Where to stay on the east coast of Mauritius?

The east coast is the least obvious side of Mauritius. No busy village, few shops, hotels set directly on the lagoon with plenty of space between them. The wind blows harder here than anywhere else — which puts some people off and delights others.

It is also the coast of Ile aux Cerfs, the beach everyone has seen in a photograph before arriving.

What the wind actually changes

The trade wind comes from the south-east. It hits this coast head-on, particularly from May to September.

In practice: hot days are more bearable here than elsewhere, the lagoon is livelier, and windsurfers and kitesurfers are in their element. If you are dreaming of a mirror-flat lagoon, however, this is not it.

A second effect, and a pleasant one: the sun rises over the sea. The morning light on the east coast has no equivalent elsewhere on the island.

Trou d’Eau Douce: the village and the jetty

A fishing village that has kept its scale: low houses, a few tables facing the lagoon, boats moored in front. It is the embarkation point for Ile aux Cerfs.

• Tropical Attitude, from 199 € a night. Three stars, adults only, on the lagoon. The most affordable address on this coast in my catalogue.
• Friday Attitude, from 239 €. Three stars too, same spirit, a little larger.

Staying here means being five minutes from the Ile aux Cerfs departure rather than an hour’s drive. For anyone coming mainly for that, it is the right call.

See the Trou d’Eau Douce page.

Belle Mare: the long beach

White sand for several kilometres, a wide lagoon, and that morning light. This is a coast of hotels rather than villages: you come to stay put.

Sunrise Attitude, from 269 €. Four stars, adults only, on the beach. Ile aux Cerfs is about twenty minutes away.

See the Belle Mare page.

Trips from the east

You are in the best possible spot for two excursions:

• Ile aux Cerfs — catamaran + GRSE waterfall, from 51 €. The short version, and the best value in my whole catalogue for a day at sea.
• East coast catamaran — Ile aux Cerfs & Grand River South East waterfall, from 129 €. The full day, with the waterfall approached from the sea and lunch on board.

One tip: Ile aux Cerfs is the busiest trip in Mauritius. Ask me which day of the week is quietest — the difference between a Tuesday and a Sunday is considerable.

The rest of the sea trips are compared in my guide on which catamaran cruise to choose.

What you have to accept on the east coast

The east is far from everything else. Port Louis is an hour away, the north an hour and a half, Chamarel two hours. If your plans involve a lot of land tours, you will spend time in the car.

There are also fewer restaurants outside the hotels than in Grand Baie or Flic en Flac. Most travellers who choose the east take half board or full board, and that is a sensible choice.

If you want to walk out to dinner every evening, look at Grand Baie and Pereybere instead.

Who I recommend the east to

Couples who want quiet and space. Windsurfers and kitesurfers. Anyone coming for Ile aux Cerfs who would rather be there than travel to it. And those who have already done the north and want to see something else.

Tell me how long you are staying and what you plan to do: if you are lining up three land tours in a week, I will tell you straight that the east is not the right choice.