Published
Checklist updated September 2026

What to pack for Mauritius: the complete 2026 checklist

Clothes for each season, diving and water gear, reef-safe sun protection (mandatory in the marine park), a UK type Gplug adapter (a legacy of British rule), first-aid kit and documents: everything you need so you don't forget a thing.

6categories32items2seasons covered

This is first and foremost a site about Reunion Island(nicknamed l'île intense, “the intense island”). Mauritius shares 90% of its packing list with Reunion Island (same hemisphere, same tropical climate, similar vaccinations), but it has 2 strict quirks of its own: UK type G power sockets (not European type C/E) and mandatory reef-safe sunscreen in the Blue Bay marine park. These are the two traps that most often catch out travellers coming over from Reunion Island for the first time.

Packing for Mauritius means allowing for 3 specific things: (1) the tropical climate, with seasons opposite to Europe's (a hot, rainy southern summer in December-February and a dry, cool southern winter in June-September; see my when to go to Mauritius guide), (2) British power outlets (type G with 3 flat pins, a colonial legacy), and (3) the strict rules of the Blue Bay marine park (reef-safe sunscreen mandatory, certain chemical filters banned).

This checklist is split into 6 categories for a trip as a couple or a family, with seasonal notes further down the page to adjust for your dates. Items marked mandatory are the ones you absolutely need to tick off before you leave.

Clothing

  • Lightweight cotton or linen clothes
    T-shirts, shorts, dresses: the tropical holiday basics.
  • 1 fleece or light jumper
    For evenings and early-morning helicopter flights, especially from June to August.
  • 1 windbreaker or light jacket
    For boat trips, helicopter and microlight flights (the airflow reaches 200-300 km/h in an open cockpit).
  • Light rain gear
    A compact rain jacket or poncho. January-March: frequent afternoon showers.
  • Swimwear (2 minimum)
    One to wear while the other dries. The sea is 23-28°C all year.
  • Modest clothes for sightseeing
    For visiting Aapravasi Ghat (UNESCO), temples or mosques: shoulders and knees covered.

Water and beach

  • Water shoes
    Essential for walking through water (canyoning, hikes with a swim). Also useful on coral.
  • Microfibre towel
    Dries fast, takes up little space, perfect for boat trips and diving.
  • Your own mask + snorkel
    Optional: gear is provided everywhere, but your own means no sharing.
  • Rash guard / UV top
    For long snorkelling sessions (Blue Bay marine park, dolphin trips). Sun protection without cream.
  • 2-3 mm shorty wetsuit
    Useful in the southern winter (June-September, water at 23-25°C) for longer dives.

Sun protection

  • Reef-safe sunscreen (MANDATORY)Mandatory
    Mineral filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide). Oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene and homosalate filters are BANNED in the Blue Bay marine park and the protected Trou aux Biches area. You may be checked when you report for a trip, so buy it before you leave.
  • Sunglasses (with a strap)
    It gets windy on boat trips and kitesurfing, and a strap stops you losing them at sea.
  • Hat or cap
    The tropical sun is directly overhead between 10am and 3pm. Essential even in the southern winter.
  • SPF lip balm
    Lips burn fast on boat trips.

First-aid kit and health

  • Tropical-strength insect repellent
    DEET ≥ 25% or Icaridin ≥ 20%. Essential for hiking in forested areas (Black River Gorges, Vallée Park).
  • Anti-malarial medication
    NOT NEEDED for Mauritius (no endemic malaria). Do check with your doctor that your routine vaccinations are up to date.
  • Travel-sickness tablets
    For boat trips and helicopter flights (tight turns over the underwater waterfall).
  • Anti-diarrhoea medication
    Your stomach may need a few days to adjust (spices, coconut milk).
  • Antiseptic and plasters
    Coral cuts are common among beginner snorkellers.
  • Personal medication + prescription
    Mauritian pharmacies don't stock every European medication. A prescription is also useful for customs.

Electronics

  • Type G (UK) power adapterMandatory
    Mauritius uses British 3-flat-pin sockets, not European type C or E. Voltage 230 V / 50 Hz.
  • Extension lead (for a single adapter)
    Saves buying several adapters: plug everything into the lead, then use one UK adapter.
  • Power bank
    10,000 mAh minimum. Useful on longer hikes (Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire, 828 m, 4 hours there and back).
  • Camera + GoPro
    For whale/dolphin trips, helicopter and seaplane flights. Harness-mounted GoPros are allowed on most Manawa listings.
  • Cables + chargers
    Pack a spare set (one for your bag, one for the room).

Documents and payment

  • Passport (valid for at least 6 months)Mandatory
    Mandatory. No visa required for EU nationals for stays under 90 days; check the rules for your own nationality.
  • Driving licence
    A standard French (EU) driving licence is accepted for car, quad and buggy rental. You must show it when you check in for Manawa quad and buggy trips (see my Mauritius quad biking page). Renting a car? Mauritius drives on the left, and you can browse the island's rental companies before you travel.
  • International bank card
    Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere. A card with no foreign transaction fees is best for withdrawing Mauritian rupees.
  • Cash in Mauritian rupees
    For markets (Port-Louis, Flacq), small family-run restaurants and tips. There are ATMs at the airport and in towns.
  • Boarding pass / tickets
    Print them or take a screenshot: Wi-Fi at SSR airport can be too patchy to load a QR code online.
  • Travel insurance
    Strongly recommended, including medical repatriation. Around €50/year for a family.
Season by season

What changes between the southern summer and winter

The climate in Mauritius changes a lot between the two seasons, and your packing list should change with it. For a month-by-month breakdown, see my when to go to Mauritius guide.

Southern summer (Nov-Mar)

  • ·Frequent afternoon rain → a rain jacket and quick-dry shoes
  • ·Cyclone risk in January-February → check the forecast 48 hours before every activity
  • ·Water at 28°C → no wetsuit needed for most dives
  • ·Stronger insect repellent (peak mosquito season)

Southern winter (May-Sep)

  • ·Cool evenings and mornings (17-19°C) → a light fleece is a must
  • ·Steady trade winds → strapped sunglasses and a windbreaker for boat trips
  • ·Water at 23-25°C → a 2-3 mm shorty wetsuit is welcome for longer snorkelling sessions
  • ·Whale season July-October → a waterproof jacket for the early-morning speedboat trip
Leave it at home

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Chemical sunscreen (oxybenzone, octinoxate)
    Banned in the Blue Bay marine park and other protected areas, and may be confiscated when you report for a trip.
  • An undeclared drone
    Commercial drone use requires MAA (Mauritius Aviation Authority) authorisation. Recreational drones are tolerated but banned around SSR airport and public buildings.
  • Only a European adapter (type C / E)
    Useless: Mauritius only has type G (UK, 3 flat pins) sockets.
  • An e-cigarette with strong nicotine liquid
    Imports are strictly regulated, and liquids over 36 mg/ml are banned.
  • Plants, fruit, meat, fresh cheese
    Strictly banned. Customs check at SSR airport and you may be fined.
Frequently asked questions

Packing for Mauritius: your questions answered

What electrical outlets does Mauritius use?
Mauritius uses British type G outlets (3 flat pins), a legacy of British colonial rule. Voltage is 230 V / 50 Hz, the same as in the UK and mainland Europe, so you only need a type G adapter, not a transformer. Buy one before you leave (€5-10 at a hardware shop or the airport), as the choice on the island is limited.
What sunscreen should I use in Mauritius?
Reef-safe sunscreen (mineral filters: zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) is mandatory in the Blue Bay marine park and the protected Trou aux Biches area. Oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene and homosalate filters are BANNED there. You may be checked when you report for a snorkelling trip (glass-bottom boat €24, a first dive at Blue Bay €80). Buy it before you leave, as the choice on the island is limited and more expensive.
Do I need a visa for Mauritius?
No visa is required for French and other EU nationals for a tourist stay of under 90 days; check the rules for your own passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date. Border control may ask for proof of accommodation and a return ticket, so have your return flight confirmed.
What vaccinations do I need for Mauritius?
No vaccination is mandatory for Mauritius when travelling directly from France. Your routine vaccinations should be up to date (diphtheria, tetanus, polio, MMR). Depending on your situation, hepatitis A and B and typhoid are recommended. There is no malaria in Mauritius, but dengue fever does appear from time to time, which is why insect repellent matters.
Can I drink the tap water in Mauritius?
Tap water in Mauritius is officially safe to drink and treated to WHO standards in the main towns (Port-Louis, Curepipe, hotels). Many travellers still prefer bottled water for the first few days while their stomach adjusts. There is no proven health risk, though it's worth letting the tap run for a few seconds in hotels with older plumbing.
How much should I budget per day in Mauritius?
Allow €50-80 per person per day for a 3-star hotel and a few activities (my budget hotel picks in Mauritius start at €65 a night for two, and Manawa activities at €24 per person). Allow €150-250 per person per day for a 5-star hotel and premium activities (Constance, Long Beach or Hilton resorts, plus a shared helicopter flight over the underwater waterfall at €1,350). Flights from Europe not included.
What if I forget something?
Port-Louis (the capital) and Grand Baie (the northern resort town) have well-stocked supermarkets with UK adapters, reef-safe sunscreen and insect repellent. For medication, every town has a pharmacy, but they may not stock every European brand, so note down the generic name of what you take. For diving gear, dive centres rent masks, fins and wetsuits by the session.

Last updated: 29 September 2026. Import and marine park regulations verified with Mauritius Customs and the Mauritius Meteorological Services.