Why and where to live in the North of Mauritius?

As the most popular tourist destination on the island and the number one destination for expatriates, the North is a picture postcard. The region enjoys an ideal climate, less hot than in the West and less windy than in the South and East. 

Do you dream of a life close to the sea, with boat trips and days on the beach, while maintaining a rich social life with the convenience of nearby amenities? Then the North is for you!

A haven for expatriates

In the North, bays stretch for kilometres, the constant feature being the fine white sand and clear turquoise water. While Grand Baie and the surrounding seaside areas are very dynamic and urbanised, the rest of the coast is home to charming fishing villages and a succession of luxury hotels. 

Inland, the sugar heritage is still very much alive, with the cultivation of sugar-cane and old estates transformed into lively places, such as Beau Plan and Domaine de Labourdonnais. The North is home to typical Mauritian towns and villages such as Pamplemousses, Triolet and Goodlands. They come alive around their markets and places of worship, and have preserved the remains of old buildings.

A favourite region for expatriates from all over the world, the North is home to a dynamic international community of young people, families and retirees. You will have no trouble fitting in, and will soon be able to take advantage of the many activities on offer. 

The coast and inland, around Grand Baie

The towns should be considered in relation to their distance from Grand Baie, the focal point of the North. The further you are, the quieter you will be and the more affordable the accommodation, but the longer you will have to travel to reach amenities.

The coastal towns are home to the majority of expatriates. 

Grand Baie, the "capital" of the North

Grand Baie is a coastal resort, with all the advantages and disadvantages that entails. The infrastructure here is highly developed and Europeanised, with numerous restaurants, bars, shops, etc. Grand Baie is a lively place. Accommodation is relatively affordable, but there are few options on the beach. 

From Grand Baie to the northwest

If you head down the coast from Grand Baie, you will find several villages. 

Pointe aux Canonniers is the posh Northern district, featuring beautiful houses with gardens plunging into the lagoon. Rental properties are more expensive here, but it is the price of tranquillity while remaining just a few minutes from Grand Baie. 

Mont Choisy, also at the entrance to Grand Baie, is developing rapidly. It is home to a magnificent 18-hole golf course (the only one in the North) and one of the region’s most beautiful beaches, as well as a shopping centre.

Further south, Trou aux Biches is a more affordable option, but you will be rubbing shoulders with a lot of tourists. 

Finally, Pointe aux Piments offers charm and tranquillity, but requires an extra few minutes’ drive to reach amenities.

From Grand Baie to the northeast

Back in Grand Baie, heading northeast along the coastal road you will pass through Pereybère, Cap Malheureux, Calodyne and finally Gand Gaube. Note that the further east you go, the windier it gets, especially in winter.

Pereybère and Cap Malheureux offer the possibility of a sumptuous house on the lagoon with an incredible view of the Northern islands. 

Pereybère is renowned for its public beach. Although it is developing rapidly, the village still offers relative calm in close proximity to Grand Baie. Cap Malheureux is a quieter option, the village known for its red-roofed church having managed to retain its local charm.

Further east, the villages of Calodyne and Grand Gaube offer a break from the hustle and bustle of the tourist trade for a more authentic experience. 

Choose Calodyne if you want a country feel in a house with a garden, some fifteen minutes from Grand Baie, or Grand Gaube for Mauritian-style living in this unspoilt fishing village. A small supermarket and bakery in Calodyne will save you a few trips to Grand Baie. 

If living close to the sea is not your priority, the Northern Lands are a good option, close to all amenities, schools and offices. The former sugar estate of Beau Plan offers affordable, luxury accommodation in a quiet, natural environment. 

Activities and leisure

The Northern region offers a multitude of activities and leisure pursuits to suit all tastes. 

The ocean is a vast playground in the North: kite-surfing, sailing, fishing, scuba-diving, water-skiing… There will rarely be a weekend when you don’t find yourself near the ocean. If you don’t, you are bound to have friends with boats, ready to take you for a day out to the Northern islands or for a sunset off the coast. 

On land, the Mont Choisy golf course welcomes you to a magnificent 18-hole course. Between Grand Baie and Beau Plan, via Forbach and Labourdonnais, there are numerous sports and cultural centres where you can indulge your passions: padel, tennis, rugby, football, fitness, boxing, swimming, horse-riding, yoga, dance, music, drama and art classes, etc.

Culture is not forgotten in the North: visit l’Aventure du Sucre at Beau Plan to immerse yourself in the country’s sugar-making history and discover how sugar and rum are made, the Domaine de Labourdonnais castle and its orchards for a leap back in time, a refreshing break at the Pamplemousses botanical garden followed by a visit to the church of Saint-François-d’Assise (the oldest in Mauritius), a trip to India at the Maheshwarnath Mandir, the largest Hindu temple on the island… 

For a shopping spree, there is plenty to do in the North with numerous designer boutiques in Grand Baie and the Mahogany shopping centres in Beau Plan, Quartier des Serres in Labourdonnais, Mont Choisy Mall and Grand Baie La Croisette. 

Last but not least, there are a host of restaurants, bars and nightclubs that make the region so vibrant. Evenings are lively in the North, mainly in Grand Baie or Domaine de Labourdonnais, and in Beau Plan, where concerts and festivals punctuate the year.

Working from the North

Many companies are based in the North, mainly in the Domaine de Labourdonnais, the new Smart City in Beau Plan and towards Forbach. If you work in Port Louis, you can expect to drive 30 to 40 minutes from Grand Baie, while the Moka business centre can be reached in 25 minutes and Ebène in 30 minutes. However, rush hour can make these journeys considerably longer.

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In short, choose the North if you are looking for: 
• A rich social and cultural life 
• Access to all amenities 
• A lifestyle close to the ocean