Mauritius in December is the start of the southern-hemisphere summer: around 31 °C (88 °F) in the afternoon and 23 °C (73 °F) at night on the north-west coast, a very warm sea and the return of showers (85 mm (3.3 in) in Port Louis). Verdict: ✅ a good month, with two caveats: the tropical cyclone season has begun and the Christmas holidays make it the most expensive period of the year.
The first two weeks are often dry and more affordable; from the holidays on, demand soars. To place December in the year, see our page on the best time to visit Mauritius.
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Mauritius in December: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ hot and sunny, showers increasing
- Port Louis: 31.1 °C (88 °F) in the afternoon, 23.2 °C (74 °F) at night, 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain
- Central plateau: noticeably cooler and wetter (165 mm (6.5 in) in Vacoas)
- Cyclones: the season usually runs from November to May (UK FCDO)
- Prices: very high during the Christmas holidays
- Time difference: Mauritius (UTC+4) is 4 hours ahead of London (GMT) and 9 hours ahead of New York (EST) in December
Weather in Mauritius in December: coast by coast
| Station | Max | Min | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Louis (north-west) | 31.1 °C (88 °F) | 23.2 °C (74 °F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |
| Vacoas (central plateau) | 27.5 °C (82 °F) | 20.1 °C (68 °F) | 165 mm (6.5 in) |
| Rodrigues | 28.7 °C (84 °F) | 22.8 °C (73 °F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
The west coast and the north (Flic en Flac, Tamarin, Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches) remain the driest. In December, the east coast (Belle Mare, Trou d’Eau Douce) is also very pleasant: the trade winds, weaker than in the southern winter, temper the heat. The wild south (Bel Ombre, Gris-Gris) is at its best from October to December. December showers are often short and stormy, late in the day; humidity, meanwhile, rises through the month.
Cyclones in December
According to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 19 October 2026), the tropical cyclone season in Mauritius usually runs from November to May, so December is within it. Cyclones can cause extensive damage to property; during a cyclone you are not allowed to leave your accommodation, and car insurance policies often become invalid. If one occurs, follow the advice of the Mauritian government information service and the phased warnings of Mauritius Meteorological Services, and choose travel insurance covering cancellation or postponement. For comparison, see the weather in Mauritius in November. The following month is covered on our page Mauritius in January.
Things to do in Mauritius in December
- Beach and lagoons: the sea is among the warmest of the year; every coast is usable.
- Diving and snorkelling: a good season, from October to April apart from cyclone episodes (Blue Bay, Trou aux Biches, Flic en Flac).
- Big-game fishing off Black River, with a season running from October to April.
- Île aux Cerfs and the northern islets on a boat excursion.
- The Black River Gorges and Chamarel: hike early in the morning, before the heat.
- Christmas and New Year: many hotels organise gala dinners; book early.
Note: the humpback whale season ends around October; whales are generally no longer visible in December.
Crowds and prices in December
Until mid-December, attendance remains moderate and prices reasonable. With the Christmas holidays, December becomes the most expensive period of the year: for those dates, book flights and hotels 4 to 6 months ahead.
Entry formalities depend on your nationality: see our page on the entry requirements for Mauritius. The Mauritian rupee (MUR) is the official currency, according to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated December 8, 2025). All the practical information is in our Mauritius travel guide.
What to pack for December
- Very light clothes, in cotton or linen
- Swimsuits, a hat, sunglasses and reef-safe sunscreen
- Mosquito repellent: the UK FCDO lists dengue and chikungunya among the health risks in Mauritius
- A light rain jacket for showers
- A slightly smarter outfit for hotel gala dinners
Mauritius in December: who is it for?
- Fans of heat and warm sea: ✅ it is the start of the hottest season.
- Divers: ✅ a good period, apart from a possible cyclone episode.
- Families at Christmas: ⚠️ very good climate, but a high budget; book very early.
- Honeymoon: ✅ early in the month, quieter and cheaper.
- Hikers: ⚠️ heat and humidity mean setting off early in the morning.
For accommodation, the west coast (Flic en Flac, Tamarin) offers sunsets and the driest weather; the north (Grand Baie) is the liveliest; the east (Belle Mare) becomes very pleasant in December thanks to the breeze. The south remains wilder, with a sea that is often rough in places.
If December does not suit you
November is still dry (24 mm (0.9 in) in Port Louis), hot and cheaper outside holidays. October is the driest month of the year. For the cooler southern winter, see Mauritius in August; for the end of summer, Mauritius in April, or in February if you accept the peak of the cyclone season.
Other destinations in December: Cape Verde in December, Thailand, in the middle of its dry season, or Dubai in December. More ideas: where to go in December.
Good to know on the island in December
- The tropical sun is very strong in the southern summer: protect yourself even on cloudy days and avoid exposure between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- For snorkelling, stay in lagoons protected by the coral reef and ask about currents before swimming towards the passes.
- In the event of a cyclone alert, the instructions of the Mauritian authorities apply: stay indoors and follow information from your hotel.
- All payments for care providers are expected in Mauritian rupees, and ATMs are available at the international airport and around the major tourist destinations, according to the U.S. Department of State.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Mauritius in December?
Hot and increasingly humid: 31.1 °C (88 °F) in the afternoon and 23.2 °C (74 °F) at night in Port Louis, with 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain over the month, mostly as showers.
Are there cyclones in Mauritius in December?
The cyclone season has begun: according to the UK FCDO (GOV.UK), it usually runs from November to May. Follow the bulletins of Mauritius Meteorological Services.
Which coast should you choose in December?
Every coast is pleasant. The west and north remain the driest; the east and south are at their best, with a breeze that tempers the heat.
Is it expensive to go to Mauritius for Christmas?
Yes, it is the most expensive period of the year. Going in early December gives you the same climate at lower prices.
Can you see whales in Mauritius in December?
Generally not: they pass offshore of the west coast from July to October or so.
Our sources
- World Meteorological Organization (World Weather Information Service): Port Louis normals
- NOAA / WMO: 1991-2020 normals for Vacoas; Mauritius Meteorological Services: Rodrigues normals
- Safety, health and practical information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Mauritius (GOV.UK, updated 19 October 2026), and U.S. Department of State, Mauritius country information (travel.state.gov, last updated December 8, 2025)
- Time-difference calculation from UTC offsets, with the UK and US clock-change rules from GOV.UK, When do the clocks change, and NIST, Daylight Saving Time
- Data taken from our page the best time to visit Mauritius
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.