Mauritius in November: weather, cyclones and what to do

Mauritius in November is the start of the southern summer with the dry weather of winter still in place: around 30 °C (86 °F) in the afternoon and 22 °C (72 °F) at night in Port Louis, only 24 mm (0.9 in) of rain over the month and a warming sea. Verdict: ✅ a very good month, one of the best of the year. The only caveat: the cyclone season usually starts in November (the UK FCDO says it runs from November to May), even if the risk is still low at this stage. For the clock side of November, our page on the time difference in Mauritius explains the gap before and after clocks change in the UK and US.

November combines three rare advantages: the heat returns, the rains have not arrived yet and crowds are moderate, once the autumn holiday travel peak is over. It is also a good time to enjoy the east coast, less windy than in the southern winter. This page covers the month in detail; to compare with the rest of the year, see our page on the best time to visit Mauritius.

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Mauritius in November: key facts

  • Verdict: ✅ hot, dry and sunny, ideal for the beach
  • North-west coast: 30.2 °C (86 °F) in the afternoon, 21.8 °C (71 °F) at night, 24 mm (0.9 in) of rain in Port Louis
  • Central plateau: cooler and wetter (26.2 °C (79 °F), 81 mm (3.2 in) in Vacoas)
  • Cyclones: the season usually starts in November; risk still low early on
  • Crowds: moderate, mid-range prices before the Christmas surge
  • Time difference: 4 hours ahead of London (GMT); 8 hours ahead of New York until 1 November, then 9 hours (EST)

Weather in Mauritius in November: temperatures and rain

On an island this small, exposure to the wind and altitude matter more than distance. In November, the gaps remain moderate: the whole island is coming out of the dry season, and even the central plateau gets much less rain than in summer.

StationMaxMinRainRainy days
Port Louis (north-west)30.2 °C (86 °F)21.8 °C (71 °F)24 mm (0.9 in)–
Vacoas (central plateau)26.2 °C (79 °F)18.5 °C (65 °F)81 mm (3.2 in)9
Rodrigues27.4 °C (81 °F)21.3 °C (70 °F)70 mm (2.8 in)7
Port Louis: normals published by the World Meteorological Organization (World Weather Information Service, period not stated). Vacoas: 1991-2020 normals (NOAA, based on WMO data; days with at least 1 mm (0.04 in)). Rodrigues: normals from the Mauritius Meteorological Services.

In Port Louis, November is almost as dry as October (15 mm; 0.6 in), the driest month of the year, and far from December (85 mm; 3.3 in) or February (160 mm; 6.3 in). The heat builds from month to month: from 28.8 °C (84 °F) in October to 30.2 °C (86 °F) in November, then 31.1 °C (88 °F) in December. The few showers tend to fall late in the day.

Which coast to choose in November

  • West and north-west (Flic en Flac, Tamarin, Le Morne): the driest and sunniest coast, with sunsets over the sea.
  • North (Grand Baie, Trou aux Biches): a climate close to the west, the liveliest area, with many departures for excursions to the islets.
  • East (Belle Mare, Trou d’Eau Douce): September to December is its best period. The wind tempers the heat.
  • South (Bel Ombre, Gris-Gris): the wildest coast, recommended from October to December if you want to stay there.

Things to do in Mauritius in November

  • Beach and lagoon: the sea is warming up and the weather is dry. All coasts are suitable, the east included.
  • Diving and snorkelling: the favourable season runs from October to April. Blue Bay, Trou aux Biches or Flic en Flac, with often clear water.
  • Big-game fishing: the season runs from October to April, from the west coast (Rivière Noire).
  • Hiking: November is the last month of the recommended period (May to November). Black River Gorges, Le Morne Brabant, Pieter Both: start early, as the heat builds quickly.
  • Excursions: Île aux Cerfs, Chamarel and its waterfall, Grand Bassin, the Pamplemousses garden.

What to avoid in November

  • Counting on humpback whales: their season runs from July to about October. In November it is usually too late.
  • Hiking in the middle of the day: above 30 °C (86 °F), walk in the morning.
  • Confusing November with late December: the climate is similar, but prices rise sharply over the festive period.

Cyclones in November: should you worry?

The UK FCDO says the tropical cyclone season in Mauritius usually runs from November to May (GOV.UK, updated 19 October 2026); our best-time page places the highest risk from January to March. In November the risk is still low: it is the start of the season. A cyclone does not hit Mauritius every year, but a close pass can bring several days of rain and wind, and during a cyclone you are not allowed to leave your accommodation (UK FCDO). Take out insurance that covers cancellation or postponement for weather, and follow the bulletins of the Mauritius Meteorological Services on arrival.

Events in Mauritius in November

PeriodEventWhere
Late October or November (lunar calendar)Divali, the festival of lights: oil lamps in front of homesNationwide
October to AprilBig-game fishing seasonWest coast
Early NovemberQuieter period after the autumn holiday travel peakFewer visitors
The date of Divali changes every year: check it with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority before booking.

Crowds and prices in November

November is a month of moderate crowds with mid-range prices. Rates generally stay reasonable until mid-December, then soar for the festive season. For November, 2 to 3 months’ notice is often enough; allow longer if your dates fall right after the autumn holiday peak.

What to pack for Mauritius in November

  • Light cotton or linen clothes, swimwear, a sarong
  • A hat, sunglasses and sunscreen suited to the tropical sun
  • A light windbreaker for boat trips and the east coast
  • A light sweater for the central plateau and air conditioning
  • Closed shoes for hikes and reef shoes for the lagoon
  • Mosquito repellent (the UK FCDO lists dengue and chikungunya among the risks in Mauritius)

Our advice for a stay in November

  • Take the chance to stay in the east (Belle Mare, Trou d’Eau Douce): it is one of the best periods for this coast.
  • Combine two coasts on a stay of 10 days or more, for example the east then the west for the sunsets.
  • Schedule hikes and visits for the morning, and the beach for the afternoon.
  • Estimate your budget in Mauritian rupees with our currency converter.

If November does not suit you

October is the driest month of the year (15 mm (0.6 in) in Port Louis) and slightly less hot. December is even hotter, but the rains return and the festive season pushes prices up. For whales, look to the southern winter, for example Mauritius in August; for the end of the southern summer, see Mauritius in April.

Other destinations in November: Réunion, the Seychelles, or Thailand, which returns to its dry season in Bangkok and the north. All our ideas are on the page where to go in November. To choose your coast and hotel, read our Mauritius travel guide.

Frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Mauritius in November?

Hot and dry: around 30 °C (86 °F) in the afternoon and 22 °C (72 °F) at night in Port Louis, with 24 mm (0.9 in) of rain over the month. The central plateau is cooler (26 °C (79 °F)) and wetter (81 mm (3.2 in) in Vacoas).

Is November a good month for Mauritius?

Yes, it is one of the best: still-dry weather, the heat returning, a warming sea and moderate crowds.

Are there cyclones in Mauritius in November?

November is the start of the tropical cyclone season, which the UK FCDO says usually runs from November to May (GOV.UK, updated 19 October 2026), but the risk is still low then. It is highest from January to March, according to our calendar.

Can you see whales in Mauritius in November?

Generally not: humpback whales pass off the west coast from July to about October.

Which coast should you choose in Mauritius in November?

The west and north remain the driest. November is also a very good time for the east coast (Belle Mare, Trou d’Eau Douce).

Our sources

Updated November 2026.