Under the Influence of the South East Trade Winds, some places are windy near the sea shore such as Le Souffleur, Gris Gris and Le Bouchon. Pointe d’Esny & Blue Bay beaches both face one of the most magnificent lagoons on the island, well known for its soothing South East Trade Winds, clean, safe and quiet swimming. Moreover, the bay offers a spectacular view with the outer islands and the regular sails of the typical fishing boats returning from their day’s trip.
WEATHER & CLIMATE
The east to south coast faces the trade winds almost all year round. The weather is therefore quite windy, especially in winter.
On the other hand, this part of the island remains relatively fresh in summer. The beach of Pointe d'Esny is said to be the best spot for lazy summer days. Beware of sunburns as the fresh breeze may lead you to think that the sun is not hot until it's too late. T-shirt or bathing suit is all you need in summer (November to March.) Sweatshirts are welcome in the evenings during the months of September, October, April and May.
During winter, (June to August) evenings may get cool as early as 17h00. and warm clothes are definitely necessary after sunset.
TOPOGRAPHY
It must be the South-eastern Coast’s simplicity and tranquil atmosphere that makes up all its charm. Facing the largest lagoon of Mauritius begins in the very south east at Pointe D’Esny and stretches over twenty-two kilometres, up to Trou-d’Eau-Douce, where it is joined by the lagoon of Belle Mare.
The South-eastern coast of Mauritius is one of the most varied and historically interesting parts of the island. The coast is dotted with historical sites that mark the earlier and first Dutch and French settlements whilst inland unique endemic riches lie untamed in the forests of Ferney (La Vallée de Ferney). With Vieux Grand Port as the first landing station, the region around it was the first to be cultivated and developed. It was here, in the southeast, that the Dutch explorers built Mauritius’ first settlement back in 1638.
In 1735, the French Governor Mahé de Labourdonnais decided to move the main port to the opposite side of the island and declared Port Louis the main harbour and administration centre. This did not cause the southern region to loose much of its importance, but it became a lot quieter and has remained that way ever since. The city of Mahébourg, to which Governor Labourdonnais, gave his first name, is a historical landmark, a part of its’ rich heritage is on display at the Naval Museum.
It was not until much later, under the British Empire that this region was gradually left behind. Today, the South and South East of the island are the least developed and most authentic regions of Mauritius. If Blue Bay and Pointe d’Esny villages boast the only quality hotels in the area, the drive from the South East from Blue Bay to the East coast is one of the most spectacular views of the island. The coast road is only a few meters away from the lapping waters of the Indian Ocean and the colours of the water must one of the clearest and most unpolluted of Mauritius. The best beaches in that area are Blue Bay and Pointe d’Esny. The drive along the coast offers alternating sea and hill views and the temptation varies between sunbathing and hiking.
Due to the prevailing humidity, the vegetation in the region is very lush and unspoilt, harbouring many endemic trees and plants.
Along the South Coast, there are some shallow lagoons with crystal clear waters but the South is one of the few places of Mauritius where the open sea comes straight in to break on rocky cliffs. In most places, bathing is considered as hazardous due to strong currents and dangerous waves.
Visiting the Southeast is a twofold experience as its scenery and the omnipresence of its colonial history are both intriguing. In our opinion, the South is the region that contains by far the most interesting traces of the French colonial era.
The places of interest are numerous in the area and region: The historical museum of Mahébourg, the exceptional nature reserve on île aux Aigrettes only 400 meters across the Mahébourg bay, The Biscuit Factory of the Rault family, Ile des deux Cocos (now private) and further up to the east the Freidrik Hendrik Museum.