Pereybere Beach Mauritius: Grand Baie Guide
I spent two weeks in Pereybere on my first trip to Mauritius and understood immediately why people return year after year. The beach is smaller than the resort beaches further south, but that is part of the appeal – it feels like a local spot rather than a tourist attraction. I walked to the water every morning, snorkelled over the reef in the afternoon, and ate dholl puri from street vendors for about 50 rupees. Grand Baie next door has the nightlife and shopping if you want it, but Pereybere has the atmosphere. My guesthouse cost £30 a night and had an ocean view. This is the Mauritius that exists outside the all-inclusive resorts.
Overview
Pereybere and Grand Baie sit on the northern coast of Mauritius. The area covers everything from beach days and snorkelling to diving, markets, and nightlife. Grand Baie is the livelier of the two, with shops, restaurants, and bars. Pereybere is quieter, built around a small public beach, and more local in feel.
Things to do include diving and snorkelling the offshore reefs, taking boat trips to nearby islands like Île Plate and Île aux Cerfs, visiting the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden, and eating well – dholl puri from street vendors, grilled fish at beachside restaurants, and gateaux piments with an Alouda milk drink.
Pereybere Public Beach, Grand Baie, Mauritius
Beaches
Pereybere Beach
Pereybere’s public beach is small – a few hundred metres of white sand protected by a reef. The water is calm and clear, good for swimming and snorkelling. It gets busy at weekends with local families, but midweek it is quiet. Lifeguards are on duty during peak hours.
Water sports are available from operators on the beach: kayaking, paddleboarding, jet skiing, banana boats, and parasailing. Dive shops nearby offer snorkelling excursions to the offshore reef and to shipwrecks.
Grand Baie
Grand Baie is the main tourist hub for northern Mauritius, with a good range of restaurants, shops, and nightlife. The waterfront area has clothing boutiques, souvenir shops, and jewellers. La Croisette is the main shopping mall.
Nightlife is modest by resort standards but active enough. Nightclubs include La Boom, La Kaza, and Le Pirate. Jazz bar B52 is worth a visit for cocktails and live music. Dinner cruises on the lagoon are popular with couples.
Attractions nearby: The Grand Baie Lighthouse (built 1895) overlooks the Indian Ocean and has a small garden. The Mauritius Aquarium is good for families, with fish, sharks, and reef species on display.
Scuba diving and snorkelling
Pereybere and Grand Baie are good bases for diving in northern Mauritius. Several dive centres operate in the area, offering courses for beginners, guided dives, and equipment hire. The water temperature stays around 24-28°C year-round, so a thin wetsuit or skin suit is sufficient for most divers.
Key dive sites:
Blue Bay – Good snorkelling and shallow diving over coral gardens with plenty of fish, turtles, and rays.
Coral Garden – A reef dive with varied coral formations and regular sightings of sea turtles, barracudas, and stingrays.
Shipwreck Cove – Several wrecks colonised by coral and marine life. Good for both beginners and experienced divers. Look for moray eels and octopus in the wreckage.
SSR Botanical Garden
The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden at Pamplemousses is the oldest botanical garden in the southern hemisphere and worth a half-day visit. The garden covers 37 hectares and contains hundreds of plant species from around the world.
The giant Amazon water lilies are the most-photographed feature – leaves up to two metres across floating on the pond. The garden also has extensive palm collections, spice trees, and flowering tropical plants.
Admission: Adult 50 Rupees, Child 20 Rupees, Family 150 Rupees. Guided tours available.
Getting to Mauritius
Most UK visitors fly direct with Air Mauritius or British Airways (around 12-13 hours). Package deals combining flights and accommodation generally offer the best value. Book early for the dry season (May-December) when demand is highest.
Mauritius is reached by air only – Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is in the south of the island, about 70km from Pereybere.
Accommodation
The Pereybere and Grand Baie area has accommodation across all budgets.
Luxury resorts offer pool villas, spa facilities, and beachfront access. Expect to pay £150-400+ per night.
Beachfront villas and apartments are popular with self-catering visitors. Many have ocean views and private pools. Available through Airbnb and local rental agencies.
Guesthouses are the best-value option. Clean, locally run, often with sea views and breakfast available. My guesthouse cost £30 a night with an ocean view – this end of the market is what makes Pereybere good value compared to the resort areas further south.
Getting around
Car rental is the most flexible option, giving you access to the whole northern coast and beyond. Mauritius drives on the left. Roads are reasonable but can get busy around Grand Baie.
Taxis are widely available and straightforward to book. Agree the price before getting in. Most drivers speak English and can suggest local restaurants or attractions.
Local buses run between Grand Baie, Pereybere, and other northern towns, and are very cheap. Useful for short hops but can be slow and infrequent for longer journeys.
Food
Mauritian food reflects the island’s mixed heritage – Indian, African, French, and Chinese influences all show up in the cooking.
Street food is cheap and worth seeking out. Dholl puri (split pea flatbread served with rougaille and chutneys) costs around 50 rupees from roadside vendors. Samosas, boulettes (fish balls in broth), and gateaux piments (spiced chilli cakes) are everywhere.
Curries are central to Mauritian cooking. Chicken, fish, and octopus curry are all common, usually served with rice or roti. Octopus curry is particularly good on the coast – the octopus is tenderised by beating on rocks before cooking, a traditional method that still shows up in family restaurants.
Grand Baie has restaurants at all price points, from local curry shops to seafood restaurants along the waterfront.
Catamaran cruises and day trips
Catamaran cruises are popular from Grand Baie, typically visiting nearby islands, snorkelling spots, and islets for lunch. Full-day trips cost around 1,500-2,500 rupees per person and include food and drink. Deep sea fishing charters are also available for those wanting to try their luck with marlin, wahoo, or dorado.
Pereybere is in the Grand Baie area of Mauritius. The location is on the northern tip of the island. Probably the most important attraction for the tourist is the Pereybere beach. Photos and pictures captured there will truly be memorable. A relatively small town, but offers huge rewards.
Location of Pereybere, Grand Baie, Mauritius *click*
There are suburb Pereybere hotel & apartments beach rentals on offer at very reasonable rates, not forgetting all the beach villas too. You have options of self-catering and most have spectacular seaside views. Finding a perfect accommodation is nothing to worry about. A special mention is Pearl Villa. If you fall in love with this side of the island, there are various apartments for sale too. If you ask around you could find decent land for sale. Most travel accommodations offers gym facilities to keep up your fitness while you indulge on the glorious food available.
A local guest house is an option; if you prefer more of a personal touch.
The weather is classed as perfect all year round; this makes this area a perfect destination. Accuweather provides good weather information. Pop over to that site for further weather information. Temperatures are perfect, even for the heat-sensitive folks.
Things to do in Pereybere
There are numerous restaurants and cafes to wine and dine; with entertainment and activities with no limits. You will also find an abundance of shops and supermarkets. The nightlife is very good too. Another mention is the secret nightclub in the local area.
Pereybere diving and snorkeling could be classed as one of the best in the world. This is due to the crystal clear waters and you will surely not be disappointed. There are great excursions on offer all year round. If you want to see something spectacular go look at Google Earth. You will see from the air, how beautiful the water actually is.
There are loads of resources that can help too. You can find information on many travel blogs like ours or sites like Lonely Planet, Tripadvisor or even Expedia can help there. Pereybere beach pictures and photos will show you the absolute beauty. Youtube also offers videos of users who have actually been.
Related
- Mauritius Travel Guide
- Seychelles
- Maldives
- Best Diving Destinations
- Search flights & hotels on lastminute.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit Mauritius?
Most visitors, including citizens of the US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, and South Africa, do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. Upon arrival, you’ll receive a visitor’s permit valid for up to 60 days, which can be extended. You’ll need a valid passport (at least 6 months validity), return ticket, proof of accommodation, and sufficient funds. Always check current requirements before travel as visa policies can change.
What is the best time to visit Pereybere and Grand Baie?
The best time to visit is during the Mauritian winter, from May to December, when temperatures are pleasant (20-26°C) and rainfall is lower. October to December offers the best beach weather with calm seas ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Avoid January to March (cyclone season) when humidity is high and tropical storms are possible. Peak tourist season is July-August and December-January when prices are higher.
What currency is used in Mauritius?
The Mauritian Rupee (MUR) is the local currency. Euros and US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, but you’ll get better rates exchanging to rupees. ATMs are readily available in Grand Baie and Pereybere. Credit cards are accepted at most hotels, restaurants, and shops. For street food like dholl puri and local markets, cash in rupees is essential.
How expensive is Pereybere compared to other parts of Mauritius?
Pereybere and Grand Baie are moderately priced compared to luxury resort areas in the south. Budget travelers can manage on 1,500-2,500 MUR per day (approximately $35-60 USD) staying in guesthouses and eating local food. Mid-range travelers should budget 3,000-5,000 MUR per day ($70-120 USD) for decent accommodation and restaurant meals. Self-catering apartments offer excellent value, and street food like dholl puri costs only 50-100 rupees.
Is Pereybere Beach safe for swimming and families?
Yes, Pereybere Beach is one of the safest beaches in Mauritius for swimming and very family-friendly. The beach is protected by a reef, creating calm, shallow waters perfect for children and non-confident swimmers. Lifeguards are on duty during peak hours. The small size of the beach makes it easy to supervise children. For snorkeling, the clear waters offer excellent visibility and diverse marine life, though always check current conditions before entering the water.
How do I get from the airport to Pereybere?
Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam International Airport is about 70km from Pereybere, roughly a 90-minute drive. Options include: pre-booked private transfers (3,000-4,000 MUR), shared shuttle services (cheaper but slower), regular taxis from the airport rank (negotiate price first, around 2,500-3,500 MUR), or rental cars if you’re comfortable driving on the left. Public buses are available but involve multiple transfers and aren’t recommended with luggage. Most hotels and guesthouses can arrange airport pickup.
