Grand Baie in Mauritius: what to see, best beaches, hotels and things to do

Grand Baie is one of the best-known and liveliest resorts in Mauritius. This is where many visitors begin exploring the island: during the day they relax on the beaches, go on sea excursions or trips to neighbouring islands, and in the evening choose one of the many restaurants, bars or cafés overlooking the ocean. Thanks to its developed infrastructure, wide choice of hotels and convenient location, Grand Baie is equally popular with families with children, young travellers and couples.

The resort is located on the north coast of Mauritius, about an hour's drive from Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport. From here it is convenient to travel around the northern part of the island, visit natural attractions, Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, Cap Malheureux and other interesting places.

In this article, we explain what Grand Baie is famous for, which beaches are worth visiting, what to see during your holiday and which hotels are considered the best in the resort.

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What attracts visitors to Grand Baie

Grand Baie is often called the tourist capital of Mauritius. Everything travellers love about the island is concentrated here: beautiful beaches, a wide choice of restaurants, modern shopping centres, a beautiful marina with yachts and dozens of options for sea excursions. At the same time, the resort keeps the atmosphere of a small coastal town, where it is pleasant to walk along the waterfront, watch excursion boats and yachts, and meet the sunset by the ocean.

Main advantages of Grand Baie:

• one of the most developed resorts in Mauritius;
• convenient location for travelling around the north of the island;
• a wide choice of accommodation - from cosy boutique hotels to luxury five-star resorts;
• beautiful beaches and calm lagoons;
• boat trips, diving, snorkeling and fishing;
• a wide choice of restaurants, cafés, shops and evening entertainment.

Unlike the quieter resorts of southern Mauritius, Grand Baie is lively almost all year round. That is why it is often chosen by travellers who want to combine a beach holiday with excursions, active leisure and getting to know the local culture.

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Best beaches in Grand Baie

The northern coast of the island is famous for its calm lagoons, clear water and some of the best beaches. Most of them are only a few minutes' drive from each other, so during a holiday in Grand Baie it is easy to change locations every day. There are lively beaches with restaurants and water activities as well as quiet coves for a peaceful stay.

Grand Baie Public Beach

The main public beach in Grand Baie is located right in the centre of the resort. It is always lively here: yachts and excursion boats are moored near the shore, water sports schools operate, and restaurants, cafés and shops line the waterfront. Most sea excursions to the northern islands depart from here.

Within a few minutes' walk are such well-known hotels as LUX Grand Baie Resort & Residences*, Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury and Mauricia Beachcomber Resort & Spa, so many tourists choose this area for a holiday without needing to rent a car.

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Pereybere Beach

A few minutes' drive away is one of the most beautiful beaches in northern Mauritius. Pereybere is famous for its white sand, calm lagoon and clear water. It is ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Thanks to the gentle entry into the sea, the beach is especially popular with families with children. Pereybere Hotel & Spa, Hibiscus Boutique Hotel and other small boutique hotels are nearby, while the centre of Grand Baie is only a few minutes away by car.

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La Cuvette

La Cuvette is a small bay near the centre of Grand Baie. There are fewer holidaymakers here than on the neighbouring beaches, and the water remains calm most of the time thanks to the sheltered location of the bay. Nearby are 20 Degres Sud and Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury. This area is often chosen by travellers who want to combine peace and quiet with proximity to the restaurants and entertainment of Grand Baie.

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Mont Choisy

About a ten-minute drive from Grand Baie is one of the longest beaches in Mauritius. Mont Choisy stretches for almost three kilometres along a turquoise lagoon and is surrounded by casuarina trees. Long walks along the ocean are the main reason to visit this place. Near the beach are Mystik Life Style by Newmark, Mon Choisy Beach R. and Mauricia Beachcomber Resort & Spa.

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What to see in Grand Baie

Despite its reputation as a beach resort, Grand Baie offers much more than relaxing by the ocean. Exciting sea excursions, the amazing nature of northern Mauritius, colourful local markets and shopping centres. Many attractions are only a few minutes' drive away, so you can plan a full programme even without long journeys.

La Croisette

The most modern shopping and entertainment centre in northern Mauritius. It has dozens of international brand stores, a supermarket, cafés, restaurants, a cinema and children's play areas. It is a good place to spend a few hours on a hot day, buy souvenirs or simply relax after excursions.

Grand Baie-Lazar

A small Grand Baie Bazar market where you can experience the local atmosphere. Spices, tea, handicrafts, textiles, jewellery and souvenirs are sold here. Many tourists come here for natural vanilla, locally produced rum and traditional Mauritian spices.

Sunset Boulevard

A waterfront area with restaurants, shops and views of Grand Baie Bay. During the day it is pleasant to walk along the ocean or stop at one of the many cafés, while in the evening the area becomes one of the liveliest places in the resort. This is where you can enjoy beautiful views of yachts and the sunset over the lagoon.

Sea excursions to the northern islands

One of the most popular activities in the resort. Catamarans and speedboats depart daily from Grand Baie for Gabriel Island, Flat Island and Coin de Mire. Such excursions usually include stops for snorkeling, swimming in the clear lagoon and relaxing on white-sand beaches. Many tours include lunch on board and take almost the whole day.

Pamplemousses Botanical Garden

About a 20-minute drive away is one of the most famous botanical gardens in the Indian Ocean - Pamplemousses. Here you can see giant water lilies, rare species of palms, baobabs, spices and dozens of exotic plants from around the world. It is one of the most visited attractions in Mauritius and a great place for a walk in the shade of tropical trees.

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Red Church in Cap Malheureux

About a ten-minute drive from Grand Baie is the almost 100-year-old small church of Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice, which has become one of the symbols of Mauritius. It is known for its bright red roof, white walls and scenic ocean view. It is one of the most photographed places on the island, especially in clear weather when Coin de Mire can be seen clearly on the horizon.

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Things to do in Grand Baie

Grand Baie is considered one of the best resorts in Mauritius for active holidays. You can spend your entire holiday here alternating beach days with boat trips and excursions. Most activities are available all year round, and thanks to the calm lagoon many of them are suitable even for those trying active water recreation for the first time.

Catamaran trips

They usually take place along the northern coast of Mauritius with stops for swimming and snorkeling. Many tours include visits to Gabriel Island and Flat Island, as well as lunch with local dishes served right on board.

Snorkeling and diving

Grand Baie Lagoon is protected by a coral reef, so the water is calm and well suited for discovering the underwater world. Diving centres operate in the area and offer dives for both beginners and experienced divers. While snorkeling, you can see coral gardens, tropical fish, starfish and other colourful ocean inhabitants.

Water activities

The resort's beaches offer almost all popular water activities: kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, water skiing, parasailing, windsurfing and jet ski rides. Glass-bottom boats are especially popular with families with children - such trips often need to be booked in advance.

Ocean fishing

Boats leave Grand Baie marina every day for the open ocean in search of blue marlin, tuna, dorado and other large fish species. These tours are popular both with experienced anglers and tourists who want to try ocean fishing for the first time.

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Best hotels in Grand Baie

In Grand Baie, you can find both luxury five-star resorts with private beaches and cosy boutique hotels or modern hotels at more affordable prices. Many of them are within walking distance of restaurants, shops and excursion piers, so it is convenient to stay here even without a car.

Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury

The legendary five-star hotel has been considered one of the best in Mauritius for many years. Royal Palm is located in a quiet part of Grand Baie Bay and is famous for its high level of service. Guests can enjoy spacious ocean-view suites, three restaurants, a private beach, several swimming pools, a spa and tennis courts. Despite the peaceful atmosphere, the resort centre with its restaurants and shops is only a few minutes' walk away.

Royal Palm Beachcomber Luxury

Mauricia Beachcomber Resort & Spa

The hotel is located right at the entrance to Grand Baie Bay and is considered one of the best options for a family holiday. The accommodation includes standard rooms, family apartments and spacious suites. Guests have access to several restaurants, swimming pools, a spa, a kids' club and a water sports centre. The hotel's location is very convenient - shops, cafés and the resort's evening entertainment can all be reached on foot.

Mauricia Beachcomber Resort & Spa

Veranda Grand Baie

The 4-star resort is designed in a traditional island style and creates a more intimate atmosphere compared with large hotel complexes. Veranda Grand Baie

has its own beach, an outdoor pool, a restaurant and a spa, and offers a wide choice of water activities. The Grand Baie waterfront with its many restaurants and shops can be reached on foot in just a few minutes.

Veranda Grand Baie

When is the best time to visit Grand Baie

Grand Baie is considered a year-round resort, but the most comfortable conditions for a holiday are during the period from May to November. At this time, the north of Mauritius usually has sunny weather without extreme heat, and the air temperature stays around +24-28 °C. The ocean remains warm all year round, so swimming is possible in any season.

Grand Baie combines a beach holiday, the active rhythm of resort life, stunning Seychellois views and developed infrastructure, which is why it remains one of the most popular resort areas in Mauritius.

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