Are you wondering what to wear in Mauritius? This guide tells you exactly what to pack for Mauritius no matter the month you are visiting for sightseeing, dress codes, beaches, dinner and more.
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But before we get onto the specifics of what to wear in Mauritius along with some outfit inspiration we thought it would be worthwhile to talk about exactly how the seasons and dress codes will affect your Mauritius Packing List.
Where is Mauritius?
So the first thing that you need to know is where exactly Mauritius is an island nation located in the Indian ocean over 1100km from the island nation of Madagascar and the Seychelles off the south east coast of the continent of Africa.
As such you can expect the weather to be pretty similar all year round.
Mauritius Weather Guide
Mauritius is not as affected by the seasons as other places in Africa. It is in fact pretty hot all year round with Spring, Summer, Winter and Fall all having similar conditions.
In fact many people would say that there are in fact only two seasons in Mauritius – winter and summer. However like many tropical places I prefer to think of them as the rainy and a dry season.
Most people visit Mauritius for the beaches so want to visit during the dry season. The dry season in Mauritius is classified as being May, June, July August, September and October.
The rainy season on the other hand is classified as November, December, January, February, March and April. Of these February tends to be the wettest month.
It is also worth noting that there are regional differences with the weather on Mauritius. The west side tends to be the driest with the East and Central regions typically getting the most rain.
And although there is a chance of cyclones in Mauritius in late summer the chances are in fact remote.
December to March tend to be the hottest months with June through to August being slightly cooler however there really is no such thing as a cold month in Mauritius.
Therefore you should always prepare for hot weather when traveling to Mauritius however depending on the month you travel you may need to have some lightweight waterproof wear too.
The other good thing about Mauritius is that the sea temperature is pleasant all year round. On average the sea temperature tends to be 27 °C during summer and is nice to swim in throughout the year.
Mauritius Dress Code
In most places in Mauritius there are no dress codes i.e. in hotels and in resorts. However it is worth remembering that the island population is a mix of Catholic, Muslim, and Hindu. As such if you plan to visit a religious sites you will need to dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered.
It is also worth noting that nudity and topless sunbathing is not allowed anywhere on the island.
Considerations for your Mauritius Packing List
Before we get onto the exact items to include to make your Mauritius outfits, we thought is would be worth outlining some considerations for your packing list. These are:
Pack Light
As Mauritius is a tropical island you have the luxury of packing lightly.
For more information on how to pack light for Mauritius we recommend checking out our guide on the 5 4 3 2 1 packing method or the sudoku method which will help you create the perfect Mauritius Capsule Wardrobe without overpacking.
Natural Fabrics
Natural fabrics are your best friend Mauritius.
Cottons, silks and linen are well known for being more breathable than man made fabrics. Linen in particular is very in fashion among locals and tourists alike in Mauritius.
Active Wear
Although many people who go to Mauritius are primarily going for the beautiful beaches, it is worth pointing out that there are other natural wonders in Mauritius that are worth visiting too.
For instance must sees must be Heritage Nature reserve where you can see waterfalls and amazing landscapes, Black River Gorges National Park – home to the flying fox and Alexandra Falls and of course the beautiful Seven Colored Earth.
As well there are plenty of adventurous excursions on the island such as kayaking, canyoning, climbing and hiking to name but a few. For more information on excursions on Mauritius check out available options here.
To visit these places you will need to add some active wear on top of your resort wear on your packing list.
What to wear in Mauritius
Dresses and Skirts
As I mentioned above there is lots of beach wear and resort wear seen in and around Mauritius.
Maxi dresses are one of my favorite things to wear in tropical countries like Mauritius. Loose and flowing dresses are better for Mauritius than tight fitting ones made of man made fabrics as they will keep you cooler. They are also great for wearing down on the beach and out for dinner.
Click here to shop dresses for tropical beach vacations.
Tank Tops and T Shirts
These are perfect for out exploring Mauritius and can be paired with skirts, trousers or shorts.
Tank tops are also acceptable in Mauritius in most places just don’t expect to go into religious settings in a tank top without covering your shoulders first.
Trousers and Blouse
Trousers and blouses are a great alternative to maxi dresses for exploring towns and having dinner as they are a great day to night transition outfit. And might be easier to be walking around in when the winds are particularly strong.
Shorts (Quick Dry)
Shorts are great for Mauritius both on the beach and in towns. As the humidity in Mauritius can be high we recommend packing quick dry shorts. Click here to shop quick dry shorts.
However if shorts aren’t your thing then running leggings are also suitable.
Lightweight Rain jacket
Although Mauritius is renowned for its beautiful beaches and weather, you can always get rain in tropical places particularly if you are visiting Mauritius in the rainy season.
For this reason, especially if you plan on visiting the national parks etc, we recommend packing a compact and light weight rain jacket or a poncho for these excursions.
Click here to shop lightweight rain jackets for tropical climates.
Convertible Walking Trousers
If you are going on longer hikes and don’t want to wear shorts or athleisure then convertible walking trousers are a great pick. These are good if you start a hike early when it may still be chilly, but can be unzipped for when the heat picks up. Click here to shop convertible walking trousers.
Pashmina
I never travel to any tropical island without a pashmina. It is great in the evenings in case you get chilly, especially during the cooler months and for dining al fresco. They can also be used to make an outfit more modest for visiting religious sites. Click here to shop pashminas.
Swimwear
If you are visiting Mauritius chances are you will be spending time on the beach, on a boat, or around a hotel pool. Therefore you will want to have some stylish swimwear with you.
Depending on how long you plan to spend on the beach here depends on how many pieces of swimwear you will need.
I would recommend packing at least two swimwear pieces so one can be drying while you are wearing the other if you are going to Mauritius for a week. Click here to shop swimwear for Mauritius.
Rash Vest
Also if you plan to snorkel in Mauritius we recommend having a rash vest with you as it is very easy to burn your back while snorkelling.
Click here to shop good value rash vests.
Beach Cover
Most people in Mauritius when not swimming or sunbathing will put on a beach cover to head to bars or local amenities so we recommend adding one or two beach covers to your packing list.
Click here to shop beach covers here.
Sun Hats
Sun hats are a staple on any Mauritius packing list. Be sure to pick a wide brimmed straw hat for maximum sun protection. Click here to shop sun hats.
For more information on how to pack sun hats for travel check out this post.
Underwear
Goes without saying
PJs
We recommend packing lightweight PJs for the tropical island.
Best Shoes for Mauritius
Sneakers
Sneakers are great for Mauritius whatever time of year you visit. If you pack a lightweight pair they can cope well in the heat and are also good for your feet on uneven surfaces around the island.
In most of the more active places in Mauritius such as Casela Nature Park, volcanic paths or the botanical gardens then sneakers will be fine. However if you plan on doing more extensive hikes then hiking sandals may be more appropriate.
However we do recommend wearing sneaker socks in the summer with them to reduce sweat and odour in your shoe.
Sandals
Sandals are a definite must for Mauritius. I would pick a pair with arch support and without a heel.
Espadrilles or wedges are a great evening shoe choice particularly for nicer restaurants.
Watershoes
The water in Mauritius is beautiful however it can have hazards by way of coral and sharp rocks. For these reason we recommend packing water shoes with you.
Click here to shop water shoes.
Flip Flops
Although I don’t recommend these for walking in towns or in the rainforests these are useful for on the beach and round by the hotel pool.
What to Pack for Mauritius (non-clothing)
So know you know what to wear in Mauritius in both the rainy and dry season, we will turn our attention for what to pack for Mauritius.
Travel adaptor
Travel adaptors are always on my international packing lists. These are required to make any electronics you bring work. Mauritius uses plug types C and G.
Click here to shop universal travel adaptors.
On top of the travel adaptor you will also need
Step Down Voltage Converter
The local voltage is 240V. If your electronics are not this voltage which most Western electronics aren’t, they are usually higher, you will need a step down voltage converter to use them.
Click here to shop step down voltage converters.
Sun Cream
No matter whether you are traveling in the rainy or dry season you will need sun cream with you. We recommend getting a high SPF, we recommend SPF 50, as the sun is always strong in Mauritius.
Also as you are going to spend a lot of time in the water we recommend only bringing reef safe sunscreen with you to help protect the marine life of Mauritius. Click here to shop coral safe sun screen here.
Aloe Vera
No one wants to get burnt on vacation but the strength of the sun can take some people by surprise in Mauritius. Therefore we recommend packing aloe vera / aftersun.
Click here to shop aloe vera / aftersun
Lip Balm with SPF
Although it is very important to protect your skin from the sun, it is also important to protect your lips. For this reason we recommend packing a lip balm with SPF. Our current favorite lip balm with SPF is Sun Bum. Click here to shop lip balm with SPF.
Insect Repellant
You can get mosquitos and insects in Mauritius at any time of year. Therefore we recommend packing strong insect repellant.
Click here to shop insect repellant on amazon.
Toiletries
As with any tropical island destination you will find that things like toiletries are expensive. Mauritius is no exception so it is one of the few places we recommend bringing toiletries with you.
I always bring shampoo and conditioner that is reef safe but also can help calm by hair from the humidity and to cope with damage from sea water.
Click here to shop the best shampoos and conditioners for tropical climates.
Also when looking at packing makeup remember to pack waterproof mascara as you will be spending lots of time in the water.
Snorkel Gear
Although you will be able to rent snorkel gear in Mauritius you will never know the quality. For this reason we recommend bringing your own snorkel gear with you.
Click here to shop snorkel equipment on amazon.
Quick Dry Towel
Although hotels will obviously supply towels for on resort, if you plan on doing excursions on the water or to a national park we recommend bringing a quick dry towel with you.
We only recommend quick dry as the humidity in Mauritius can make it difficult to dry regular towels quickly. Shop quick dry towels here.
Life straw
The tap water on Mauritius is not drinkable for this reason we recommend having a life straw water bottler opposed to a regular reusable water bottle.
Click here to shop life straw water bottles.
Backpack
A backpack is good for excursions and if you are traveling during the rainy season you may also want a waterproof cover. Click here to shop backpacks for Mauritius.
Beach Bag
For use on the beach.
Inflatables
If you like to use swim aids or inflatables in the pool we recommend bringing these with you as they will be more expensive in Mauritius.
CLick here to shop cheap inflatables.
Camera
Mauritius is one of the most beautiful islands in the world it should come as no surprise that you will want to take a lot of photos. Be sure you have a good quality camera with you.
GoPro
On top of the regular camera we also advise packing a go pro or another underwater camera. The underwater scenery is amazing in Mauritius. To capture the beauty of it we recommend using a go pro. Click here to shop underwater cameras.
Waterproof Phone Case
If you plan on using your phone on the beach we recommend taking a waterproof phone case with you. This will not only keep your phone safe from water but is also a good theft deterrent. Click here to shop waterproof phone cases for travel.
Battery pack
A requirement of any packing list. Click here to shop battery packs.
What not to wear in Mauritius
Synthetic Fabrics
We recommend sticking with natural fabrics such as linen, silk and cotton for Mauritius. That is because synthetic fabrics actually make you hotter and sweat more which is something you won’t want in Mauritius.
Jeans
Jeans are too hot in Mauritius even lightweight ones or ripped ones. Instead we recommend packing linen or cotton trousers.
Heels
Heels are not that useful in Mauritius except in restaurants at night. Instead of heels we recommend packing a more versatile shoe such as a wedge or just a dressy pair of sandals.
What to wear in Mauritius FAQs
What to wear in Mauritius at night?
If you are wondering what to wear in Mauritus at night I would advise that you dress comfortable for heat and to protect against mosquitos.
For me the perfect outfit for Mauritius at night is a maxi dress with a pashmina or some long linen trousers with a long sleeve blouse that can protect against mosquito bites.
Planning on visiting other regions of Africa on the same trip? Be sure to check out our other Africa packing lists:
- What to wear in Botswana on safari
- What to wear in Tanzania on safari
- Safari capsule wardrobe
- Best colors to wear on safari
- What not to wear on safari
Have you been to Mauritius? What else would you add to our Mauritius packing list? Let us know in the comments below.