphere, especially on weekdays. At weekends, local Mauritian families take it over with their picnics and beach games, bringing a warm, authentic local buzz. These moments of shared space between tourists and locals are among the fondest memories travellers take away from Trou aux Biches.
Mont Choisy beach, a few kilometres to the south, is an excellent alternative if the main beach is crowded. Wide and well-shaded, it’s very popular with local families at weekends and has an even more local, relaxed feel. For an overview of all of Mauritius’ beaches, our full guide will help you find the best ones for your trip.
Where to stay in Trou aux Biches
Trou aux Biches offers a wide range of accommodation, from budget guesthouses to renowned five-star resorts. Our where to stay in Mauritius guide covers the best options on the north coast.
Upscale resorts
The Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort and Spa is one of the most highly regarded hotels in Mauritius. Set right on the beach, this large five-star resort offers sumptuous rooms and villas, several fine-dining restaurants, a world-class spa and exclusive access to one of the north’s most beautiful beaches. For a full selection of the best luxury hotels, our where to stay in style in Mauritius guide is essential. For romantic getaways, where to stay as a couple in Mauritius identifies the best rooms with lagoon views.
Mid-range hotels
Several mid-range hotels and residences are based in Trou aux Biches and the neighbouring villages of Mont Choisy and Pointe aux Piments. These places offer excellent value, with pool, restaurant and beach access. Many welcome families with specific kids’ packages. Our where to stay as a family in Mauritius guide identifies the best hotels for children on the north coast.
Guesthouses and small budgets
Many family-run guesthouses offer simple rooms at very attractive prices on the streets set back from the seafront. Some include breakfast and can arrange local excursions at competitive rates. This accommodation is ideal for travellers who want to explore the north of the island independently. Our where to stay on a small budget in Mauritius guide lists the best options in the area.
Villas with pool
Renting villas with a private pool is popular in Trou aux Biches, particularly for families or groups of friends looking for independence and space. These properties are usually a few minutes’ walk from the beach.
Getting to Trou aux Biches and getting around
Trou aux Biches is about 40 to 50 minutes by car from the international airport, via the west coast road and then heading north. A taxi from the airport costs around 1,000 to 1,200 Mauritian rupees. For details on organising your airport transfer, see our dedicated guide.
The public bus from Port Louis serves Trou aux Biches regularly from the Caudan terminal. The trip takes about 45 minutes. From Grand Baie, a local bus connects the two resort towns in under 20 minutes. Renting a car in Mauritius is recommended for exploring the hinterland, Pamplemousses Garden and other north coast sites independently.
Best time to visit
The north coast of Mauritius enjoys excellent sunshine year-round. The best time to visit is the dry season, from May to November, with pleasant temperatures between 22 and 27 degrees and little rainfall. The refreshing trade winds of July-August can slightly stir up the lagoon on some days, but swimming and snorkelling conditions remain good overall.
May, June and September-October are particularly pleasant months: less crowded than the summer holidays, hotel rates are more attractive and the beach is less busy. July and August coincide with French school holidays, and the resort is at its busiest. Check our weather in Mauritius guide and our best time to visit Mauritius guide to choose the right moment.
Excursions from Trou aux Biches
Trou aux Biches’ central location on the north coast makes it an ideal base for exploring the whole region. 10 minutes to the north, Grand Baie offers lively nightlife, varied restaurants and shops for evenings and shopping days. A further 15 minutes north, Péreybère offers a lively public beach and good, more affordable seaside restaurants. Cap Malheureux and its much-photographed red church are 25 minutes away.
For a cultural excursion, Port Louis and its Central Market are 35 minutes away by bus. Pamplemousses Garden is 20 minutes away by car. Our road trip in Mauritius guide suggests itineraries from the north coast for exploring the whole island in a week, and the family itinerary identifies the activities best suited to children from Trou aux Biches.
Practical tips
Trou aux Biches is the ideal base for those who want to combine a quality beach with proximity to Grand Baie for outings and shopping. The distance between the two resort towns (10 km) is easily covered by taxi, bus or a locally rented scooter.
Book catamaran excursions in advance, especially during high season. These trips are often fully booked several days ahead during the summer holidays. Booking online at least 48 hours in advance is recommended. To stay connected during your explorations, our internet and eSIM in Mauritius guide explains how to get an affordable local data plan.
The atmosphere of Trou aux Biches: between village and resort
What sets Trou aux Biches apart from simple resort beaches is its balance between tourist infrastructure and authentic village life. The resort isn’t entirely dominated by hotels — private homes, small local grocery shops, popular restaurants and fishermen pulling their boats up on the beach coexist with the large hotel establishments. This mix creates an atmosphere more natural and more interesting than destinations where the entire coastline is taken over by resorts.
In the morning, local fishermen head out in their colourful boats and return around 7-8am with their catch. These scenes of authentic maritime life, seen from the promenade or the beach itself, are among the finest on the north coast. Nets laid out on the beach to dry, fishermen chatting about the day’s catch, herons patiently waiting for a stray fish — all images that ground Trou aux Biches in a Mauritian reality that more touristy resorts have lost.
Mont Choisy beach: the neighbouring alternative
Just 3 kilometres south of Trou aux Biches, Mont Choisy offers a very high-quality beach, often less known to tourists than its neighbour to the north. This beach, more than 2 kilometres long, is well shaded by century-old ironwood trees — a rare feature in Mauritius that lets you stay on the beach all afternoon without worrying about sunburn.
Mont Choisy is very popular with Mauritian families at weekends, giving it a lively, popular atmosphere quite different from resort beaches. Family barbecues, children playing in the water, groups of friends under the ironwood trees — this is the beach of Mauritians, and it’s every bit as good as the big hotel beaches. Seaside restaurants serve grilled dishes and curries at local prices.
Advanced snorkelling: trips to Coin de Mire
For snorkellers and divers looking to go beyond Trou aux Biches’ lagoon, excursions to Coin de Mire (Gunner’s Quoin) are the north coast’s best option. This uninhabited volcanic islet, about 6 kilometres offshore, is surrounded by coral reefs in excellent condition and dramatic drop-offs descending to 40-50 metres.
Marine life at Coin de Mire is particularly rich due to the absence of direct human pressure on the site — no motorboats in the sensitive zones, no fishing, no disturbance. Divers regularly encounter schools of giant trevally, tuna, barracuda and eagle rays. Conditions do require at least an intermediate diving level though — currents can be significant and the depth of the drop-offs requires good control. Our snorkelling and diving in Mauritius guide gives you all the details on these northern sites.
Trou aux Biches and the north coast resorts: a comparison
The north coast of Mauritius between Trou aux Biches and Grand Baie is home to some of the island’s best hotels. Trou aux Biches establishments stand apart from those in Grand Baie by being quieter and focused more on beach quality than on nightlife and entertainment. If you’re after a hotel right on the beach with a serene atmosphere, Trou aux Biches is generally a better choice than Grand Baie.
The price difference between the two destinations is less pronounced than you might think — some Trou aux Biches hotels are just as expensive as Grand Baie’s best addresses, making up for the quiet with very high-end amenities. Our full hotels in Mauritius guide compares establishments in both areas along with their prices and features, to help you make the right choice.
Activities beyond the beach around Trou aux Biches
Trou aux Biches is a practical base for excursions to the cultural and natural sites of the northern region. Pamplemousses Garden, one of the oldest botanical gardens in the world with its giant Victoria amazonica water lilies and avenues of century-old royal palms, is just 20 minutes away by car. Visiting this garden, founded in 1735, is an extraordinary botanical and historical experience.
For those interested in Mauritian history, the Aapravasi Ghat in Port Louis (a UNESCO site) is 35 minutes away. Pamplemousses Garden can be combined with a visit to Port Louis on the same day by car. Our 7-day Mauritius itinerary suggests an efficient organisation of these excursions from the north coast.
For land-sports enthusiasts, several golf courses in Mauritius are accessible within 20-30 minutes of Trou aux Biches. Tennis lessons, beachfront yoga and fitness sessions are offered by the hotels. These land-based activities pleasantly round out days of beach and snorkelling.
Trou aux Biches with young children
The shallow, virtually current-free lagoon at Trou aux Biches makes it one of the north coast’s best family bases, alongside Mont Choisy right next door. The bottom is visible several metres out, which reassures parents and children discovering snorkelling alike.
Our best beaches for families guide and our selection of family activities in Mauritius list the providers best suited to children in the area, while the family itinerary in Mauritius suggests a complete route with several stops in the north.
For toddlers, Mont Choisy beach, well shaded by its century-old ironwood trees, stays a bit more comfortable at midday than Trou aux Biches, which is more exposed to the sun.
Trou aux Biches or Grand Baie: which base to choose
| Criteria | Trou aux Biches | Grand Baie |
|---|---|---|
| Vibe | Peaceful, family-friendly, beach-focused | Lively, nightlife, restaurants and shops |
| Snorkelling | Excellent, accessible from shore | Decent, but less immediate |
| Accommodation | Beach resorts, guesthouses | Very wide choice, all budgets |
| Ideal for | Families and couples looking for calm | Travellers who want to go out at night |
Many travellers combine both, staying in Trou aux Biches and heading over to Grand Baie for evenings out, a trip of under 20 minutes.
Frequently asked questions about Trou aux Biches
Is Trou aux Biches quieter than Grand Baie? Yes, noticeably so. Trou aux Biches has no nightclubs or dense shopping district. It’s a beach-and-relaxation resort, with a few good restaurants but no developed nightlife. Perfect for families and couples seeking tranquillity.
Can you snorkel straight from the beach without a boat trip? Absolutely, and it’s one of Trou aux Biches’ great strengths. The reefs start just a few dozen metres from shore — you just cross the sandy zone to reach the coral.
Are there affordable restaurants in Trou aux Biches? Yes, though prices are slightly higher than in Mahébourg or Péreybère. For the best value, seaside restaurants serving the local dish of the day are worth seeking out.
What’s the difference between Trou aux Biches and Mont Choisy? Mont Choisy is 3-4 kilometres to the south. Its beach is bigger and more popular with local families at weekends. Both beaches are very good quality, but Trou aux Biches has slightly clearer water and snorkelling accessible closer to shore.
How long should you stay in Trou aux Biches? Two to three days is enough to enjoy the beach and the snorkelling. If you’re planning a catamaran excursion to the northern islets or a dolphin trip, allow an extra day, especially if combining with a 3-day itinerary on the north coast.