The Ultimate Mauritius Packing List: What to Wear in Mauritius 2025

Wondering what to pack for Mauritius? In this article, I’ve shared my top tips for what to wear in Mauritius, when to visit and the travel essentials I’ve personally used during my trip. 

This Mauritius packing list has eco-friendly suggestions to help you have a lighter footprint when exploring this breathtaking island. 

So, without further ado, here’s your complete packing list for Mauritius!

What to Pack for Mauritius: The Weather

Mauritius has a sub-tropical climate. You can expect gorgeous sunny weather with temperatures rarely going below 17 degrees or above 31 degrees Celsius. 

Its varied terrain gives it many different microclimates across the island. If it’s raining where you are, you can travel for about an hour to find some sun somewhere else! 

Mauritius only has two seasons – summer and winter. 

Since it’s an island in the Southern Hemisphere, summer is from November to April and winter is from June to September. The change in seasons is marked by transition months – May and October. 

Transitional months are good times to visit if you want cooler but still warm temperatures and less rainfall. 

Summer

Months: November – April

Average temperatures: 26-30 degrees Celcius / 77-86 degrees Fahrenheit

November through to April (summer) are the wettest months. February is the wettest month of the year with an average rainfall of 253 mm. These months, oddly enough, are also the sunniest. 

The amount of rainfall also depends on where you are on the island. The east coast and central plateau receive most of the wet weather, whereas the sheltered west coast is much drier. 

The hottest months in Mauritius are December to March, the height of summer. 

Temperatures average around 27-29 degrees Celcius. The weather is more humid and more prone to storms and rainfall. 

Winter

Months: June, July, August, September

Average temperatures: 21-25 degrees Celcius / 69-75 degrees Fahrenheit

The driest season is winter – from June to September. 

You get less rainfall, but temperatures are also a bit cooler, averaging around the mid-20s. The north receives more sunshine than the rest of the island. 

During the winter, you can experience a chilly wind in exposed areas so remember to bring a jacket. 

What About Cyclone Season? 

Since Mauritius is a tropical island, it’s prone to tropical storms. Cyclone season tends to be during the summer, from November to April. 

The most active period for cyclones is between December and March when sea temperatures get warmer. 

Although cyclones are something to be aware of, they shouldn’t put you off visiting Mauritius in the summer altogether. 

Hotel and resort buildings have been designed to withstand strong weather conditions. 

Most tropical storms pass by the island without causing too much damage. According to statistics, Mauritius is at the centre of a cyclone every five years. 

A sad fact of climate change is the increasing intensity of cyclones. When I visited, I saw first-hand what was left of the destruction from Cyclone Berguitta in 2019. 

The Best Time to Visit Mauritius

It’s down to preference, but if I had to choose, it would be in the transitional months. 

Temperatures are hot without being TOO hot, humidity isn’t as intense, and there’s less rainfall. I did get some rain when I visited in October, but it wasn’t a washout and only lasted a few days. 

Cooler temperatures make it much easier to explore the island!

Whichever time you visit, the temperatures are still nice and warm (in comparison to the UK…) and the sea temperatures are warm all year round. 

Pack for the Trip You’re Planning 

Before you put your Mauritius packing list together, think about what you’re planning to do. The type of trip you want to do will influence what you need to pack. 

Mauritius may be a small island but it has such a variety of natural beauty to explore. 

The packing list I’ve outlined below is primarily for those who want to get outdoors. This means light hiking in Mauritius, sightseeing, island hopping, snorkelling and being fairly active. 

If you’re also staying in resorts, you might need to consider smart casual clothing when packing for Mauritius. Holiday rentals might be a little more relaxed. 

How to Dress in Mauritius 

There’s no official religion in Mauritius so the island is full of churches, mosques and temples. That being said, Hinduism is the primary religion with 52% of the population identifying as Hindu. 

In terms of dress code, it’s pretty relaxed but it’s a good idea to err on the side of conservative to be respectful.

Wear a bikini but don’t go topless (there are no nudist beaches here, sorry). Keep your shirt on in public when you’re not at the beach (men). 

As a general rule, restaurants and resorts prefer it if you don’t wear shorts and strappy tops at dinner. Avoid flip-flops too. 

You can wear shorts while out and about, though. If you’re visiting religious sites, wear dresses and skirts that reach the knee and bring a light scarf to cover exposed shoulders. 

I recommend removing leather shoes and belts too. 

Packing List for Mauritius: General Packing Essentials 

These items are always essential no matter what!

• Passport – check it hasn’t expired before you go…
• Visa – find out if you need one on the official passport and immigration office.
• Plane tickets 
• Driver’s license – for ID or in case you want to hire a car.
• SIM card – pick one up from the airport on arrival or buy an eSIM. I use Airalo.
• Credit / debit card – most places accept bank cards. If you need cash, you can find ATMs. outside banks, at the airport, in supermarkets and shopping centres. 
• Cash – it’s a good idea to have a little cash with you when you arrive if you want to avoid high transaction fees at airport ATMs. 
• Travel insurance – always essential no matter where you go. I used Holiday Extras for Mauritius. 
• Hotel addresses – you may be asked where you’re staying by border security… and you need to know how to get to where you’re staying. 

Best Bags for Mauritius  

Day pack: for something you can easily walk around with during the day, Osprey Arcane has a great unisex roll-top bag that comes in 10 colours. 

It’s practical but looks nice enough when you’re out and about sightseeing or going for dinner. It’s also made from certified recycled fabric!

Carry-on: I go everywhere with my trusty Fairview 40 (Farpoint for men). It has so many compartments – including one for my laptop – and it’s such a comfy bag to wear. 

You can use it as a carry-on with most airlines except the really budget ones like Wizzair and Ryanair. 

Suitcase: I’m not always one to go for wheely suitcases just for practical purposes. But if you’re having a more relaxed trip and you’re not lugging bags around, wheels can be a nice extra. 

Osprey does a Sojourn 80 which is a backpack and wheely suitcase all in one! Too tired? Let down the wheels. Walking across the beach? Up on your back, it goes!

Editor’s tip: if you’ve never used them yet, packing cubes are going to change your life! They keep your entire suitcase in order and you can separate clean from dirty. I love the ones by Travel Dudes because they’re made from recycled plastic bottles and they compress so you can fit way more in. Magic!

What to Wear in Mauritius 

If I could summarise ‘how to dress in Mauritius’ into one word, it would be: breathable!

Bring clothes made out of breathable fabrics so you don’t overheat. That means keeping your polyester and other synthetic fabrics at home! 

Go for clothing made from cotton, linen or bamboo. These fabrics are much more eco-friendly too because they don’t shed microplastics in the wash. It’s a win-win! 

In terms of HOW MUCH to bring, you don’t need a lot. Aim for a capsule wardrobe with a variety of mix-and-match outfits for Mauritius. The key is you want to pack light. 

You can hand wash or use the hotel laundry service if need be. 

Here’s what to wear in Mauritius: 

Tops 

• T-shirts 
• Summer dresses
• Long-sleeved tops – for evenings and cooler weather. These bamboo ones are great.
• Light jacket – handy for any aggressive aircon and chilly winds. 
• Rain jacket – it rained when I was in Mauritius so bring one just in case. Even if it’s a pack-away Mac you stuff somewhere in your suitcase and never use. 

Bottoms 

• Shorts 
• Light pair of trousers – suitable for hiking, cooler weather or dressing a bit smarter. Bring along two pairs depending on what you’re planning to do. 
• Skirts – ideally below the knees for religious sites and dining out. 
• Pyjamas – your hot weather / summer ones!

Smalls 

• Enough underwear for the trip – these ones are sustainable for extra points!
• Enough socks for the trip. 
• Hiking socks – if you’re going hiking. 
• Bras – I’d avoid underwired in the heat but that’s just me!

Accessories 

• Sunglasses 
• Swimwear
• Beach cover-up 
• Snorkel and flippers – you can usually hire this equipment if it’s an organised activity but I recommend bringing your own if you plan to snorkel a lot. 
• Sun hat – I like this one because you can roll it up AND it has a drawstring to keep it from blowing away when you wear it.
• Light scarf / pashmina – doubles up as sun protection / covering for chilly nights and walking around religious sites.  

Best Shoes for Mauritius 

Sneakers: I love Tropicfeel. Hailed as the ‘ultimate travel shoe’ the brand’s terrain sneakers are lightweight, comfy, breathable and water-resistant. 

Sandals or flip-flops: I recommend bringing sandals as your slightly dressier shoes for sightseeing or dining out. Flip-flops are a good idea for hot sand on the beach!

Aquashoes: if you don’t like flip-flops or live in fear of sea urchins! Decathlon has some great budget-friendly ones. 

Hiking boots: these are very optional as their bulkiness can be awkward to carry around. Only bring these if you’re planning to do lots of hiking or challenging trails like up Le Morne Brabant. I like these ones by Will’s Vegan Store.

Toiletries to Pack for Mauritius

One of the easiest ways to be sustainable in your Mauritius packing list is to bring zero-waste and eco-friendly toiletries. 

Avoid products with excess plastic packaging. Stay clear of products with damaging chemicals like chemical-based sunscreen that harm marine life. 

If you’re packing a carry-on or want to limit liquids, go for solid toiletries. They last longer and they’re zero-waste too!

• Shampoo bar – a super simple way to reduce liquids in your luggage. My go-to is Gruum. 
• Conditioner bar – you can’t go wrong with Gruum again!
• Cleanser bar – you’ll want to be able to clean the sunscreen and bug spray off… this bar balances your skin and leaves it feeling refreshed – a must when on the go!
• Soap bar – I use Dr Bronner’s as a body wash. 
• Soap tin – to keep your solid toiletries mush-free and the rest of your stuff safe from soap mush!
• Sunscreen – an absolute essential for a tropical island. I use Green People as it’s reef-safe and blends into the skin beautifully with no grease.
• Powder sunscreen – a mineral powder sunscreen is handy to touch up your face over makeup and tricky to reach areas like your scalp.
• After sun – for the inevitable burns. I use Green People again. 
• Heat protection spray – take care of your hair in hot weather. 
• Moisturiser – go for a bar like this one. 
• Face cream – I love Beauty Kitchen. 
• Lip balm – Sun Bum protects your lips from the sun and keeps them moisturised. 
• Natural deodorant – this is the best natural deodorant I’ve ever used. 
• Reusable razor – these stainless steel razors are great. Keep blades in your checked luggage. 
• Shaving soap – this soap bar leaves your skin feeling lovely and smooth. 
• Reusable containers – for liquid toiletries. Rather than bringing minis, add what you need from your full-sized bottles to these containers. 
• Bamboo facecloths – they’re reusable and much better for your skin. 
• Your fave makeup 
• Bamboo toothbrush – I always get this one. 
• Bamboo toothbrush case – to keep your toothbrush safe and clean. 
• Toothpaste tabs – another liquid-free swap. Simply nibble a little on the tab and brush as normal. 
• Hairbrush 
• Lightweight microfibre towel – super quick drying and handy for the beach!
• First aid kit – a basic kit with plasters, painkillers and prescription medication. You might also want to have some hydration tablets and vitamins. 
• Hand sanitiser
• Insect repellent – keep those mozzies at bay!

Editor’s tip: Despite mosquitos, there’s no risk of Malaria in Mauritius. There is some risk of Dengue Fever though so it’s wise to bring mosquito repellent. 

Sustainable Travel Essentials for Mauritius

As travellers, it’s important not to contribute to plastic waste as the island only has a finite number of resources to deal with it. 

These items are eco-friendly versions of standard travel essentials. They make your packing list more sustainable without too much effort. They’ll even save you money too! 

For example, the filtered water bottle allows you to drink from any fresh water source around the world. I used mine on taps all over Mauritius and I was completely fine. 

I didn’t have to spend money on single-use plastic bottles either. 

Here are my go-to eco-friendly travel essentials: 

• Filtered water bottle – ditch single-use plastic water bottles for good now that you can get safe drinking water wherever you go. I’ve taken my trusty Water-to-Go bottle everywhere. You can read my review. 
• Reusable cutlery set – handy if you want to enjoy street food without plastic cutlery. 
• Reusable tote bags – one or two tote bags are always great to have. Get ones you can fold away for extra convenience. 
• Lunch box – great for leftovers and packed lunches. 
• Reusable coffee cup – an essential for coffee drinkers on the go. 
• Menstrual cup – they’re zero-waste, eco-friendly and you don’t have to stuff your bag with tampons!
• Period pants – these are an absolute game-changer! They’re comfy, odour-free and effective. Super easy for travel too. Have a few pairs with you and stash them in a bag to keep them separate from your other belongings until you’re able to wash them. Find out if they’re right for you in this WUKA period pants review.
• Guppyfriend wash bag – if you’re doing laundry, it’s good to have a Guppyfriend as they catch microplastics and fibres that your clothes shed in the wash.

Electronics and Gadgets 

Here’s a quick list of handy electronics I recommend for Mauritius. You can pick and choose depending on your travel style. Just remember to pack the right chargers!

• Camera – I use a Sony A6000 as it’s a great mid-range mirrorless camera. These days, smartphone cameras are pretty good so it comes down to preference. 
• Camera bag – keep your camera safe.
• SD card – bring an extra just in case. 
• Tripod and remote – these are handy if you’re travelling solo and want to take photos with yourself in them. 
• GoPro – optional but a nice thing to have for underwater photography. 
• Portable charger – so you don’t get caught out by low battery. 
• USB cable – always handy.
• Universal travel adapter – bring this one to be on the safe side. 
• Earphones – House of Marley do great eco-friendly ones.
• Chargers – for all your electronics!

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance 

I’ve covered this before but it’s worth mentioning again. Don’t forget to buy travel insurance before you go on your trip. You hopefully won’t need it but it’s important to have it just in case something goes wrong. 

Insurance is there to protect you if you get injured, lose your luggage and have holidays cancelled so don’t miss out. I used Holiday Extras for my trip to Mauritius. It covered everything I needed at an affordable rate too. 

Get a quote.

Optional Extras 

• Sleeping mask – I can’t sleep without mine. 
• Earplugs – there aren’t any hostels so there’s no danger of snorers in a dorm but you never know…
• Book
• Torch – always handy to have. 
• Padlock – I like to lock my suitcase when I’m out for added security.

Editor’s tip: if I’m travelling alone, I like to bring along a few security measures such as a door stop / portable door lock. Happily, I’ve never had to use them (touch wood) and Mauritius is very safe!

What NOT to Take to Mauritius  

• Mini travel toiletries – expensive and all single-use plastic make these a hard avoid. Opt for solid toiletries or use refillable containers if you want to cut down on weight and liquids. 
• High heels and fancy clothes – it depends on your trip but beachside resorts and uneven streets make high heels a nightmare. Plus I’m a big advocate for wearing clothes that you’re comfortable in. 
• Hairdryer – most hotels will have this but if not, the heat of the sun will take care of that!
• Expensive jewellery – it’s honestly not worth the risk. 
• Expensive electronics – again, not worth it. Leave laptops behind unless you’re planning on working. Take a tablet if you don’t want to be without it. 
• Umbrella – honestly, one gust of wind makes umbrellas more of a pain than their worth. A raincoat is a much better choice, particularly when you’re out in nature!
• Loads of cash – again, not worth it when you can pay by card or go to an ATM. 
• Heavy books – these will just be a pain to carry around. 

Mauritius Packing List: Final Thoughts 

So that concludes my guide on what to pack for Mauritius. 

Key advice to take away from is to pack for the trip you’re planning (see my itinerary here to get an idea of what to expect!), you need less than you think and you’ll want to avoid synthetic fabrics! 

Mauritius is an amazing ecotourism destination if you want it to be. You can help support them by wearing mineral-based sunscreen and limiting your plastic waste. 

If you’re planning your Mauritius trip, be sure to check out more of my itineraries and guides below packed with tips, must-dos and more!

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• Mauritius Travel Guide: Everything You Need To Know Before You Go
• Nature Reserves In Mauritius: Mountains, Wildlife and Waterfalls
• Best Mauritius Tours: 11 Top-Rated Excursions You Need To Book
• How To Visit Ile Aux Aigrettes Nature Reserve