Things to Do in North Mauritius: The Complete Guide
North Mauritius is the island's most accessible and energetic region, a stretch of coastline anchored by Grand Baie that draws both short-stay visitors and long-term residents for good reason. The lagoon is wide and calm, the road network connects you quickly to Port Louis, and the concentration of restaurants, dive operators, and open-air markets means you rarely run out of things to do. Whether you have three days or are weighing a permanent move, the north rewards attention.
The Beaches Worth Your Time
Grand Baie
Grand Baie is the north's commercial and social hub. The main beach sits right in the town centre, convenient rather than remote, and the bay itself is sheltered enough for swimming year-round. The real draw here is proximity: boat trips to the northern islands depart from the public beach area every morning, and the waterfront fills with catamaran operators, snorkelling charters, and glass-bottom boat excursions by 8am.
Pereybere
A short drive east of Grand Baie, Pereybere is quieter and better suited to a full afternoon. The beach is narrower but the water is clear, there are food stalls along the road, and the reef keeps the waves manageable. It attracts a local crowd on weekends, which is a reliable indicator that the food nearby is worth eating.
Mon Choisy and Trou aux Biches
These two beaches stretch along the northwest coast and are among the longest public beaches on the island. Mon Choisy in particular has a wide, shaded strip of sand backed by casuarina trees, practical for families who need shelter from the afternoon sun. Trou aux Biches is more developed, with several well-regarded hotels and a consistent reef break that draws beginner surfers.
Water Activities and Excursions
The northern islands, Flat Island, Gabriel Island, and Coin de Mire, are accessible by day trip from Grand Baie. Coin de Mire (Gunner's Quoin) is a volcanic outcrop visible from the coast and a recognised dive site; the wall dives here are among the more technically interesting on the island. Flat Island and Gabriel offer snorkelling in shallow turquoise water and the kind of unhurried afternoon that justifies the boat fare.
Kitesurfing has a growing presence at Pointe d'Esny and along the northern coast during the trade wind season (roughly May to October). Several operators in Grand Baie offer lessons and equipment hire.
Cultural and Market Experiences
Grand Baie Bazaar and Supermarkets
The Grand Baie Bazaar is a covered market selling clothing, souvenirs, and local produce. It is tourist-facing but useful for picking up spices, vanilla pods, and locally made rum at reasonable prices. For everyday shopping, the north has a strong supermarket network, Intermart and Winner's are well-stocked and familiar to long-term residents.
Cap Malheureux
At the northernmost tip of the island, Cap Malheureux is known for its red-roofed church, Notre Dame Auxiliatrice, which sits directly on the waterfront and appears on a significant portion of Mauritius postcards. The village itself is small and calm. The view across to Coin de Mire from here, particularly in the late afternoon, is one of the north's more memorable vantage points.
Eating and Drinking in the North
Grand Baie has the island's densest concentration of restaurants outside Port Louis. The range runs from Creole fish dishes at roadside tables to sushi bars and Italian-owned trattorias. Chez Ram in Grand Baie is a long-standing local institution for Creole cooking. For something more casual, the dholl puri vendors along the Route Royale near Trou aux Biches offer one of Mauritius's most satisfying street food experiences for under 50 rupees.
The north also has a reliable bar scene concentrated around the Grand Baie waterfront, useful context for anyone arriving from a quieter part of the island.
Practical Matters: Banking and Finance in Mauritius
For visitors staying longer than a few weeks, and especially for those relocating, understanding the local banking infrastructure matters. The Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) is the island's largest and most established retail bank, with a strong branch presence in Grand Baie and across the north.
MCB's internet banking platform, known as MCB Juice and MCB Internet Banking, allows account holders to manage transfers, pay bills, and access statements online. Internet banking with Mauritius Commercial Bank is straightforward to set up once you have a local account; the process requires in-branch verification and a Mauritian phone number for two-factor authentication. For internationally mobile professionals, MCB also offers services oriented toward non-resident account holders and those arriving under the Premium Visa or Occupation Permit schemes.
Other banks with a presence in the north include ABC Banking, Bank One, and SBM (State Bank of Mauritius), all of which offer comparable internet banking facilities.
Living in the North: Career and Job Opportunities in Mauritius
The north of Mauritius is not just a place to visit, it is increasingly a base for professionals and families who have relocated to the island. Mauritius has positioned itself as a regional business hub, and job opportunities in Mauritius span several sectors.
Key Sectors Hiring
Financial services and fintech remain the dominant employment sector for internationally qualified professionals. The island's regulatory environment, time zone (UTC+4), and tax framework attract fund administrators, compliance officers, and accountants from across the world.
Tourism and hospitality generate significant employment across all skill levels, from resort management to culinary roles, particularly relevant in the north given the density of hotels and operators.
ICT and business process outsourcing (BPO) have grown substantially. Several global firms operate delivery centres in Mauritius, and career opportunities in Mauritius within this sector are accessible to candidates with relevant technical or customer-facing experience.
Education and healthcare also present openings, particularly for professionals with international qualifications.
How to Search for Jobs in Mauritius
The primary local job boards are MyJob.mu and Careers.mu, both are well-maintained and list roles across sectors and seniority levels. LinkedIn is widely used by multinational employers and is the most effective channel for senior or specialist roles. The Economic Development Board (EDB) of Mauritius publishes guidance on work permit categories and the Occupation Permit, which combines a work and residence permit for eligible professionals, investors, and self-employed individuals.
For those already based in the north or planning to be, Grand Baie's proximity to Port Louis (approximately 20 kilometres via the M2 motorway) makes it a practical base for roles in the capital without requiring a city-centre address.
Getting Around the North
The north is the most straightforward part of Mauritius to navigate. The Route Royale (B13) connects Grand Baie to Port Louis in under 30 minutes outside peak hours. Car hire is widely available and recommended, public buses run regularly between Grand Baie and the capital but are less practical for reaching beaches and villages off the main road. Ride-hailing via inDriver and Uber operates across the north and is reliable for shorter journeys.