Mauritius in October is the driest month of the year on the west coast: around 29 °C (84 °F) in the afternoon, 20 °C (68 °F) at night and only 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain in Port Louis. Verdict: ✅ one of the best months of the year, with one real caveat: autumn school holidays push prices up.
The end of the southern winter brings clear skies, a warming sea and weakening trade winds. All coasts become pleasant. To compare, see our page on the best time to visit Mauritius.
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Mauritius in October: key facts
- Verdict: ✅ dry, sunny, ideal temperatures
- Port Louis: 28.8 °C (84 °F) in the afternoon, 20.4 °C (69 °F) at night, 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain
- Central plateau: 24.5 °C (76 °F), 61 mm (2.4 in) in Vacoas
- Whales: end of the watching season, off the west coast
- Cyclones: outside the season (the UK FCDO says it usually runs from November to May)
- Prices: mid-range, higher during school holidays
Weather in Mauritius in October: coast by coast
| Station | Max | Min | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Louis (north-west) | 28.8 °C (84 °F) | 20.4 °C (69 °F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Vacoas (central plateau) | 24.5 °C (76 °F) | 17.2 °C (63 °F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Rodrigues | 26.3 °C (79 °F) | 20.1 °C (68 °F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
October is the low point for rainfall on the west and north coasts (Flic en Flac, Tamarin, Le Morne, Grand Baie). The east coast (Belle Mare, Trou d’Eau Douce, Blue Bay) enters its best period, from September to December, with a lighter wind than in July-August. The wild south also becomes pleasant. In the evening it is still cool enough for a light sweater, especially on the central plateau, where it rains more. Rodrigues is in its driest period (September to November). Rodrigues’ dry season suits a few days on the island: our Rodrigues travel guide helps you organise this extension. For the rest of the warmer, wetter season, the weather in Mauritius in December details the showers coast by coast.
Can you swim in October?
Yes. After the southern winter, the sea warms up through the month, and the lagoons protected by the coral reef are calm, especially in the west and north. For lack of an official public source, we do not show a water temperature.
Things to do in Mauritius in October
- Humpback whales: the watching season, from July to about October, is ending; trips leave from Tamarin and Rivière Noire.
- Hiking: Le Morne Brabant, the Black River Gorges and Pieter Both, in dry weather (recommended season: May to November).
- Diving and snorkelling: the start of the best season, October to April.
- Big-game fishing off the west coast, which starts in October.
- East-coast beaches: Belle Mare and Île aux Cerfs, now less windy.
- Kitesurfing at Le Morne or Pointe d’Esny, still possible early in the month, even if the trade winds are weakening.
Events in October
Divali, the festival of lights, takes place in late October or in November according to the lunar calendar: homes and streets are lit up across the country. Check the date for the year with the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority.
Crowds and prices in October
Outside peak holiday periods, October is a month of moderate crowds. During autumn school holidays in many countries, demand and prices rise noticeably: book 4 to 6 months ahead for those dates. For the rest of the month, 2 to 3 months is generally enough.
For entry requirements for US and UK citizens, see the entry requirements for Mauritius in our country guide. The UK FCDO notes that you must fill in the Mauritius All in One travel form online before you arrive (GOV.UK, updated 19 October 2026). Time difference: Mauritius is on UTC+4 all year. In October 2026 it is 3 hours ahead of London until UK clocks go back on 25 October, then 4 hours ahead; it is 8 hours ahead of New York all month (US clocks go back on 1 November). More in our page on the local time in Mauritius.
What to pack for Mauritius in October
- Light clothes for the day, a sweater or light jacket for the evenings
- Walking shoes for Le Morne or Rivière Noire
- Swimsuits, mask and snorkel, reef-safe sunscreen
- A windbreaker if you stay on the east coast
- Mosquito repellent (the UK FCDO lists dengue and chikungunya among the risks in Mauritius)
Mauritius in October: who is it for?
- First trip: ✅ the most reliable climate of the year.
- Honeymoon: ✅ October-November is our recommended period.
- Hikers: ✅ dry weather and still-moderate temperatures.
- Families during autumn school holidays: ✅ ideal climate, but prices rise; book early.
- Kitesurfers: ⚠️ the trade winds weaken; June to September remains the safer bet.
For a 10-day stay, a classic combination is to base yourself on the west coast (hiking at Le Morne, Chamarel, boat trips from Tamarin), then spend a few nights on the east coast (Belle Mare, Île aux Cerfs), which is entering its best season. The island is small: journeys from one coast to the other stay short, but traffic is heavy at rush hour around Port Louis.
If October does not suit you
September is almost as dry (17 mm; 0.7 in), with whales in full season and fewer people; November is warmer (30 °C; 86 °F), still dry and often cheaper outside holiday periods. For the southern winter, see Mauritius in August; for summer, Mauritius in February or in April.
Other destinations in October: Bali in October, Madeira in October or Morocco in October. More ideas: where to go in October.
Good to know on the ground in October
- The sun is strong even when the air feels cool: sunscreen and a hat remain essential.
- For whale and dolphin trips, choose an operator that respects approach distances and observation time; the UK FCDO advises checking that operators hold a valid permit from the Ministry of Tourism (GOV.UK, updated 19 October 2026).
- For snorkelling, stay in the lagoons and ask about currents near the passes.
- Keep some rupees in cash for markets and small shops.
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Mauritius in October?
Dry and sunny: 28.8 °C (84 °F) in the afternoon, 20.4 °C (69 °F) at night and 15 mm (0.6 in) of rain in Port Louis. It is the driest month of the year on this coast.
Is October the best month for Mauritius?
It is one of the best, along with September and November: little rain, pleasant temperatures, no cyclones and a warming sea.
Can you see whales in October?
It is the end of the season, from July to about October. Chances are better early in the month; ask the operators in Tamarin.
Which coast should you choose in October?
All of them suit. The west and north are the driest; the east and south become pleasant with weaker trade winds.
Is it cold in the evening in Mauritius in October?
Not really: around 20 °C (68 °F) at night in Port Louis. A light sweater is enough for evenings by the sea; it is cooler on the central plateau (17 °C (63 °F) at night in Vacoas).
Is Mauritius expensive during the autumn school holidays?
Flight and hotel prices rise noticeably during school holidays. Book several months ahead or travel in early October.
Our sources
- World Meteorological Organization (World Weather Information Service): Port Louis normals
- NOAA / WMO: 1991-2020 normals for Vacoas; Mauritius Meteorological Services: Rodrigues normals
- UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Mauritius (GOV.UK, updated 19 October 2026), read on 26 October 2026: cyclone season, water sports, health, entry form. Time rules: 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.