Grand Baie, Mauritius: travel guide
North-coast resort town of turquoise bays, boat trips and nightlife
Lively beach resort town on the north coast of Mauritius — turquoise bay, Pereybere beach, restaurants, nightlife and boat trips to the northern islets.
About Grand Baie
Grand Baie is the main resort town on the north coast of Mauritius, wrapped around a sheltered turquoise bay. Restaurants, shops and bars line the waterfront, and it is the island's liveliest base for an evening out.
During the day the bay is full of boats. Catamaran and glass-bottom trips head to the northern islets, and the calm water suits sailing, snorkelling and paddleboarding. For beaches, Pereybere, Mont Choisy and La Cuvette are all close, and Cap Malheureux, with its red-roofed church, makes an easy excursion along the coast.
Grand Baie suits couples, friends and families who like restaurants on the doorstep rather than a single-resort stay. The island is warm all year; May to November is cooler and drier, while the summer months are hotter and wetter.
- Country
- Mauritius
- Currency
- MUR
- Time zone
- Indian/Mauritius
- Nearest airport
- MRU
- Typical trip
- 2-3 days
Last updated
Top places to visit in Grand Baie
Trou aux Biches Beach
lagoon-beach · 4.5 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Gently shelving lagoon beach with some of the north's clearest snorkelling water, 6 km southwest of Grand Baie — palm-fringed and famously family-friendly.
La Croisette Grand Baie
shopping-mall · 4.4 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The north's main shopping mall — international and local brands, supermarket, food court and cinema; a practical air-conditioned break from the beach.
Notre Dame Auxiliatrice, Cap Malheureux
seaside-chapel · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The iconic red-roofed seaside chapel at Mauritius' northern tip, looking across the channel to Coin de Mire island — one of the most photographed spots on the island.
Mont Choisy Beach
long-beach · 4.6 rating · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Two-kilometre crescent of casuarina-backed white sand between Grand Baie and Trou aux Biches — one of the longest and most beautiful public beaches in the north.
Pereybere Beach
swimming-beach · 4.5 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Compact, deep-water public beach between Grand Baie and Cap Malheureux — arguably the north's best swimming beach, ringed by food stalls and casual restaurants.
La Cuvette Beach
cove-beach · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Small, postcard-pretty public cove on the north side of Grand Baie bay — deep-turquoise water, casuarina shade and far fewer crowds than the main beach.
Bain Boeuf Beach
quiet-beach · 4.4 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Narrow white-sand beach facing Coin de Mire island, between Pereybere and Cap Malheureux — a quieter alternative with a superb island backdrop.
Grand Baie Bazaar
craft-market · 3.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Covered craft market in the heart of Grand Baie — textiles, baskets, spices, vanilla and dodo souvenirs; friendlier bargaining than the capital.
Grand Baie Public Beach
bay-beach · 4.2 rating · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The sheltered turquoise bay that made Grand Baie famous — calm swimming water, boats bobbing at anchor and the town's restaurants and bars right behind the sand.
Things to do
- Northern Islands Catamaran Cruise (Ilot Gabriel & Coin de Mire) Water Sports · 7 h · from MUR 3,200 per person
- Solar Powered Undersea Walk Grand Baie Water Sports · 1.5 h · from MUR 2,300 per person
- North Islets Speedboat Snorkeling Trip Water Sports · 4 h · from MUR 2,500 per person
- Cap Malheureux & North Coast Half-Day Tour Sightseeing · 4 h · from MUR 1,800 per person
- Grand Baie Deep Sea Fishing Half-Day Charter Water Sports · 5 h · from MUR 5,500 per person
Day trips and tours
- Northern Islets Catamaran Cruise 8 h · from MUR 2,500
Where to stay in Grand Baie
- Grand Baie Beachfront about MUR 6,500 per night
The liveliest tourist hub in the north — beachfront hotels, restaurants, nightlife and the Grand Baie Bazaar all within walking distance, plus easy access to watersports and boat trips.
- Pereybere about MUR 3,200 per night
A quieter, more local beach village just north of Grand Baie proper — calmer waters, budget-friendly guesthouses and a short walk or drive to Grand Baie's restaurants.
- Pointe aux Canonniers about MUR 11,000 per night
An upmarket peninsula lined with resort hotels, offering more privacy and calmer beaches than central Grand Baie while staying close to the action.
Hotels
- LUX* Grand Baie 5-star · MUR 15,000 to MUR 40,000 per night
- Veranda Grand Baie Hotel & Spa 4-star · MUR 6,500 to MUR 12,000 per night
- Grand Bay Suites 3-star · MUR 2,000 to MUR 3,500 per night
Where to eat
- La Kaza Seafood, Mauritian · about MUR 1,500 per person
- Le Capitaine Restaurant Seafood · about MUR 1,000 per person
- Cocoloko International, Mauritian · about MUR 600 per person
- Xiao Sichuan (Little Sichuan) Chinese, Sichuan · about MUR 700 per person
- GoYuYu Korean · about MUR 650 per person
- Ti Kouloir Street Food, Mauritian · about MUR 350 per person
Getting to Grand Baie
Nearest airport: Port Louis (MRU), about 47 km away in a straight line. The road or rail journey is longer.
How visitors arrive in Grand Baie
- Fly into Mauritius, then road transfer north By air from Port Louis (SSR airport) · common · unconfirmed
Visitors land at Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam airport and continue by pre-booked transfer or taxi to Grand Baie. Source: mauritius-buses.com
- Public bus via Port Louis By road from Port Louis · possible · unconfirmed
From the airport take line 198 to Port Louis, then switch to line 215 for Grand Baie. Source: mauritius-buses.com
From the airport to the centre
- Pre-booked transfer or taxi unconfirmed
Arrange a transfer in advance or agree a taxi fare before leaving the airport; buses stop well before late arrivals. Source: mauritius-buses.com
Getting around
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Unlicensed Jet-Ski / Boat Trip Overcharging
Grand Baie public beach and Grand Baie Beachfront promenade
Touts on the beach offer jet-ski rentals, "sunset cruises" or day trips to Ile aux Cerfs/Coin de Mire at cash-only prices with no receipt or licence. Prices are quoted verbally and often inflated on the day, with hidden add-ons (fuel, life jacket "rental") sprung at payment.
How to avoid it: Book boat trips and watersports through your hotel tour desk or a registered operator with a Tourism Authority licence and life-jacket/insurance cover. Get the full price in writing before boarding.
Timeshare / Property Presentation Pitch
Grand Baie Beachfront and Pereybere tourist strip
Friendly promoters approach tourists offering a "free" boat trip, spa voucher or meal in exchange for attending a timeshare or property-investment presentation. The presentation involves high-pressure sales tactics lasting hours.
How to avoid it: Politely decline any offer that requires attending a sales presentation, however good the free gift sounds. Legitimate boat trips and vouchers are booked directly, not handed out on the street.
Best time to visit Grand Baie
- Jan 28°C
- Feb 28°C
- Mar 28°C
- Apr 27°C
- May 26°C
- Jun 24°C
- Jul 24°C
- Aug 23°C
- Sep 24°C
- Oct 25°C
- Nov 26°C
- Dec 27°C
More in Mauritius
Frequently asked questions about Grand Baie
- How many days do you need in Grand Baie?
- A typical trip to Grand Baie is 2-3 days.
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Grand Baie?
- The highest-rated places in our Grand Baie guide are Notre Dame Auxiliatrice, Cap Malheureux, Mont Choisy Beach, Trou aux Biches Beach, Pereybere Beach, La Croisette Grand Baie.
- Where should I stay in Grand Baie?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Grand Baie: Grand Baie Beachfront, Pereybere, Pointe aux Canonniers.
- How do I get around Grand Baie?
- Ways to get around Grand Baie covered in our guide: Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Grand Baie?
- Scams reported to us for Grand Baie include Unlicensed Jet-Ski / Boat Trip Overcharging; Timeshare / Property Presentation Pitch. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Grand Baie?
- Average daytime highs in Grand Baie run from 23°C in Aug to 28°C in Feb.
- Which airport is nearest to Grand Baie?
- The nearest airport to Grand Baie has the code MRU.