Mauritius in September: The Indian Ocean Escape Australians Should Know About
- Sheila Rosella
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
There are islands that feel like holidays, and then there is Mauritius.
Floating in the Indian Ocean, roughly 2,000 kilometres off the southeast coast of Africa, Mauritius is all turquoise lagoons, volcanic peaks, sugar-cane fields and beaches that seem almost too perfect to be real. But what makes the island particularly compelling is what lies beyond the postcard: Creole cooking, French influence, Indian spices, elegant colonial houses, dramatic mountain landscapes and a culture shaped by centuries of migration.
For Australian travellers looking for a luxury tropical holiday in September, Mauritius is an intriguing alternative to the more familiar Bali, Fiji or the Maldives.
September falls towards the end of the island's cooler, drier season. Days are generally warm rather than scorching, humidity is relatively low, and the sea sits around 23°C. It is also a quieter period before the island moves towards its busier summer season.
In other words: September is a very good time to go.
Why Visit Mauritius in September?
Mauritius is a year-round destination, but September has a particularly appealing rhythm.
Expect daytime temperatures around 23–26°C, relatively low rainfall and comfortable conditions for exploring the island. The weather is warm enough for long afternoons beside the lagoon, while the cooler conditions make hiking, sightseeing and road trips considerably more pleasant than they can be during the height of the Mauritian summer.
The trade winds can still make parts of the east and south feel breezier, particularly earlier in the month. If your priority is sheltered beaches and maximum sunshine, consider basing yourself on the west or north-west coast.
September is also a good month for marine adventures. Humpback whales pass through Mauritian waters during the winter migration season, while sperm whales can be encountered year-round.
How to Get to Mauritius from Australia
Non-stop flights from Perth (PER) to Mauritius (MRU) take about 8 hours and five minutes. Air Mauritius operates a direct weekly service on this route, with economy return fares generally ranging from AU$1,584 to AU$1,668.
Travellers departing from Melbourne, Sydney or Brisbane can also reach Mauritius, generally with a connection. Air Mauritius currently lists Australian fares to Mauritius from all three cities, with Brisbane and Melbourne itineraries connecting via Perth in some schedules.
For travellers flying from Australia's east coast, it is worth comparing:
Brisbane → Perth → Mauritius
Sydney → Perth → Mauritius
Melbourne → Perth → Mauritius
Perth → Mauritius
If you have flexibility, compare several departure dates. A few days can make a meaningful difference to the fare.
Where to Stay in Mauritius
One of the great pleasures of Mauritius is that choosing a hotel is almost as important as choosing the island itself.
The coastline changes dramatically from one side to another, so think about the kind of holiday you want before booking.
Le Morne & the South-West: For Dramatic Scenery
If your idea of Mauritius involves a mountain rising directly behind a turquoise lagoon, look towards Le Morne.
The iconic Le Morne Brabant is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the island's most recognisable landscapes. The mountain is also deeply significant to Mauritian history, having been associated with escaped enslaved people who sought refuge there.
This is the side of Mauritius for spectacular sunsets, water sports, hiking and some of the island's most beautiful scenery.
Look at resorts around Le Morne, La Gaulette and Bel Ombre, including LUX* Le Morne, Heritage Le Telfair and other luxury properties in the south-west.
The West Coast: Sunsets, Beaches & a More Relaxed Pace
The west coast is one of our favourite choices for a September stay.
Flic en Flac has a long sandy beach, restaurants and a more relaxed local atmosphere, while Tamarin feels slightly more bohemian and is a good base for exploring the island's south-west.
The west is also well-placed for dolphin and whale excursions, as well as Le Morne and Black River Gorges National Park.
For a particularly indulgent stay, consider Maradiva Villas Resort & Spa, where private-villa accommodation makes the most of the island's tropical setting.
Grand Baie & the North: Restaurants, Beaches & Nightlife
If you prefer your tropical escape with a little more energy, head north.
Grand Baie is the island's best-known resort town, with restaurants, bars, boutiques, beaches and plenty of opportunities for boat trips and water sports. The official
Mauritius tourism information describes it as one of the island's principal tourist centres.
This is a particularly good choice for first-time visitors who don't want to spend their entire holiday inside a resort.
For something more refined, consider Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury. For a larger resort experience, there are several high-end properties around Grand Baie and Trou aux Biches.
Belle Mare & the East: For Barefoot Luxury
The east coast is where you'll find some of Mauritius's most beautiful stretches of white sand.
Belle Mare and Trou d'Eau Douce are ideal if your holiday fantasy involves waking up, walking directly onto the beach and doing very little afterwards.
This is also the gateway to Île aux Cerfs, a small island surrounded by clear water and white sand, where you can spend the day swimming, snorkelling, sailing or simply doing absolutely nothing.
The Best Things to Do in Mauritius in September
Mauritius rewards travellers who leave the resort.
The island is small enough to explore by car, yet varied enough that almost every day can feel like a completely different holiday.
Hike Le Morne Brabant
This is the big one.
The hike up Le Morne is challenging in parts, but the views across the lagoon are extraordinary. The mountain's cultural and historical significance makes the experience about much more than simply reaching the summit.
Go early, take plenty of water and use a reputable local guide if you're unfamiliar with the route.
Explore Black River Gorges National Park
Swap the beach for the forest and head into Black River Gorges National Park.
The park covers more than 6,500 hectares and contains hiking trails, waterfalls, viewpoints and native flora and fauna. There are trails ranging from relatively easy walks to more demanding hikes.
September's milder conditions make this an excellent time to explore the interior.
Visit Chamarel & the Seven-Coloured Earth
The volcanic landscape around Chamarel is one of Mauritius's most unusual sights.
The Seven-Coloured Earth is a natural geological phenomenon in which the exposed earth forms bands of different colours, from reds and browns to purples and ochres.
Combine a visit to Chamarel Waterfall and a drive through the surrounding mountains.
Spend a Day on Île aux Cerfs
For the classic tropical-island experience, book a boat trip to Île aux Cerfs.
Swim in the lagoon, snorkel, take a catamaran cruise or simply find a patch of sand and stay there until the afternoon.
It's touristy for a reason.
Explore Port Louis
Don't spend the entire holiday on the beach.
Mauritius's capital, Port Louis, is where the island's multicultural character becomes particularly apparent. Visit the Central Market, explore the waterfront and sample Mauritian street food.
The island's cuisine reflects its remarkable mixture of African, Indian, Chinese, French and Creole influences.
Try dholl puri, farata, samosas, mine frit (fried noodles), seafood curry and rougaille.
Mauritius is a destination where lunch can be as memorable as the beach.
What to Eat in Mauritius
Mauritian food is one of the island's best-kept secrets.
Think Indian spices, French technique, Chinese cooking traditions, Creole flavours and exceptional seafood.
Don't leave without trying:
Dholl puri — soft flatbread filled with yellow split peas, usually served with curry and pickles.
Rougaille — a Creole tomato-based dish often prepared with fish, seafood or meat.
Seafood curry — particularly octopus, prawns and freshly caught fish.
Mine frit — Mauritian-style fried noodles with vegetables, meat or seafood.
Gateaux piments — crispy chilli cakes made from split peas.
And, of course, rum. Mauritius has a long sugar-cane tradition, and local rum is an excellent way to end a long afternoon by the ocean.
Where to Eat in Mauritius
For something special, make a reservation at Le Château de Bel Ombre, a beautifully restored historic house surrounded by gardens. Its menu combines Mauritian influences with sophisticated fine dining, and the restaurant currently features cuisine inspired by Michelin-starred chef David Toutain.
For lunch, seek out restaurants around Grand Baie, Flic en Flac and the coastal villages rather than eating every meal inside your resort.
And don't underestimate the street food.
Some of the most memorable meals in Mauritius may come from a small takeaway counter rather than a white-tablecloth restaurant.
Mauritius in September: What to Pack
September is warm, but it isn't the height of tropical summer.
Pack:
Lightweight linen and cotton clothing
Swimwear
Reef-safe sunscreen
Comfortable walking shoes
A light jumper or jacket for cooler evenings
A hat and sunglasses
A light rain jacket
Snorkelling gear if you have your own
A reusable water bottle
Your travel eSIM
And don't forget that the UV index can still be very high, even when temperatures feel comfortable.
Stay Connected in Mauritius Without the Roaming Bill
There is something wonderfully old-fashioned about disappearing to a tropical island — until you need Google Maps to find your hotel, WhatsApp to contact your airport transfer or your phone to book tomorrow's boat trip.
That's where AussieRoam comes in.
Rather than relying on expensive international roaming from your Australian mobile provider, an AussieRoam Mauritius eSIM gives you mobile data without swapping your physical SIM card.
Activate your eSIM before you fly, and you can connect when you arrive in Mauritius, making it easy to use maps, rideshare and transport apps, restaurant bookings, WhatsApp, social media and travel websites throughout your holiday.
Most importantly, you know what you're paying before you leave Australia — rather than discovering an unexpected roaming charge when you get home.
AussieRoam makes staying connected overseas simple, affordable and hassle-free.
For a destination like Mauritius, where you'll probably spend your days moving between beaches, restaurants, hiking trails and boat trips, having reliable mobile data in your pocket is one less thing to think about.
Is Mauritius Worth Visiting in September?
Absolutely.
For Australians willing to make the longer journey, Mauritius in September offers an exceptional combination of warm weather, beautiful beaches, fewer crowds and extraordinary scenery.
You can spend one day hiking a UNESCO-listed mountain, the next swimming in a turquoise lagoon, and the evening eating Creole seafood with a glass of Mauritian rum.
It is sophisticated without feeling overly polished, adventurous without demanding an adrenaline holiday, and luxurious without having to spend every moment inside a five-star resort.
And perhaps that's the real appeal of Mauritius.
It doesn't ask you to choose between beach and culture, adventure and relaxation, or luxury and authenticity.
You can have all of them — often before lunch.
Planning your Mauritius escape? Book your flights, choose your side of the island, and organise your AussieRoam eSIM before you leave Australia.
