August is a good month to visit Mauritius, provided you accept the southern-hemisphere winter: it is around 27 °C (81 °F) in the afternoon and 19 °C (66 °F) at night in Port Louis, almost no rain falls on the west coast (19 mm (0.7 in) on average) and humpback whales pass offshore. On the other hand, the wind blows hard on the east and south, the sea is at its coolest and summer holidays push prices up.
This page covers the weather in Mauritius in August, coast by coast, what you can do and how to keep the budget down. To compare with the other months, see our page on the best time to visit Mauritius.
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Mauritius in August: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ a good month, dry and sunny, but cool in the evening and windy in the east
- Temperatures in Port Louis: 26.8 °C (80 °F) in the afternoon, 19.1 °C (66 °F) at night
- Rain: 19 mm (0.7 in) on average in Port Louis, noticeably more on the central plateau
- Where to stay: west coast (Flic en Flac, Tamarin, Le Morne) or north (Grand Baie), sheltered from the trade winds
- Pluses: humpback whales, hiking, kitesurfing, outside the tropical cyclone season
- Limits: heavy crowds and high prices (summer school holidays), water cooler than in the southern summer
Weather in Mauritius in August
August falls in the middle of the southern-hemisphere winter. On an island some 60 km (37 mi) from north to south, what counts is not distance but exposure to the south-east trade winds, and altitude. Official normals are not published for each coast; the table uses those of Port Louis (north-west coast, representative of the beach areas of the west and north) and, to place the central plateau and Rodrigues, the months either side of August. If Rodrigues is part of your itinerary, our Rodrigues travel guide complements these August climate benchmarks.
| Station | Period | Max | Min | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Port Louis (north-west) | August | 26.8 °C (80 °F) | 19.1 °C (66 °F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Vacoas (central plateau) | July | 22.1 °C (72 °F) | 16.0 °C (61 °F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) |
| Vacoas (central plateau) | September | 23.1 °C (74 °F) | 16.2 °C (61 °F) | 77 mm (3.0 in) |
| Rodrigues | July | 25.0 °C (77 °F) | 19.1 °C (66 °F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Rodrigues | September | 25.4 °C (78 °F) | 19.3 °C (67 °F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Key point: on the west coast, August is one of the driest months of the year, with often clear days. Showers mainly affect the east, the south and the central plateau (Curepipe, Vacoas), which is also much cooler: expect about 22 °C (72 °F) in the afternoon and 16 °C (61 °F) at night in Vacoas around this time.
Which coast to choose in August?
- West (Flic en Flac, Tamarin, Le Morne): the driest and most sheltered, sunsets over the sea, departure point for whale and dolphin trips. The best choice in August.
- North (Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches, Cap Malheureux): climate close to the west, the liveliest area, excursions to the northern islets.
- East (Belle Mare, Trou d’Eau Douce): steady trade winds, skies more often cloudy, rougher sea. Pleasant for wind lovers, less so for lazing on the beach.
- South (Gris-Gris, Bel Ombre): wild coast, damp and windy in the southern winter. Better visited for a day than chosen as a base.
Things to do in Mauritius in August
Watching humpback whales
From July to October or so, humpback whales pass offshore on the west coast during their migration. Boat trips leave mainly from Tamarin and Rivière Noire. Choose an operator that respects approach distances, and book a few days ahead in holiday periods. To watch whales a little later in the season, our page Mauritius in October gives the weather and crowds for that month.
Hiking without the heat
Relatively cool, dry weather makes August a good month for walking: the Black River Gorges, Le Morne Brabant, Pieter Both. Start early, take a warm layer for the central plateau and check access conditions locally.
Kitesurfing and windsurfing
The trade winds are steady and strong from June to September. Le Morne, Pointe d’Esny and Belle Mare are the best-known spots. Beginners should use a school to pick the right lagoon for the wind strength. For the previous month, see our page on the weather in Mauritius in July.
Beach, lagoons and snorkelling
Swimming is still possible in August, but the water is cooler than in the southern summer and the wind chills you when you get out. The sheltered lagoons of the west and north are the most pleasant.
Cultural visits
Dry weather also suits sightseeing: the Central Market and museums of Port Louis, Chamarel and its Seven Coloured Earths, Grand Bassin, the Pamplemousses garden. Pack a rain jacket for the centre of the island.
What to avoid in August
- Booking a beach hotel on the east or south coast if your priority is sun and a calm sea
- Travelling without a sweater or windbreaker: evenings are cool, especially at altitude
- Waiting until the last minute to book: August is one of the busiest months
Events in August
| Period | Event | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| July to October or so | Humpback whale migration | West coast (Tamarin, Rivière Noire) |
| 15 August | Assumption | Public holiday in Mauritius |
| Late August or September (lunar calendar) | Ganesh Chaturthi | Hindu festival; date varies from year to year |
Crowds and prices in August
August is a busy month: summer school holidays in the northern hemisphere coincide with the dry season. Well-located hotels on the west coast fill up early, and rates are among the highest of the year along with Christmas. For the same dry weather with fewer people, September is often better value. If your dates are fixed by school holidays, book 4 to 6 months ahead and compare apartments or guesthouses, often cheaper than the big hotels.
What to pack
- Light outfits for the day, a sweater or fleece for the evening
- A light windbreaker, essential on the east coast and the central plateau
- Walking shoes for Le Morne or the Black River Gorges
- Sunscreen: the sun is still strong despite the cool air
- A thin wetsuit (shorty) if you plan to stay in the water for long
Cyclones and safety
According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 19 October 2026), the tropical cyclone season in Mauritius usually runs from November to May, so August is outside it. The FCDO also lists dengue and chikungunya among the health risks in Mauritius. Entry formalities depend on your nationality: see our page on the entry requirements for Mauritius.
If August does not suit you
Neighbouring months: July is the coolest month (27 °C (81 °F) in the afternoon in Port Louis); September is also dry (17 mm (0.7 in)), a little warmer and less busy, with whales still around. For a warmer sea, look at Mauritius in April, at the end of the rainy season; for the southern summer, Mauritius in February is very hot but in the heart of the cyclone season.
Other destinations in August: it is the dry season in Bali and Tanzania, two options for the same month. Torn with a neighbouring island? Compare with the best time to visit Réunion. All our ideas are on the page where to go in August.
To plan the rest of your stay (formalities, budget, itineraries), see our Mauritius travel guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is the weather good in Mauritius in August?
Yes, especially on the west and north coasts: August is one of the driest months, with 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain on average in Port Louis and about 27 °C (81 °F) in the afternoon. The east, south and central plateau are cloudier, windier and cooler.
Can you swim in Mauritius in August?
Yes. The water is cooler than in the southern summer and the wind chills the air, but swimming remains pleasant in the sheltered lagoons of the west and north.
Where should you stay in Mauritius in August?
On the west coast (Flic en Flac, Tamarin, Le Morne) or north (Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches), sheltered from the south-east trade winds. The east coast mainly suits kitesurfing fans.
Can you see whales in Mauritius in August?
Yes, August falls in the middle of the humpback whale migration season, from July to October or so. Trips leave mainly from Tamarin and Rivière Noire, on the west coast.
Are there cyclones in Mauritius in August?
No. According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK), the tropical cyclone season usually runs from November to May, so August, in the middle of the southern winter, is not affected.
Is August an expensive month for Mauritius?
Yes, it is one of the busiest months because of summer school holidays in the northern hemisphere. Book 4 to 6 months ahead, or aim for September for similar weather with fewer people.
Our sources
- World Meteorological Organization (World Weather Information Service): Port Louis station normals
- NOAA / WMO: 1991-2020 climate normals for the Vacoas station
- Mauritius Meteorological Services: Rodrigues normals
- Safety and health information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Mauritius (GOV.UK, updated 19 October 2026)
- Data and calendar already published on our page the best time to visit Mauritius
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.