Belle Mare

Belle Mare runs along the east coast of Mauritius as one of the longest and brightest stretches of white sand on the island. The lagoon here is wide and luminous, a vast pale blue shallows that seems to go on toward a distant reef line. Because the beach is so long, it never feels hemmed in, and even with resorts spaced along the shore there are generous public sections where you can lay a towel and walk for ages on firm clean sand.

The thing to understand about the east coast is the wind. Belle Mare faces the prevailing trade winds, so it is reliably breezier than the sheltered west, which keeps the air fresh and the lagoon lightly ruffled. On a sunny day that breeze is a pleasure, but on a cloudy one it can feel cool, and an umbrella needs anchoring. That same wind is exactly why kitesurfers and windsurfers love this coast, and you will often see sails out across the lagoon.

The beach suits swimmers who like space, long walkers, and anyone drawn to wind sports. The lagoon is calm at the shore and easy for a dip, while the openness rewards early starts and long strolls. Sunrise is the highlight on this eastern shore. It is less suited to those wanting guaranteed still, hot, windless conditions, or a compact beach with everything close at hand, because Belle Mare trades intimacy for sheer scale and bright open air.

Public sections have shade in places but limited services on the sand, and lifeguard cover is not something to rely on, so supervise children and mind the breeze when swimming. The drier season is the brightest time, though wind is common across the year on this coast. For daybeds and table service you look to the resorts set behind the beach rather than the public sand, with current options in the Mauritius beach clubs directory.