Located on the Indian ocean, just inside the Tropic of Capricorn, Mauritius has a very subtropical climate, making it ideal for sun-filled vacations. However, it does have some shifts in weather patterns during the year, with distinct wet and dry seasons. From May to December, the dry season attracts many visitors. In the summer (which is during the Northern countries' winter), the temperature ranges on the coast from between 72 to 93 degrees F, while the sea temperature ranges between the 70s and 80s. This weather makes Mauritius ideal of waters sports as well as relaxing on the beach. In Mauritius, the western and northern regions are warmer and relatively drier than the East and the South.   In the center of the island, the day time weather can be a bit cooler, ranging from 66 to 78 degrees F.

If one relies on the weather to dictate when to visit Mauritius, one can argue that between May to December is the best time to visit since the rain is less during this time of the year. The hottest it gets during these months in around 77°F compared to only slightly warmer 86-89°F in January (this is summer in Mauritius). However, since this also tends to be high season for visiting Mauritius, travelers will see the peak hotel rates at this time (especially around December) and the streets of Port Louis, which is infamous for traffic jams, will be more packed. For a quieter vacation or escape, some may opt for January through May, although it can be very wet and rainy during this time (it is difficult to predict the weather during this time).