Austral winter · The start of winter

A trip to Mauritius in May: climate, activities and prices

The official start of the southern winter: near-perfect conditions, clear skies, a calm sea and a steady trade wind that's ideal for kitesurfing.

19-27°Cair26°Csea95 mm/ 8 daysLowcyclone

May marks the official start of winter in Mauritius, which lies in the southern hemisphere. Temperatures drop (19-27°C during the day), rainfall settles at around 95mm over an average of 8 days, and the cyclone risk becomes low. It's one of the locals' favourite months: almost always clear skies, a steady trade wind and golden light that's ideal for photography.

1 May is a national holiday (Labour Day), with political rallies and union gatherings in Port Louis. Worth knowing if you're planning your trip around the start of the month. If you're renting a car for your stay, steer clear of central Port Louis that day: the rallies make it one of the busiest days of the year in the city centre.

For kitesurfers, May is generally seen as one of the 2 or 3 best months of the year at Le Morne, with a trade wind blowing steadily at 15 to 25 knots. Hikers will find it comfortable even in the middle of the day, and divers still have water at 26°C.

Climate in detail

Conditions in Mauritius in May

Air temperature

19-27°C

Average min - max

Sea temperature

26°C

Great for swimming

Monthly rainfall

95 mm

8 days of rain

Cyclone risk

Low

Keep an eye on the forecast

Marine wildlife in May · spinner dolphins resident in Tamarin Bay year-round.

To do this month

5 standout activities in May

A selection of the activities best suited to this month's conditions. Prices and availability verified as of the update date below.

Kitesurfer sur le lagon turquoise de l'île Maurice, voile en hauteur, planche en glisse

Kitesurf Maurice

6 formules de kitesurf au Morne, à Bel Ombre et à Anse la Raie : cours de 2 h dès 85 € ( 2 élèves max par moniteur ), stages, privé, location dès 80 €.

From €80See

Sommet rocheux mauricien éclairé par la lumière du lever de soleil, végétation tropicale dense

Randonnée Maurice

17 randonnées guidées sur 6 zones ( Morne Brabant UNESCO, Gorges de Rivière Noire, Le Pouce, Chamarel ) dès 34 € pour les 7 cascades de Tamarin ( 5/5 sur 55 avis Manawa ).

From €34See

Deux plongeurs sous-marins encadrés en eaux turquoise de l'île Maurice

Plongée Maurice

12 formules plongée à l'île Maurice dès 50 € en exploration et 80 € en baptême, sur 4 spots ( Blue Bay, Grand Baie, Tamarin, Belle Mare ) via Manawa.

From €50See

Vue aérienne du parc marin de Blue Bay à l'île Maurice : lagon turquoise, barrière de corail au large

Blue Bay Maurice

13 activités sur la zone de Blue Bay au sud-est dès 20 € en VTT électrique à 90 € pour le quad le plus testé du panel ( 5/5 sur 31 avis ). Parc marin classé depuis 1997.

From €20See

Silhouettes de passagers sur le pont d'un catamaran « Sunset Cruiser » au coucher du soleil à l'île Maurice

Catamaran Maurice

5 croisières en catamaran dès 62 € pour l'île aux Cerfs depuis Pointe Jérôme à 282 € en privatisation sunset Rivière Noire. Trou d'Eau Douce 5/5 sur 10 avis Manawa.

From €62See

See all Mauritius activities

Cultural events

Festivals and events in May

Labour Day· 1 May

A national public holiday, with political rallies and union commemorations in Port Louis.

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Mauritius month by month, climate at a glance

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Frequently asked questions

Your questions about Mauritius in May

Is May a good month to visit Mauritius?

An excellent month, one of the 3 or 4 best of the year. Winter is getting under way, with almost always clear skies, a steady trade wind, mild temperatures (19-27°C) and warm water (26°C). Hotel prices are at the lower end ahead of the July-August high season, and the weather is very predictable.

What's the weather like in Mauritius in May?

Very settled: 19-27°C, sea at 26°C and around 95mm of rain over 8 days. Showers are usually brief, localised and early or late in the day. A south-easterly trade wind blows steadily at 15 to 25 knots, ideal for kitesurfing at Le Morne and for sailing. The cyclone risk is officially low, and in practice zero from mid-May.

What's the best month for kitesurfing in Mauritius?

May and June are 2 of the best months for beginners (a steady 15-20 knot trade wind, water still at 26°C), and September-October for experienced riders (wind peaking at 25-30 knots). You can kite at Le Morne all year except January-February (cyclone season). A taster lesson costs €87 for 1.5 hours (5/5 from 2 Manawa reviews), and multi-day courses at Bel Ombre start at €105.

What are the best things to do in Mauritius in May?

Kitesurfing at Le Morne as the season gets going (€87 for a taster), a hike up Le Morne Brabant (€44 with Yanature, in bearable temperatures), an exploration dive at Blue Bay (€50, water still at 26°C), a catamaran day trip to Île aux Cerfs (€69 with a barbecue, 5/5 from 10 Manawa reviews) and a helicopter flight over the underwater waterfall (€1,350 shared, 5/5 from 5 GetYourGuide reviews).

Are there any events in Mauritius in May?

1 May (Labour Day) is a national holiday with political and union rallies in Port Louis, one of the busiest days of the year in the city centre. Beyond that, there aren't many major cultural events in May: it's a month for the great outdoors.

How much do hotels cost in Mauritius in May?

May is still low season for European visitors, with prices close to April's. 5-star hotels (Anantara Iko, Constance Belle Mare, Long Beach, Hilton) cost around €300-380 a night, and 3-star hotels in the north (Maison du Nord, Toparadis, Résidence Peramal) €65-95 a night for two (see the selection of affordable Mauritius hotels). Good value all round.

Last updated: 17 October 2026 (October 2026). 30-year average climate data, Port-Louis station. Prices and availability verified as of the writing date.